Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About The Insurance Claim Process

Question: Why Did my Insurance Company Deny my Claim?

Answer: There are 3 major reasons why this could happen.

• Due to negligence: such as not turning on the thermostat up to 68⁰F during cold weather or winter.
• Due to lack of maintenance: such as not replacing old or corroded pipes.
• Due to gradual wear and tear: If your frozen pipe is not sudden or accidental but due to normal aging, your insurance company may not pay your insurance claims. 

Question: My Broken pipe Was Not Due to Any of the Reasons Above, Yet my Insurance Company is Still Denying my Claim. Can you Help?

Answer: Yes. This is how we intend to help you.

• Determine why you are having trouble with an insurance claim;
• Maximize your claim and make sure all losses are accounted for;
• Take a thorough look at your policy to make sure there's no loopholes;
•  Protect your rights and negotiate on your behalf; and
• Make sure you are able to recover as soon as possible.
• Notify you of all Texas insurance laws that apply to your case.

If your homeowner’s insurance provider is attempting to deny or underpay your pipe damage claim, we can help. Contact our experienced policyholder attorneys today or learn more about your case in our free book, Your Essential Guide to Residential Claims.

High winds are a common source of costly damage to homes, businesses, and other properties across the United States. In fact, it’s not unusual for property owners to file a wind insurance claim at some point in their lives, and it’s often important to the policyholder that the claims be paid in full under the policy so repairs can be completed promptly. But, in these situations, do you really need to get a lawyer involved just to get fair payment for the wind damage to your property?

The good news is that many wind damage claims can be easy enough to settle fairly and quickly without the help of an attorney. The bad news is that this isn’t always the case, so it makes sense to look for experienced help when you aren’t getting the results you need. The real trick is to know when to look for outside help with your claim.

When You Should Consider Talking With an Attorney About a Wind Damage Claim

If the wind damage on your property was minor, or if you understand your policy and feel comfortable negotiating a fair settlement, then you probably don’t need to contact a lawyer about your insurance claim. However, you should consider at least talking with an attorney if:

• You don’t agree about the damage. You believe your home was damaged by recent high winds, but your insurance company claims it's old damage. You believe high winds caused deeper damage to your siding, but your insurance company’s inspection only took surface damage into account. There are a lot of viewpoints regarding damage during negotiations about a wind insurance claim, and even minor disagreements about the type or extent of damage can make a huge difference in the outcome. 
• You don’t agree about your coverage. You believe your damage should be covered under your policy, but the insurance company disagrees. You believe that your roof requires replacement, but your insurance company will only pay for repairs. In these kinds of situations, having someone review your claim who is experienced with coverage issues and insurance industry practices can be a big relief.
• Your insurance claim for wind damage is denied, and you don’t understand why. Insurance companies may deny wind claims for a number of reasons, but that doesn’t mean you should just accept a claim denial that you don’t understand or agree with. If your claim has been denied, an attorney can help you determine the reasons for the denial and fight for the payment you deserve.
• An insurance company acts in “bad faith” when handling your claim. An insurance company acts in “bad faith” when it unfairly denies, delays, or underpays a claim or otherwise doesn’t “play by the rules.” In these cases, an attorney can help you understand your rights, build a case against the insurance company, and file a lawsuit, if necessary. 

Ultimately, don’t accept a settlement you are unhappy with until you have investigated your rights with an experienced legal professional. If your property has severe damage, or if your insurance coverage is complex, you might also benefit from speaking with an attorney even before you submit a claim. This can be especially helpful for claims involving farms, commercial buildings, condos, and other properties that often carry many layers of coverage.

Get Help With Difficult Wind Insurance Claims

Insurance company representatives sometimes tell policyholders that hiring an attorney will slow down their claims or eat up their settlements, but the truth is that an attorney can help you fight for the fair outcome you deserve. In many cases, attorneys offer a free case review to talk about the problems you’re having, even if you later decide that hiring an attorney isn’t the right solution.

If you think you might need help with a wind insurance claim, learn more about how to find the best attorney for your insurance claim case, or you can contact the Voss Law Firm today at 1-888-614-7730 for immediate answers to your questions.

