As a contractor in Texas, you purchase commercial general liability (CGL) insurance with the anticipation that it will cover claims for issues concerning your completed work, along with injury and property damage claims.
Suddenly, a person for whom you did some work files suit because the work was not completed to the standards envisioned by the claimant. Will your insurance policy cover this? What if the work is a brick wall that collapsed and damaged the owner’s vehicle? Are both rebuilding the wall and repairing the vehicle covered?
If you are facing difficulties in getting an insurer to cover your claims, contact McLaurin Law today. The firm’s insurance coverage attorneys will take up your cause with the insurer and work tirelessly to get the compensation you deserve. McLaurin Law serves clients throughout Texas, including Houston, Sugar Land, Baytown, Katy, and Pearland.
Commercial (or contractors’) liability insurance generally will cover damages, personal injury, and advertising injury, including slander or false advertising. The insurance will usually not cover faulty work claims. In the scenario above with the brick wall, for instance, the contractor’s liability insurance would generally cover damage to the vehicle but not the reconstruction of the wall. The policy may cover the wall if the work was done by a subcontractor you hired, however.
Generally, CGL policies come in two types: Occurrence and Claims-Made.
If you purchase the Claims-Made policy with a run-off (or “tail”) provision, the claim may still be honored because it incorporates “extended reporting period” coverage. For an additional premium, you can purchase extended “run-off” coverage for any period you choose, from one year to unlimited.
You can also purchase a Claims-Made policy with prior acts (or “nose”) coverage for injuries or damages occurring before the policy takes effect. This is done by establishing a retroactive date in the declarations page accompanying your policy. Prior acts coverage will not honor claims that were known to you at the time you purchased the policy, however.
Policy Exclusions
CGL policies generally include several exclusions, listing conditions that will void coverage. These include:
Insurance companies are notorious for low-balling compensation for claims, and even for denying claims altogether. They hire highly trained professionals known as insurance adjusters, who will deal with you and the claimant and use every trick they can to get you to say something they can use to diminish or exclude the claim.
Let us deal with the insurance adjusters and their parent companies. We know how they operate and can aggressively pursue your claim to seek the compensation you deserve.
When you have issues arising from construction insurance claims against your business, the future of your company could be in jeopardy. Get the help you need from a team of skilled attorneys. If you are located in Houston, Texas, anywhere throughout the state, contact the experienced team at McLaurin Law to get started with a consultation to discuss your situation.
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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.
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