New Site Helps Consumers Shop for Insurance

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) have developed a comprehensive, interactive online resource for Texans shopping for home or auto insurance: www.helpinsure.com.

This new consumer tool was created in response to Senate Bill 611 (by Senator Lucio and Representative Martinez, 80th Texas Legislature, 2007). That legislation required the agencies to establish and maintain a single Web site that would help consumers make informed decisions about buying insurance.

Helpinsure.com allows consumers to view sample homeowners or auto insurance rates from the top 25 insurer groups, based on a personal profile submitted by the consumer. The service is free to use and no confidential information is required to be submitted. In addition to cost estimates, the Web site also provides financial ratings, complaint ratios, and recent rate changes for each insurance company listed. Summaries and explanations of what each policy covers, as well as available discounts, are also provided.

While many of these resources were previously available in some form, the new Helpinsure.com brings them together in one place to allow consumers to go beyond price and compare insurance products on a wide array of features and characteristics.

Consumers will also find insurer profiles, agent license information, a complete list of companies and agents, frequently asked questions, options for coastal homeowners, and information about how to sign up to receive quotes from companies or file a complaint.

The information is available in Spanish as well as English. Consumers who do not have access to the Internet can request a paper version by calling TDI’s toll-free Consumer Help Line at 1-800-252-3439 and submitting their profile over the phone.