If you’re planning to open a business in Texas, you will need to explore your options for Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. CGL policies protect business owners against claims of liability for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury (slander and false advertising).
CGL insurance, however, often comes with various exclusions and limitations, though it also offers the option of expanding coverage for excess liability and umbrella liability. What you purchase above and beyond a basic CGL policy might well offer the added protection you need when you need it most.
If you’re already operating a business, and you’ve made a claim against your CGL policy, and the insurer is stalling or denying your claim, you will need the help of an experienced commercial insurance liability attorney.
If you find yourself fighting your insurer for a CGL claim in or around Houston, Texas, or the surrounding areas of Sugar Land, Baytown, Katy, or Pearland, Texas, contact our firm, McLaurin Law. We know how to deal with the big insurers, and we can get past their stalling techniques to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve.
As mentioned above, CGL policies — also known as general liability insurance or business liability insurance — cover your business against third-party claims for personal injury, property damage, and legal actions arising from slander or false advertising.
Say someone is in your store and slips on a wet spot on the floor, falls backward, and injures their back. They have the right to come after you for medical expenses. CGL policies are designed to help you cover these expenses.
Likewise, if you’re moving a piece of heavy furniture around your store and you create deep scratches in the floor and cause dents in the walls, your landlord has the right to demand payment for the damages. Your CGL policy is there to help cover expenses like this as well.
Consider another example. Imagine that you create an advertising campaign comparing your services to those of a competitor, but the competitor says you went too far and sues you for slander. Your CGL policy can help cover any impending legal expenses from a lawsuit as well.
Also, as mentioned above, you can expand the range of your CGL policy by purchasing an excess liability rider, which will help pay for covered losses that exceed your policy’s limit. You can also purchase umbrella liability that expands the types of claims that are covered (see exclusions below).
The CGL policy can also be one of two types — “occurrence” and “claims made.” Occurrence policies cover any injury or damage that occurs during the policy’s term, even if the claim is made after the expiration of the policy. Claims-made policies generally only cover incidents that both occur during the policy’s term and are reported during the policy’s term.
Your CGL insurer may deny your claim based on a number of exclusions contained within the policy, which we will discuss below. They may also deny your claim by asserting it is fraudulent, claiming it was filed outside the filing limit, claiming that it lacked relevant information, or claiming that you have exceeded your coverage limits. As for the filing time frame, each policy will state a time frame for reporting a claim. Some range as high as 120 days, while others are as low as 30 days.
Even if you don’t get an outright denial, insurers are notorious for using stalling tactics, constantly coming back for further information or clarifications. They have even been known to switch insurance claims adjusters on you in the middle of the process so that you are forced to start the process all over again. By delaying, the hope is that you will simply give up out of exasperation.
In any of these situations, you will need the help of an experienced commercial liability insurance claims attorney who knows how to stand up to the insurers’ “bad faith” tactics and other techniques that they use to avoid liability.
Reading the fine print on any insurance policy, including the section that lists what’s not covered, is always important. Typically, CGL policies will exclude claims that are:
At the end of the day, the old phrase, buyer beware applies, especially when you’re shopping for Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. Not only are there exclusions, but there are also limitations and caps on payouts. Be sure you obtain a policy that covers what you perceive to be potential liabilities.
Even if you get the policy of your choice with all the inclusions and features you want, insurance companies will still likely try to delay or deny any claim you make. The adjuster assigned to your case may try to get you to say or admit to something that can be used against you and your claim.
Luckily, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. With an experienced commercial insurance claims attorney on your side, you can be sure that your rights will be protected and that you won’t be taken advantage of by the insurance company. If you or someone you know is facing an issue with an insurance claim, don’t wait. Call or reach out to our firm, McLaurin Law, today for reliable legal guidance and representation.
It’s always a good idea to let a knowledgeable and experienced insurance claims attorney handle negotiations for you. Our legal team is very familiar with all of the insurers’ techniques and tactics and know-how to counter them. If you’re in the process of making a claim — or you’ve made one and have been met with resistance — contact our office immediately. We proudly serve clients in Houston, Texas, and the surrounding areas of Sugar Land, Baytown, Katy, and Pearland, Texas, so call today to schedule your own case consultation.
