July 27, 2005
TO: ALL INSURERS AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS DOING BUSINESS IN TEXAS
RE: 2005 TEXAS DISASTER PLAN SURVEY
Following a disaster in Texas, the Governor´s Office - Division of Emergency Management (DEM) coordinates the state´s disaster response and recovery efforts. DEM, the Texas Department of Insurance, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (a non-profit educational organization sponsored by the property and casualty insurance industry), emergency management organizations, property and casualty (P&C) carriers, and trade groups formed the Texas State Disaster Coalition(TSDC) to formalize communication among these groups in the event of a major disaster in Texas. The TSDC has adopted the Texas State Disaster Coalition Catastrophe Plan. ( http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/commish/storms/index.html).
The Plan calls for an annual survey of all insurers doing business in Texas. This year,TDI will include surplus lines carriers in the survey.The survey asks carriers to certify they have a catastrophe plan and to verify that the plan includes certain key components. In addition, companies are asked if they have a business continuity plan in place should they experience a significant business interruption that would affect claims processing or other activities. Three new questions for property and casualty companies regarding the use of adjusters have been added to the 2005 survey. A person who is familiar with your company´s catastrophe and business continuity plans can complete the survey in ten minutes or less. Please note that TDI is not requesting a copy of your company´s catastrophe and business continuity plans.
Pursuant to Section 38.001 of the Texas Insurance Code, please complete the survey on TDI´s Web site within ten days after receipt of this bulletin. The link is https://wwwapps.tdi.state.tx.us/inter/asproot/consumer/disastsur/survey.asp. If you have questions about the survey, please contact Melissa Hield at or 512-322-4349.
Sincerely,
Mike Geeslin
Commissioner of Insurance
For more information, contact:
Last updated: 01/06/2025
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