Hurricane Damage Claims
Texas is second in the nation for most hurricane landfalls. These devastating storms bring turbulent winds and drenching rainfall that cause thousands in damage for homeowners. Recovering from a hurricane is an emotional and stressful situation. In this time of need, we rely on our insurer to provide us with the settlement we need to repair our property damage. Sometimes, though, these companies will act in bad faith, which can delay recovery.
Speaking with an hurricane claim dispute attorney before a hurricane makes landfall is your best course of action. They can ensure you have the necessary coverage, file a claim on your behalf and represent you in court if necessary. Contact an hurricane insurance lawyer today if you are having trouble with your insurance company.
Texas Hurricane Insurance Claims Attorney
The hurricane damage attorneys at LeMaster Law Firm have extensive experience handling hurricane damage claims of all sizes.
Jennifer LeMaster and Nejat Ahmed will use their experience working for insurance companies to your advantage and by tirelessly working to get you the best settlement possible. Getting started is easy. Call 832-356-7983 to schedule a case evaluation.
LeMaster Law Firm fights for the rights of policyholders in counties across Texas such as Galveston County, Harris County, Montgomery County, Collin County and Dallas County.
Information Center
- Hurricane Damage Caused by Wind
- Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hurricane Flood Damage?
- What Should I Do if My Claim is Denied?
- Additional Resources
Hurricane Damage Caused by Wind
Hurricanes bring sustained winds that can range from 74 mph to over 156 mph. Winds of such magnitude can blow shingles from a roof and stucco from a house and cause limbs and other debris to shatter windows. Standard homeowner’s insurance typically covers hurricane damage caused by wind. However, some policies may partially or entirely exclude coverage for wind-related damage.
If your policy does cover wind damage, you may find it includes a separate deductible for hurricanes that is greater than a standard deductible. And, if your policy covers wind damage, it’s important to remember coverage limits will apply.
Rather than reviewing your property insurance policy in the midst of hunkering down for a hurricane, make it a point to review your policy before the storm makes landfall. Most insurance companies will not allow you to add coverage once a hurricane comes ashore, so it is vital you are aware of your coverage beforehand.
Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Hurricane Flood Damage?
Hurricane Harvey, the most recent hurricane to hit southern Texas, dropped more than 50 inches of rain. This cyclone caused nearly $125 billion in damage, making Harvey the costliest hurricane in Texas history, according to the National Hurricane Center. Harvey flooded more than 200 thousand homes, with three-fourths of them lacking the necessary flood insurance.
Homeowners insurance covers water damage caused by burst pipes and leaky appliances, but it does not cover damage caused by flooding. Examples of flood damage not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance include:
- Water from swollen lakes, rivers or creeks
- Storm surge
- Pooling of water from heavy rain
What Should I Do if My Claim is Denied?
Many homeowners are affected during a hurricane, so insurers will have to payout costly claims to hundreds and thousands of people. Providing settlement claims to this many people quickly becomes expensive for insurance companies, but to retain profit, some adjusters will deny a legitimate claim.
Having a claim denied is a frustrating situation. You may be on time with your monthly payments, yet your insurance company is unwilling to provide you with the funds you need to recover. Denying a legitimate claim is considered an “unfair settlement practice.” According to the Texas Insurance Code, additional unfair settlement practices include:
- Misrepresenting information or policy provisions relating to the claim
- Failing to provide a prompt, fair and equitable settlement
- Failing to provide a reasonable explanation for a denied claim
- Failing within a reasonable time to confirm or deny coverage for a claim
- Requiring a claimant to provide a copy of their tax returns as a condition of settling a claim
- Refusing to pay a claim without conducting a reasonable investigation
Contact an insurance lawyer immediately if you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith. LeMaster Law Firm can investigate the situation and represent you in court if needed.
Additional Resources
Unfair Settlement Practices | Texas Insurance Code – Visit the Texas Constitution and Statutes website to read the section of the Insurance Code pertaining to bad faith insurance practices. You can find a comprehensive list of unfair acts, learn about the misrepresentation of insurance policies and gain access to other insurance laws.
Hurricane and Windstorm Deductibles – Visit the Insurance Information Institute to learn more about deductibles for hurricanes and windstorms. By accessing the site, you can find information on how hurricanes deductibles work in Texas and see which hurricanes have caused the most damage in the United States.
Lawyer for Hurricane Damage Claims in Texas
Allow LeMaster Law Firm to carry the burden of dealing with insurance adjusters. Ms. Ahmed and Ms. LeMaster have proven experience negotiating with insurance companies. As your legal counsel, they vow to aggressively fight on your behalf and settle your dispute with insurers.
Call 832-356-7983 to schedule a free case evaluation. LeMaster Law Firm assists clients across the state of Texas including the greater Houston area such as Tomball, Pasadena, Conroe, League City and Galveston.
