San Antonio

Storm Damage Lawyers Serving San Antonio, TX

Helping Property Owners Fight Back Against Denied or Undervalued Damage Claims

San Antonio, TX, is a lively city home to about 1.5 million people, famous for renowned spots like the Alamo and River Walk. But it’s also known for its unpredictable weather, often hitting the area with intense storms that can damage homes in a hurry. That’s when Stormlex Law Group steps in to help. Our law firm’s sole mission is to ensure homeowners and business owners dealing with insurance claims after storms get the fair deal they deserve.

Even consistent premium payments don’t always guarantee adequate coverage when disaster strikes. Following a storm, you might discover that your homeowner’s insurance hesitates or outright refuses to compensate for the damages incurred. They might deny your claim, settle for the bare minimum, or even hint at raising your premiums, all in an effort to safeguard their financial interests. Should you suspect that your insurer is not honoring its commitment or is treating you unjustly, it’s crucial to seek expert assistance.

The storm damage attorneys at Stormlex Law Group specialize in advocating for San Antonio, TX, homeowners, ensuring they receive the rightful settlements from their insurance providers post-storm. Our track record speaks volumes, and we’re prepared to extend our experience to you. For a deeper understanding of how we can assist, reach out to us at (877) 890-6372. We have an office conveniently located in San Antonio and offer free consultations; if you are in the neighborhood, stop by for assistance!

What Types of Storm Damage Does Insurance Usually Cover?

What type of storm damage is covered will depend on your exact insurance policy. Most Texas insurance policies cover interior and exterior damage to structures resulting from wind or hail during a storm. Some of the most common types of structural damage people submit claims for include:

  • Damaged roofs, such as shingles being blown away or a piece of the roof coming off
  • Missing pieces of siding from the wind
  • Broken windows, which commonly happen from tree limbs or other debris hitting the side of the structure
  • Damage to fences or outbuildings, such as utility sheds
  • Interior and exterior damage to a structure from a fallen tree

Most insurance policies cover both the structural damage and any damage to your personal property within. For example, if a storm comes through and a tree falls on your house, the policy would likely cover any damage to the walls or roof as well as electronic equipment or furniture that was ruined.

An important thing to be aware of is that flood damage is generally not included as part of a traditional insurance policy. Most homes or businesses will need a separate flood policy for the insurance company to cover these claims. However, if you experienced water damage due to rain coming in after the wind damaged your roof, for example, this would generally be covered under the traditional policy.

How Long Does the Claims Process Take?

When your home or business has been damaged by storms, and you’re unable to live there or continue operating, you understandably want the insurance claims and repairs process to go as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Insurance companies are known to try to avoid payment by delaying the claims process as long as possible. However, the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act provides certain deadlines that the insurance company can be held to.

  • It must acknowledge your claim and start the investigation within 15 days of receiving it
  • It has 15 days after all of the paperwork has been submitted to accept or deny the claim
  • It must deny or pay out a claim within 60 days in most cases

There are some exceptions. If the damage is due to a natural disaster, the company may be able to get an extra 15 days to handle the claim. There are also extensions available to the insurance company in some qualifying cases.

If you believe your insurance adjuster isn’t operating in a timely manner within the deadlines prescribed by law, an attorney can help you keep things on track. Prompt action can help increase the chances of a smooth resolution and speedy repairs to your structure, so you can get back to normal life.

What Are Some Common Reasons for Claim Denial?

Statistics show that around half of property damage claims are initially denied by the insurance company. While the majority of these are later overturned, this initial denial is a critical tactic insurance companies use to attempt to avoid paying out a claim.

They are counting on property owners not understanding their policies or not being willing to take action to appeal a denial or get an attorney involved. In fact, many policyholders trust their insurance company and don’t think to question the denial. Some of the most common reasons for a property damage claim denial include:

  • Policy exclusions, such as filing a claim for flood damage when only wind-related water intrusion is covered
  • Not having sufficient documentation of the claim
  • Suspected fraud, such as trying to file a claim for pre-existing damage
  • Missing a filing deadline

In some cases, a claim may also be “denied” because the insurance company values it as less than your deductible. This means that you would be responsible for paying for the repairs yourself.

If your claim was denied, don’t panic. There are ways an attorney can help you challenge these decisions, from filing an appeal to presenting estimates from several contractors showing the accurate value of the claim. Working with an attorney from the beginning can also decrease the chances of your claim being denied, as they can ensure you understand your policy coverage, have adequate documentation of the damages, and meet all of the filing deadlines.

Experiencing Property Damage? The Attorneys at Stormlex Law Group Can Help

We’re dedicated to protecting homeowners, their property, and their livelihood. We offer complete storm damage representation for the following damages.

Wind Damage

Wind damage is common after severe thunderstorms or hurricanes coming in from the Gulf. Strong winds can tear off shingles and siding and cause significant damage to windows and fences. You may need repairs or an entire replacement of your roof.

Tornado Damage

Tornadoes are unpredictable. They may completely devastate one structure and leave the one right beside it untouched. Even if your property wasn’t directly touched by a tornado, flying debris can cause impact damage to your home or business that can result in total loss or significant repairs.

Hurricane Damage

While San Antonio is far enough inland that it generally avoids direct hurricane strikes, property owners still often experience damage from tropical storms or tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and strong winds associated with these events.

Hail Damage

Golf ball-sized hail is possible with large storms, and even smaller hail can cause damage to gutters, roof vents, windows, and other parts of your structure. Insurance companies notoriously undervalue claims related to hail damage or attempt to deny them entirely, classifying them as cosmetic.

Flood Damage

Floods can cause catastrophic damage, from ruining flooring and drywall to damaging electric systems. Flood insurance is generally separate from regular property insurance policies, which can make it difficult to get a water damage claim covered.

Roof Damage

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home or business, providing protection from the elements. Damage caused by wind, hail, fallen trees, or debris can be significant.

If your San Antonio property has been damaged by a recent storm, call the legal team at Stormlex Law Group at (877) 890-6372. An experienced property damage lawyer can review your case and explain your options. We offer a no-risk consultation so you can understand what services we provide and how we can help.