http://www.hnrinsurance.com/blog/View Hare and Rathke Insurance Group's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.hnrinsurance.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:394bbd12-6179-4f53-928e-d847b64c10a5urn:uuid:3c8e651b-bbbe-4fbf-9366-d781c36d6123<img src='http://www.insurancejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/mcdonald-observatory-31-e1303479616598.jpg' align='left' />As wildfires continue to rage in almost every region of the state, the Texas Forest Service reports that 6,061 fires and more than 1.8 million acres have burned since the beginning of the year. Much of the burned acreage has comprised vast stretches...Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:16:34 -0500<p>As wildfires continue to rage in almost every region of the state, the Texas Forest Service reports that 6,061 fires and more than 1.8 million acres have burned since the beginning of the year.<br /> <br /> Much of the burned acreage has comprised vast stretches of unoccupied rangeland but rural towns and urban areas have been affected as well.</p> <p>Firefighting teams from all over the United States are being brought in to fight the blazes that are being fueled by high winds and dry vegetation, the result of one of the worst droughts in the state&rsquo;s history.</p> <p>As of April 20, a fire that has destroyed 150,000 acres and 150 mostly upscale homes around Possum Kingdom Lake about 70 miles west of Fort Worth continued to burn as a team of 50 people from federal and state agencies took over management of the firefighting efforts.</p> <p>Authorities ordered the 400 residents of <a href="http://www.claimsjournal.com/news/southcentral/2011/04/20/184751.htm" target="_blank">Palo Pinto </a>about 50 miles west of Fort Worth to leave the city on April 18 because of the advancing flames, said Trooper Gary Rozzell of the Texas Department of Public Safety. The county&rsquo;s jail inmates also were evacuated, the <em>Associated Press </em>reported.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_195923" style="width: 590px;"><img alt="" width="580" height="387" class="size-full wp-image-195923" src="http://www.insurancejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/mcdonald-observatory-31-e1303479616598.jpg" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Photo by: Frank Cianciolo / McDonald Observatory</p> </div> <p>While officials have said that the Possum Kingdom fire is unlikely to directly threaten Fort Worth, one of Texas&rsquo; largest metropolitan areas, the state fire marshal has pointed out rangeland fires are not only a problem for rural homeowners. Over the last two years, 85 percent of the wildfires in Texas have occurred within two miles of a community, according to the Fire Marshall&rsquo;s office. Plus, much of Texas&rsquo; population growth has occurred in what is called the urban wildland interface, where subdivisions and businesses meet surrounding forests and fields, increasing the risk to dwellings and other structures.</p> <p>A weekend wildfire that began in an uninhabited area near Oak Hill&nbsp;in <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2011/04/19/195263.htm" target="_blank">Southwest&nbsp;Austin</a> destroyed or damaged 21 homes causing an estmated $5 million in losses, the <em>Austin American Statesman</em> reported. Fire officials said the blaze started when a homeless man left his campfire untended and the wind blew an ember into the tinder-dry vegetation that can be found throughout the state. The fire spread quickly and forced the evacuation of about 200 homes before crews were able to contain it.</p> <p>The Texas Forest Service said that on April 20 it responded to four new fires that encompassed 1,005 acres, mostly in Deaf Smith County.</p> <div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_195924" style="width: 590px;"><img alt="" width="580" height="387" title="wildfires near McDonald Observatory" class="size-full wp-image-195924" src="http://www.insurancejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/mcdonald-observatory2-e1303479683820.jpg" /> <p class="wp-caption-text">Photo by: Frank Cianciolo / McDonald Observatory</p> </div> <p>A report released by the Texas Forest Service on April 21 shows the following fires remain uncontained in Texas:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Pk Complex, Stephens and Palo Pinto Counties.</strong> <strong>147,065 acres total.</strong> PK West Fire is 89,715 acres, unknown containment. PK East Fire is 10,996 acres, 25 percent contained. Hohertz Fire is 40,575 acres, unknown containment. Jackson Ranch Fire is 6,687 acres, 50 percent contained. These fires are burning near Possum Kingdom Lake, Caddo, Strawn, and Bunger which all have had evacuations; 600-plus homes are threatened. PK subdivisions: Sportsman World, 56 homes destroyed; Gaines Bend, 37 homes destroyed; Hog Bend, 24 homes destroyed; additional assessments of Hell&rsquo;s Gate, Peninsula and Cliff area continue.