Related Links: Understanding Wind Damage Businesses Need to Consider Potential Wind Losses Four Don’ts for Agricultural Wind Damage Claims

 

Sudden windstorms leave homeowners and business owners in difficult situations, especially if they have to add struggles with the insurance company to their list of problems.

So, how can you effectively settle a roof damage insurance claim?

The first thing you should know is that it’s best to be prepared.

Even when a hurricane or tornado isn’t present, high winds can cause severe structural damage.

No matter how serious it is, from a few missing shingles to a total loss, it’s essential to be ready to work with the insurance company—even if you don’t expect much of a fight to settle your claim.

Although you probably expect to review your policy and fill out some paperwork, you might not anticipate the amount of footwork necessary to make sure your roof damage insurance claim is settled efficiently.

There are some things you must do as a policyholder, but there is also additional information you might like to prepare before an adjuster visits.

To help you get started, here’s what to know about settling your roof damage insurance claim

 

Roof Damage Insurance Claim - Part I

The First Steps to Take After High Winds Have Damaged Your Property.

Under most insurance policies, a home or business owner is expected to take steps very shortly after high winds or a storm. This means you should immediately:

• Check your property

If there have been high winds in your area, check your property for any damage to the exterior of your home or business, including roofs, windows, doors, and siding.

You might consider contacting a professional who has the right tools, equipment, and knowledge to identify problems.

• Review your policy

Read over the most current copy of your policy to get a better idea of your potential coverage and what the insurance company requires from you.

• Contact your insurance company for your roof damage insurance claim

If you notice anything damaged, notify your insurance company of the loss.

Use this opportunity to ask questions about your coverage, your deductible, how long it might take to resolve your claim, what information you need to submit if certain contractors are required.

You should be able to leave the call with a good understanding of getting the ball rolling.

• Consider temporary repairs

Check the damage to your home or business and determine if temporary repairs are needed to keep damage from getting worse.

Take pictures of the damage before you get started, and make sure an insurance company adjuster doesn’t need to see the building in person beforehand.

Save all receipts and documentation from your temporary repairs.

Roof Damage Insurance Claim - Part II

What You Should Have Ready to Settle Your Insurance Claim

Once you finish the initial steps above, there’s still a lot you can do to make it easier to settle a claim for wind-related damages, no matter how severe.

After reviewing your policy and notifying your insurance company about your need for your roof damage insurance claim, here’s an idea of what else to prepare before an adjuster visits:

• A list of personal property that has been damaged

Make a list of all items damaged by the windstorm, and keep this with any relevant receipts.

Don’t replace, repair, or throw away these items before an insurance adjuster completes an evaluation.

Keep photographs of the damage for reference to help you settle your roof damage insurance claim more effectively.

• A reminder of what needs to be seen on the walk-through

Make a list of everything you want the adjuster to see, including damage to the roof, general structural, outbuildings, pools, and more.

This precautionary measure helps you remember to mention some of the lesser damage and know that everything is thoroughly covered during the visit.

• Copies of all communication and documentation

To ensure your insurance claim has the best chance for success, make copies of any documentation you send to and receive from the insurance company.

Hold onto all receipts, including those for temporary repairs or housing while you’re displaced. 

Confirm that you have a current copy of your insurance policy.

• Repair and replacement estimates

Get repair or replacement bids from several contractors, and don’t overlook potential “hidden” damages from the storm.

These might include damage to HVAC systems, damaged shingles, minor leaks, and other issues.

If possible, request that the bids include itemized details of the projected costs that should be covered by your roof damage insurance claim.

By taking the time to gather this information and prepare for the adjuster’s visit, you give yourself a much better chance to quickly and fairly resolve your roof damage insurance claim.

Having Trouble Reaching a Fair Settlement for Your Roof Damage Insurance Claim?

If you’ve communicated with your insurance company and followed appropriate steps, you should be well on your way to settling your roof damage insurance claim.

However, if you are offered a settlement that doesn’t seem quite right, you might want to check into your legal rights before you accept.

While many insurance claims are resolved without concern, home and business owners can run into some common issues, including the following.

