Texas Watch Poll 2013: Full Questionnaire with Results

7/28/2019 Texas Watch Poll 2013: Full Questionnaire with Results

1/17

A survey of active voters Texas statewide voter surveyMarch 21-25, 2013

Hill Research Consultants Created on Tuesday April 2, 2013 at 9:21:00 AM, pg C-1

Q1 Direction of things in ownpart of Texas todayRight direction 298 49%

Wrong track 231 38%

Unsure 71 12%

Refused 3 1%Number of cases 603 100%

Q2 Own, lease or rent currentresidence

Own 496 82%

Lease 16 3%

Rent 64 11%

Other, unsure 23 4%

Refused 4 1%

Number of cases 603 100%

Q3 Cost of own home & autoinsurance in Texas these days

Too high 373 62%

Much too high 173 29%

Somewhat too high 200 33%

About right 210 35%

Too low 2 0%

Somewhat too low 2 0%

Unsure 17 3%Refused 1 0%



2/17



Q4 Texas' current system ofregulation favors powerfulinsurance companies & theirlobbyists over consumers &

homeownersAgree 406 67%

Strongly 237 39%

Somewhat 169 28%

Disagree 121 20%

Somewhat 79 13%

Strongly 42 7%

Unsure 75 12%


Q5 It is in everyone's bestinterest to encourage bindingarbitration by limitingconsumers' access to thecourts to resolve complaintsagainst insurance companiesAgree 287 48%

Strongly 129 21%

Somewhat 158 26%

Disagree 278 46%Somewhat 138 23%

Strongly 140 23%

Unsure 37 6%



3/17



Q6 With higher premiums,larger deductibles &expanded exclusions, itseems like we're paying more

& more for home & autoinsurance these days whilegetting less & less in returnAgree 505 84%

Strongly 365 60%

Somewhat 140 23%

Disagree 83 14%

Somewhat 61 10%

Strongly 22 4%

Unsure 15 2%


Q7 Insurance companies' largeprofits some years arebalanced out by the bad yearswhen they have to pay-outmajor claims in response tonatural disastersAgree 411 68%

Strongly 176 29%

Somewhat 235 39%

Disagree 142 24%

Somewhat 74 12%

Strongly 68 11%

Unsure 49 8%



4/17



Q8 While no system is perfect,judges & juries in the courtsystem do a better job thanbureaucrats in state agencies

of holding insurancecompanies accountable whenthey treat customers unfairlyAgree 426 71%

Strongly 225 37%

Somewhat 201 33%

Disagree 107 18%

Somewhat 77 13%

Strongly 30 5%

Unsure 69 11%


Q9 To help consumers makeapples-to-applescomparisons & generate pricecompetition, insurancecompanies should berequired to offer the option ofa standard, full-coveragepolicy written in plain

language that would beconsistent across the industryAgree 567 94%

Strongly 446 74%

Somewhat 121 20%

Disagree 22 4%

Somewhat 12 2%

Strongly 9 2%

Unsure 13 2%

Refused 1 0%



5/17



Q10 Current state regulationsstrike a good balancebetween protectingcustomers while allowing

insurance companies to makereasonable profits in a highlycompetitive marketAgree 337 56%

Strongly 121 20%

Somewhat 216 36%

Disagree 202 33%

Somewhat 114 19%

Strongly 88 15%

Unsure 63 11%


Q11 It is unfair that aninsurance company you'vepaid premiums to for yearscan automatically raise yourrates or deductibles simplybecause you make a claim, &state law ought to prohibitthe practice

Agree 480 80%Strongly 366 61%

Somewhat 114 19%

Disagree 114 19%

Somewhat 53 9%

Strongly 60 10%

Unsure 9 1%Number of cases 603 100%


6/17



Q12 Although the public maynot appreciate it, insurancecompanies say it is difficultto operate at a profit in this

economic climate, & thelegislature needs to takesteps to help industry reducethe cost of fraudulent claims& frivolous lawsuits

Agree 384 64%

Strongly 198 33%

Somewhat 186 31%

Disagree 196 32%

Somewhat 93 15%

Strongly 103 17%Unsure 23 4%


Q13 Insurance companiesroutinely drag out lawsuits aslong as possible in the hopethat people will simply giveup before they are paid whatwhey are owedAgree 470 78%

