Discovering that a person has vandalized or stolen from your property can be shocking and stressful. You may be surprised by such bold behavior, you may be left with a heightened sense of vulnerability, and you may now be without important resources you rely on for your regular daily activities or work responsibilities. Such an incident can impact various facets of your life and those around you, as your neighbors or coworkers are probably also now on alert in case of additional offenses or trending criminal activity. An experienced Texas theft & vandalism claims lawyer can help you to properly file a claim or pursue an appeal if your claim has been denied.
If your homeowners insurance policy covers theft and vandalism, you should be able to seek compensation for these damages. In some cases, insurance companies deny claims in bad faith, which usually means they do not have a valid reason for the claim denial. Insurance companies often try to avoid covering the full cost of the vandalism repair or theft recovery, even if your coverage limits exceed the repair costs.
In these cases, having a qualified theft and vandalism claims attorney on your side is essential. Your attorney can help you appeal your claim denial and seek the funds stated in your homeowners insurance policy.
If your homeowners insurance policy covers theft and vandalism, your insurance provider should supply funds for valid claims. However, insurance companies sometimes deny claims or fail to honor claims at their full value.
When an insurer denies a claim, it should state the reason it found the claim invalid. Be on alert for stated reasons that do not align with the facts of the incident or your policy terms.
Here are a few reasons an insurance company may give for denying your theft or vandalism claim:
Contact our legal team at McLaurin Law if your insurance claim in response to a theft or vandalism incident has been denied in or near Houston, TX.
If an insurance company has denied your theft or vandalism claim, you can work with an experienced Texas insurance claims attorney to file an appeal with the insurer. Your attorney can review the details of your insurance claim and coverage to support your appeal.
If your insurance company denies the appeal, you can consider taking legal action. Your attorney can help you determine whether to file a lawsuit or attempt to settle out of court through mediation or arbitration.
Evidence for a lawsuit may include documentation about the damage, statements from your insurance policy describing your coverage, or quotes from your communications with your insurer. Your bad faith insurance attorney can help you gather evidence that the insurer denied your claim for reasons that were not valid in relation to the policy terms and the theft or vandalism incident that led to the claim. If the terms were misrepresented to you when you were sold the policy, then that may also be cause for a bad faith lawsuit.
If you know who committed the act of vandalism or thievery, you can consider filing a civil lawsuit against them. In your lawsuit, you may seek compensatory damages to cover the monetary costs incurred from the criminal act.
Your theft and vandalism insurance lawyer can help you determine whether filing a lawsuit is a good idea. If you have already received compensation from your insurance company, you may not have a good reason to file a lawsuit.
You may also consider reporting the thief or vandal to the police. Theft and vandalism are crimes that can lead to criminal penalties, such as jail time and fines.
If someone stole your car out of your driveway, your homeowners insurance policy likely will not cover this theft. Instead, you will need to file a claim with your auto insurance company.
You can also seek compensation from your auto insurer if you have comprehensive insurance coverage. Comprehensive coverage provides funds for damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of accidents.
Note that in contrast to the car itself, items stolen from within your car may be covered under your homeowners insurance policy. Discuss the details of the theft with an experienced Texas insurance claims attorney to determine your next steps.
Your experienced Texas insurance claims attorney can provide a range of services to help you appeal theft and vandalism claim denials. These services may include:
Contact our theft and vandalism insurance lawyer team today to schedule your free strategy session.
McLaurin Law — When you need more than luck on your side
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
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.
4544 Post Oak Place Dr
Suite 350 Houston, TX 77027
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Available by Phone: 24/7
We respect your privacy. The information you provide will be used to answer your question or to schedule an appointment if requested.
Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Available by Phone: 24/7
