Mavs, Spurs fall

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has sent out a bulletin to insurers to remind them that the practice of “price optimization” violates Texas law for all TDI-regulated insurance products. This is response to Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to make property insurance more affordable. “The average annual homeowners’ insurance premium in Texas rose 79 percent in six years,” said Governor Abbott. “Price optimization drives up costs for loyal customers. Insurance companies must base rates on risk, not on how much extra money they think a customer will pay. TDI will take action against any company that uses this illegal practice.” Price optimization occurs when an insurance company varies premiums based on factors unrelated to a policyholder’s risk of loss or the company’s expenses, including whether a customer is likely to shop for a new policy or accept a higher price. This means that two policyholders with the same risk profile may receive different premium increases. Texas law forbids that. The TDI Commissioner’s latest Bulletin reminds all insurance companies, their agents, and representatives that use of price optimization in the ratemaking or pricing process or rating plan, is unfairly discriminatory and a violation of the Texas Insurance Code. Premiums must be based on the cost associated with risk. TDI will take enforcement action against companies that fail to comply. Governor Abbott will work with the Legislature next session to enhance consumer protections for insurance policyholders and curb premium increases. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

A Bryan woman is behind bars after driving drunk through the Big 6 construction zone and then dragging a construction worker some 70 feet after he tried to stop her. College Station Police were called to the 2400 block of State Highway 6 southbound, near Southwest Parkway, around 10:45pm Tuesday night. Reports say 64-year-old Mary Lois McGhee is accused of speeding while driving the wrong way through the construction zone with workers present. Workers estimate McGhee was traveling at about 60mph before they were able to flag her down. A foreman then reached into her vehicle in an attempt to take the keys from the ignition. That’s when McGhee threw her car into reverse, with the man still partially inside the vehicle, dragging him approximately 70 feet until her vehicle was blocked in by an off-duty officer working security and other workers in a street sweeper. CSPD performed a field sobriety test, which she failed. McGhee admitted to having only one “wine cooler” that evening. She consented to a blood alcohol analysis. The sample was taken at a local hospital and then McGhee was booked into the Brazos County Jail for Driving While Intoxicated (Third or More Offense) and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. She is being held on $70,000 bond. This is McGhee’s 16th booking into the Brazos County Jail. Her previous arrests include Driving While Intoxicated, Evading Arrest, Criminal Trespass, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Prostitution. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

Burleson County Commissioners enacted a burn ban today, prohibiting outdoor burning. They were the last of the seven Brazos Valley counties to institute a burn ban. They join Leon, Madison, Robertson, Washington, Grimes, and Brazos – who instituted a burn ban on Monday. 211 of the 254 counties in Texas are under active burn bans. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.