</li> <li><strong>Mossy Rock Ranch, Stephens County. </strong><strong>800 acres, 75 percent contained.</strong> Located 8.5 miles southwest of Caddo.</li> <li><strong>Southwest Royalty Fire, Garza County. 2,000 acres, 40 percent contained.</strong> Ten homes are threatened. Heavy airtankers and single-engine air tankers assisted on this fire. This fire is 5 miles east of Wilson.</li> <li><strong>Wildcat, Coke County. 158,867 acres, 30 percent contained</strong>. This fire is burning north of San Angelo. More than 400 homes have been saved. The communities of Grape Creek, Quail Valley, Bronte, Robert Lee, Tennyson and Orient are threatened. Evacuations had been in effect for multiple communities, now currently lifted. With winds predicted from the east/northeast, firefighter crews will focus on structure protection on the southwest flank of the fire as well as conduct mop up operations on the eastern flank. Aviation resources will continue to aid in suppression and establishing fire control lines.</li> <li><strong>Rockhouse, Presidio and Jeff Davis counties.</strong> <strong>202,150 acres, 75 percent contained</strong>. Twenty-three homes and two businesses were destroyed in the Ft. Davis area. Ten 20-person hand crews continue to work the fire.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Cooper Mountain Ranch, Kent, Stonewall, Scurry and Fisher counties. 162,625 acres, 90 percent contained.</strong> Four homes have been destroyed.</li> <li><strong>Swenson, Stonewall, King, and Knox counties. 122,500 acres, 90 percent contained.</strong> The fire is burning near Swenson.</li> <li><strong>Bryson Complex, Jack County. 7,500 acres, 70 percent contained. </strong>More than 150 homes were threatened and saved in the town of Bryson. 70 people have been evacuated. The complex is made up of the 5,300-acre 1191/Rockcreek Fire and the 2,200-acre Shanafelt Fire.</li> <li><strong>Pipeline, Tyler County. 7,000 acres, 85 percent contained.</strong> Forty homes are threatened on the fire burning in pine plantation 10 miles northeast of Kountze. Two National Guard Blackhawks from San Antonio are assisting.</li> <li><strong>Smith, Young County. 2,000 acres, 85 percent contained.</strong> The fire is burning six miles northeast of Graham. No other information was received.</li> <li><strong>CR 104, Eastland County. 2,000 acres, 85 percent contained. </strong>The fire is burning two miles north of Cisco. 1,850 homes were threatened in the city of Cisco, as well as a church camp. Five homes and 1 vehicle destroyed.</li> <li><strong>Wichita</strong><strong> County Complex, Wichita County. 11,785 acres, 90 percent contained.</strong> The complex is made up of three fires &ndash; Iowa West, Holiday, Missile &ndash; burning around Wichita Falls. Shepard Air Force Base was threatened, as were hundreds of homes and apartment complexes around the area. Seven homes are destroyed.</li> <li><strong>East Sidwynicks, Eastland County. 3,000 acres, 95 percent contained.</strong> The fire is burning near Carbon City. 1,200 homes were threatened.</li> <li><strong>Sutton, Crockett County. 31,120 acres, 90 percent contained</strong>. The fire is burning 20 miles southwest of Ozona.</li> <li><strong>Middle Pease, Motley County</strong>.<strong> 400 acres, 90 percent contained.</strong> SEATs responded. Located two miles northwest of Matador.</li> <li><strong>Dad&rsquo;s Corner, Archer County. 6,100 acres, 70 percent contained</strong>. Located 15 miles south southwest of Wichita Falls. Fifteen homes are threatened.</li> </ul> <p><em>Associated Press </em>reports contributed to this story.</p>urn:uuid:bd64d852-1470-4122-87bd-ff787b93a122Texas Agency Awarded Trusted Choice Agency of the Month Link to article:  http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/04/01/108660.htm April 1, 2010 The Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group, in Humble, Texas, has been named the Trusted Choic...Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:40:25 -0500<h1>Texas Agency Awarded Trusted Choice Agency of the Month</h1> <p>Link to article:  <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/04/01/108660.htm">http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/04/01/108660.htm</a></p> <p class="byline">April 1, 2010 </p> <p>The Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group, in Humble, Texas, has been named the Trusted Choice Agency of the Month by Trusted Choice, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers.</p> <p>The Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group entered the Humble and greater Houston area in early 2009 and was founded by Scott Hare and Ron Rathke.</p> <p>The two had previously owned and operated independent agencies in the Fort Worth and Arlington area since 1995 - Ron Rathke Insurance and Peoples Insurance. Together, they have more than 50 years of experience in business and the insurance industry.