• Disagreements about coverage terms
• Unfair denials
• Repair versus replacement costs
• Delays in roof damage insurance claim resolution
• Underpayments or undervaluing repair costs

 

Although these kinds of issues can be frustrating, it’s possible to overcome the challenges and still get what you deserve from your claim—but you will probably need help.

If you have questions about a roof damage insurance claim that you believe has been unfairly delayed, denied, or underpaid, don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced policyholder attorneys today at 888-614-7730.

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Preparing an inventory list of the personal belongings in your home saves time and money after a major storm. We recommend that everyone should create a descriptive list of items and update it regularly. However, if you’re worried that you don’t have any proof of the personal belongings you lost in a hurricane, don’t panic. When you don’t have an inventory list, you can still receive compensation from your insurance claim, simply by using other forms of evidence to prove how your property was before the storm and that you owned certain items.

Evidence of the Loss of Personal Belongings After a Hurricane

Even if you don’t have official documentation of your home’s contents, there are other acceptable methods to demonstrate evidence of your personal belongings after they’ve been lost in a hurricane. Typically, policyholders in this situation will turn to:

• Bank account and credit card statements. For most homeowners, major purchases are made by check, check card, or credit card. Luckily, banks and credit card companies allow clients to access several years of their statement records online. You can also request a hardcopy of your archived records for proof of purchases. However, since many financial institutions switched to paperless archiving to save money, be prepared for this request to take some time to fulfill—usually a couple of weeks—and possibly require upfront processing fees.
   
• Photographs. If possible, go through your family photos and the photos on phones and digital devices. If you have any photos of you or anyone in your family with the items that were lost in the hurricane, you can submit the photos as evidence for your insurance claim. Whether the photo is focused on the item or simply shows it in the background, it can be helpful. Photographs are also useful to show the exterior or structure of your home prior to the storm, so consider supplementing your inventory list in this way.
   
• Videos. Video footage is another helpful tool to catalog your personal belongings. Although it might not be the first thing that springs to mind, many homeowners have video clips of their personal items saved on their phones, digital devices, and cameras, especially from the holidays. For example, if you have a Christmas video showing a new flat screen TV, that video could serve as proof that you owned the television. Videos expand upon photographic proof because they often show several items in the same clip, as well as how they were arranged in your home.

If you have questions about what kind of documentation your insurance company needs for personal belongings, call your representative. If you’re unable to get the answers you need from the insurance company, you also have the option of consulting with an attorney for help preparing an inventory of your home’s lost contents after a hurricane.

Hurricane Claim Delays

If you didn’t have a home inventory prepared before the hurricane, you may still be able to collect insurance payments for your personal belongings, but it’s likely your claim will take longer to resolve. Factor in the time it will take for you to collect all the proper information, and then how much additional time the insurance company needs for review. Because so many people and properties are usually affected after a hurricane, this also compounds delays in the response from insurance companies, contractors, and others entities that play a part in preparing and settling your claim.

However, if the insurance company has stopped responding to your questions, or if your claim still isn’t settled after waiting for months after the storm, it’s important to start inquiring about reasons for the delay. To understand your rights when an insurance company unfairly delays or denies a claim, you can speak to a knowledgeable attorney with the skill to handle policyholder concerns.

At the Voss Law Firm, we have extensive experience helping home and business owners determine proof of what items were lost or damaged in a storm. We encourage you to call 888-614-7730 today with your questions and concerns. You may also find it helpful to request a complimentary copy of our book, Your Essential Guide to Residential Claims.

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Like most inclement weather, high winds can cause severe damage to both the structures and internal workings of a business. However, insurance companies make their money by accepting full payment on your premiums and minimizing the amount they pay out for damages.

Companies may try to deny wind damage claims by attesting that the damage existed previously or that another factor within the policyholder’s control caused the damage instead. Even if business owners are able to successfully refute these claims, insurance companies use these excuses as a bargaining chip, forcing policyholders to accept a far lower payment rather than nothing at all.

