Find out about lesser-known benefits, learn where to get coverage details, and connect with trusted resources for more help.

What are some health plan benefits people don’t know about?

Some health plans offer wellness programs, gym membership discounts, smoking cessation programs, and certain diabetes equipment.

Will my plan pay for online doctor’s visits?

It’s common for health plans to offer coverage for online doctor appointments. This service is often called telemedicine or telehealth. It just means you can get health care in a place other than the doctor’s physical location, like through your computer or phone.

Can I get free annual wellness checkups?

Many health plans offer free annual screenings for prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and certain cardiovascular screenings if you have a family history of cardiovascular issues or certain artery problems.

How do I find out what my health plan offers?

Health plans must cover certain mandated benefits described in your coverage documents. Get answers about what your health plan covers by reading your policy and evidence of coverage documents. They explain what’s covered and what isn’t.

If you still have questions, contact your health plan’s customer service or the insurance agent who helped you sign up.

Who can help me with a surprise medical bill?

Explore resources on TDI’s website - https://www.tdi.texas.gov/ - or call our Consumer Help Line at 800-252-3439. A representative can answer your questions and help you file a complaint, if needed. We answer calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.

00:00 Do you know everything your health plan offers?

00:40 What services does your health plan have to offer?

01:24 What other services does your health plan offer?

02:23 What free services does your health plan offer?

04:26 What extra services does your health plan offer?

05:31 What kind of vaccinations does your health plan offer?

06:09 How can you find out all the services your health plan offers?

07:29 For more info on health insurance visit our website or call 800-252-3439

Learn what you can do to stay safe when you hit the road this winter with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

What do people need to know about Texas roads in the winter?

Even though the weather looks clear, when the temperature dips below freezing, bridges and overpasses can form black ice that you can't see.

What is a big factor in winter driving accidents?

Tires play a big role in how well your vehicle handles ice, snow, and rain. At your next oil change, have your mechanic check the tread depth on your tires and replace them if they’re worn out. Make sure your tires have the right air pressure.

What's the most common issue on icy roads?

Texas highways have some of the fastest speed limits in the nation at 70 to 80 mph. When it’s freezing and there's a danger of ice, slow down below the speed limit – maybe even 40 to 50 mph – just to be safe. Be aware of what's going on around you.

In wintry conditions, how much following distance do you give the vehicle in front of you?

Give yourself plenty of following distance. In clear weather, keep at least three to four car lengths between you and the car in front of you. In icy or snowy weather, you might triple that following distance.

Any other tips for winter driving?

Take your time if you have to go out. Clear any ice off the windshield, hood, and roof of your vehicle before leaving because these can become dangerous when you hit the road. Slow down, wear your seatbelt, and limit distractions inside the car.

Tips for winter driving.

00:00 Is your car ready for winter weather?

00:36 What do people need to know about winter driving on Texas roads?

01:09 What is a big factor in winter driving that leads to accidents?

01:55 How much following distance do you give the vehicle in front of you when winter driving?

02:14 Should you drive with snow and ice on your car?

03:04 How do you prepare your car for winter driving?

03:36 How can you get winter driving roadside assistance in Texas?

04:52 How do you prepare your car tires for winter driving?

06:13 How do you plan ahead for winter driving?

For more info on auto insurance visit tdi.texas.gov or call 800-252-3439

Lithium-ion battery devices are just about everywhere in our homes, from smartphones to cordless power tools. While the devices are convenient, it’s important to know safety tips to prevent lithium-ion batteries from overheating and starting a fire.

What should I look for when buying rechargeable items?

Look for a safety certification from a nationally recognized testing laboratory like UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL (Intertek). These certifications show the lithium-ion battery inside the product meets minimum U.S. safety standards for electrical and fire safety.

When are lithium-ion batteries most at risk of catching fire?

Charging is the riskiest time for lithium-ion batteries. To stay safe, always use the charger that came with the device or one that’s approved by the manufacturer. Using an incompatible charger can lead to overheating, which increases the risk of fire.

What are the warning signs that a charging battery might be unsafe?

Watch for these common signs of battery failure:

• Unusual heat.
• A bulging or swollen battery.
• A strange, sweet, or metallic smell.

If you notice any of these, stop using the device right away and unplug it from the charger.

Where is the best place to store lithium-ion battery-powered devices?

Store devices in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Avoid keeping battery-powered items in cars, garages, or outdoor sheds, especially during very hot or cold weather.

What’s the safest way to dispose of lithium-ion batteries?

Never put lithium-ion batteries in the regular trash or recycling bin. Damaged or improperly discarded batteries can ignite and cause fires in garbage trucks and landfills.

Instead, take them to a certified battery recycling center. Find a location near you at Call2Recycle.org.

Can I safely charge an e-bike and scooter indoors?

No. The safest place to charge e-bikes and scooters is on a hard surface outdoors out of direct sunlight in a dry place.

How do I safely charge devices with lithium-ion batteries?

While no method is completely risk-free, you can reduce the fire risk by:

• Charging on a hard, non-flammable surface.
• Keeping devices away from flammable materials (such as beds, rugs, and couches).
• Monitoring the device.
• Unplugging after charging.

How do I know if my device has a lithium-ion battery?

Many everyday rechargeable devices use lithium-ion batteries, including:

• Smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
• Laptops.
• Power tools.
• E-bikes, e-scooters, and electric vehicles (EVs).
• Electric toothbrushes.