</p> <p>The agency provides both personal and commercial insurance products including: homeowners insurance, auto insurance, life insurance and a variety of other products. The Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group primarily serves Texas residents and small businesses from the Humble, Atascocita and Kingwood area.</p> <p>The Humble, Atascocita and Kingwood area was just named the second fastest growing area in the United States and first in Texas by Gadberry Group.</p> <p>The Trusted Choice Agency of the Month program recognizes those Trusted Choice agencies that are going above and beyond in living the tenets of the Trusted Choice Pledge of Performance and in communicating the benefits of their services to consumers.</p> <p>Source: Trusted Choice, <em><a href="http://www.trustedchoice.com/" title="http://www.trustedchoice.com/" target="_blank">www.TrustedChoice.com</a>.</em></p> urn:uuid:31bf1897-3379-491a-bb0c-2d362370f6dcTEXAS AGENCY AWARDED TRUSTED CHOICE® AGENCY OF THE MONTH Link to article:  www.iiaba.net  - Search: Hare &amp; Rathke Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group Receives National Recognition ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 31, 2010 – The Hare &amp; Rathke Insura...Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:22:09 -0500TEXAS AGENCY AWARDED TRUSTED CHOICE® AGENCY OF THE MONTH <br /> <br /> Link to article:  <a href="http://www.iiaba.net">www.iiaba.net</a>  - Search: Hare &amp; Rathke<br /> <br /> Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group Receives National Recognition <br /> <br /> <br /> ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 31, 2010 – The Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group, headquartered in Humble, Texas, has been named the Trusted Choice® Agency of the Month by Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers. <br /> <br /> “We are proud to announce that for exemplifying the Trusted Choice® Pledge of Performance and setting an extraordinary example of ‘Living the Brand,’ the Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group is our Agency of the Month,” says Dave Evans, Trusted Choice® executive director. “Hare &amp; Rathke has a proven track record in exceeding clients’ expectations of service and expertise.” <br /> <br /> The Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group entered the Humble and greater Houston, Texas area in early 2009 and was founded by Scott Hare and Ron Rathke. Having previously owned and operated independent agencies in the Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas area since 1995, (formally known as Ron Rathke Insurance and Peoples Insurance). Together, they have more than 50 years of experience in business and the insurance industry. The agency provides both personal and commercial insurance products including: homeowners insurance, auto insurance, life insurance and a variety of other products. The Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group primarily serves Texas residents and small businesses from the Humble, Atascocita and Kingwood area. <br /> <br /> The Humble, Atascocita and Kingwood area was just named the second fastest growing area in the United States and first in Texas by Gadberry Group. <br /> <br /> “It’s an exciting time for our agency to be in the middle of the second fastest growing city in the nation,” says Scott Hare, Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group co-founder and president. “We appreciate this opportunity to help the business community, along with local residents, make great insurance choices. I can’t think of a better time or place to be part of such a strong and growing community, and to receive recognition from the Trusted Choice® brand is an honor.” <br /> <br /> “Although the Houston and Harris County area presents challenges with a tight property market, we are well positioned to provide our clients with great insurance products at competitive prices,” says Ron Rathke, Hare &amp; Rathke Insurance Group co-founder. “Providing insurance services in Texas for over 35 years, I have seen market challenges and know that they will pass. We are positioned to exceed our clients’ expectations and are pleased with our product offering and our continued relationships with our insurance carriers. We are also excited about our future growth opportunities and look forward to our partnership with the Trusted Choice® brand.” <br /> <br /> The Trusted Choice® Agency of the Month program recognizes those Trusted Choice® agencies that are going above and beyond in living the tenets of the Trusted Choice® Pledge of Performance and in communicating the benefits of their services to consumers. Trusted Choice® agencies agree to adhere to a written pledge that states they will work with their customers to identify the