When disaster strikes, your home insurance settlement should help you recover, but too often, insurance companies aim to protect their bottom line, not pay what you truly deserve. As a result, the payout you receive may be far less than what it takes to repair your home and replace your losses. The good news is you’re not powerless. You have rights, and you do have options. Here are key steps our Corpus Christi homeowners insurance claims lawyers recommend you take if your home insurance settlement isn’t enough.
Review Your Policy Carefully
Start by reading through your home insurance policy in detail. Look for coverage limits, exclusions, and any clauses that may explain why your settlement was reduced. Understanding exactly what your policy does and doesn’t cover will give you a solid foundation for challenging the payout.
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.
Request a Detailed Explanation
Ask your insurance company to provide a written explanation of how they calculated your settlement. This breakdown can reveal whether they undervalued your damages, missed important items, or simply miscalculated costs.
Gather Additional Evidence
If you believe your settlement is too low, strengthen your case with evidence. Collect repair estimates from licensed contractors, receipts for damaged items, photographs of the damage, and any other documentation that proves the true cost of your losses.
Representing the injured in all areas of Texas that extends back over 40 years
File an Appeal or Supplemental Claim
You can file an appeal or submit a supplemental claim if new information comes to light. Submitting your additional evidence at this stage gives you a chance to increase your payout without escalating to a legal dispute.
You need a skilled advocate to protect your legal rights and present your claim in such a way as to maximize your recovery.
Negotiate with Your Insurance Company
Don’t be afraid to push back. Use your evidence to demonstrate why the initial settlement doesn’t reflect the actual cost of repairs or replacements. Be persistent, keep communication in writing, and remain professional; it can go a long way in reaching a fairer outcome.
When to Involve a Professional
Sometimes, no matter how prepared you are, your insurance company won’t budge. That’s when bringing in outside help can make a huge difference.
Hire a Public Adjuster
A public adjuster works on your behalf—not the insurance company’s. They re-evaluate your claim, gather evidence, and negotiate directly with the insurer to pursue a fair settlement. Since they typically work on a percentage of what they recover, their incentives align with yours.
Consult an Attorney
If your insurer acts in bad faith, such as denying valid claims, delaying payments, or offering unreasonably low settlements, an attorney from our firm can step in. Legal professionals understand insurance law and can hold your provider accountable, ensuring your rights are protected throughout the process.
Work with Contractors or Experts
Sometimes the issue comes down to numbers. Licensed contractors, appraisers, or restoration specialists can provide realistic repair or replacement estimates. Their professional assessments carry weight in disputes and may expose gaps in the insurance company’s calculations. A second opinion can also help if an estimate is less than what you were quoted.
How Our Lawyers Can Help With Your Insurance Claim
When your insurance settlement isn’t enough, it can feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle against a company with endless resources. An experienced Corpus Christi property insurance claims lawyer can help level that playing field in several ways:
Reviewing Your Policy for Hidden Protections
Insurance policies are notoriously complex and full of legal language. A lawyer can break down the fine print, identify coverage you may not have realized you had, and highlight areas where your insurer may have overlooked obligations. This alone can sometimes unlock additional benefits.
Challenging Bad Faith Practices
If your insurer is stalling, denying legitimate claims, or offering an unreasonably low settlement, that may constitute “bad faith.” Our lawyers know how to document these violations and use them as leverage to push for a higher payout or take the matter to court if necessary.
Handling Negotiations on Your Behalf
Insurance companies often take claimants more seriously once legal counsel is involved. A lawyer from our firm can negotiate directly with adjusters and corporate attorneys, using your evidence and expert assessments to demand a settlement that truly reflects your losses.
Representing You in Litigation if Needed
If negotiations fail, our attorneys can file a lawsuit and represent you in court. While many cases settle before reaching trial, having this option ensures your insurer knows you’re prepared to escalate if it doesn’t act fairly.
Giving You Peace of Mind
Perhaps most importantly, working with a lawyer takes the stress off your shoulders. Instead of going back and forth with the insurance company alone, you’ll have a professional fighting for your best interests every step of the way.
We Only Get Paid if You Win
One of the biggest worries homeowners have when considering hiring a lawyer is cost. The good news is that with our firm, you don’t pay anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means our payment depends entirely on the outcome of your case.
If we don’t recover additional compensation for you, you owe us nothing. This structure ensures our interests are fully aligned with yours; you can be sure we’ll fight for the maximum settlement possible because our success depends on your success. It also gives you peace of mind, knowing you can pursue the help you need without taking on additional financial risk.
If Your Home Insurance Settlement Isn’t Enough, We’ll Fight for What You Deserve
Dealing with a low home insurance settlement can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to accept less than you deserve. By reviewing your policy, gathering evidence, and getting professional support, you can fight for the compensation you truly need to recover. Remember, you have rights, and help is available.
If your insurance company isn’t treating you fairly, don’t wait. Contact Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC today for a free consultation, and let us fight to get you the settlement you deserve.
At Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC we can talk to you about your options and rights.
