Hail & Wind Damage

Dallas Hail & Wind Damage Attorneys

Getting Residential and Commercial Property Owners the Coverage They Deserve After Hail and Wind Damage

Severe storms are a regular part of living in Texas, but they can cause extensive damage to your property. When you’re dealing with significant damage from wind or hail, you expect your insurance policy to be there to help you. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Your claim could be delayed or denied, even if it’s legitimate, leaving you wondering where to go from here.

At Stormlex Law Group, we work specifically with Texas property owners who are getting unfair treatment from insurance companies. If your claim has been delayed or denied, call (877) 890-6372 today.

Does Insurance Pay for Hail Damage?

Hailstorms are a common threat to homes and businesses in Dallas and across Texas. Even small hailstones can crack shingles, dent siding, break skylights, and cause other expensive damage. Fortunately, most property insurance policies for homeowners and commercial building owners cover hail damage. What is covered and how much the insurance company will pay for hail damage insurance claims depends on your policy, and there are deductibles and coverage limits to factor in.

Even if your policy covers hail damage, getting your claim approved and paid in full isn’t always as easy as it should be. Insurance companies are ready to deny claims for any reason possible, such as claiming that the damage was only cosmetic or pre-existing and not due to a storm. If your provider denies your claim, hiring an attorney can help ensure you’re treated fairly. This includes following up with the insurance company to provide more documentation or request a higher-level review. Sometimes, it may even require filing a bad faith lawsuit in the civil court system to get what you’re owed.

Is Wind Damage Covered by Insurance?

Whether a Texas property insurance policy covers wind damage depends on your location. While some high-risk coastal areas may require separate coverage through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), Dallas is far enough inland that this isn’t a concern. A policy may have some restrictions surrounding tornado coverage, which is considered a windstorm, but your policy will list this as an exclusion if so.

The high winds associated with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can cause significant damage to homes and businesses in Dallas, including:

  • Missing shingles
  • Roof damage
  • Damage to the property from airborne debris
  • Fallen trees and downed limbs

If strong winds damaged your property, the first thing to do is review your policy to determine coverage. If your claim should be covered but the insurance company balks at paying, it may be necessary to get an attorney involved.

Why Do Insurance Companies Deny Claims?

Many assume that if the insurance company denies their claim, it isn’t supposed to be covered. However, the reality is that almost half of property damage claims are denied at first. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • The damage is less than your deductible. This is especially common for those who have a high-deductible plan, or if the insurance adjuster determines that the damage is only cosmetic
  • The damage was caused by an excluded peril. With wind and hail damage, this generally only applies when someone lives in a high-risk area where wind damage isn’t part of a traditional policy
  • The insurance adjuster believes the damage was pre-existing. This can include denials for normal wear and tear, lack of maintenance, or suspected insurance fraud
  • The property owner didn’t take steps to mitigate further damage. Failing to make temporary emergency repairs, such as putting a tarp over a roof, can result in the insurance company denying your claim because it says it was preventable

Even if your claim isn’t denied outright, insurance companies often use delay tactics or try to undervalue your claim to protect their bottom lines. Hiring an attorney to be your representative can help you fight back against these strategies and protect your rights.

What Can You Do to Get Your Wind or Hail Damage Claim Approved?

Taking prompt action after wind or hail damages your property and seeking legal counsel are two crucial steps that can help you get your claim approved. Talking with an attorney as soon as you suspect bad faith from your insurance company can ensure you don’t miss any expenses that could be covered, such as additional living expenses, and help you present the strongest claim possible. This starts with documentation.

As soon as it’s safe to do so, take pictures of the damage from multiple angles. Don’t forget to take interior photos if you have personal property that was damaged. Make any necessary emergency repairs to prevent further damage, and notify your insurance company as soon as possible.

Many insurance disputes involve disagreements about the value of the damage and the cost of repairs. You are allowed to get your own professional estimates done and present those to the insurance company as documentation to support your claim. An attorney can help you connect with independent contractors who can provide an unbiased opinion and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

What Are the Benefits of Working With Wind and Hail Damage Attorneys?

Having to argue with your insurance company to get coverage is an added stressor you don’t need when your home or business has been damaged. When you hire the experienced wind and hail damage lawyers at Stormlex Law Group, we can step in to handle paperwork, communicate directly with your provider, and ensure any legitimate damages are covered. If your claim has been denied or the insurance company isn’t responding, we can take legal action, including a bad faith lawsuit.

Call our law firm at (877) 890-6372 to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about your options.