Texas Hurricane Claim Denials

Texas Hurricane Damage Claims Attorney: Peter Diiorio

 If you have endured a hurricane in Texas, you are familiar with the anxiety and stress that comes in the aftermath. If you then have had to deal with an insurance company, such as Allstate, State Farm or Wright Insurance Company, that refuses to pay your claim or offers you far less than the claim is worth, it could be time for you to speak to a Texas hurricane damage claims attorney. Having an experienced hurricane damage claims attorney by your side can take a significant burden from your shoulders. When Peter Diiorio of Gulf Coast Insurance Attorneys, handles your hurricane claim, you can deal with the many things facing you without worrying about whether your claim will be paid.

Will My Hurricane Damage Be Covered by My Homeowner’s Insurance or Flood Insurance?

It is important that you know exactly what your homeowner’s insurance covers—and what it doesn’t—before you actually need the coverage. A “standard” homeowner’s insurance policy will usually cover repair costs from damages resulting from natural disasters, but there are exceptions. Flooding caused by storm surges and hurricanes is usually excluded from a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. Because of this, those living in an area that is prone to hurricanes should definitely consider purchasing an endorsement or separate policy that covers flood damage.

You should be able to purchase flood insurance from your agent through the National Flood Insurance Program, managed by FEMA. This flood insurance is available to all homeowners living in one of the NFIP-participating communities. NFIP flood insurance provides a maximum coverage of $250,000 for property damage and $100,000 for contents, although property and contents coverage are generally purchased separately, even though they are on the same policy. The average flood insurance policy costs around $700 per year. If you have a federally regulated or insured lender for your mortgage, they may require flood insurance.

Flood insurance pays actual cash value to replace the damaged or lost property, but remember, this is based on actual, depreciated value. Property flood insurance usually covers at least 80 percent of the full replacement cost of your home, or the maximum available under NFIP. For flood insurance to pay, the water must have come from outside your home rather than from a burst pipe inside.  Further, to be considered a “flood,” the water that causes the damage to your home must have covered at least two acres or have affected at least one other property. Any mold or mildew damage the insurance company believes you could have reasonably prevented will not be covered.

How Do I Start the Hurricane Claims Process?

If your home was damaged by a hurricane, you will naturally want to start the insurance claims process as quickly as possible. First, you will notify your insurer that you need to file a claim. When you call the insurance company ask about how long it will take for an adjuster to look at your home and assess the damage. If you have homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, and windstorm insurance from different insurers, they must all be notified.

If you need emergency service for removing flood waters or repairing damaged electrical lines, tell your insurer. They may send out a company to take care of these urgent matters. Make sure you save all receipts associated with hurricane repairs so you can request reimbursement. Make sure your hurricane damage is fully documented, via photographs or videos. Include damage to the interior and exterior, along with your belongings and vehicles. If you happen to have an inventory list of the things inside your home, great! If not, sit down and do your best to remember items in your home, writing down all the damaged items. If there are holes in your roof, or the windows were blown out, cover up with tarps. Do not, however, throw away any damaged items until your insurance adjuster has been to your home.