Anyone who has tried to make an insurance claim knows how hard insurers will fight to avoid paying you what you deserve. This can be frustrating—especially in Texas’s late summer and early autumn months. Whether it is a hurricane or hail damage, extreme weather could drastically affect your personal and professional life.
Fortunately, you can increase your chances of getting the compensation you are entitled to—even when your insurance company has already denied your claim. Our capable insurance claim attorneys at Kirk Law Firm, PLLC, can help you take the necessary steps to recover what you are owed effectively and efficiently.
Contact Capable Legal Counsel
Reaching out to seasoned legal professionals should be your first step after your insurance claim is denied—especially for homeowners’ insurance after a major storm. Insurance adjusters will find every possible reason to reduce the value of policyholders’ claims. Enlisting a knowledgeable lawyer could prove vital to counteract these underhanded strategies and proactively enforce your rights.
Understanding Your Insurance Policy Carefully
Understanding your insurance policy is imperative to fight against a hail damage claim denial. While it may be couched in overly complicated language, your policy should clearly state what it covers and what steps you are expected to take before and during the claims process. An experienced attorney can help you understand your policy and ensure you are taking all of the necessary steps to recover what you’re entitled to.
Collect Evidence to Support Your Claim
When your insurance company has denied your hail damage claim in bad faith, your next step should be finding and preserving as much evidence as possible to prove your claim should have been approved. Examples of evidence may include:
- Estimates or repair bills
- Photos of property damage and any picture of the hailstorm or surrounding damage
- Detailed written notes about how the damage occurred and what interactions you have already had with your insurance provider
Soliciting written or recorded testimony from witnesses who saw the extent of property damage can also be helpful.
Experienced attorneys know what information you need and will help you collect and preserve that information.
Begin the Process of Recovering What You Are Rightfully Owed
Insurance companies have many tactics to avoid paying claims. They might outright deny the claim, saying there was no damage; deny the claim, saying the damage was preexisting or from wear and tear; or admit there was damage but greatly undervalue the claim. Depending on your situation, our experienced insurance claim attorneys will discuss with you the best plan of action to get you paid the most for your claim in the most expeditious way. In many cases, this may not involve litigation. If the insurance company continues to act in bad faith, though, an attorney can help you recover what you are rightfully owed under the Texas Insurance Code and common law.