Check the product manual or labeling for battery information.

• Smoke alarms: Where to put them, how often to replace batteries
• How to escape from a house fire
• Safe charging tips for your home (National Fire Protection Association video)

TDI’s Fraud Unit has a team of investigators that look into reports of insurance fraud to build cases they can send county district attorneys for prosecution and potential punishment.

What kind of training do insurance fraud investigators have?

The investigators are licensed peace officers and most of them previously worked in other law enforcement roles. They learned to gather facts, interview people, and present information. Once they’re at TDI, the investigators take continuing education classes and practice exercises and scenarios.

Do the investigators offer insurance fraud training?

Yes, the Fraud Unit has a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) certification to teach others. They create 4 to 6-hour classes about spotting insurance fraud and collecting information to build cases.

Who reports insurance fraud?

Anyone can report insurance fraud online or by calling the Help Line at 800-252-3439. Consumers, insurance companies and health plans are common sources of fraud reports.

How does a report turn into a fraud investigation and eventually a court case?

The Fraud Unit looks at a report, sends it to a supervisor, and the supervisor will assign it to an investigator. The investigator looks at the information to decide what else they need to collect. They look through financial records and interview victims and suspects to collect evidence.

Once the investigator has collected enough information, they’ll hand off the case to a supervisor and eventually to a district attorney in the county where the crime took place.

What are the most common types of insurance fraud?

So far in 2025, the Fraud Unit has received 22,000 reports of suspected insurance fraud. Of those, 55% are for auto insurance fraud, 20% for homeowners insurance fraud, and 6% for health insurance fraud.

• Learn about reporting fraud

• Insurance fraud could happen to you

• Insurance fraud guide

The Texas Department of Insurance Help Line, 800-252-3439, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Experts are available in English, Spanish, and other languages.

Who can call TDI’s Help Line?

People call the Help Line with almost any question about insurance in Texas. Experts are ready to answer your questions or they can tell you how to get what you seek.

How many calls does the Help Line get?

Up to 600 calls come in on an average day and as many as 140,000 calls a year. We also get inquiries by email.

What do most people call about?

Auto insurance, probably because if you own a truck or car, you’re required under Texas law to be responsible for any liability you have in an accident.

Can the Help Line tell me how to file a complaint?

Yes—and sometimes we can help you without filing a complaint. We’re here to help.

Are there topics the Help Line can’t tackle?

We can’t give legal advice. We also can’t help you resolve a dispute with another driver or homeowner.

• Getting help with an insurance complaint
• File an insurance complaint
• Steps to getting your home or car insurance claim paid

Since 1993, the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) has called on man's "best friend" to help in its investigations. Canine teams help determine the presence of ignitable liquids, such as gasoline, at fire scenes.

How many dogs help SFMO handlers detect substances that may have been used to start or spread fires?

Five dogs live with their respective handlers, who live in different parts of Texas to be ready to investigate the origin of a fire or explosion at short notice.

What kinds of dogs are in the accelerant detection canine unit?

Four Belgian Malinois and a German Shepherd.

What can the dogs detect?

SFMO’s dogs are trained on 14 different odors associated with causes of a house fire. The dogs also will react to over 60 different common commercially available items.

Do the dogs bark when they sniff out a suspicious chemical?

No. Sometimes they gaze at the source of the smell. Other times, depending on training, they put their nose on a spot and keep it there.

Learn more:

Dog burned in fire now helps state investigate fires

Fire Investigations Division Accelerant Detection Canine Unit

Los kits de emergencia para la casa y el auto pueden ayudarle a sobrevivir en caso de emergencia. ¿Por qué necesito un kit de emergencia? Texas se enfrenta a menudo a catástrofes meteorológicas o incendios. Los residentes a veces tienen que salir de la casa inmediatamente. Un kit de emergencia le ayuda a usted y a su familia a prepararse para lo peor.¿Qué debe de incluir mi kit de emergencia de la casa? Esenciales como comida y un suministro de agua, un galón por persona al día durante tres días para empezar. También querrá cargadores para sus dispositivos, incluidos los teléfonos móviles. Añada un botiquín sencillo con toallitas antisépticas, tiritas y los medicamentos de su familia. Ponga todo esto con anticipación en una mochila. ¿Hay algún otro artículo que deba incluirse en el kit? Podría empacar un casco en caso de que se encuentre en una situación en la que haya escombros -quizás necesite limpiar ramas de árboles. Añada guantes de trabajo, un chaleco de seguridad y bolsas de plástico para mantener a salvo y secos su seguro y otros documentos importantes. Empaque también artículos de higiene personal como pasta de dientes, champú, desodorante, cosas así... con lo que usted se sienta cómodo. ¿Qué artículos van en el kit de emergencia de mi auto? Su kit para el auto puede ser similar al de casa: agua, comida, mantas y cargadores. Añada cables de arranque y quizás un compresor de aire para llenar sus llantas. Además, ponga un saco de arena o arenilla para gatos en su kit del auto para una mejor tracción si se enfrenta a condiciones de carretera helada. ¿Dónde puedo obtener más información? TexasReady.gov tiene consejos para preparar su kit.La temporada de huracanes: Cómo preparar su vivienda y su propiedadSeguro contra inundaciones: Por qué necesita una póliza y cuál es el costoAntes de la tormentaLista de verificación de kits para desastres de Texas Ready