Tips for Getting Adequate Payment After High Winds Damage Your Business

If your commercial property has been damaged by excessive wind, you can protect your claim and your business by completing the following steps:

• Gather your policies. Most business owners have multiple insurance policies. Go over each one to determine who should pay for the damage, as well as the limits involved in each policy. If you don’t understand a portion of your policy, it is up to your insurer to explain it to you.
• Create an inventory. It is up to you to prove the extent of your losses to the insurance company, so the more detailed your records are, the better. Make a list of all damaged possessions and property (including brand names and model numbers if possible) and take pictures or a video recording of each one. You can estimate the cost of each damaged item, but providing a receipt or other proof of purchase is often more effective.
• Call your insurance company. It can take a while to get the ball rolling on your claim, so call your insurer as soon as possible to start the process. Be sure to ask them what forms need to be completed, and whether they will be sending a claims adjuster to the business to survey the damage. Avoid giving dollar amounts on items that need to be replaced until you are sure of the extent of the damage.
• Go deeper. If an insurance adjuster is coming for an inspection, make sure you are ready for his arrival. If damage if superficial, a list of ruined items and estimated replacement costs may be sufficient. However, if there are extensive losses, you should inspect the building for structural damage and other problems that may not be immediately apparent.

What If My Insurance Company Denies My Storm Damage Claim?

If your claim is denied, you have the right to file a request for another inspection. You can also hire a licensed public adjuster or a contractor to be present for the second inspection for a ready second opinion on the insurance adjuster’s findings. If your insurer still refuses to pay, you should consult with an experienced policyholder attorney to find out if there is a valid basis for denying deny your claim.

Business owners rely on the integrity of their commercial properties to bring in clientele. When a building is broken, damaged, or seems to be falling apart, customer confidence may decline—and that is just the effect of superficial damage. To learn how to calculate the full amount of losses to your business due to wind damage, read through a copy of our free book, Commercial Insurance Claims: The Basics.

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Do Commercial Policies Include Coverage for Wind Damage? Understanding Your Business Insurance in a Windstorm Submit Commercial Windstorm Claims Under the Right Policy

 

Hail storms are an unfortunate downside of living in Texas. But while hail itself is a necessary evil of living in the Lone Star state, that doesn’t mean you should have to settle for less than fair payment for hail damage to your home. Insurance providers can be reluctant to pay out for damage done by storms and weather, but there are a few things you can do to strengthen your claim.

Do’s and Don’ts of Collecting Payment for Texas Hail Storm Damage to Your House

The first thing you should do after your home has been damaged is read through your entire insurance policy. It is important to understand what is covered, but also what specifically is not covered. If you don’t understand portions of your policy, you should call your provider and have an insurance adjuster explain them until you do.

After you have located and read through your policy, you should follow these steps to increase to odds that your claim will be approved:

• DO report your claim as soon as possible. Notify your insurance company of the damage to your home in writing (by mail, fax, or email) as soon as you can. You do not need to estimate the dollar amount of damage or send evidence in your first notification. When you receive a response, be sure to write down your claim number.
• DON’T destroy the evidence. While it’s understandable that you would want to throw away damaged and ruined items and repair your home, your insurance company will need a clear picture of what you have lost to provide payment. If hail damaged your roof and led to flooding in one room of your home, take pictures of all of the ruined items and keep them in a safe place. Make a list of all the damages to the building, rooms, and contents of your home, and estimate the dollar value of each one. Do this even if the insurance adjuster comes out immediately to view the damage.
• DO mitigate the damage. Homeowners policies may cover the damage done by hail, but not any damage that could have been prevented afterward. If hail has broken a window, take pictures of the entire area and place a tarp or sufficient covering over the hole. Do not perform any permanent repairs until your adjuster has viewed the damage.

If your homeowner’s insurance provider is attempting to deny or underpay your hail damage claim, we can help. Contact our experienced policyholder attorneys today or learn more about your case in our free book, Your Essential Guide to Residential Claims.

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What Your Roof Needs After a Texas Hailstorm Three Reasons Your Insurance Company May Delay Your Claim What to Do About Your Underpaid Insurance Claim

 

Here are several tips you can follow to ensure the safety of you and your family after returning from a wildfire evacuation order.

