Texas Insurance Adjuster Indicted For Phony Claims After 2012 Hail Storms

Aug. 25--A Travis County grand jury indicted a public insurance adjuster and charged her with negotiating phony insurance claims after the 2012 hail storms in the Rio Grande Valley, the district attorney's office announced on Thursday.

According to the indictment, Elvia Chandler, 61, submitted 14 claims to insurance companies reporting damages that did not exist or were not caused by hail. She's accused of receiving a percentage of the settlements from policyholders.

A press release from the Travis County district attorney's office speaks to a collaborative effort with the Texas Department of Insurance Fraud Unit.

"Insurance fraud, with its negative effects to both insurers and consumers, has consistently been a priority for this office," DA Margaret Moore said. "I value TDI's expertise and efforts in investigating this particular type of fraud and look forward to our continued collaboration to see that these crimes are vigorously prosecuted, victims are protected, and that justice is done."

TDI director Chris Davis said: "Being able to have TDI staff serve in the district attorney's office allows for better integration and more opportunities to go after those committing insurance fraud. Our relationship with prosecutors around the state is good for all insurance consumers."

According to her LinkedIn profile, Chandler is the president of Texas Elite Public Adjusters in San Antonio. She has been in that role for eight years and been with the company for 33 years.

Chandler is charged with first-degree felony insurance fraud and faces between five years and life in prison.

The case is sealed from public record.

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