insurance and financial services that are right for them, their families and/or their businesses. Trusted Choice® agencies use their access to multiple companies to deliver the best value products. It also states they will help guide consumers through the claims process and help them solve problems related to their coverage or accounts, among other things. <br /> <br /> Trusted Choice® educates consumers about the benefits of using independent agents and brokers for their insurance needs: choice of companies, customized policies and advocacy support. Trusted Choice® is the consumer marketing identity for over 10,400 independent insurance agencies and brokerage firms and 54 leading insurance companies. For more information, go to www.TrustedChoice.com. <br /> ### urn:uuid:bb963995-4551-43e8-9afa-589538b66021Consultant: Social Media Can Drive Traffic to Agency's 'Home Base' By Stephanie K. Jones March 24, 2010 Link to article:  http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/24/108429.htm One of the primary reasons why insurance agents don't j...Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:51:53 -0500<h1>Consultant: Social Media Can Drive Traffic to Agency's 'Home Base'</h1> <p class="byline">By <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/feedback/?f=8&amp;a=108429&amp;author=4&amp;code=author&amp;url=/news/southcentral/2010/03/24/108429.htm" title="Contact this author" onclick="openWin( 'http://www.insurancejournal.com/feedback/?f=8&amp;a=108429&amp;author=4&amp;code=author&amp;url=/news/southcentral/2010/03/24/108429.htm','feedback','width=320,height=385,menubar=0,toolbar=0,status=0,location=0,resizable=yes,scrollbars=auto');return false;">Stephanie K. Jones</a><br /> March 24, 2010 </p> <p class="articletools">Link to article:  <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/24/108429.htm">http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/24/108429.htm</a><a href="/news/southcentral/2010/03/24/108429.htm?reprint=1" class="social-copy" rel="nofollow"></a></p> <p>One of the primary reasons why insurance agents don't jump into the world of social media — such as blogging, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and the myriad other Web-based avenues for reaching out to the world at large — is that they are unsure how to go about it, according to a Texas-based agency consultant, coach and mentor who said there's a lot of resistance to using such tools in the agency universe.</p> <p>It can be a mind-boggling experience, said Pat Alexander (<a href="http://patalexander.com/">http://patalexander.com/</a>, and one that she was reluctant to delve into for a long time. However, because in our world today "technology is in permanent state of beta testing," it can be approached as something to try out and see what happens, she explained at a recent agency management seminar hosted by the Independent Insurance Agent of Texas.</p> <p>Around 81 percent of insurance agencies have Web sites, but only about 23 percent have a social media presence like Facebook or Twitter, Alexander said. Nearly half of agencies use some form of e-mail marketing, but only 6 percent use blogs, which can be an effective tool for communicating an agency's particular expertise or passion.</p> <p>Some agencies are concerned about the errors and omissions risks that might arise out of the use of social media outlets. But, said Alexander, consider all the phone calls and e-mails that go out of the typical insurance agency every day. Can the agency control every conversation or every word and comma that appears in all those calls and e-mail messages? If you have the right social media tools and policies for your agency you can actually control the results, Alexander said.</p> <p>Many agents are reluctant to blog because they view themselves as insurance people, not writers. However, most bloggers are not professional writers, Alexander said. They just started blogging about some subject about which they are passionate. If you can go talk to a client about a subject, you can blog about it, she said. Plus, widely available spelling and grammar applications can be used to clean up the text if one feels the need.</p> <p>Some see social media as just fad, Alexander said, but many thought the same thing about cell phones, e-mail, electronic files, direct bill and online rating. One way to look at it, Alexander explained, is that an agency's blog or Web site is its electronic home base, and "outposts" like Twitter, Facebook, Google profiles and search engine optimization can be used to drive online traffic to that home base.</p> <p>As one Texas insurance agent told <em>Insurance Journal</em>, "If we're going to stay in this business … we're going to have to stay up with technology and the times."</p> <p>Deni Townsend, vice president of <a href="http://www.billygreavesinsurance.com/" target="_blank">Billy Greaves Insurance Agency</a> in San Antonio, Texas, said she believes all agencies should have a Web site at the very least, and one that reflects who they are and what they do.