1. In most states, permission to return to your home is give by local fire or law enforcement officials. Once they’ve deemed the affected areas safe and clear of any hazards, such as downed power lines, and home, brush, and other fires have been extinguished, you should receive the all clear to return home.
2. When you approach your home it is best to prepare for any unexpected hazards. Wear boots, pants, and a long-sleeved shirt to help prevent injury. Due to the presence of smoke and ash a face mask is also recommended. Proceed with caution around: charred trees and down power poles (live power lines may be on ground), spot fires and smoldering debris, live embers, ash pits.
3. Conduct an outside inspection of your home:
   1. Check for the smell of gas. If present leave the house and turn off the supply at the tank or outside valve. Open doors and windows and contact utility provider.
   2. Check for electrical power. If on temporarily shut it off until you’ve completed the inspection.
   3. Check roofs, and floors for structural stability.
   4. Inspect roof and attic space for sparks or embers as they can enter through attic vents if not properly screened.
   5. Ensure that your rain gutters, roof, porch and other structures on your property are clear of any smoldering debris.
4. Heavy smoke, extreme heat, and nearby flames can impact your home’s air quality. Unless you insurance company claims adjuster has had the appropriate training to conduct quality testing, they are not able to tell whether your home contains harmful particulates or hydrocarbons. Qualified health and environmental safety experts can help you determine if your home is safe, habitable and toxin free.
5. Proceed with cautions inside your home as your sift through debris or ruble:
   1. Continue wearing face mask, to avoid breathing in smoke or ash.
   2. Restore service to water, power, natural gas etc by contacting utility providers.
   3. Check for embers and smoke in attic and crawl space, and continue to monitor in the coming days.
   4. Beware of animals that may have taken refuge in your home, garage or surrounding structures.
6. Dealing with your Insurance Provider
   1. Maintain all correspondence with your insurance provider.
   2. Do not start cleaning, and disposing of any damaged items until you have contacted your insurance company.
   3. Get advice from your insurance provider on securing your home whether it be covering broken windows, doors, etc.

The Voss Law Firm remains committed to providing exceptional legal help to those that find themselves cast aside by Insurance companies in their time of need. Contact us today and find out how we can help hold your Insurance Company accountable. Call 1-888-614-7730 today.

Taking steps to maximize and take control of a hail insurance claim from the very beginning can help condominium associations avoid denials, underpayments, and other issues. Here are some tips for getting started on the right foot:

• Understand your policies. Hail can affect both individual units and common areas for the condominium, creating a complex coverage situation. Make sure you understand the master policy held by the condo association, how coverage works, and what your responsibilities are after a loss event.  
• Understand what your claim is really worth. Hail damage isn’t always visible with the naked eye, and you can’t always trust hurried adjusters and contractors to catch the full extent of the losses you’ve sustained. You may need to get several estimates or work with an attorney to determine the full scope and potential worth of your claim.
• Understand what you sign. One of the biggest mistakes condominium associations make with hail claim is signing documents without fully understanding the ramifications of doing so. Although you may assume that it’s all just “routine” documentation for settling the claim, you can contribute to serious problems with your claim if you don’t review each signature request carefully.
• Know when to ask for help. If you do end up running into issues with a claim for hail damages, don’t wait to get answers about your rights as a policyholder. There is often room to fight for a fair outcome, even in complicated claims—but you can wreck your rights if you don’t understand what your options are.

Do you have questions? Call our law office to talk about your concerns with your claim at 888-614-7730. Our highly experienced policyholder attorneys are prepared to answer your questions and help you take control of your insurance claims after a major storm or disaster.

Related Links: Two Basic Problems With Hail Insurance Claims for Condos Negotiating Personality Differences in Condominium Claims

 

All too often, one finds themselves waiting and waiting for answers about a tornado insurance claim, and it’s time to start taking control.

Without specific details about your policy and your situation, it is hard to say exactly why your tornado insurance claim has been delayed.

However, you should know that there are a lot of reasons for delays in tornado insurance claims—and it’s really not that uncommon for policyholders to wait months, weeks, or years for a resolution.

Fortunately, though, it is sometimes possible to speed up the process and get the insurance settlement you need.

Why Are Tornado Insurance Claims Delayed?

Tornado insurance claim delays can be as simple as a paperwork error or overlooked detail, but resolving delays isn’t always so easy.

