Business Details
Insurance Advocacy and Resources in Texas
The Insurance Council of Texas has served as a dedicated advocate for the property and casualty insurance industry in Texas since its inception. Our organization provides critical legislative advocacy, regulatory representation, and educational resources to support nearly 400 member companies operating in the state. Through our active engagement with policymakers, we work to maintain a stable and competitive insurance market while safeguarding consumer interests. Our team of experienced professionals represents members at regulatory hearings and legislative sessions, ensuring industry needs are effectively communicated.The establishment of our Education Foundation demonstrates our commitment to developing future industry leaders through scholarship programs at Texas universities. With a clear focus on professionalism and innovation, we deliver timely information and strategic guidance to members, regulators, and the public. Our public relations initiatives promote industry understanding while addressing consumer concerns about insurance issues. The organization's governance structure ensures member-driven priorities through active board participation and specialized committees addressing key industry challenges.
Services
Legislative Advocacy
Political Action Committee
Education Foundation
Member Resources
Public Relations
Highlights and features
- We provide expert legislative advocacy at the Texas Capitol for property and casualty insurers
- Our Education Foundation has awarded over $1.6 million in industry scholarships since 2002
- We offer comprehensive regulatory representation at Texas Department of Insurance hearings
- Our team includes experienced professionals with decades of insurance industry expertise
- We maintain active committees addressing key industry issues like workers' compensation and catastrophe preparedness
Services
Legislative Advocacy
Our legislative advocacy team represents Texas property and casualty insurers at the state capitol. We work with lawmakers to shape insurance policy that balances industry needs with consumer protection. Through direct engagement with legislators and regulatory agencies, we ensure fair treatment for insurers while maintaining market stability in Texas.
Political Action Committee
The Insuring Texas PAC supports elected officials who understand property and casualty insurance issues. We educate policymakers about industry needs while protecting members' business interests. Our nonpartisan approach focuses on maintaining a competitive insurance market through strategic political engagement and campaign contributions.
Education Foundation
Our Education Foundation promotes insurance careers through scholarships at Texas universities. We award $75,000 annually to students studying risk management and insurance programs. Partnering with nine Texas universities, we develop future industry leaders while maintaining connections with academic institutions and faculty.
Member Resources
We provide comprehensive resources for nearly 400 member companies including regulatory updates, policy analysis, and industry networking. Our member services team manages recruitment and retention while offering specialized committees addressing commercial lines, personal lines, and workers' compensation issues through expert staff support.
Public Relations
Our communications team serves as industry spokespersons during legislative sessions and regulatory hearings. We manage media relations for property and casualty insurers while developing public awareness campaigns about insurance issues. This includes consumer education programs on hurricane preparedness, fraud prevention, and insurance literacy initiatives.
People
Albert Betts, Jr.
Executive Director
Serving since 2014, Albert brings 30 years of legal and insurance experience including former roles as Texas Commissioner of Workers' Compensation and partner at Thompson Coe law firm. He holds law and undergraduate degrees from the University of Texas.
Paula Harmon
Chief Financial Officer
With over 20 years of financial leadership experience, Paula oversees financial operations and strategic planning. A licensed CPA, she holds degrees from the University of Texas and manages organizational financial health while supporting industry initiatives.
Rich Johnson
Director of Communications
Bringing 20+ years of public affairs experience, Rich manages media relations and strategic communications. Formerly with USAA, he specializes in crisis communications and has led catastrophe response efforts while developing industry public relations strategies.
Jon Schnautz
Legal Counsel
Jon provides legal and legislative expertise with prior roles at NAMIC and Texas legislative offices. A licensed attorney with 15+ years of policy experience, he focuses on insurance law and regulatory matters while representing members before legislative committees.
Angie Cervantes
Government Affairs Manager
With over a decade of legislative experience, Angie manages government relations initiatives. Holding advanced public affairs degrees from UT Austin, she previously worked with the Senate Business and Commerce Committee on insurance policy matters affecting Texas insurers.
Questions
What is the Insurance Council of Texas' primary mission?
We advocate for Texas property and casualty insurers through legislative representation, regulatory advocacy, and educational programs while promoting industry careers through scholarships.
How does ICT support its member companies?
We provide regulatory representation, policy advocacy, industry networking, and specialized committee support while maintaining favorable insurance market conditions in Texas.
What legislative priorities does ICT focus on?
We prioritize market stability, litigation reform, TWIA funding improvements, mitigation strategies, appraisal process integrity, and balanced AI regulation for insurers.
How can students receive insurance education support?
Our Education Foundation awards $75,000 annually in scholarships to Texas university students studying risk management and insurance programs at nine partner institutions.
Does ICT engage in political advocacy?
Yes, through the Insuring Texas PAC which supports elected officials who understand insurance industry needs while maintaining nonpartisan policy advocacy efforts.
How does ICT communicate with the public?
Our communications team manages media relations, develops public awareness campaigns, and provides industry expertise during regulatory hearings and legislative sessions.
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