</p> <p>"When I look up a business, that's the first thing I do," Townsend said. "When I have a new client I go to their Web site immediately. I want to see what's on there. It does make a big difference. I want to see where they are located. All of those things are important."</p> <p>Billy Greaves is a family owned agency that celebrates its 75^th anniversary next year. Its Web site "is very 'us,'" Townsend said. "We put pictures of our clients – any awards they have done, things they have done. It's very personal. My husband and I like to hunt and fish, and that's what's on there."</p> <p>Having taken a class on developing a social media presence presented by Safeco, Townsend said she was inspired to experiment with Facebook and LinkedIn, Google maps and Yahoo search engine optimization, and is initiating an "e-mail blast" to clients that will go out on a regular basis. While her agency has only recently dipped its toe into the social media waters, Townsend believes the effort will help drive traffic to her Web site and ultimately bring in new business.</p> <p>The bottom line with social media seems to be, just get out there and do some of your own beta testing and see what happens. It may be more rewarding than you think.</p> urn:uuid:af2621aa-6bd4-469e-abbd-859693de724eRules Change for Young Drivers in Texas March 2, 2010 Link to article: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/02/107789.htm Applicants for a drivers license in Texas between the ages of 18 and 24 now must complete an approved dri...Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:50:22 -0500<h1>Rules Change for Young Drivers in Texas</h1> <p class="byline">March 2, 2010 <br /> <br /> Link to article: <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/02/107789.htm">http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/02/107789.htm</a></p> <p>Applicants for a drivers license in Texas between the ages of 18 and 24 now must complete an approved driver education course and a driving skills test to get a license, the Texas Department of Public Safety says.</p> <p>DPS says applicants must submit a certificate proving that they successfully completed a driver education course approved by the Texas Education Agency.</p> <p>Applicants with such proof will not be required to submit to the written highway signs and traffic laws test, but still need to pass the driving skills part.</p> <p>A driving safety course or drug and alcohol driving awareness program are not acceptable as driver education courses.</p> <p>The changes were approved by the 2009 Legislature.</p> urn:uuid:6879d44d-416a-44f0-ba87-798bc80d092fTexas' Preferred Personal Insurance Agency Writes More With Social Media By Patricia-Anne Tom March 18, 2010 Lint to article: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/18/108249.htm Gartner research shows mobile consumers spent $4....Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:22:38 -0500<h1>Texas' Preferred Personal Insurance Agency Writes More With Social Media</h1> <p class="byline">By <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/feedback/?f=8&amp;a=108249&amp;author=520&amp;code=author&amp;url=/news/southcentral/2010/03/18/108249.htm" title="Contact this author" onclick="openWin( 'http://www.insurancejournal.com/feedback/?f=8&amp;a=108249&amp;author=520&amp;code=author&amp;url=/news/southcentral/2010/03/18/108249.htm','feedback','width=320,height=385,menubar=0,toolbar=0,status=0,location=0,resizable=yes,scrollbars=auto');return false;">Patricia-Anne Tom</a><br /> March 18, 2010 </p> <div class="articletools"></div> <p>Lint to article: <a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/18/108249.htm">http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/03/18/108249.htm</a><br /> <br /> Gartner research shows mobile consumers spent $4.2 billion in 2009 at mobile applications stores, and that figure is expected to jump to $30 billion by 2013, said George Redenbaugh, assistant treasurer and senior director of risk management for eBay. With such statistics, there's no reason for insurance companies not to understand what social networking means to their businesses, said Redenbaugh, who is responsible for enterprise risk management, risk insurance programs, treasury systems and international cash management for the online auction site, and recently spoke at a Golden Gate Chapter of the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters Society meeting.</p> <p>Some innovative agents are already reaping the benefits of social networking. Jason Kennedy of Preferred Personal Insurance Agency in Frisco, Texas, for instance, said he wrote more policies last year as a result of tapping into the latest tech tools.