Hurricanes are a force of nature that cannot be controlled. As a property owner, there is little you can do but get out of the way and hope for the best. Your insurance policy should protect your home from catastrophic losses, but insurers will not always treat you fairly. Sometimes, you might need guidance from an experienced Houston insurance claims lawyer.
With more than 40 years of experience handling complex insurance cases, Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC is ready to assist you with your claim. We understand the frustration of a denial and will do the work to get you the compensation you deserve. Let a Houston hurricane damage claims lawyer review your case and advise you of your options.
Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?
Whether homeowners’ insurance covers hurricane damage is more complicated than you might realize. Why? Because a hurricane can cause different types of losses—from wind damage to fires and flooding. A homeowners’ policy might cover some of those losses but not others.
Whether your policy covers damage caused by windstorms depends on the language. Some carriers include this coverage with most policies, while other companies exclude it entirely. In that scenario, you must purchase additional coverage for wind-related losses. Our Houston personal injury lawyers can help.
All homeowners’ policies generally cover fire damage. Despite hurricanes involving heavy winds and torrential rain, fires are common in their aftermath due to downed powerlines and blown transformers.
Flood Damage Rarely Included in Standard Homeowners’ Policies
One common hurricane-related hazard that a basic homeowners’ policy almost never covers is flooding. So, to cover your property for flood damage, you might want to discuss separate flood insurance to meet your needs.
We have offices in Houston, Corpus Christi, and Victoria; and will travel to any corner of Texas if we are capable of preventing an injustice.
State Law Sets Important Deadlines for Insurance Companies
Many critical deadlines apply to insurance companies after you have filed a claim for damages. Texas Insurance Code § 542 governs these deadlines, which apply to how much time the company has to acknowledge and respond to your claim.
The Insurer Has 15 Days to Acknowledge Your Claim
One of the most important aspects of the law is that insurance companies can only investigate your claim after first acknowledging it, thus preventing the carrier from waiting weeks or months before claiming they have yet to hear from you. Within 15 days of filing the claim, your insurer must acknowledge its receipt and begin investigating or deciding on the claim.
It Has 45 Days to Respond With an Answer
Once the insurance company informs you of its need to investigate your claim further, it will have limited time to do so. It has 45 days from that date to accept or reject your claim.
It Has 5 Days to Pay Your Claim
Once you receive notice that the insurer accepted your claim, it must immediately initiate payment. It must issue the first payment within five business days of the notification that it has accepted your claim. The insurer could extend this deadline if the company must wait for you to sign a specific document first.
Houston Hurricane Damage Lawyer Near Me 361-884-4437
Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Bad Faith Handling Your Hurricane Damage Claim
You have paid your insurance premiums diligently—often for years. Now that you have filed a claim on your homeowners’ policy, you expect the insurance carrier to hold up its end of the bargain. All too often, these companies will go to extreme lengths to avoid paying what they owe.
Although insurance companies have the right to investigate a claim and deny it when needed, they are obligated to act in good faith while doing so. If the company rejects your claim in bad faith, you could force it not only to pay your claim but also provide additional compensation.
When you work with a Houston hurricane damage claims lawyer at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing our firm will aggressively pursue a bad faith claim on your behalf. Some signs of bad faith include the following:
- Obvious time-wasting tactics
- Refusing to visit the property
- Making an unreasonably low offer
- Refusing to make a timely payment
- Rejecting your claim without cause
- Failing to acknowledge your claim
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
How a Houston Hurricane Damage Claims Attorney Can Help
The aftermath of a hurricane can be a chaotic time. Meeting your basic needs, like finding housing, can take up all your time, making filing an insurance claim particularly daunting. A hurricane damage lawyer could handle your claim, allowing you to focus on getting your life back in order after the storm.
We Can Manage Your Claim
Our firm can deal with the minute details of your claim, including providing documentation to your insurance company and speaking with the adjuster on your behalf.
We Can Build a Case on Your Behalf
The first step your attorney will take after receiving notice of a claim denial is identifying why the insurer made this decision. Typically, insurance companies will provide their rationale in a written letter, but their excuses are not always clear or reasonable. Our firm can determine what your claim is worth and the real reason for the denial.
We Can Advocate for You
Having an experienced attorney handle every aspect of your hurricane damage claim means leaving the stress and time commitments behind. We can negotiate with the insurance company to get the settlement you deserve and speak on your behalf when needed.
You need a skilled advocate to protect your legal rights and present your claim in such a way as to maximize your recovery.
Learn How a Hurricane Damage Lawyer in Houston, TX, Can Help
Seeing your home destroyed by a hurricane is a traumatic loss that can have a lasting impact on your life. However, the proceeds of your insurance claim can make it easier to piece things back together.
The team at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC is ready to assist you every step of the way. Call our Houston hurricane damage claims team today for a free consultation.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