Strongly 334 55%Somewhat 136 23%

Disagree 86 14%

Somewhat 48 8%

Strongly 38 6%

Unsure 47 8%



7/17



Q14 Tort reform encouragescompetition, gives customersmore choices, & eventuallyleads to lower premiums by

giving insurance companiesthe flexibility they need toinnovate & respond to thefree marketAgree 409 68%

Strongly 196 33%

Somewhat 213 35%

Disagree 126 21%

Somewhat 64 11%

Strongly 62 10%

Unsure 65 11%Refused 4 1%


Q15 When insurancecompanies unfairly deny,delay or underpay legitimateclaims, customers shouldhave easier access to thecourts & stronger legalremedies that impose stiff

financial penaltiesAgree 530 88%

Strongly 370 61%

Somewhat 159 26%

Disagree 52 9%

Somewhat 40 7%

Strongly 12 2%

Unsure 21 4%



8/17



Q16 Preferred approach forTexas insurance laws to try tostrike a balance betweenprotecting consumers rights

while discouraging frivolouscomplaintsStreamline, simplify process

for policyholders293 49%

Strongly 214 35%

Not strongly 79 13%

Shield insurance companiesfrom lawsuits

92 15%

Strongly 48 8%

Not strongly 43 7%

Current approach balancesissues fairly well

161 27%

Strongly 106 18%

Somewhat 55 9%

Unsure 56 9%


Q17a Impact on vote for StateRepresentative or State

Senator if they supportedlegislation that made it easierfor someone to hire anattorney when they believetheir insurance company hasunfairly denied, delayed orunderpaid a legitimate claimMore likely to vote for 228 76%

Strongly 164 55%

Not strongly 65 22%

Less likely to vote for 29 10%

Not strongly 12 4%Strongly 16 5%

Won't affect your vote 22 7%

Unsure 21 7%



9/17



Q17b Impact on vote for StateRepresentative or StateSenator if they supportedlegislation that made it

harder for someone to hire anattorney when they believetheir insurance company hasunfairly denied, delayed orunderpaid a legitimate claim

