Sgt. Steve Richardson led the TDI Fraud Unit’s investigation into William Neil “Doc” Gallagher, a radio host in the Dallas area. Gallagher, known as the “Money Doctor,” targeted seniors to surrender their annuities and give him the money to “invest.”

Summers in Texas usually means cooking on a campfire or barbecue. Learn more about keeping your family safe while cooking outdoors.

With the start of hurricane season around the corner on June 1, now is the time to review your insurance and prepare your house and your family for hurricanes.

When is the peak of hurricane season?

Texas typically gets its biggest hurricanes in August and September, with August being the peak month. Hurricanes have also formed as early as May. 

When should I start worrying about a storm turning into a hurricane? 

Pay attention to the weather during hurricane season. Some hurricanes develop farther out and give us more time to prepare. But others – like Hurricane Humberto in 2007 – can develop and make landfall in as little as 24 hours.  

What can I do now to prepare for hurricane season? 

You can start building your storm kit. Gather enough water, nonperishable food, medicine, batteries, pet food, and other supplies to ride out a storm. If you think you’ll evacuate, look at evacuation routes and which roads you’ll take to get to safety.  

Why do I need a storm kit? 

As a storm approaches, people rush to the store for supplies. If you’ve bought yours ahead of time, you don’t have to be in the scramble. Once a storm hits, you’ll have what you need to either evacuate or be home for a few days. 

Also prepare a kit for your car. Think about what you’d take with you if you’re on the road for a couple of days. 

What can I do to prepare my house for a hurricane? 

In the days and hours before a hurricane, get your house ready by: 

Should I review my insurance before a hurricane? 

Yes, review your insurance to know your coverages, deductibles, and if you have coverage to live elsewhere if you can’t stay in your home during repairs. Also know if you have flood insurance. Most home policies don’t cover floods. Ask your company or agent if you’d like to get flood insurance 

Just a couple of inches of unwanted water in your house can cause extensive and expensive damage. Most home and renters insurance policies cover water damage—if the water comes from inside the house. 

What’s the difference between water damage and flood damage? 

Flood damage is caused by water from a rainstorm or a body of water that suddenly rises over a dry area and into your house.  

Water damage in your house comes from pipes, water heaters, washing machines, refrigerators, and other devices that hold water. 

What does “sudden and accidental” mean? 

Most home policies say they cover “sudden and accidental” water damage. That means a water leak or overflow that happens suddenly, and accidentally. It’s not a leak that’s been dripping for a long time. If you notice a leak that’s caused damage, file a claim right away with your insurance company. 

Are water leaks from fish tanks covered by home policies? 

Not usually. Home policies cover plumbing and appliances, but not fish tanks or water tanks you use for drinking water. If you want to insure a fish tank, talk to your insurance agent or company. 

Are mold and mildew covered by home policies? 

Mold is covered if it’s on something that your home policy would replace. If mold is on walls, for example, your policy will pay to have that torn out and replaced.  

Home policies don’t cover mold remediation, which is when a company comes into your house and finds and removes mold. If you want coverage for possible future mold remediation, talk to your insurance agent or company. 

Should I make repairs if I have water damage in my house? 

Make enough repairs to keep the damage from getting worse. If a window breaks or there’s a hole in your roof and water is getting in, cover the window or roof with boards or tarps. Keep your receipts too because your insurance company should reimburse you. 

What other tips do you have if I get water damage? 

As we turn the corner into spring, it’s time to think about rain showers and flooding. Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover damage from flooding.

Understand the process of filing an auto or home claim to help make the experience less stressful.

When should I file a home or auto claim? 

As soon as you can. You’ll want to talk to the company while the accident or incident is fresh in your mind. If you’re not sure you want to file a claim, you can still call your company and discuss your options. Ask how much your deductible is to help you decide if you should file a claim. 

What is a deductible? 

A deductible is the money you must pay if you file a claim. You’ll pay for car or home repairs up to your deductible, then the company pays anything over that up to your policy limits. 

What should I do when I call the insurance company to file a claim? 

Write down the time you called the company, who you talked to, and your adjuster’s name. Make a list of the documents or information the company asks you to gather. 

What should I do right after a car accident? 

What should I do after my house is damaged? 

When will I get paid for my claim? 

00:00 How to file an insurance claim

If you need an auto insurance policy, use our tips to shop.

What are some factors that affect insurance costs?

