Texas Minimum Liability Limits Mandated to Increase – State Cites Increasing Medical Costs

Dear valued MileMeter customer,

We hope that you have enjoyed your Holiday Season and we wish you a healthy and happy new year!

In an effort to keep you informed, we are notifying you that the state has mandated an increase in the Texas minimum liability limits, in attempt to keep up with the steady increase of medical costs.  On January 1, 2011, the present minimum limits of 25/50/25 were replaced by the new minimum limits of 30/60/25.  We will continue to offer the higher limits of liability, which are 50/100/50 and 100/300/50.

Additionally, as part of our rate filing with the Texas Department of Insurance, we have implemented an overall increase in our rates, as medical expenses and the cost of automobile and property repairs continue to rise. The liability coverage increases will be around 7.4% on average.  If you also buy Physical Damage coverage, the overall increase could be between 8.65% and 11.15%.

These increases will go into effect only on policies that are renewed on or after January 1, 2011.  To see how much your policy cost will be affected, you may obtain a quote a new quote at any time.

Texas DPS and TexasSure will be verifying insurance coverage aggressively in the coming year.  We urge you to consider buying an additional 1000 miles of coverage at your renewal.  If you don’t use it all in this upcoming policy period, you will be eligible for a renewal credit.

Be safe, be smart, be economical, and stay insured with MileMeter.

Editor’s Note: Auto insurance purchased by the mile? That is innovative! We are satisfied MileMeter customers – we insure several of our vehicles with them at a pretty good savings. You can get a quote direct from MileMeter by going to their website.

San Antonio: TexSan Hospital Under New Ownership

Methodist Healthcare System has officially closed on its purchase of TexSan Heart Hospital from MedCath Corp. and its physician owners.

Under the terms of the deal, Methodist bought the hospital for $78.5 million. MedCath anticipates that it will receive $58 million in cash for the facility after paying liabilities, closing costs, taxes and acquisition costs related to the buyout of the minority interest owned by heart doctors.

The effective date of the transaction was Dec. 31, 2010.

TexSan Heart Hospital opened in San Antonio in 2004 as a specialty hospital. In 2009, TexSan earned an Excellence Award from HealthGrades, the independent health care ratings organization.

Charlotte, N.C.-based MedCath (NASDAQ: MDTH) currently owns an interest in and operates six hospitals in six states and has a total of 533 licensed beds.

Methodist Healthcare is San Antonio’s largest health system.