FAQs About Flood Damage Claims
Below are some frequently asked questions about Flood Damage Claims:
What Are The Common Causes Of Flood Damage Claims?
Many flood claims in Texas stem from natural disasters like hurricanes or heavy rains. Flood insurance in Texas does not cover other sources of water damage, such as broken pipes, sewer backups, or water intrusion through your roof or walls.
Your homeowners’ insurance policy likely does not cover flood damage. If you live in a high-risk area, your mortgage company probably requires you to carry flood insurance. However, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reports that over 40% of its claims come from low-risk flood zones. Consider purchasing flood insurance before you need it, even if you live in a low-risk area.
What Can I Do Myself After A Flood?
Your insurance provider will want you to leave as much damage in place as possible for their adjuster to assess your claim. However, your insurer also wants you to do your part to mitigate further damage to your home and belongings. Our Houston flood damage lawyers recommend documenting all damage with photos and video before you begin cleanup.
Steps you can take include using a wet-dry vacuum to remove as much water as possible and boarding up broken windows to prevent more water from getting in. Remove any bedding materials or wet carpeting to allow things to begin drying out.
Can A Houston Flood Damage Attorney Help Me Understand My Insurance Coverage?
If you need help understanding your insurance coverage to file a claim, your flood damage claims attorney can review your flood insurance policy to help you determine the following:
- Whether your claim qualifies for coverage
- What evidence you should gather for your claim (photos, videos, qualifying costs of damaged items, etc.)
- How long you have to submit your claim to the insurer after the damage
How Do Houston Flood Damage Attorneys Help Clients With Flood Damage Claims?
Insurance companies often don’t want to pay the full value of a claim and might deny your claim outright. A flood damage claims attorney can help you understand your policy and fight a claim denial from your insurance company.
A Houston flood damage attorney at McLaurin Law can help you gather additional evidence for your claim appeal, speak with insurance company adjusters on your behalf, and help you file a lawsuit against the insurance company for a bad faith denial. When you need more than luck, call us at (713) 461-6500.