Tornado-producing storms often affect large areas or several different regions over a wide location, and they often occur in the same seasons as other damaging storms.

This means that insurance companies may need to send hundreds of insurance adjusters to help with the huge number of incoming tornado claims after even just a single major storm.

It is important to understand that the adjusters who respond to tornado insurance claims may be rushed, handling a lot of claims, or working long hours.

Some may also lack some of the training and experience needed to settle a tornado insurance claim efficiently.

All of these issues can lead to longer waits for policyholders, as well as an increased likelihood that some losses may be missed.

Tornados can also leave much more complex questions about coverage than a typical storm.

Homes or businesses may have sustained multiple major damages or even be total losses, meaning that the ensuing tornado insurance claim is substantial.

There can also be questions about how certain losses are covered under existing policies, especially when it comes to exterior losses or water damage.

Of course, there are also times when the insurance company is acting unfairly or in “bad faith.”

Sadly, it isn’t uncommon for insurance companies to drag your tornado insurance claim out for months or years for no apparent reason, sometimes in hopes of convincing you, the policyholder, to accept less than what your tornado insurance claim is really worth. 

Some policyholders may also start running into longer and longer delays after they have refused a “low ball” offer or a settlement that doesn’t cover the full extent of their losses.

The plain truth is that insurance companies stand to gain a lot when major tornado insurance claims are delayed, so it’s worth looking into your rights if your claim seems to be taking longer than usual to resolve.

Where Can I Get Help With a Delayed Tornado Insurance Claim?

No matter why your claim has been delayed, you deserve a timely resolution.

If your insurance claim has been unreasonably delayed, you can get help by reaching out to an attorney who has experience with insurance disputes and complex claims.

He or she can help you pinpoint the cause of the delay and take action to move the process along.

When you work with an experienced policyholder attorney, he or she can take steps to help you effectively get the tornado insurance claim you deserve.

Here are the benefits of getting legal help from an insurance litigation attorney when trying to get your tornado insurance claim.

• Review and analyze your claim for potential problems that might be causing delays.
• Help you arrange for independent assessments and estimates of damage.
• Communicate with the insurance company about the delay.
• Help facilitate a more effective and timely resolution of a tornado insurance claim.
• Clearly explain what your options are for moving forward.
• Negotiate a fair resolution and prepare for potential litigation if a satisfactory resolution can’t be reached in a reasonable amount of time.

Do you need help with a tornado insurance claim that has been endlessly or mysteriously delayed?

Working with an attorney who has extensive experience with property damage claims can help you both protect your rights and maximize your claim.

For immediate assistance with your questions, you can call our law office at 1-281-549-8911, use our online contact form, or start a Live Chat now.

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This is a great question that can have a disappointing answer for a lot of condominium associations and unit owners—but that only makes it more important that you ask before you need to file a claim. While it can be simple for homeowners to find out how their insurance against flood losses works, condominiums can be insured against loss by policies purchased by the condominium association, individual unit owners, and other potential parties. So, when dealing with any kind of flood claim for a condo, your first questions should really be about which policies cover the types of loss you sustained in the flood.

However, even after you understand the extent of your own responsibility for filing a claim with your insurer, there can be additional problems with getting payment for all the types of water damage you sustained.

Indirect Water Damage Is Often Not Covered by Condominium Flood Insurance Policies

It’s important to realize that not all “flood” damage is the same for the purposes of condominium insurance claims. Many policyholders each year are dismayed to find out that their policies—even including the master policies held by the condominium association—only cover direct flood damages. Unfortunately, this may exclude accompanying water damage due to:

• Water and sewer backup
• Leaks caused by flooding or a preceding storm
• Other “indirect” damages from a major flooding event

Understanding the fine details of your insurance coverage is the key to successfully resolving condominium flood claims. For more information about your rights or help with a difficult claim, reach out to our experienced policyholder attorneys at 888-614-7730.

Related Links: Federal Flood Insurance Doesn’t Necessarily Make Condo Claims Easy Are You Sure Your Condominium Isn’t at Risk for a Flood? Who Pays for Repair After Flood Damage to a Condominium Unit?