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Insurance Talk Texas

Insurance Talk Texas

Written by: AR Schell & Son Agency
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 Insurance Talk Texas is the go-to podcast for anyone looking to understand the ever-changing world of insurance across the Lone Star State. Hosted in partnership with AR Schell & Son Agency—Collin County's oldest independent insurance agency, serving Texans since 1930—this show brings expert insights, practical advice, and real-world stories to help individuals, families, and businesses make informed insurance decisions. Each episode breaks down complex topics like auto, home, business, and life insurance into easy-to-understand conversations, while also covering emerging issues like flood coverage, liability protection, and risk management in Texas’s unique climate and economy. Whether you’re a first-time policyholder, a small business owner, or simply curious about how insurance impacts your life, Insurance Talk Texas delivers the knowledge you need—with local expertise you can trust. Be sure to visit AR Schell & Son Agency at https://schellinsurance.com for all your Texas insurance needs!
Episodes
  • Texas Insurance Topics to Consider in 2026 | SchellInsurance.com

    Texas Insurance Topics to Consider in 2026 | SchellInsurance.com
    Dec 26 2025
    Call Schell Insurance at (972) 423-4546 for a personalized quote or visit https://schellinsurance.com to learn more about their comprehensive insurance solutions Texas insurance is changing dramatically in 2026, and this episode covers everything you need to know about health insurance premium spikes, auto insurance crossing the $3,000 threshold, homeowners market challenges, workers' compensation requirements, and new cyber insurance legislation. Whether you're a Texas consumer or business owner, these changes will impact your wallet. Health Insurance - Major Premium Increases ACA marketplace premiums jumping 24-33% on average for 2026 due to enhanced federal tax credit expiration. Benchmark silver plans increased from $489 to $661 monthly for 40-year-olds. Texas has unique cost-sharing reduction loading provisions that may help temper increases compared to other states. Open enrollment deadline is January 15, 2026 - don't miss it! Experts estimate hundreds of thousands of Texans may drop coverage due to cost increases. Auto Insurance - Breaking the $3,000 Barrier Texas auto insurance projected to hit $3,000 annually for the first time in 2026, with a 10% increase ($215 average) over 2025. Rates driven by increased crashes, expensive tech-heavy vehicle repairs, lawsuit trends, weather losses, and high uninsured motorist rates. Texas ranks 10th most expensive state nationwide. Smart strategies include shopping multiple carriers, increasing deductibles, bundling policies for 15-25% discounts, maintaining good credit (Texas allows credit-based scoring), and avoiding small claims. Homeowners Insurance - Market Tightening Texas homeowners paying $2,258 annually on average for $300,000 dwelling coverage with premiums that jumped 21% between 2022-2023. Severe storms caused $42 billion in insured losses through September 2025. Major carriers pulling out of high-risk areas, pushing FAIR Plan enrollment to 135,000. Approximately 16% of Texas home policies now in Excess & Surplus market. Create detailed home inventory, consider higher deductibles, review policies annually, and compare multiple carriers. Workers' Compensation - Texas's Optional System Texas is one of only two states where workers' comp is optional for private employers, but businesses without coverage lose legal protection against employee lawsuits. 87% of Texas employees covered despite optional nature. 2026 state average weekly wage set at $1,271.05. Medical inflation driving claim costs higher. Non-subscribers must file Form DWC-005 annually and post notices. Smart business owners understand massive liability exposure of going uninsured. Cyber Insurance - New Safe Harbor Law Senate Bill 2610 signed June 2025 provides immunity from punitive damages in breach lawsuits for compliant Texas businesses with fewer than 250 employees. Requires documented cybersecurity framework (NIST recommended) implemented 6-12+ months before any breach. Texas breach notification law requires notification within 60 days with penalties of $2,000-$50,000 per violation. Average Texas breach costs $7.91 million, ransomware averages $1.1 million per event. Not state-mandated but increasingly required by contracts. Why These Changes Matter for 2026 Premium increases across all insurance lines will impact household budgets and business bottom lines. Federal policy changes (health subsidy expiration) creating market instability. Climate risk reshaping homeowners market with $42 billion in storm losses. New cybersecurity legislation creating compliance requirements. Market capacity tightening as carriers exit high-risk areas. Independent agents more valuable than ever for comparing multiple carriers. Schell Insurance - Your Texas Insurance Partner Schell Insurance understands Texas-specific regulations including optional workers' comp system, cost-sharing reduction loading for health insurance, data privacy laws, and Safe Harbor cybersecurity requirements. They compare multiple carriers to find best rates instead of limiting you to one company. Expert guidance on coverage gaps, new requirements, and policy reviews as market conditions change. Serving Texas consumers and businesses with health, auto, home, business, workers' comp, cyber, and life insurance. Proactive Steps for 2026 Review all insurance policies now, not at renewal. Get quotes from multiple carriers for auto and home insurance. ACA marketplace enrollees must enroll by January 15, 2026. Business owners should assess workers' comp needs and cyber insurance compliance. Create or update home inventory documentation. Work with independent agent who provides objective advice and access to multiple insurance companies. Texas Insurance Market Overview $83.1 billion in direct written premiums (2024) with personal auto leading at $35.2 billion. Over 1,167 insurance groups and 3,107 companies writing in Texas. $4+ billion in insurance tax revenue (5th largest tax source). Texas has highest uninsured rate in nation. Home ...
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    7 mins
  • Region-Specific Insurance Concerns Across Texas | SchellInsurance.com