Some factors are riskier driving, weather events, and inflation. Inflation causes auto parts and repairs to cost more.

What should I do if my auto policy price increases?

First, ask your company if they offer any discounts you’re not getting. They might have discounts if you haven’t filed any claims or if a driver on your policy is a student with good grades.

Why did my auto premium go up more than my neighbor’s?

Insurance companies consider multiple factors when they decide your premium. They include the type of car you drive, where you live, how much you drive, and your driving record. If you have a more expensive car or have been in more car accidents, for example, your rate will be higher than your neighbor’s.

What are some car insurance shopping tips?

00:00 How to lower your car insurance costs

Finding a new health plan can be challenging. We have tips to make it easier.

How do I get a health insurance plan?

Most people get health insurance in one of four ways:

1.     Ask your employer if they offer a health plan for employees.

2.     Ask your spouse’s employer if you can join their plan.

3.     Stay on your parent’s plan until you’re 26.

4.     Buy a plan through an insurance company, HMO, or on HealthCare.gov.

How do I choose health insurance?

Start by looking at the benefits. Those are the health care

Also look at the cost. Ask about the premium, copay, coinsurance,

Finally, make sure the plan lets you see your doctors and

What other tips do you have to find health

Shop around. If you went to HealthCare.gov to look for a plan last

How can I avoid health insurance fraud?

Watch out for these red flags:

·       An agent is pressuring or hurrying you to buy a plan.

·       An agent calls you out of the blue without you asking for a call.

·      Anyone asks for your personal information, banking information, Social Security number, Medicare number.

·      The price of the health plan is very low.

What deadlines do I need to know about?

Open enrollment is the time of the year when you can shop for a new

HealthCare.Gov

00:00 Top tips to choose the right health insurance plan

Four ways of getting health care to avoid big bills
How to save money on insurance and health care
Health insurance: 5 things you may not know

Kitchen fires started by cooking are the No. 1 cause of home fires. Learn more about keeping your home and your family safe from cooking fires. 

What’s the main cause of fires when cooking? 

People leaving cooking food unattended. This can lead to frying grease igniting, cooktop flames getting out of control, or electric burners igniting potholders, towels, or paper that are close by. 

How can cooking fires be prevented? 

Set a timer when you start cooking something. This will remind you if you get distracted and help you remember to get food off the stove before a fire starts.  

What are some safety tips for kids in the kitchen? 

Keep an eye on children and don’t leave them alone in the kitchen. Set up a 3-foot zone around anything that’s cooking and keep your children or pets out of that area. The zone also prevents kids and pets from pulling the plugs on electric appliances or being near a boiling pot that might spill over. 

What do you do if your microwave catches on fire? 

If your microwave catches on fire, unplug it from the wall and don’t open the door until the fire is out. 

What’s the most common cooking injury? 

Scald injuries from hot liquids are the No. 1 injury when it comes to cooking. Be careful with hot coffee and hot liquids on the stove. 

What are some other tips for home fire safety? 

Shopping around is a good way to save money on your home insurance

What’s affecting home insurance prices?

Some factors include weather that has caused more damage to more homes. And the cost of materials and labor has increased in the last few years. As insurance companies spend more money on claims, they raise their rates to compensate.

How often should I shop for home insurance?

Every year is a good rule of thumb. Most policies last 12 months, so you can start shopping a couple of months before your policy is up for renewal.

You can also shop anytime throughout the year. If you’ve paid your premium in full, your company will refund any premium you’re owed.

What do I need to look for when I shop for home insurance?

You want to make sure you’re getting the same or better coverages in a new policy. If you need flood or windstorm insurance or extra coverage for

You can also look at your deductibles. Raising your deductible is an easy way to save money. Just remember you might pay more for a claim if your deductible is high. The deductible is the part of the claim you pay.

How do I calculate how much insurance I need?

You’ll look at the cost to rebuild your house, not the market value. Your home might be worth $300,000, but it could cost $400,000 to rebuild. Rebuild costs are different around the state. Ask your agent to help you with the calculation.

How do I start shopping for homeowners insurance?

You can find agents on the internet and get a quote in a few minutes. You

Ask the agents you’re working with if you qualify for discounts. Companies offer different discounts that can lower your premium.

Tips to help you shop for homeowners insurance

Home insurance: What you need to know before buying a policy

FAQ: Homeowners insurance, claims, saving money, and more

New home? How to shop for insurance

The Texas Insurance Podcast