Victoria Homeowners Insurance Claims Lawyer

When you purchase homeowners insurance, your carrier has a duty to treat you fairly and act in good faith. Unfortunately, not every insurance company takes this obligation seriously. Many insurers find ways to deny or delay these homeowners insurance claims to pad their bottom line. 

Victoria residents like you deserve payouts for your losses, and the lawyers with Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, are here to help. Our Victoria property insurance claims lawyer can assist you every step of the way. So, let a Victoria lawyer from our firm serve as your advocate during this process. 

The Language of Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Is Important

To get the most out of your homeowner’s claim, you need to understand what your policy covers. Misunderstanding the language of your policy can result in disappointment when an insurance adjuster denies your homeowner’s claim. 

One thing to understand is the potential for exclusions. For example, you might receive compensation for damage caused to your home, although water damage and losses from flooding may not be covered. You usually must purchase additional coverage to cover these exclusions. 

Arguably, conflicting language is the most important thing to be aware of in your insurance policy. Sometimes, a property insurance policy might reflect coverage is viable in one section, only to seemingly exclude it in another. Many insurance carriers undervalue or deny homeowner claims, so you can count on them to interpret these conflicts against you. However, the team at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, could help you resolve your case in your favor. 

What Rights do I Have as a Homeowners Insurance Policyholder?

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) outlines your rights as a homeowners policy owner. However, the Consumer Bill of Rights is not exhaustive, and the language is not considered part of your insurance policy. That said, a violation of these rights provides you with legal recourse. Some of the rights you have as a homeowner include the following:

• Protection from discrimination
• The right to fair treatment
• The right to reject a settlement offer
• The right to a written explanation of a denial

These are only some of the 50+ rights outlined in the document. What’s more, the document makes clear this list is not a complete list of your rights. Thus, the insurance attorneys at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, can provide a better understanding of your rights as a homeowner and how we can help you protect your claim.  

Victoria Homeowners Insurance Claims Lawyer Near Me 361-884-4437

We Can Help You Fight a Denied or Delayed Homeowners Insurance Claim

You might assume that a denied claim ends your chances of receiving compensation. Unfortunately, you might have the same feeling when an insurer delays your claim extensively or when it results in a surprisingly low offer. 

Bad faith can take different forms in a homeowner’s claim. One of the most common examples is refusing to make a settlement offer when coverage is plainly available. Intentional delays are another common example. 

The good news is you have the right to push back against the property insurance company’s illegal or underhanded tactics. You never have to accept a lowball settlement offer and are entitled to negotiate with your carrier to get the outcome you deserve for your Victora insurance claim. 

Dealing with Denials

Getting a denial letter for your homeowner’s insurance claim is frustrating. That said, these letters provide you with an important starting point. 

The insurance company must notify you in writing of the reason for your denial. Insurers could deny your claim for several reasons. Some are valid, like when you failed to provide the necessary documentation. However, other denials are in bad faith. So, let our team of attorneys review your denial letter and help you proceed with your claim. 

Responding to Underpayment

Underpaid claims are more common than outright denials. Insurance companies often look to shirk some of their liability by trying to settle a claim for a fraction of its actual value. 

These insurance adjusters are trained negotiators. They know that when a policyholder negotiates on their behalf, they usually lack the experience and frame of reference compared to an attorney. Thus, an adjuster might bully a claimant into accepting a lowball offer. 

The team at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, has over 50 years of experience in insurance law. We are ready to help you negotiate with the insurance company. We could advise you if your settlement offer is fair while dealing directly with the insurance company to resolve your claim. 

You Have Options for Holding Bad-Faith Insurance Companies Accountable

In some cases, an insurance company’s actions are so unreasonable, it is easy to assume they acted in bad faith. Insurance companies might have a duty to treat you fairly during the claims process, but there is no guarantee they will. 

Financial compensation is available for a successful bad faith claim against your insurance company. You have the right to seek compensation for any losses you suffered due to your unfair treatment, such as additional property damage due to the claim being delayed. You could also recover your court costs and legal fees. 

Importantly, bad faith claims also result in treble damages in some cases. These damages are punitive in nature, designed to prevent insurance companies from acting this way in the future. Treble damages mean the award is three times the amount of your homeowner’s claim. 

Talk to a Homeowners Insurance Claims Lawyer in Victoria, TX Today

Getting the most compensation possible from your homeowner’s insurance claim is possible, but it can be challenging. Insurance companies work tirelessly to avoid paying what they owe to claimants. However, our team of attorneys can help you even the odds and get the compensation you deserve to pay for storm damage, losses for natural disasters, and other unexpected events that resulted in injury or losses. 

Let the team at Carrigan & Anderson, PLLC, help you navigate the claims process. We know how to deal with insurance companies, especially when they act in bad faith. Reach out to our Victoria homeowners insurance claims lawyers today for a free consultation.