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Typically, the answer to this is absolutely not. Insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests and will try to get you to settle for an offer that is far below what you deserve. At McLaurin Law, we can help you seek an appropriate settlement.
After an accident, you should typically file a claim with the insurance provider of the negligent party who is responsible for your accident. It is important that you move with haste in filing a personal injury claim with the insurance carrier after an injury has occurred. Should a lawsuit eventually become necessary, it is also important to keep in mind that in the state of Texas, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the date the injury occurred.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Theft and Vandalism Claims:
Commercial insurance policies often cover losses due to vandalism, or the intentional destruction or defacement of property, but will not cover theft or burglary losses. This can be particularly complicated in cases where vandalism leads to the theft of certain items on the premises.
Homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies generally cover vandalism and theft for residential properties. If you own your home, your homeowners’ policy will cover damage to the structure and your contents or personal belongings. If you rent your home, the property owner’s policy will cover damage to the property, while your renters’ insurance will cover your personal belongings inside the home.
Insurers often don’t like paying claims for damages sustained by their policyholders. They may assess the risks associated with your home or business location and income levels and adjust their coverage limits, so they have a decreased responsibility to pay for damages due to theft or vandalism.
For commercial policyholders, your insurance company may require you to minimize the risk of vandalism or theft. Your insurance company could require you to install security cameras and devices, advanced locking systems, and appropriate lighting. Your insurance company could still require higher coverage limits if your business is in an area that reports an increased number of thefts or vandalism.
There are several reasons your insurance company might deny a claim. A vandalism and theft attorney from our office can help you review your policy and claim denial to determine the following:
A theft and vandalism lawyer with our firm can help you determine which losses listed in your policy best fit the situation and file the appropriate evidence for your claim. Your theft and vandalism claims attorney can also speak with the insurance adjusters on your behalf. Call us at (713) 461-6500 when you need more than luck!
Below are some frequently asked questions about Wind and Hail Damage Claims:
You will need evidence that the damage your home sustained came from wind or hail.
Common signs of wind and hail damage include:
Get an inspection if you suspect your home sustained damage during a recent storm. Roofing contractors with certifications in home inspections will often be willing to mark and take photos of the damage they identify during inspection of your home and roof. A wind and hail damage attorney with our firm can use their reports to fight for approval of your claim with your insurance company.
Call our McLaurin Law wind claims attorney if your home shows signs of wind damage after a hurricane, tropical system, or particularly windy day. We can help you file your claim with your insurance company and represent you when the insurance company’s claims adjuster has additional questions.
Many insurance companies try to deny or underpay claims based on arbitrary rebuttals. For example, if you have both wind and hail damage, they may reject a portion of the claim because you filed a wind claim.
Hail damage often affects roofs more than any other part of the home. Sometimes hail only damages part of a roof, requiring a simple repair. Other times, you’ll have enough roof damage to require a full roof replacement. A McLaurin Law attorney can work closely with your roofer and insurance company to fight for full claim approval.
Insurance companies often deny claims despite ample evidence of legitimate storm damage. When this happens, the next step is to file a lawsuit against the insurance company with the guidance of a wind and hail damage claims attorney. If your insurance company denies your claim, contact us. Call McLaurin Law in Houston, TX, at (713) 461-6500 when you need more than luck!
Your number one priority should be your well-being. Seek out medical advice as soon as possible to ensure that you get the treatment you need. You should also move quickly to consult with an attorney to assist you with your personal injury claim. Critical events occur early in the personal injury claims process—such as interviews with adjusters and early damages assessments—so do not delay speaking with an attorney.
Browse our growing library of multimedia educational content to better understand the rules and processes involved in your Texas injury case or insurance claim. Review the items relevant to your issue, and let us know your questions.
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Available by Phone: 24/7