Geovera Plays Games; Homeowners Not Amused

In early May, 2015, hailstorms and thunderstorms ripped through southeastern Texas, leaving behind destroyed homes and damaged lives in their wake. Our clients, a couple in Harris County, Texas, and their home were no exception. Geovera Insurance denied our client’s damage claims.

After the hailstorm, they immediately filed a claim with their homeowner’s insurance company, Geovera, asking them to pay for the damages so that they could make repairs and start getting their lives back in order.

Geovera hired an adjuster to inspect our clients’ home and assess the damage. The inspector found that there were no covered damages to our clients’ home, therefore denying their claim and leaving them with no recovery to make repairs to their home.

So, our clients hired a public adjuster, who conducted an unbiased inspection and found a litany of damages that Geovera’s adjuster had left off, resulting in more than $13,500 worth of damages to the home. Seeing that they were owed much more than Geovera suggested, the clients promptly sought out the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm to help them obtain the recovery they had, essentially, already paid for through the purchase of their insurance policy.

On Tuesday, July 26, 2016, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit against Geovera insurance company in Harris County, Texas for fraud, breach of contract, violations of the Texas Insurance Code and Texas DTPA, and wrongfully denying our clients coverage under their policy.

Through its adjuster, Geovera conducted a substandard and improper inspection of the clients’ home, which grossly undervalued the cost of repairs in its estimate and yielded an unrealistic amount to underpay coverage. Geovera unreasonably adjusted our clients’ claim, misrepresenting the cause of, scope of, and cost to repair damages to their property.

Because of Geovera’s misrepresentations, our clients were forced to hire an attorney to file a lawsuit for insurance benefits.

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, we can help. The experienced property insurance attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies and aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until your case is won. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Was your Insurance Claim denied?

It’s a safe haven. It’s where you can unwind at the end of a long day. It’s where the heart is.

It’s home.

But suddenly, the oasis that you’ve worked hard to own is ravaged by a hail storm, or hurricane, or freeze. Then, your insurance company decides that there wasn’t that much damage caused by that storm, and they’re not going to cover the gaping hole in your roof because it was caused by “wear and tear”— who knew that simply having a roof was a pre-existing condition? You thought that was the point of having homeowner’s insurance, right?

You’re absolutely right. But often, insurance companies hire insurance adjusters that will low-ball the estimate of repairs just so they can deny a claim. So, how do you fight back when your claim was denied?

1. Review your policy. Before you go any farther, you’ll want to educate yourself and make sure that the policy does include the type of damage your home received. This step should be done before you file a claim if you’re unsure of your coverage, but after the denial works, too. If your copy of your policy was destroyed in the incident, your insurance company can provide another.
2. Collect your facts. When you’re looking to refute a denial, you’ll want to ensure you have all of the information you need so that you’re as prepared as possible. Thousands of dollars could be at stake.
   –  Know the facts of the event itself — dates, extent of damage, parties involved, and steps you took to prevent the incident are vital.
   –  Photograph the damages.
   –  Gather records of steps you took and purchases you made to protect your home, such as maintenance (before and after the incident), repair or home fire safety alarms.
   –  Record and document all conversations you’ve had with your insurance company.
   –  Find witnesses who may be willing to speak on your behalf.
   –  Show any and all evidence that you’re a responsible homeowner and not negligent.
   –  And if you have had a prior claim on your house, make sure you can provide proof that it has been fully repaired; we weren’t joking about pre-existing conditions.
3. Hire a public adjuster. Don’t take your insurance company’s word for it. Hire a public adjuster to come evaluate the damage to your property. Often, you’ll find their estimates of damages much higher than the insurance company’s adjuster.
4. Get help. Whether you need assistance with filing an appeal, or you’re ready to take legal action, an insurance attorney is your best chance at getting the payment you deserve for being a dutiful homeowner. Let them handle the footwork, the legalese and the arguing on your behalf, so that you can get the protection you’re owed.

Have any other questions about insurance claims? Contact us for a FREE consultation.