Storm Damage Insurance Claims Attorneys Serving Dallas, TX

Helping Property Owners Recover Fair Compensation for Their Insurance Claims

Spring in the Dallas metropolitan area is synonymous with severe weather peaks. The season brings damaging winds, hail, flooding, and tornadoes yearly. However, the risk of storm damage is present year-round. On average, the Dallas area experiences 16 tornadoes every year, meaning many homeowners may be struggling with the aftereffects of storms and filing insurance claims to repair or rebuild their homes.

Unfortunately, no matter how long you’ve faithfully paid your premiums, you may suddenly find that your homeowner’s insurance is reluctant to cover your damages after a storm. The insurance company may refuse your claim, pay as little as possible, or threaten to increase your premiums to protect their profits.

If you believe your insurance company is acting in bad faith or treating you unfairly, contact the storm damage lawyers at Stormlex Law Group. We have helped countless Dallas, TX, homeowners recover fair compensation from their insurers after a storm, and we can do the same for you. Contact us at (877) 890-6372 to learn more.

What Types of Storm Damage Claims Are Covered by Insurance?

A standard property owner insurance policy generally covers the interior and exterior of structures, including the possessions within them, from damage related to storms and some other severe weather events. Before you make a property damage insurance claim, it’s important to review your policy so that you know what’s covered and what’s considered an exclusion. For example, most standard policies won’t cover flood damage from overflowing bodies of water, such as a creek or lake. This requires a separate flood damage policy. Some natural disasters, such as earthquakes, may also be excluded from standard policies. Below is more information on the most common types of property damage claims.

Wind Damage Claims

Strong winds from severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can do thousands of dollars of damage to your home. Wind damage, such as missing shingles or siding damage from a fallen tree, is generally covered under a standard property insurance policy.

Fire Damage Claims

Storms often cause power outages from downed poles or broken lines, and when live wires are exposed, it can cause a fire risk for your property. Fire damage claims are usually covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy.

Hail Damage Claims

Hailstorms are a common occurrence in Dallas, and the hailstones can range from as small as a pea to the size of a golf ball or larger. Even smaller-sized hail can damage your roof and other structures, resulting in a property damage claim. Hail damage coverage is a standard part of most property insurance policies.

Water Damage Claims

It can be especially challenging to determine if water damage claims are covered under your insurance policy. While standard policies generally cover storm-related damage, such as if your roof leaks after the wind blows away shingles, water intrusion events may be excluded.

What Does the Insurance Claims Process Entail?

There is a specific process you need to follow to make a property damage claim. First, you’ll need to notify your insurance company and provide documentation of the damage. This generally includes pictures of the area, but adding video footage from a drone or including a few repair quotes may also be helpful. Once the insurance company receives your claim, they have 15 days to acknowledge it and start an investigation.

The insurance adjuster will usually come out to the property to inspect the damage and determine if it matches up with the claim reason and if it is covered by the policy. Keep in mind that insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, and they may try to look for reasons to deny coverage to save the company money. For example, they could claim that the damage was already present and not due to a storm. Texas law requires the insurance company to make a decision about the claim within 15 days of starting the investigation, but this can be extended if there is a natural disaster or another compelling reason.

If your claim is approved, the insurance company will offer a payment based on your policy type. This means: If you have a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policy, they’ll pay for the full cost to replace the damaged items. If you have an Actual Cash Value (ACV) policy, they’ll pay the depreciated cost to repair or replace your damaged property.

If the claim is denied, you should receive a reason and instructions on how you can challenge the decision. An attorney can help you appeal the denial to ensure you are properly compensated for the damage.

How Long After a Storm Should You Wait to File a Claim?

The main priority after a storm comes through is making sure that you and your family are okay. Once the immediate danger has passed and you know that your property has suffered significant damage, it’s generally best to notify your insurance company and file a claim as soon as possible. When multiple property owners are all making claims in the same area, it can cause a backlog with the insurance company and extend how long it could be before your property is repaired.

While Texas law allows property owners to file an insurance claim anytime within two years of the incident, waiting this long can increase your chances of a denial. Some insurance policies may have a prompt notice clause, which means that the insurance company could deny coverage if you knew about the damage and didn’t notify your agent. You generally also have a duty to prevent further damage, such as by tarping a damaged section of your roof. Failure to do so could result in your claim being denied.

What Is the Right to Repair Clause?

Some insurance policies may include what’s known as a Right to Repair or an Option to Repair clause. This allows the insurance company to choose the contractor who will complete the repairs on your structure. While this can streamline the process and lead to faster repairs, it also means that you lose control over the process. If the contractor does shoddy work or drags out the repair timeline, you could end up dealing with the aftermath.

Remember, you do not owe your loyalty to the insurance companies. If they are unwilling to remove the Right to Repair clause in your contract, we highly recommend shopping around for another policy.

What Can You Do If Your Claim Is Denied or Undervalued?

When you’re facing expensive repairs to your home or business, the last thing you want to get is a denial notice from your insurance company or a valuation that doesn’t cover the cost of the repairs. However, there are things you can do to get the money you’re entitled to.

Meet with an attorney to carefully go over your policy and the claim denial explanation. If your policy should have covered the claim, an attorney can help you understand how to ask for an appeal of the denial or an appraisal. While some cases can be settled quickly with a letter from an attorney and an appraisal, others may require taking legal action through a bad faith claims lawsuit.

A bad faith claims lawsuit allows property owners to seek damages, including the cost of the repairs and other fees, if they can prove that the insurance company unreasonably denied or delayed a legitimate claim that should have been covered. Actions that may result in a bad faith claims lawsuit include the company denying the claim without an explanation, not adequately investigating the claim before issuing the denial, and refusing to negotiate a good faith settlement.

If you’re facing any of these scenarios, call the attorneys at Stormlex Law Group to determine if you have grounds for a bad faith claims lawsuit and get the process started.

Why Should You Hire Our Dallas Storm Damage Lawyers?

Many people don’t see the need to hire a storm damage attorney until it’s too late. They think that because they have paid their premiums all this time, the insurance company will approve the claim and provide the payout without issue. However, by the time you realize there are problems, it can be more difficult to get an attorney involved. The best time to hire an attorney to handle residential or commercial property damage claims is as soon as the storm has passed.

Storm damage attorneys in Texas are familiar with state insurance law and how claims are often interpreted by insurance companies. They can help you proactively prevent bad faith tactics and maximize the amount of money you’re able to get for your claim. Working with an attorney can also alleviate some of the mental and emotional burden. It’s already challenging enough to deal with your home or business needing extensive repairs and the impact that has on your day-to-day life. Working with an attorney ensures you can keep the focus on getting through this time while your lawyer handles the legal aspects.

If your Dallas property was damaged in a recent storm and you need help with an insurance claim to handle the repairs, call (877) 890-6372 to speak with an attorney at the law firm of Stormlex Law Group. We can review your policy to determine coverage, have our property damage experts assess the damage, and ensure your claim has the legal support to receive your full compensation. If you do experience problems getting the insurance company to pay for a legitimate claim, we’ll be there to explain your options and help hold them accountable through a bad faith claims lawsuit.