</p> <p>Preferred Personal Insurance Agency is a personal lines agency that writes coverage through Travelers, Hartford, Safeco, and MetLife, among other carriers. While the company's owners aren't frequent users of new media, Kennedy, said he's taken it upon himself to use the tools.</p> <p>His involvement with social networking tools began because he had so many friends on the network that they encouraged him to join in. He set up a personal Facebook page about a year and a half ago that includes information about what he does, such as describing that he's a sales representative in the insurance business. He later developed a Fan page that is slightly more career-focused, and has helped him to write more policies that he probably wouldn't have found, if it wasn't for the new media, he said.</p> <p>"Facebook has been pretty good for me … because it put me into contact with some people that I went to high school with that I probably never would have spoken to had it not been for connecting with them on Facebook," Kennedy said. "I've written [insurance for] several of them, just because people see I'm on there and they'll say, 'I trust this guy, so I'll get a quote from him.'"</p> <p>He noted that having an online presence helps to distinguish him from the competition. "It's an extremely competitive market out there. Up here, everybody wants to write. Anyway I can get my name out there, I'm going to do it. … All my business is on referral and word of mouth."</p> <p>Other agents are also involved in social media. The other profiles include:</p> <p><a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2010/03/18/108250.htm">California's Crescenta Valley Insurance</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2010/03/18/108248.htm">New York's Bryan Insurance Agency LLC</a></p> <p><em>Insurance Journal Editors Stephanie Jones and Ken St. Onge contributed to this article.</em></p> urn:uuid:78cc0c33-afe2-4561-b1ff-376d8479d7feThursday, August 21, 2008 Survey shows more than half who rent in Houston don't have insurance on their property Houston Business Journal Link to article:   http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/08/18/daily38.html   About 52 percent o...Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:13:18 -0500<div class="storydate">Thursday, August 21, 2008</div> <h2 class="column_name"></h2> <h1 class="headline">Survey shows more than half who rent in Houston don't have insurance on their property</h1> <div class="subhead"></div> <h3>Houston Business Journal</h3> <p>Link to article:   <a href="http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/08/18/daily38.html">http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/08/18/daily38.html</a></p> <div style="display: none; clear: both;" id="email_article" jQuery1269893425264="4" sizset="90" sizcache="35"> </div> About 52 percent of Houston-area renters say they do not have renter's insurance, according to an online survey conducted by <a href="http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/related_content.html?topic=Allstate%20Corp" class="story_clink" jQuery1269893425264="11">Allstate Corp.</a> In the midst of the current housing crisis, a growing number of people are renting nationwide. But Allstate (NYSE: ALL) found that many renters nationally are not adequately prepared in case of disaster. In Houston, 61 percent of renters have not done a home inventory check list or tried to estimate the cost of replacing everything in their home in the past year or two, the survey found. Fewer than one in four local renters have taken photographs or videotaped their possessions during the past two years to document what they own. The other major Texas markets showed similar trends. In Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, about 40 percent of renters have no renter's insurance. "This survey highlights the importance of educating American families who rent about the risks facing their homes and possessions," says Jeff Deigl, vice president of specialty product lines for Allstate. "It's a wake-up call to increase awareness of the resources available to minimize these risks." Allstate conducted national and Texas-focused surveys of renters between May and June.<br clear="all" /> urn:uuid:b10a028b-7b76-4ce5-9344-33f0079e75e9Thursday, January 28, 2010 Study: Atascocita, Katy make high-growth area list Link to original story: http://triangle.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/25/daily37.html Houston Business Journal - by Allison Wollam Reporter Texas appears to b...Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:00:53 -0500<h1 class="headline"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Thursday, January 28, 2010</span></h1> <h1 class="headline">Study: Atascocita, Katy make high-growth area list</h1> <p class="headline">Link to original story:<a href="http://triangle.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/25/daily37.html"><br /> http://triangle.