Hail Damage Claims
Hailstorms are dangerous natural disasters with the potential to cause widespread damage. Hailstones fall at high speeds and have the potential to break windows, damage roofs and damage paneling.
When hailstorms strike, we rely on our insurance company to pay for the damages. After all, you pay your premiums on time every month, so you expect your insurance company to be there for you. Contact an hail insurance claim lawyer if your provider has mishandled your claim or if they are unwilling to negotiate a greater settlement.
Hail Damage Insurance Attorney in Texas
It’s normal to feel frustrated or angry when you are mistreated by your insurance company. The insurance attorneys at LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC are well aware of the tactics these companies use. As your legal counsel, Ms. Ahmed and Ms. LeMaster will ensure your insurance company does not take advantage of you. They will advise you on how to negotiate with adjusters and represent you in court if necessary.
Rather than dealing with an insurance company on your own, let the lawyers at LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC do it for you. Call (866) 984-4556 to schedule a consultation with an hail damage claim attorney in Texas.
Information Center
- Damage Commonly Caused by Hail Storms
- Will My Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
- My Settlement Offer is Not Enough
- Additional Resources
Damage Commonly Caused by Hail Storms
Hailstorms can strike anywhere in the United States, but Texas leads the nation as the state with the most properties affected by the natural disaster. According to Verisk Analytics, nearly 1.5 million properties are affected by hail damage in Texas each year and cost insurance companies $2.4 billion to repair in cities like Plano and The Woodlands.
Hail size can range from as little as a pea to as large as a grapefruit. These frozen balls of rain can damage homes, commercial property, vehicles and be deadly to livestock and people. Some of the damage commonly caused by hailstorms include:
- Damaged roofs
- Broken windows
- Damage vinyl paneling and stucco
- Destroyed gutters
- Patio and porch damage
Will My Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
Texas insurance companies are unique when it comes to certain storm damage. Whether or not your insurance will pay for hail damage depends on where you live. Texans who live along the Gulf Coast and Galveston Bay in Harris County are not protected by hail damage through a standard home or commercial property policy. Those who live more inland, however, are covered.
Business and homeowners who live near the coast can purchase hail damage at an additional cost. Even if you are protected, however, your insurance company may reject your claim in certain situations. Under the doctrine of concurrent causation, if two disasters coincide to cause damage, the business or homeowner will only be covered if they have insurance for both causes of loss. A common example of this situation is when a hurricanes also brings damaging hail.
My Settlement Offer is Not Enough
Insurance was designed to be there for policyholders when their property is damaged. Though many insurance providers will claim they are on your side, this is not always the case.
Adjusters may deliberately offer low settlements right off the bat because they know you are desperate to repair the damage. You may try to negotiate with the adjuster for a greater settlement, only to find they are unwilling to budge. You should contact an insurance attorney if you have found yourself in this situation.
Adjusters are skilled negotiators who will use various tactics to have you accept the lowest offer. An insurance lawyer can advise you how to negotiate with these individuals and if need be, they can negotiate on your behalf. An attorney can also help you sue the adjuster in court if they have acted in bad faith.
Handling hail claims in bad faith is against the law. If a judge does find the company acted in bad faith, you could be awarded up to three times the amount of your claim, attorney fees and other damages deemed appropriate by the court.
Additional Resources
Unfair Settlement Practices | Texas Insurance Code – Bad faith practices are known as unfair settlement practices in the Texas Insurance Code. By following the link, you can find a complete list of bad faith acts in section 541.060 of the statute. You can also gain additional information on bad faith laws. The statute can be read on the Texas Constitution and Statutes website.
Homeowners Insurance | Texas Department of Insurance – Follow the link provided to learn about the basics of homeowner’s insurance. You can learn more about hail protection and find information about the types of homeowner’s coverage and the risks a standard policy covers. The Texas Department of Insurance is responsible for regulating insurance in Texas.
Texas Denied Hail Damage Claims Lawyer
Having the help of an insurance attorney early could help you avoid common mistakes in presenting your claim. Ms. Ahmed and Ms. LeMaster will use their knowledge and vast experience to help you. Whether you are not satisfied with your settlement offer, of your insurance company has acted in bad faith, you can trust the attorneys at LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC to fight for you.
Call (866) 984-4556 to schedule a time to speak with us. We fight for policyholders throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth area including Collin County, Montgomery County, Harris County, Dallas County and Galveston County.