Hurricane Insurance Claims

FAQS About Hurricane Insurance Claims

Below are some frequently asked questions about Hurricane Insurance Claims:

Does my homeowners' insurance include coverage for hurricane claims?

Hurricane insurance claims are complicated, but your homeowners' insurance policy may pay for part or all damage to your home resulting from a hurricane, including replacement of your roof and other repairs.

If you are uncertain about your coverage, schedule a consultation with an experienced hurricane insurance claims attorney at McLaurin Law.

What should I do after a hurricane damages my home?

Your chances of being fully compensated for all of your hurricane damage can be improved by thoroughly documenting the damage to your home after a hurricane and also documenting the condition of your home and roof prior to a hurricane. This documentation includes the following:

• Take photographs and/or videos of the areas of your home, both exterior and interior, that have been damaged by the hurricane taken as soon after the hurricane as soon as possible.
• Make a detailed list or notes of the areas of your home, both exterior and interior, that have been damaged by the hurricane.
• Take photographs and/or videos of contents or personal belongings at the home that have been damaged as a result of the hurricane.
• Make a detailed list of your contents or personal belongings at the home that have been damaged as a result of the hurricane as soon after the hurricane as soon as possible.
• Review your insurance policy and any endorsements to your policy.
• Contact your insurance company’s claims department to file a claim and diligently and actively pursue the claim process after filing your claim.
• Keep a log of all persons you speak with at the insurance company about your claim, including their first and last names, email address, and direct phone numbers.
• Research and contact local contractors and roofers who are able to visit your home and provide a written estimate/quote of the cost of repairs and/or replacement of the hurricane damage to your home.

The critical thing to remember is to act thoroughly and quickly. The documentation you gather shortly after the hurricane can assist you down the road, especially if you need a Texas hurricane insurance lawyer to help you with your claim.

McLaurin Law has over a decade of experience fighting insurance companies on their client's behalf. In addition, you may schedule a free strategy session with a hurricane insurance claims attorney if you have other questions or concerns.

What damage should I look for after a hurricane?

As Texans on the gulf coast know all too well, hurricanes can cause extensive, even catastrophic, damage to your home or business. When documenting the damage after a hurricane, be sure to look for the following signs of damage:

• Water damage vs. flood damage
  • Your home may suffer water damage as a result of a hurricane, but it’s important to know the different types of water damage, especially because while water damage is typically covered under your homeowners’ insurance policy, flood damage is not.
    • Flood damage to your home can arise during a hurricane when water enters your home due to storm surge, overflow of inland or tidal waters, and/or rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source. Flood damage is generally not covered under your standard homeowners’ insurance policy.
    • Non-flood-related water damage to your home that arises as a result of a hurricane generally is covered by your homeowners’ insurance policy and results when strong or hurricane force winds damage the exterior or structure of your home, which thereafter causes water to intrude into your home and cause damage to the interior of your home (i.e., ceilings, walls, sheetrock, etc.) and your personal property or contents within the home.
• Wind damage
  • Strong or hurricane force winds may cause structural damage to your home, as well as other exterior and interior damage. Structural or exterior damage can include damage to your roof, siding, brick, foundation, deck/patio, carport, gutters, wind turbines, windows, doors, etc. Interior damage as a result of hurricane winds is generally associated with non-flood related water damage as discussed above.
• Contents damage
  • Water intrusion into your home may cause damage to you and your family’s personal belongings or contents within the home, or otherwise on the property (i.e., in the yard, carport, shed)
• Other Structure Damage
  • In homeowners’ insurance policy verbiage, damage to detached garages, detached storage sheds, and fences caused by a hurricane are considered other structure damage.

Documenting your damages and deciphering an insurance policy is an arduous task. An experienced hurricane claims attorney from McLaurin Law can help you through every part of the claims process. We begin with a free strategy session to review your claim and answer your questions.

Do you represent commercial hurricane insurance clients?

Yes. If a hurricane damages your business, and you are experiencing difficulty with the commercial property insurance claims process, you need a hurricane attorney on your side. We are here to help. Contact one of the commercial hurricane insurance attorneys at McLaurin Law to get the answers you seek.

When you need more than luck, call McLaurin Law at (713) 461-6500 or complete the online form to schedule a free strategy session with an experienced hurricane insurance claims attorney today.