In Texas, hurricanes can cause extensive damage to homes and businesses, leaving property owners with the challenging task of filing insurance claims. While this may seem like a relatively straightforward task, submitting a hurricane claim can be a complex process. Additionally, insurance companies do not tend to prioritize claimants’ best interests, as their primary function is to keep their stockholders happy.
Partially as a result of these two challenging realities, seeking legal guidance before filing a hurricane claim can help protect your rights, help to better ensure fair treatment and potentially increase your chances of receiving full compensation for your losses.
Building a strong case
Insurance policies can be complex, containing specific language about what is and isn’t covered. Many policies feature specific terms for hurricane or windstorm damage, and understanding these details is important when it comes to pursuing a successful claim. A legal team experienced in insurance claims can review your policy, clarify confusing terms and identify coverage limitations or exclusions that could impact your claim.
To that end, insurance companies often scrutinize hurricane claims carefully to avoid paying large settlements. Without legal guidance, homeowners and business owners may unknowingly make mistakes that lead to claim denials or delays. For example, failing to document damage thoroughly, missing critical deadlines or not filing a claim correctly can hinder the process. Working with a skilled legal team can mitigate the risk of these potentially consequential errors.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that insurance companies may offer settlements that are lower than what policyholders deserve, especially if a company believes that a claimant is not benefitting from legal representation. Oftentimes, when insurance companies are alerted to the presence of legal representation, they stop “screwing around” and offer settlements that policyholders deserve, rather than risk being called out for not doing what a particular policy insists that they must.
