Flooding in your home can be life-changing, destroying your belongings, causing severe financial setbacks, and making areas of your house unusable for months or years. You may have lost equity you were building in your home, and now you are facing the reality of the damage and taking the appropriate steps to bounce back. At McLaurin Law, we are familiar with the strategies and tactics of the insurance companies, and you should involve an experienced Texas flood insurance claims lawyer from our team as soon as possible to help you file a claim or appeal a flood insurance claim denial.
If you purchased flood insurance, you did so with the hopes that your insurance company would cover any flooding damage you may experience in your Texas home. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to make a successful claim on your flood insurance policy.
Insurance companies can deny flood claims for many reasons. However, if your company has denied your claim in bad faith, you may be able to appeal the denial or take legal action to seek compensation.
Contact our Texas flood damage claims legal team today to schedule a free strategy session.
Flood insurance is a special type of insurance policy that covers flooding on your property. While every policy differs slightly, the majority of standard flood insurance policies include coverage for the following:
Contact our flood damage claims legal team in Houston, TX today to schedule a free strategy session in which we can identify the right next steps following your flood incident.
Many people mistakenly believe that their homeowners insurance policies will cover flood damage. While homeowners insurance will typically cover some natural disaster damage like wind from tornadoes or hurricanes, it typically will not cover damage from earthquakes or flooding, such as flood water damage from hurricanes. If you would like to be able to seek coverage for flooding, you will need to purchase flood insurance, which is distinct from homeowners insurance.
In reality, the majority of homeowners policies only cover some types of water damage in certain circumstances, such as from burst pipes, and it is important to understand that water from burst pipes is not “flooding.” Sewer backup is also not typically covered under homeowners insurance, and there are important distinctions in how sewer issues are handled, but you may be able to add an applicable sewer line damage rider to your homeowners policy.
Some homeowners insurance companies offer flood insurance policies, but you can also purchase them directly from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) managed by FEMA. Some companies only sell NFIP-backed policies, while others offer even more comprehensive protection, so you should review what is covered under a given policy in relation to your property and needs.
Flood insurance policies usually have a 30-day waiting period before they go into effect. You must plan ahead if you think you will need flood insurance soon. If you experience flooding before this 30-day period is up, you will not receive coverage.
Contact our experienced flood damage claims legal team today if you need to make a claim for flood damage or water damage in Houston, TX.
If you have flood insurance and you made a valid claim, your insurance company should uphold its end of the bargain by compensating you to repair flood damage that falls within your coverage limits. When an insurance company refuses to honor a claim for a reason that is not valid, you can file an appeal to require them to reconsider their denial.
You will need to provide further evidence to support your claim when you appeal the denial. Your flood insurance attorney can help you gather evidence to include in your appeal. They can also review your flood insurance policy to determine the insurance company’s wrongdoing within your claim denial.
If your insurance company still refuses to honor your claim after you appeal, your next step is to file a lawsuit against the insurance company. Your attorney can walk you through this process, and you may seek to settle with the insurer outside of court — either through mediation or arbitration. If necessary, your attorney can also represent you in front of a judge.
Some regions in Texas with high risk of flooding require homeowners to carry flood insurance coverage. Other areas within Texas do not require you to buy flood insurance.
Even if it is not required, purchasing flood insurance may be a good idea. Over 40% of the National Flood Insurance Program’s claims occur in places that are not considered high-risk areas for flooding. Consider whether a flood insurance policy would be a good option for you.
If you are renting, then you would likely need to address your water damage losses under the coverage terms of a renter’s insurance policy, which may be a requirement under your lease terms. Your landlord may also require liability insurance, which may apply in some situations involving water damage. Without the appropriate insurance, you cannot seek compensation from your insurance company following a flood damage incident.
Your Texas flood damage claims attorney can verify which type of policy would be appropriate for your situation, and we can help you to take the appropriate steps to file or appeal a claim on your policy.
When your insurance company refuses to honor a claim that you filed in good faith, you may feel stressed and defeated. However, the claims process does not need to end there. Your flood damage lawyer can help you appeal this claim denial and seek the compensation your insurance company had detailed within your policy.
Your lawyer can assist you in several ways, such as:
You are at a disadvantage if you try to take on the insurance company alone. At McLaurin Law, we have insider experience and insights regarding the tactics and strategies the insurance companies use to minimize their payouts, and we use this knowledge to help our clients seek fair and appropriate compensation.
Contact our flood damage claims legal team in Houston, TX today to schedule your free strategy session with an experienced Texas flood insurance attorney. 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.
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