Less likely to vote for 196 65%

Strongly 146 48%

Somewhat 49 16%

More likely to vote for 62 21%

Somewhat 25 8%

Strongly 37 12%Won't affect your vote 19 6%

Unsure 25 8%


Q17a/Q17b Sympathy campWatchdog camp 424 70%

Strongly 310 51%

Not strongly 114 19%

Industry camp 91 15%Neither 87 14%

Not ascertained 1 0%



10/17



Q18 Adults in household1 124 21%

2 or more 464 77%

2 303 50%

3 or more 161 27%


Q19 Infants & children inhouseholdNone 368 61%

1 or more 220 37%

1 105 17%

2 63 10%

3 or more 52 9%


Q18/Q19 Household typeFamily 490 81%

With children 220 37%

Single adult 22 4%

No children 266 44%

Single adult, no children 100 17%

Not ascertained 13 2%Number of cases 603 100%


11/17



Q20 Value of homeUnder $100,000 127 21%

$100,000 to $200,000 224 37%

$100,000 to $150,000 120 20%

$151,000 to $200,000 104 17%

Over $200,000 120 20%

$201,000 to $300,000 75 12%

$301,000 to $500,000 32 5%

Over $500,000 14 2%

Unsure 18 3%

Refused 33 5%

Not asked (not a homeowner) 80 13%


Q21 Carry a homeownerinsurance policy on ownresidenceYes 479 79%

No 32 5%

Unsure 6 1%

Refused 6 1%

Not asked (not a homeowner) 80 13%


Q22 IdeologyConservative 290 48%

Very 151 25%

Somewhat 139 23%

Moderate; liberal 299 50%

Moderate; middle-of-road 196 32%

Liberal 104 17%

Somewhat 61 10%

Very 43 7%

Unsure 7 1%Refused 7 1%Number of cases 603 100%


12/17



Q23 Party identificationRepublican 236 39%

Strong 172 29%

Not-so-strong 64 11%

Independent; other 117 19%

Independent 114 19%

Other 3 1%

Democratic 228 38%

Not-so-strong 55 9%

Strong 173 29%

Unsure 9 1%

Refused 14 2%


Q24/Q24a Tea PartyidentificationMember in household 26 4%

Friendly towards, share itsgoals

165 27%

Hostile towards & oppose itsgoals

84 14%

Don't care either way 277 46%

Unsure 39 6%

Refused 12 2%


Q25 EducationHigh school or less 113 19%

Some grade school 5 1%

Some high school 10 2%

Graduated high school 99 16%

Some college 173 29%

College graduate 302 50%

Graduated college 181 30%

Graduate, professional school 121 20%



13/17



Q26 EthnicityMinority 256 43%

Asian 9 1%

Black, African-American 84 14%

Hispanic, Latino, Mexican-American

149 25%

Mixed 15 2%

White, Anglo 337 56%

Refused 9 1%


AgeLess than 45 207 34%

18 - 34 109 18%

35 - 44 97 16%

45 to 60 204 34%

45 - 50 72 12%

51 - 60 132 22%

More than 60 190 32%

61 - 70 108 18%

More than 70 82 14%

Not ascertained 3 0%Number of cases 603 100%

Ideology & ageConservative 290 48%

50 or less 124 21%



50 or less 148 25%


Unsure 7 1%

Refused 7 1%



14/17



Party identification byideology, ethnicity & ageRepublican 236 39%

Conservative 193 32%

Very conservative 111 18%


50 or less 109 18%


Democratic 228 38%

Conservative 53 9%

White 15 3%

Moderate 99 16%

Liberal 75 12%

Minority 161 27%50 or less 108 18%


Independent; other 117 19%

Conservative 37 6%

Moderate 62 10%

Liberal 15 3%

50 or less 54 9%

More than 50 63 11%

Unsure 9 1%



15/17



Sex by age, party identification& ideologyMale 271 45%

50 or less 121 20%

More than 50 149 25%Republican 104 17%

Democrat 97 16%

Independent, other 60 10%



Female 332 55%

50 or less 158 26%


Republican 131 22%Democrat 130 22%

Independent, other 58 10%


Moderate; liberal 166 27%Number of cases 603 100%

Years registered to vote6 or less 187 31%

7 to 19 245 41%

20 or more 170 28%Number of cases 603 100%


16/17



2010 & 2012 Primary votehistoryPrimary voter 230 38%

Republican only 145 24%

Democratic only 73 12%Other 10 2%

No primary voting 373 62%Number of cases 603 100%

General election vote history2008 470 78%

2010 411 68%

2012 563 93%

All three 341 57%

None 2 0%Number of cases 603 100%

Metropolitan classificationMetropolitan area 536 89%

Micropolitan area 36 6%

Rural 30 5%Number of cases 603 100%

Census Bureau classification

Urban (MSA) 536 89%Small town, rural 67 11%


Geographic areaBorder 42 7%

Central Corridor 136 23%

East Texas 40 7%

Gulf Coast 176 29%

Metroplex 169 28%

Plains 41 7%Number of cases 603 100%


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Media MarketNorth/northeast Texas 204 34%

Shreveport-Texarkana 7 1%

Dallas-Fort Worth 175 29%

Dallas & Tarrant Counties 97 16%

Dallas County 53 9%

Tarrant County 44 7%

Sherman-Ada 3 1%

Tyler-Longview- Jacksonville 18 3%

Gulf Coast 159 26%

Houston 149 25%

Harris County 90 15%

Beaumont-Port Arthur 11 2%

South Texas 102 17%Corpus Christi 17 3%

Victoria 1 0%

Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen

20 3%

San Antonio 62 10%

Bexar County 39 6%

Laredo 2 0%

Central Corridor 92 15%

Waco-Temple-Bryan 26 4%

Austin 53 9%Travis County 24 4%

San Angelo 4 1%

Abilene-Sweetwater 9 2%

West Texas/Plains 46 8%

Lawton 3 0%

Odessa-Midland 3 0%

Amarillo 18 3%

Lubbock 3 1%

El Paso 19 3%Number of cases 603 100%

Texas Watch Poll 2013: Full Questionnaire with Results

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