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/01/25/daily37.html</a></p> <div class="subhead"></div> <h3 sizcache="35" sizset="89">Houston Business Journal - by <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/search/results.html?Ntt=%22Allison%20Wollam%22&amp;Ntk=All&amp;Ntx=mode matchallpartial" id="byline" jQuery1269892046608="76">Allison Wollam</a> Reporter <div style="display: none; clear: both;" id="email_article" sizcache="35" sizset="90" jQuery1269892046608="4"></div> </h3> <div id="storycontent" sizcache="35" sizset="98"> <p>Texas appears to be bucking national economic trends capturing four of nine slots on 2009’s most notable high-growth areas in the U.S. Locally, both Atascocita and Katy were recognized.</p> <p sizcache="35" sizset="98">New research, conducted by Little Rock, Ark.-based <a href="http://profiles.portfolio.com/company/us/ar/little_rock/gadberry_group/2496741/" class="story_clink" jQuery1269892046608="11"><strong>Gadberry Group</strong></a>, found that Texas is No. 1 in the nation in terms of growth rate and household income.</p> <p>Since 2000, households in Atascocita - which ranked second on the list - grew 108 percent, from 11,475 to 23,917, according to the new study. In addition, the study found that average household income grew from $79,054 to $99,272.</p> <p>Gadberry’s research also revealed that Hispanic households represented the largest growing segment of the population at 278 percent.</p> <p>Katy was one of the Top 25 candidates in 2008 and occupies the No. 5 position on 2009’s list. The area added 15,699 households since 2000, increasing from 6,585 households in 2000 to 22,284 households in 2008.</p> <p>Katy tied with Mansfield for the highest percentage of children compared to total population at 42 percent. It is also the most ethnically diverse of this year’s places, with no ethnic group having less than 6 percent of total households and all major ethnic groups growing more than 150 percent since 2000.</p> <p>Mansfield, which is located south of Arlington, ranked seventh on the list while Wylie, which is located just outside of Abilene, ranked eighth on the list.</p> </div> urn:uuid:8b49f8b3-1bcc-441a-b3b4-06f5f1240ee0 Windstorm bill has no caps for big ones By JANET ELLIOTT AUSTIN BUREAU June 2, 2009, 7:21PM /**/ // no ads AUSTIN — Coastal residents whose property is insured by the state’s windstorm pool are getting a temporary break from higher premiums, bu...Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:39:16 -0500<div id=story-head> <h1>Windstorm bill has no caps for big ones</h1> <h2></h2> <h3>By JANET ELLIOTT AUSTIN BUREAU</h3> <h4>June 2, 2009, 7:21PM</h4></div> <div class=CHRON_ad id=tool-bar-ad><!-- Ad 120x60 --> <div id=defer-deferrable1> <script type=text/javascript>/*<![CDATA[*/ try{ /*OAS_AD('Position3');*/ yld_mgr.place_ad_here("STY120");}catch(e){} /*]]>*/</script> <!-- SpaceID=2022775850 loc=BTN2 noad --> <script>// no ads </script> AUSTIN — Coastal residents whose property is insured by the state’s windstorm pool are getting a temporary break from higher premiums, but all bets are off if the state is hit by a major hurricane.</div></div> <div id=story sizset="4" sizcache="4"> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2435903>A bill on its way to Gov. Rick Perry includes a 10 percent cap on rate hikes during a 12-month period when there is not a hurricane. However, there are no caps on how much rates could be raised if a costly storm strikes.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2435909>“We only had three storms in the last 27 years that register anywhere close to Ike,” said Sen. Mike Jackson, R-La Porte, whose home was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ike last September.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2442504>“If there’s a storm, the (insurance) commissioner has some leeway to make adjustments as necessary to make sure that we have money in the fund to pay off claims,” he added.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2442510>The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association provides coverage to 229,000 homeowners and businesses in 14 coastal counties and a small portion of Harris County who can’t find it on the private market.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2442519>The fund was depleted by last year’s two hurricanes, Ike and Dolly.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2442524>The bill gives the windstorm association new tools to deal with losses that exceed the fund’s balance, including short-term state loans and bonds. It would rely less on assessments against private insurance companies, who would be on the hook for no more than $800 million instead of the unlimited potential under current law.