There are certain steps you need to take when filing a hurricane property damage claim in Texas. As soon as you’re able, call your insurance company to inform them about the damage your property sustained. They may send someone out to assess the conditions. You’ll also want to document your losses and make temporary repairs to help prevent further damage.
The claims process can quickly get complicated. The insurer might even be resistant to paying out your claim in full or at all. However, a Texas hurricane damage claims lawyer on our team can handle all matters related to your case and help streamline the claims process.
Notify the Insurance Company About the Damage and Review Your Policy
As soon as it’s safe, inform your insurance company about the hurricane damage your property sustained. Many insurers require notice within the first 24 or 48 hours after any damage occurs. Any delay could put your claim at risk of a denial.
The sooner, the better. Still, it’s best to check your policy to see exactly how much time you have. In addition to specifying certain deadlines, it will state other important terms, like exclusions, coverage, conditions, and deductibles.
Don’t wait until the middle of the claims process to familiarize yourself with this information. Knowing what to expect from the get-go will help you get ahead and keep better track of your case. If any of your policy language is unclear, a Texas property insurance claim lawyer at our firm can interpret it and answer your questions.
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.
Assess the Damage from the Hurricane
Once it’s safe to do so, assess the damage the hurricane inflicted on your property. Hurricanes can cause the following:
- Structural collapse
- Shattered windows
- Roof leaks
- Damage to siding, roof, walls, and doors
- Mold growth
- Damage from debris
- Split or broken roof tiles or shingles
- Detached gutters and panels
Take pictures of all the damage at various angles. You may also want to consider recording a video and narrating the scene to give the insurance company a better context of the depth of the situation.
If you made any temporary repairs, like putting a tarp over a roof leak, include that. It will tell them that you’re doing what you can to prevent further damage while you’re waiting for a professional.
Hire an Inspector to Evaluate the Effects of the Hurricane on Your Property
It’s advised to call an inspector to evaluate the damage after a hurricane, especially if it’s severe. They will canvass the entire property and may even discover damage that you didn’t know about. They can provide you with estimates on how much repairs or replacements will cost. Make copies of this report to give to your legal team.
Your insurance company will probably send an adjuster out to check out what happened and carry out their own inspection. Having the report from the inspector you hired offers another opinion and helps ensure the insurance adjuster isn’t overestimating or underestimating your hurricane damage.
Keep a Record of All Correspondence and Documentation
Hang onto every piece of documentation pertaining to your claim. That includes receipts, appraisals, credit card slips, estimates, and invoices. This way, you can build and submit a comprehensive claim, as well as prove your right to collect compensation for your losses. Although every policy varies, you may be entitled to receive coverage for the following:
- Relocation expenses
- Business interruption costs
- Personal property damage
- Structural damage
- Cleanup costs
Also, keep a file of all the correspondence you’ve had with your insurance company since the hurricane damage, as it will help you keep track of the status of your claim.
Gathering all the right documentation, in addition to trying to manage all the back and forth with the insurance company while you’re trying to tend to things at home, can be tedious and get overwhelming fast. However, a hurricane damage claim attorney from our firm can assume all these responsibilities on your behalf so that you can focus on yourself.
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
The Insurance Company Is Bound to Time Constraints After You File a Claim
Insurance companies must abide by certain deadlines after a policyholder files their claim. For example, according to Texas Insurance Code § 542.055, the insurer must acknowledge receipt of a claim and start investigating or make a decision on that claim within 15 days of its submission. It cannot investigate your claim without completing this step.
Texas Insurance Code § 542.056 explains that the insurance company has 45 days to either accept or reject your claim after the adjuster tells you they need to further investigate. From there, the insurer has five days to pay it out, per the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
What Happens If the Insurer Denies Your Hurricane Property Damage Claim
If the insurance company denies your hurricane damage claim, it must provide a reason in writing. It’s not unheard of for an insurance company to deny a hurricane damage claim, especially initially. It could have been because of:
- Late filing
- Lack of preparation
- Previous damage
- Wear and tear
- Insufficient evidence
- Unmet deductibles
- Failure to mitigate damage
- Lack of coverage
- Misrepresentation
Keep in mind that a rejection isn’t always final, and you may have grounds to file an appeal. An attorney from our firm can help you search for and add documentation to your claim so that you can reach a successful outcome through your appeal.
They’ll also ensure that the insurer is acting in good faith and that the denial of your claim wasn’t to protect its own interests. If we find out the insurer was using bad faith tactics, we can take legal action against it.
You need a skilled advocate to protect your legal rights and present your claim in such a way as to maximize your recovery.
Call Us for Help With Filing a Hurricane Property Damage Claim in Texas
A lawyer from our firm can help you file your hurricane property damage claim in Texas. We have more than 40 years of experience in personal injury and insurance law and earned 4.8 stars on 73 Google reviews.
Reach out to Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, today for a free consultation. Whatever your situation, we are here for you.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
