help is on the way

Expert tips on how Texans can file insurance and FEMA claims after winter storm

Far too many Texans are experiencing this view.

Photo by Getty Images

As Texans enjoy warmer temperatures and a respite from the bitter winter storm, the cold reality of home damage claims has set in. Indeed, the Insurance Council of Texas reports that the 2021 winter storm will be the largest claim event in Lone Star State history.

“Just about every Texan was affected by this,” Camille Garcia of the Insurance Council of Texas tells CultureMap. “It ranges from residential to commercial, from fender benders to complete home loss.” The council is still calculating this unprecedented number, but Texans should expect it to be staggering.

So what to do? Garcia lists some important steps during the claim process:

Document all damages with photos and video and make a list of those damages. This will enable customers to have a more productive conversation with their insurance adjuster.
Important note: Keep broken pipes, as insurance companies may need to see the type of pipe for their records.
Customers should request information on their specific policy, coverages, coverage limits, and deductible.
Document all conversations with insurance adjusters, contractors, and others who are key to your recovery. This enables better follow-up and sets timeline expectations.

Garcia also notes that with the sheer scope of the damage and work involved — added to the pandemic problems — more of the claims process may go virtual.

“To keep folks safe, insurance carriers have increased their technology platforms to handle claims adjusting and customer communications more efficiently,” Garcia says. “While some claims, due to customer preference and/or the magnitude of the loss may need in-person adjusting, virtual claims handling will help to expedite the process.”

FEMA steps in
Thankfully for Texas, federal help is on the way, thanks to President Joe Biden’s disaster declaration on February 19. FEMA has announced grants, low-cost loans, and other forms of assistance to help Texans get back on their feet — including temporary housing.

To get started, FEMA staffers note that Texas residents require only basic information, according to its official disaster assistance site. This includes:

Insurance determination letter (FEMA will not provide assistance for losses that are covered by insurance.)
Proof of occupancy or ownership
Proof of ID

The federal agency also dispels certain circulating rumors on its site, including food vouchers (not true) and coverage of insurance deductibles (not happening, says FEMA). FEMA notes that inspectors will contact applicants to schedule an appointment; it may take up to 30 days for an inspector to contact them to schedule an inspection. The agency is currently covering 77 Texas counties in its declaration. The 77 Texas counties included in the declaration are:

Angelina
Aransas
Bastrop
Bee
Bell
Bexar
Blanco
Brazoria
Brazos
Brown
Burleson
Caldwell
Calhoun
Cameron
Chambers
Collin
Comal
Comanche
Cooke
Coryell
Dallas
Denton
DeWitt
Ellis
Falls
Fort Bend
Galveston
Gillespie
Grimes
Guadalupe
Hardin
Harris
Hays
Henderson
Hidalgo
Hood
Jasper
Jefferson
Johnson
Kaufman
Kendall
Lavaca
Liberty
Madison
Matagorda
Maverick
McLennan
Montague
Montgomery
Nacogdoches
Nueces
Orange
Palo Pinto
Panola
Parker
Polk
Rockwall
Sabine
San Jacinto
San Patricio
Scurry
Shelby
Smith
Stephens
Tarrant
Travis
Tyler
Upshur
Van Zandt
Victoria
Walker
Waller
Wharton
Wichita
Williamson
Wilson
Wise

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keep austin healthy

Austin is the 2nd 'healthiest' city in America, Forbes says

Photo by Max Bender on Unsplash

There are plenty of places for Austinites of varying abilities to be active.

The city's abundance of yoga studios, health-conscious restaurants, and run clubs is paying off: Austin was just named the second healthiest city in the nation in a new study by Forbes Advisor.

The report, "Cities With The Least Healthy (And Healthiest) Populations, Ranked" examined 2021 health data from the City Health Dashboard for 46 of the most populated cities in America. Eight metrics were analyzed for each city, such as the number of heart disease or opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 residents, the percentage of adults with diabetes or high blood pressure, among others.

The study focuses exclusively on physical health, and leans on broad risk factors more than the actual occurrence of specific diseases or conditions.

Austin ranked second to San Jose, California, which was dubbed the No. 1 healthiest city in America.

Forbes found that Austin has the lowest percentage of adult high blood pressure out of all 46 cities in the report, at just 22.5 percent. Only 7.4 percent of Austin residents have diabetes, which is the fourth-lowest rate nationwide. The city also boasts the fifth-lowest percentage of adults who smoke (11.3 percent).

Here's how the report ranked four other metrics for Austin:

Eighth-lowest number of heart disease deaths per 100,000 residents (175.5)
Eighth-lowest number of opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 residents (9.6)
10th-lowest percentage of adults who report having obesity (28.2 percent)
10th-lowest percentage of adults who report being physically inactive (18.5)

Austin has a reputation for being an accommodating city, whether it's through restaurants expanding their culinary offerings for vegans and vegetarians, or through local organizations adding exercise equipment to outdoor trails. And you can't forget about all the new gyms and country clubs opening around the city.

At the opposite end of the study, Detroit, Michigan landed as the most unhealthy city in the country.

Elsewhere in Texas
Though Austin is one of the healthiest cities in the U.S., and the healthiest in the state, several other Texas cities fell far behind. Houston appeared as the No. 12 most unhealthy American city on the list, and unhealthiest in Texas. The report attributes this to a high percentage of adults who report binge drinking (18.2 percent), smoking (17.2 percent), and more.

"Houston has the seventh-highest percentage of adults who report having obesity (37.7 percent) and the eighth-highest percentage of adults with diabetes (12 percent)," the report said.

San Antonio ranked as the 15th unhealthiest U.S. city, followed by Dallas (No. 18), El Paso (No. 22) and Fort Worth (No. 25). Arlington appeared as No. 30, technically making it the No. 18 healthiest city in the U.S.

The top 10 cities with the most healthy populations are:

No. 1 – San Jose, California
No. 2 – Austin, Texas
No. 3 – Seattle, Washington
No. 4 – San Diego, California
No. 5 – Denver, Colorado
No. 6 – San Francisco, California
No. 7 – Boston, Massachusetts
No. 8 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 9 – Colorado Springs, Colorado
No. 10 – Minneapolis

The full report can be found on forbes.com.

austin healthy reports rankings