The Texas Department of Insurance protects insurance consumers, agents & companies within the great State of Texas. According to their mission statement the Texas Department of Insurance, “. . . regulates the marketplace firmly and fairly by enforcing and implementing the law.” As of the writing of this Department of Insurance Review in May of 2008 the TDI has been led by Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin since 2005, the TDI is known for providing invaluable online services via its website and seems to be known for keeping a fair hand when applying insurance law and policy throughout the state.

Services and information are made available for all Texas insurance agents. A large section of it is devoted to insurance agent licensing, offering all necessary forms and information on obtaining or renewing proper licenses. Public listings name all insurance agents licensed to sell insurance in the State of Texas. Course listings are also available in this section, allowing Texas insurance agents to continue their education. Publications and renewal notices are published to help keep Texas insurance agents and insurance companies updated.

A great deal of consumer resources are offered by the Texas Department of Insurance. A unique service the agency offers is online price comparisons for both homeowners and automobile insurance. Company listings and profiles allow Texas residents to pick and choose the companies which they want to business with. Filing a complaint against an insurance representative can be done so online, while consumer services such as public records and reports are distributed through the online medium. Information is also available for specific types of insurance, spanning everything from homeowners and car insurance to workers’ compensation.

The Texas Department of Insurance hosts a plethora of data and services for Texas insurance companies. Things such as advertising rules, bond resources, insurance notices & surplus lines are published to make meeting requirements for all companies providing insurance in Texas extremely efficient. Complex analysis on rehabilitation & liquidation oversights as well as published reports are present as well. Lists of admitted companies, premium finance companies and title firms are available for easy reference.

In addition to the Texas Department of Insurance hosting information for the three major insurance groups—consumers, agents & companies—the department also supplies a wealth of data on business, fraud, the Texas State Fire Marshal and workers’ compensation. Fraud bulletins and statistics show just how prevalent the illegal act is in the state of Texas, while online brochures help citizens avoid it. The State Fire Marshal’s office aims to reduce the loss of life due to fire and related hazards. A list of health care networks and information on making claims are part of the resources under workers’ compensation.

All of these sections combined provide reliable, invaluable information in regards to the entire insurance industry. The Texas Department of Insurance is a breath of fresh air in the area of governmental agencies, hosting solid information that details and analyzes nearly every aspect of the industry. Overall, Mike Geeslin and all of his employees continue to mix sound service with excellent content, producing one of the most interactive and helpful insurance department websites around.