As the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) celebrates its 150-year anniversary, Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford looks forward to the agency’s future while reflecting on the past century and a half. What's TDI’s mission, vision, and core values? TDI’s mission is to protect Texas consumers by fairly and diligently regulating the insurance industry, promoting a stable and competitive market, advancing fire safety, and providing clear information to Texans. Our vision is of a Texas where consumers are protected, communities are resilient, and the insurance market is strong for generations to come. Our TEXAS values — Transparency, Efficiency, eXcellence, Accountability, and Service — guide how we serve Texans. Why was the Texas Department of Insurance created? The agency was first created at a time when Texans needed a trusted safeguard. In the 1870s, many insurance companies weren’t closely regulated or financially stable, putting families at risk when disaster struck. In 1876, the 15th Legislature created the Department of Insurance, Statistics, and History. At that time, most Texans bought insurance policies from companies based in other states and countries. Only four of the 61 companies selling insurance in Texas were Texas-based. Today, TDI regulates 3,447 companies, including 843 Texas-based insurers. How will TDI continue to serve Texans in the future? TDI is making our work to protect consumers more transparent. We recently rolled out three, consumer-friendly web pages that let consumers see the average homeowners insurance premium for every Texas county, view paid homeowners insurance claims by county, and search home and auto insurance rate filings. These webpages provide information that’s historically been hard to find and help consumers better understand what’s driving insurance costs where they live. We’re here to listen and help. Our website is a tremendous resource with consumer-friendly information – www.TDI.Texas.gov. And you can call our Help Line to speak with experts that can answer your insurance questions in English, Spanish and other languages.. That number is 800-252-3439. 00:00 TDI celebrates 150 years of protecting consumers 00:29 What's TDI’s mission, vision, and core values? 02:19 What is insurance commissioner Amanda Crawford's background? 04:00 Why was the Texas Department of Insurance created? 05:33 When did TDI move from an insurance board to a single commissioner of insurance? 06:43 How many insurance companies does TDI regulate? 07:33 How will TDI continue to serve Texans in the future? 08:33 How does TDI help Texas consumers? 11:04 If you have insurance questions visit https://www.tdi.texas.gov or call 800-252-3439