    Region-Specific Insurance Concerns Across Texas | SchellInsurance.com
    Dec 19 2025
    Call Schell Insurance at (972) 423-4546 for a personalized quote or visit https://schellinsurance.com to learn more about their comprehensive insurance solutions Texas insurance challenges vary dramatically by region. What you need in Houston is completely different from Dallas-Fort Worth, the Permian Basin, or coastal areas. This episode breaks down the specific insurance concerns, coverage requirements, and costs for each major Texas region so you can protect your property based on where you actually live. Houston & Gulf Coast Region - Flood Insurance Critical Houston is one of the most flood-prone major metros in the US. Hurricane Harvey (2017) generated 90,000+ NFIP claims and $125 billion in damage. One in 12 Houston property owners has dropped flood insurance despite ongoing risk. Living outside 100-year floodplain doesn't guarantee safety - Harvey flooded many properties outside designated zones. Harris County Flood Control District recommends ALL residents consider flood insurance. Flood insurance averages $1,500-$2,000/year in Houston (range: $800-$3,000+ based on property risk). Houston has Class 5 Community Rating System status providing 25% NFIP discounts, working toward Class 4 (30% discount). Standard homeowners policies DO NOT cover flood damage - separate policy required. Flood insurance has 30-day waiting period - cannot buy when storm approaching. Houston receives 49.8 inches rainfall annually with flat terrain and clay-rich soil creating high flood susceptibility. Hurricane Beryl (2024) caused $2.5 billion+ in Texas damage with 27,000 TWIA claims. Hurricane season runs June-November requiring advance preparation. Risk Rating 2.0 restructuring NFIP pricing based on property-specific factors. Elevation certificates can lower premiums. Flood mitigation techniques (elevate utilities, install flood vents) provide insurance discounts. Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex - Hail Alley Challenges DFW sits in "Hail Alley" - Texas ranks #1 nationally for hail events. 1,243 hailstorms from 2012-2021; some single events caused $2 billion in damage. Average annual property damage: $2,207.73 per 100 residents. June 1, 2025 DFW hailstorm produced golf ball to baseball-sized hail causing widespread damage. Insurance non-renewal complaints doubled: 79 (2023) to 190 (2024), with 75 complaints in early 2025. Carriers non-renewing policies based on future hail risk, not claims history. Texas experienced 20 billion-dollar disasters in 2024 driving carrier caution. Market remains competitive - shopping required after non-renewal. Wind/hail deductibles often percentage-based (1-5% of home value). $300,000 home with 2% deductible = $6,000 out-of-pocket before coverage. Impact-resistant roofing qualifies for premium discounts and lower deductibles. Hail damage not always immediately visible - roof membrane bruising appears months later. Professional inspection recommended after significant hail events. Claims must be filed within one-year deadline. March 2025 events included EF-1 tornado in Irving displacing 350+ people. Commercial properties particularly vulnerable to hail damage (roofs, HVAC units). Hidden damage causes premature failure and catastrophic leaks months later. Tornado coverage included in standard homeowners policies but verify dwelling limits and loss-of-use coverage. West Texas Permian Basin - Oil & Gas Industry Risks Permian Basin accounts for 40% of US oil production, 15% of natural gas production. Covers 86,000 square miles across 52 counties in West Texas. Car accidents TWICE as likely to be fatal in Permian Basin vs rest of Texas due to heavy truck traffic, high speeds, poor road conditions, limited emergency services. Commercial auto insurance critical for fleet operations and heavy equipment. Workers' compensation optional in Texas BUT extremely risky for oil/gas operations. 87% of Texas employees covered despite optional status. Without workers' comp, businesses lose legal protections against employee lawsuits. High-risk industry creates serious injury potential and massive liability exposure. Essential commercial coverage includes: general liability (third-party injury/property damage), commercial auto (fleet vehicles/equipment), workers' compensation (though optional, highly recommended), pollution liability (environmental contamination), umbrella/excess liability (high-risk operations require higher limits). Specialized oil/gas insurance requires experienced commercial agents. Infrastructure strain from rapid growth - heavy trucks damaging roads, "man camps" increasing population and service demands. Dust storms and harsh weather affecting visibility and operations. Premium index rate: $2.26 per $100 of payroll (3rd highest nationwide). Safety programs help control workers' comp costs. Fleet maintenance records and driver training reduce auto premiums. South Texas Coastal Areas - Hurricane & Windstorm Coverage Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) serves as insurer of last resort ...
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    8 mins
  • Texas Business Insurance: Workers Comp, Coverage Gaps & What Every TX Business Owner Must Know in 2025

