Texas Size Hailstorm Crushes Conroe

Hail damage is the number one cause of property damage in the US. In 2019-2020 alone the State of Texas has seen more claims related to hail than most states. Severe property damage occurs when a dangerous storm strikes a highly-populated area with hail larger than an inch or more in diameter. Baseball-sized hail (3.5 inches across) is a common occurrence in the Lone Star State and creates devastation in our communities.

On March 18th, 2018, a major hailstorm blew through Montgomery County, impacting Conroe and the surrounding areas. Our client, an 80-year-old retiree, witnessed extensive hail damage to his roof.  As the original owner of the home, built-in 2006,  our client never imagined that he would have to eventually have to face down a hailstorm-homeowner insurance claim. Relying on his faith as a long-term customer with Safeco insurance (12 + years), he filled a hailstorm insurance claim and to his shock, the claim was denied. At that point he knew, he’d be facing down the insurance company in an effort to cover his losses.

The insurance company sent three different inspectors to review the property damage. Each one ended up blaming the manufacturer of the shingles on the roof, calling the product defective. Ironically, these were the same shingles that had been on the house since it was built. The very same shingles Safeco insured the home with, and routinely collected a premium from our client on. Next, the insurer would deploy extensive stalling and delay tactics to keep from paying our client’s insurance claim. Shortly thereafter, fed up and frustrated, our client hired us to pursue the insurer.

Our team of engineers independently reviewed the property damage and determined the roof damage was not due to defective shingles, but actual storm damage. A series of depositions would cast the case in a new light. With the case set to go to trial and the insurer finally realizing the errors of their ways and the poor treatment of our client and his terminally ill spouse (who passed away during the pendency of the case), the insurance company chose to settle the case. This meant that our client would receive the funds necessary to have a new roof installed on his home.

The Law of Hailstorm Damage Insurance Claims

Homeowners that do not file within the statute of limitations can miss the chance to recover their losses, indefinitely. This timeframe is often two years from the date of the incident, even though a case-by-case or a policy-by-policy analysis of the statute of limitations is required.

Our expert attorneys have seen thousands of cases where insurance companies have delayed, underpaid or simply denied the legitimate claims of the policyholders they insure causing an unfathomable amount of emotional and financial damage. In Texas, this is an illegal practice and insurance companies can be held liable for acting in bad faith. Insurance companies participating in these illegal activities can be sued for up to three times the damages reflected in the insurance claim.

Texas Hail Damage Attorneys 

Has your homeowner’s insurance claim been denied? We can help. Representing thousands of homeowners against big insurance companies, our home insurance claims attorneys aggressively protect the rights of the policyholder. Our consultations are free and you owe us nothing until we win your case. Contact us today.

Twice Denied Homeowners Insurance Claim Leads to New Roof

Property damage may include damage to your home, your patio furniture, your fence, your mailbox, or any other belonging to your property. How much you may be able to recover for your property damage can be determined by proof of replacement value, repair costs, the inability of use until fixed or replaced.

Having a roof insurance claim denied is common. Luckily, a roof damage claim denial does not have to be the last word. Understanding the insurance claim process and how to challenge an insurance denial is a valuable skill for every homeowner. In most situations, your homeowner’s insurance covers roof damages due to a storm. You can expect a claim rejection letter if the peril is excluded by your homeowner’s insurance policy. Knowing what your homeowner’s insurance policy excludes is very important. Some standard homeowners insurance policies (HO-3) cover common disasters, but not everything. Some insurance policies have separate wind and hail damage deductibles. Make sure to read your policy carefully to understand what damage is covered.

It Was the Other Storm’s Fault

In the spring of 2016, the Spring, Texas area experienced a wind and hail storm that damaged the roof and exterior of our clients’ home. Our clients, one a 40-year plus emergency room nurse, filed a homeowners insurance claim with their insurer who sent out an adjuster who wrote the damage off as minimal and failed to cover the damage to the roof. The adjuster claimed the roof damage was less than $1000 and under the deductible, even though other houses in the neighborhood received new roofs due to the wind and hail damage. Our clients trusted the results the insurance company provided them with and did not pursue any action after the initial insurance claim denial.

Then came Hurricane Harvey a year later and the roof leaks that followed. Our clients filed another homeowners insurance claim to which their insurance company responded by sending out another adjuster, who came back telling them the roof leaks were a result of previous damage and/or wear and tear, not the storm. That meant the insurance company most likely misrepresented the scope of damages during the first claim back in 2016. Having experience with one denied homeowners insurance claim already, our clients called us to take their case. Our own third-party adjuster concluded the damage from the hailstorm in 2016 that went unrepaired was exacerbated by Hurricane Harvey and ultimately the fault of the insurance company for not fixing the repairs before the hurricane’s impact.

