House fires can be traumatic, scary, and incredibly destructive. If you recently experienced a house fire, you may feel like you’re in over your head. Unfortunately, when the insurance company denies your claim, it only adds to the stress and burden of the fire. You should involve a fire damage insurance claim lawyer early in the process, whether you are about to file your claim or you are seeking to appeal a denial.
Homeowners insurance companies can deny house fire claims for a wide range of reasons, but these reasons are not always warranted. If your insurance company wrongfully denied your claim, you need an experienced fire damage insurance claim lawyer on your side.
If you recently experienced fire damage, you know how severe the effects can be. It is important to recognize the extent of the impact a fire and efforts to extinguish it can have on your property and your related expenses. The four main types of fire damage include the following:
There will be expenses associated with cleanup and repair, as well as replacement. Be sure to keep extensive photographs and records, and your attorney may instruct you to retain some physical evidence from the fire to support your claim. Contact our experienced fire damage claims legal team today to schedule a free strategy session.
If an insurance company denied your fire damage claim, your next step is to appeal the denial. This process involves several steps, and you must approach it strategically. Additionally, many insurance companies place limitations on the amount of time you have to file an appeal.
Working with a fire damage lawyer is an important step in successfully appealing a claim denial. Your attorney can help you follow these steps:
If the insurance company denies your appeal, you and your attorney can discuss filing a “bad faith” lawsuit against the insurer. This type of lawsuit asserts that the insurance company acted in bad faith by denying your claim or failing to pay the amount indicated in your policy. Your attorney can determine which types of bad faith may apply to your claim denial.
In an insurance lawsuit, you can seek the damages specified in your policy, as well as some damages in excess of your claim amount. Each case is different, and not all types of damages will apply. Depending on your case, you may seek the following damages:
Your lawyer for fire damage can help you determine which damages to seek in your bad faith lawsuit. Contact us today for your free strategy session.
Every homeowners insurance policy is slightly different. Additionally, the exact coverage you will receive depends on which types of coverage you have opted to pay for each month.
However, standard insurance policies in Texas typically include coverage for damage from natural disasters, such as fire. We can help you review your insurance policy to determine whether it covers fire, and this can inform your claim limits under this type of coverage.
If you do have fire coverage and your insurance company has denied your claim for fire damage, your attorney can help you pursue an appeal in response to this denial.
When you appeal a fire damage insurance claim denial, you should work with an attorney who has extensive experience with this process. Without proper guidance and insights regarding the strategies, methods, and tactics of the insurance companies, you may not be able to effectively appeal the claim denial.
Our fire damage claims attorneys can help you review your insurance policy to determine exactly which terms your insurer violated by denying your claim. We can then assist you throughout the appeals process. If necessary, we can also follow up by filing a lawsuit.
At McLaurin Law, we have extensive experience handling fire damage insurance claims, appeals, and lawsuits. You can trust our team to guide you through this process with compassion and commitment.
Contact our team in Houston, TX today to schedule your free strategy session. McLaurin Law — When you need more than luck on your side.
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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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