Houston Insurance Attorneys

Representing Houston Individuals, Families, and Businesses in Insurance Disputes

When you purchase an insurance policy, you expect the insurance company to fulfill its promise to provide you with crucial financial resources when the unthinkable happens. Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not live up to their end of the bargain and make a habit of denying or underpaying legitimate claims.

If you are struggling to get the money you are owed under an insurance policy, turn to Potts Law Firm. For our team, it’s all about our power and results. We have successfully handled claims involving everything from severe natural disasters to burst pipes to theft. Our Houston insurance lawyers have recovered over $1 billion for our clients and are ready to fight to ensure you receive fair coverage for your damages, no matter the complexity of the circumstances.

We typically handle insurance disputes on a contingency basis, meaning you owe our firm no fees unless we win. Call (713) 348-9638 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation today.

Filing an Insurance Claim after a Natural Disaster in Texas

Texas homes and businesses have historically been challenged by hailstorms, hurricanes, tornados, winter storms, and fires, among other natural disasters. Many Texan property owners are required to purchase a homeowners insurance policy to secure a mortgage, and these policies often coversome natural disasters, but you should never assume that your homeowners or commercial property policy covers all natural disasters. Certain types of weather may be omitted or explicitly excluded, so it is always prudent to review the language of your policy and understand what is and is not covered. Our Houston insurance attorneys are happy to review the specifics of your policy and advise whether you are adequately covered by many common weather events.

As you prepare to file an insurance claim after a natural disaster, you should:

• Review your policy to determine the deadline for filing a claim. Many policies have time limits that require you to promptly report property damage. After a natural disaster, you should immediately review the specifics of your policy to ensure you do not wait too long to contact your provider. If you miss the deadline stated in your policy, your claim may be denied, and you will have a harder time getting the money you need.
• Only enter the building if it is safe to do so. Your physical safety is paramount. Follow the instructions of local officials regarding when it is safe to return to your property. The structural integrity of the building may have been compromised, so do not go inside if it appears unsafe.
• Create an inventory of all of the property in your building if one does not already exist. Ideally, you should have a complete list of all of the property that exists in your home or commercial building. Every item matters. If you do not already have an inventory, work from existing photos, receipts, and your memories to list a description of each item, where and when you purchased it, how much it cost, and any other pertinent details. Then, assess and note what items were damaged or completely destroyed. This evidence will be important in establishing a fair value for your claim.
• Take photos and videos of the damage. Extensively document the damage to your home or commercial property. Consider taking photos of entire rooms as well as individual piece of damaged or destroyed property. If possible, gather available photos of the property’s conditions prior to the natural disaster so you can present “before and after” comparisons.
• Do not throw anything away or conduct extensive repair work. While you may be tempted to start the cleanup process and dispose of items that you know are damaged beyond repair, the insurance adjuster needs to see the full scope of the damage to your property. Removing damaged or destroyed items or repairing major issues before an adjuster has a chance to assess them can potentially hurt your claim. If you must dispose of certain items or conduct repairs for safety reasons, be sure to thoroughly document each element and keep samples to show the adjuster, if possible.
• Work closely with the insurance adjuster when they visit. Though some insurance companies have a history of undervaluing claims after natural disasters, you should not treat the adjuster who visits your property with hostility. Assume they are there to help you and make sure they have all the information they need. Walk them through the property and highlight major damages. The more evidence they have, the more likely you are to receive an appropriate settlement offer the first time.

If your insurance claim was recently denied or you have received a lowball settlement offer, do not wait to call (713) 348-9638 or contact us online.