Bad Faith Insurance Claim Seeks Redemption

If the insurance company had fixed the repairs to the home from the initial claim, the damages inflicted during Hurricane Harvey would have been reduced or less severe. We filed suit and sent a demand letter to the insurance company, who settled at mediation with us and provided the funds for the repairs to the exterior of the home as well as a brand new roof for our clients.

Because an insurance company has an obligation of good faith and fairness with the people it insures, those who believe an insurance company has not acted fairly and in good faith also can have a claim for common law bad faith and statutory violations. The Texas Insurance Code also provides the rules for how insurers must behave towards policyholders.

Houston Property Insurance Lawyers

Has your homeowner’s or commercial business insurance claim been denied? We can help. Representing thousands of clients against big insurance companies, our insurance claims attorneys aggressively protect the rights of the policyholder. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until we win your case. Contact us today.

Two Houston residents, our clients, recently filed suit against Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company and its adjuster. Their home was seriously damaged in a severe storm that ripped through Harris County, Texas in April 2016. Allstate and its adjuster conducted a substandard and improper inspection of their home, grossly undervaluing the cost of repairs and deliberately yielding an unrealistic amount to underpay coverage.

April 17, 2016 Storm

On April 17, 2016, a severe storm bombarded Houston, pelting our clients’ home with damaging hail. Their property suffered severe damage to the roof and exterior, as well as much of the house’s interior. After the storm, our clients quickly submitted a claim to Allstate, hoping their insurance company would help them get their life back in order.

Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company Home Insurance Claim

Allstate assigned one of its adjusters to inspect the property and adjust the claim. The adjuster knowingly conducted a subpar investigation, refusing full coverage and estimating damages to total about $1,800. After the deductible, this left our clients with no money to repair their home.

The third-party expert hired after the insurance company’s negligent inspection found a litany of damages that were either conveniently absent or undervalued in Allstate’s estimate. For example, the adjuster failed to recognize damage to the roof, but discovered the interior water damage that was caused by the damaged roof.

The damage to our clients’ property is currently estimated at $34,500.

Allstate’s adjuster intentionally undervalued our clients’ claims in order to maintain his job. He misrepresented the amount of damage hoping our client would simply rely on his expertise and fraudulent estimate as a true representation of the property’s damages.

Because of Allstate’s fraud, our clients could not complete any meaningful repairs to their home, resulting in even more damage. Allstate’s inadequacies forced them to retain an attorney to pursue their claim for insurance benefits. On October 19, 2016, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit, on behalf of our clients, against Allstate Insurance Company and its adjuster for fraud, breach of contract, negligence, gross negligence and violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Texas Property Insurance Lawyers

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, then we can help. The experienced attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies. Our property insurance lawyers 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.

Suit Filed Against Standard Casualty Company

Our client, a woman whose home was damaged during a severe storm, was forced to file a lawsuit against Standard Casualty Company and its adjuster after they conducted a substandard and improper inspection of our client’s property, grossly undervaluing the cost of repairs and deliberately yielding an unrealistic amount to underpay coverage.

May 26, 2016 Hailstorm

On May 26, 2016, a severe hail- and windstorm swept across Montgomery, Texas, destroying homes and lives as it went. Our client was no exception. Her home suffered significant damage, including damage to the roof, windows, master bathroom, dining room, living room, hallway, laundry room, and second bathroom, among other damages. After the storm, the woman hastily submitted a claim to Standard, hoping to mend her home quickly so she could start living again.

Standard Casualty Company Home Insurance Claim

Standard assigned one of its adjusters to inspect the property and adjust the claim. The adjuster knowingly conducted a subpar investigation, refusing full coverage and estimating damages to total only $2,000, leaving our client without the recovery needed to repair her home.

The third-party expert hired after the insurance company’s negligent inspection found a myriad of damages — that were conveniently absent from Standard’s inspection — totaling more than $33,000.

Standard’s adjuster intentionally undervalued our client’s claims in order to maintain his job, misrepresenting the amount of damage in the hopes that our client would simply rely on his expertise and fraudulent estimate as a true representation of the property’s damages.

Because of Standard Casualty Company’s gross negligence and fraud, our client was unable to complete any substantive repairs to her home, which resulted in even more damage. She was forced to retain an attorney to prosecute her claim for insurance benefits. On September 1, 2016, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit, on behalf of our client, against Standard Casualty Company for fraud, breach of contract, negligence, gross negligence, negligent hiring, and violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Texas Property Insurance Lawyers

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.