The Texas Department of Insurance published a bulletin providing guidance following major flooding in Hill Country. Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration, which authorizes the use of state and local government resources to assist with the disaster.

The Department expects insurers and HMOs to treat consumers fairly as they recover from the floods. Insurers should inform insureds about potential FEMA recovery options and provide them with FEMA contact information and a link to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/. Insurers should also inform policyholders of other disaster assistance programs.

Insurers should suspend vacancy provisions for as long as necessary while insureds are displaced by the disaster and recovering. This is not applicable to insureds who permanently moved from their homes or businesses.