FAQS About Freeze Damage Claims
Below are some frequently asked questions about Freeze Damage Claims:
What kind of damage happens during freezing weather?
Freeze damage from winter storms can lead to several different problems around your home or business. Water on exterior surfaces of a building can freeze, while water inside important plumbing systems can freeze and cause pipes and drainage systems to malfunction or burst.
Sudden temperature drops can result in catastrophic damage to your home or business, including:
- Ice dams on roofs that damage the waterproof underlayment, causing leaks and water intrusion through the roof and into the home or structure, either immediately or over time.
- Frozen pipes in and around your home or business bursting or breaking resulting in sudden and accidental discharge of water into your home.
- Strained heating systems failing, leading to other issues as indoor temperatures drop
- Ice-covered branches and power lines falling on your home or business and causing damage to your roof or starting an electrical fire.
- Sewer backups from frozen wastewater.
- Flooding due to snow melt.
What exclusions can I expect in my homeowners’ or commercial business insurance policy?
While your insurance policy considers freezing to be a typical insurance peril that your home or business could face, your insurance company probably has strict definitions for what qualifies as covered damage resulting from freezing.
Most policies exclude any damage related to flooding or sewage backups. You would need a separate flood insurance policy to cover damage from flooding due to a natural disaster. Additionally, you may need to add a service line rider to cover issues with your sewer line if it fails due to freezing.
How can a freeze damage claims lawyer help me with my claim?
Remember that your insurance adjuster is looking for any reason to deny or underpay your claim. Freeze lawyers representing you with your claim can speak on your behalf when interacting with your insurance company. This can help prevent possible slips of the tongue, such as referring to burst pipe water damage as flood damage and invalidating your claim.
Can a Texas freeze lawyer help me if my insurance company denies my claim?
Yes. A freeze damage claims attorney with our firm at McLaurin Law in Houston, TX, can help you gather additional evidence of damage to your home or business to file an appeal with your insurance company and reopen your claim. If your insurance company won’t review your claim under appeal, we can help you file a suit for a bad faith claim denial. Call us at (713) 461-6500 when you need more than luck!