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2442526>“Our major goal was to remove that unlimited assessment that could have been billions of dollars,” said David VanDelinder, executive director of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2441703>Texas also is rolling the dice by not buying expensive extra coverage known as reinsurance for excess losses from a catastrophic storm. That will save the pool up to $200 million a year.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2441709>Lawmakers have been trying for six years to reform the fund, but disputes over rate hikes made that difficult. Gov. Rick Perry had threatened to call a special session if the TWIA bill didn’t pass.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2441718>“The governor saying that was what started the ball rolling,” said Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2435998>Anticipating that Perry will sign the bill, the TWIA governing board will hold an emergency meeting Monday to begin implementing the new provision to be prepared for this year’s hurricane season.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2436006>Jim Oliver, executive director of the association, said the board will start legal work needed to issue the bonds.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2436010>“We need the board’s official approval to get that process started so we can get money we need in case we have a storm,” said Oliver. “Then we could move as quickly as possible after a storm.”</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2436016>Beaman Floyd, a lobbyist for an association of major insurers, said the certainty that the plan offers companies could result in more business written voluntarily closer to the coast and lower rates for homeowners statewide.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2436022>“It’s another opportunity for consumer to see what happens with their company, look around and do some shopping,” said Floyd.</p></div>urn:uuid:ae70cb66-9e54-4e85-b09b-f6c3c1579474 Nationwide to drop Houston policies By PURVA PATEL Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle June 6, 2009, 7:33AM /**/ Nationwide Property and Casualty Insurance won’t renew 5,300 Houston-area home insurance policies starting Sept. 17, the company said Fr...Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:03:51 -0500<div id=story-head> <h1>Nationwide to drop Houston policies</h1> <h2></h2> <h3>By PURVA PATEL Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle</h3> <h4>June 6, 2009, 7:33AM</h4></div> <div class=CHRON_ad id=tool-bar-ad><!-- Ad 120x60 --> <div id=defer-deferrable1> <script type=text/javascript>/*<![CDATA[*/ try{yld_mgr.place_ad_here("STY120");}catch(e){} /*]]>*/</script> <!-- SpaceID=2022775705 loc=BTN2 noad -->Nationwide Property and Casualty Insurance won’t renew 5,300 Houston-area home insurance policies starting Sept. 17, the company said Friday.</div></div> <div id=story sizset="4" sizcache="4"> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2437229>The majority of those customers are in Harris County.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2437232>“Nationwide continually reviews its business strategy with the goals of maintaining long-term viability for its customers, and the potential for ongoing hurricane activity is there,” said Mike Switzer, a spokesman for the insurer.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2437238>The company is positioning itself as experts predict an increased chance of catastrophic damage in the future, he said.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2437243>“We are making changes to reflect these realities,” he said.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2433160>The historical data used to project future losses, however, pre-dated Hurricane Ike, he said.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2433164>Nationwide, which has 180,000 home insurance policyholders statewide, will notify affected customers 90 days before their policy’s expiration, he said.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2433172>Switzer encouraged customers to call their agents, who are working to place customers with other companies.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2433176>On Feb. 17, the insurer started hiking rates an average of 8 percent as policies came up for renewal.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2433180>The pullback signals a deeper withdrawal from the coast for the company.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2433184>Fearing stronger and costlier storms, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. in May 2007 dropped windstorm coverage for about 1,000 policyholders. About 600 of those policies were in Galveston County.</p> <p class="Text-TextBody HoustonText" id=id2433190>The company also decided then not to renew about 870 policies on barrier islands, peninsulas less than two miles across, and property on the mainland within about a half mile of the Gulf of Mexico or its bays.</p></div>