    Texas Business Insurance: Workers Comp, Coverage Gaps & What Every TX Business Owner Must Know in 2025
    Dec 12 2025
    Call Schell Insurance at (972) 423-4546 for a personalized quote or visit https://schellinsurance.com to learn more about their comprehensive insurance solutions Running a business in Texas comes with unique insurance challenges that don't exist in any other state. This comprehensive guide breaks down the critical issues every Texas business owner needs to understand to protect their company in 2025 and beyond. THE TEXAS WORKERS' COMPENSATION DILEMMA Texas stands alone as the only state in America where workers' compensation insurance is optional for most private employers. This creates massive confusion and significant liability exposure for business owners who don't understand what "optional" really means. When you operate as a non-subscriber (choosing not to carry workers' comp), you lose the legal protections that businesses in every other state automatically receive through the Grand Bargain system. Non-subscribers face unlimited lawsuit exposure from injured employees, with no protection from negligence claims. In 2024, Texas recorded 156,000 non-fatal workplace injuries in the private sector, with construction and manufacturing accounting for 42% of these cases. Despite the optional status, 83% of Texas private-sector employees work for companies that carry coverage – the highest percentage in 12 years. With premiums at historic lows ($1.20 per $100 of payroll), smart business owners are choosing protection over risk. Schell Insurance specializes in helping Texas business owners evaluate the true cost-benefit analysis of workers' compensation coverage, considering both premium costs and lawsuit exposure specific to their industry and operations. COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS & COVERAGE GAPS Every vehicle owned by your Texas business must carry commercial auto insurance meeting the state's 30/60/25 minimum liability requirements: $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 total per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. However, one of the most dangerous coverage gaps occurs when business owners use personal vehicles for business purposes, assuming their personal auto policy provides coverage. Personal auto insurance typically excludes business use, leaving consultants, sales representatives, and other professionals completely unprotected during business trips and client meetings. The solution is hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) that bridges this critical gap. With Texas recording 563,000 motor vehicle accidents in 2024 – 18% involving commercial vehicles – proper commercial auto coverage is non-negotiable. THE CYBER INSURANCE IMPERATIVE & NEW TEXAS LAW Cyber insurance has transformed from optional to essential coverage, especially with Texas Senate Bill 2610 creating a cybersecurity "safe harbor" law effective September 1, 2025. Businesses with fewer than 250 employees that implement recognized cybersecurity frameworks (like NIST or HITRUST) receive protection from exemplary (punitive) damages in data breach lawsuits. The average data breach in Texas costs over $4.35 million, with notification requirements adding $150-$250 per compromised record. Texas law mandates breach notification to affected individuals within 60 days, with reports to the Texas Attorney General required for breaches affecting 250+ residents. Non-compliance penalties range from $2,000-$50,000 per violation, plus $100 per day per person (capping at $250,000). Texas businesses report almost four times the cybersecurity incidents compared to large organizations, making proper cyber coverage critical for survival. TEXAS INSURANCE MARKET CHALLENGES IN 2025 The Texas business insurance market experienced significant contraction in 2025, with three major insurers exiting completely. This reduction in competition has driven premium increases of 20-50% on average, with some businesses in coastal and disaster-prone areas seeing hikes up to 400%. These increases affect even businesses with perfect claims histories as carriers respond to rising natural disaster losses, inflation, and social inflation (increasing jury awards and legal settlements). Texas's litigious environment contributes to these challenges, with Dallas County alone recording 10,500 personal injury lawsuits in 2024. Working with an independent insurance agency like Schell Insurance becomes essential in this tight market, as they can shop multiple carriers to find optimal coverage at competitive rates. ESSENTIAL BUSINESS INSURANCE COVERAGES FOR TEXAS While Texas doesn't legally require most business insurance, certain coverages are foundational: GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE protects against third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. Though not legally mandated, it's required by most commercial leases and client contracts, making it essential for business operations. COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INSURANCE covers buildings, equipment, inventory, and business contents against fire, theft, vandalism, and natural ...
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    8 mins
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