Navigating Insurance Claims After a Natural Disaster in Texas

Texas property owners often worry about damage from storms, tornadoes, and hail. Although most property insurance claims are promptly granted, if your insurance provider denies your storm damage claim, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a storm damage attorney in Texas.

You should familiarize yourself with your homeowner's coverage before a storm causes damage. Make sure you know the specifics of your plan, including any limitations, deductibles, and whether or not your Texas homeowner's insurance will pay for storm-related losses like wind and hail.

If your house insurance does not cover damage from strong winds or hailstorms, which is a common occurrence in Texas, you should be sure to get that coverage before any severe weather happens.

That said, it's important to understand the dos and don'ts of dealing with insurance companies after a natural disaster in Texas, as well as your legal options when it comes to navigating these claims. Moreover, contacting a lawyer right away is essential to have the best chance of securing compensation.

Filing a Claim for Property Damage in Texas

In most cases, submitting a claim for property damage in this state is not difficult, even if you have no prior experience doing so. Texas property damage insurance claims typically follow these four steps:

• Claims for property damage are filed by the insured.
• There will be a review of the claim and an examination of the damaged property by an insurance adjuster.
• From there, you will choose a contractor to make repairs, provided they are approved by your insurer.
• Your insurance company pays you.

First, it's recommended that you get clear images and videos of the property damage prior to submitting your damage claim. The best course of action is to board up windows and make other small, temporary repairs to prevent the damage from spreading. Also, be sure you save a copy of the receipts for these expenses.

Don't delay in getting your insurance claim paperwork in after the incident. You may submit a claim for property damage in one of three ways: over the phone, online, or (if available) via your insurance provider's mobile app. After your homeowner's insurance provider gets your claim for property damage, they have fifteen days to verify receipt and start investigating.

Insurers Assessing Property Damage in Texas

Homeowner's insurance companies often dispatch a claims adjuster to your house after receiving a damage claim in order to assess the extent of the storm damage and provide a repair cost estimate. Make sure you obtain the claims adjuster's contact information, including their name, phone number, and email address.

Depending on the incident in question, either the claims adjuster or the insurance company may contact you for more information following their visit. After the claims adjuster has visited your property and after you have supplied your Texas insurance company with all of the information it has asked for, the firm then has fifteen days to accept or reject your property damage claim.

That fifteen-day deadline might be extended to forty-five days in some instances if the insurance company needs more time to examine your claim. The company must provide you with an explanation for the denial of your claim if so chooses. Finally, finding a certified contractor to conduct the necessary repairs is essential. Seek advice from someone you know and trust, such as neighbors and friends. Get many quotes from certified repair companies and compare them before choosing one.

Negotiations with Texas Insurers

Like many other states, Texas has an "at-fault" insurance system to resolve claims arising from vehicle accidents, but fault doesn't quite come into play when natural disasters cause property damage.

After agreeing to settle your property damage claim, your insurance carrier is required by law to reimburse you within five business days. But if you still owe money on your house, the company will usually provide the money to your mortgage lender, who then has to get in touch with you within a week after getting the money. Contact your mortgage lender to arrange for the money to be released so you can cover the cost of the repairs.

That said, even while you can't control when insurance companies pay out claims or their process for doing so, there are things you may do to speed up the process. Sending any required materials to your insurance provider as soon as possible will start the process sooner rather than later since they have fifteen days to examine after receiving it.

Moreover, you should get all the information you can to send to your Texas insurance provider right away if your house becomes severely damaged by the weather. To the best of your ability, complete all of the necessary insurance documentation, including images and videos of the property damage.

Finally, it is important to keep a record of every correspondence with your insurer. The insurance company or agent may ask you to keep a copy of any correspondence you send them regardless, but it's also essential that you retain your own copies of this communication. And, last but not least, when insurance money is paid out, carefully review the release statements. Go over all of the correspondence from your insurance provider, including payments, letters, emails, and notices. Verify that there is no provision waiving or relinquishing any claims. If you're uncertain about the terms of your payment and release, consult your agent. Consulting an attorney may be necessary as well.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Dallas

Getting in touch with a Dallas personal injury attorney as soon as possible is essential if you're dealing with the aftermath of a natural disaster and making an insurance claim.

At the Rasansky Law Firm in Dallas, we've been helping people hurt in dog attacks, slip-and-fall accidents, natural disasters, car crashes, and so much more for over three decades. In addition, we provide reliable legal counsel to our clients, thanks to our staff of experienced, compassionate personal injury attorneys in Dallas.

Contact our Dallas injury lawyers at (214) 651-6100 for a free consultation at any time after you have sustained injuries or property damage in a Texas natural disaster and need advice on what to do next.