Texas Water Damage Claims

Water Damage Claims Lawyer

Living in Texas places you at the mercy of nature, as the area is known for various natural disasters. Especially for people with homes or businesses near the coast, the threat of water damage is ever-present. Home and business owners must obtain insurance to protect them against unforeseen weather events. However, coverage for water damage is complicated and many policies may limit or deny damage depending on the source of the water.

One of our experienced insurance claims attorneys at Kirk Law Firm, PLLC can assist you in understanding the terms in your policy, evaluating the true cause of the water damage, and demanding that insurance companies provide benefits according to your contract.

Sources of Water Damage and Their Impact on Insurance Claims

Many home and business policies limit the scope of coverage under a policy based on the source of the water itself. For example, a policy may cover water damage due to a broken pipe within a home but may not provide protection against rising water from a flood.

In many instances it is difficult to determine the exact source of the damage. In a hurricane there may be damage from severe rain and wind but also flooding. It is imperative from the beginning to document the cause of a loss and have accurate information when you file your claim in order to obtain coverage in a timely manner. An experienced insurance attorney has the resources to evaluate the cause of the damage, determine the available coverage under the policy and demand that a covered loss be paid.

Insurance Companies and Deceptive Trade Practices

Water damage claims can leave an insured overwhelmed and frustrated. Adjusters may delay coverage or undervalue the damage and cost of repair or even fail to adequately investigate the claim.

Texas Insurance Code § 542.003 outlines what are called deceptive trade practices in the insurance industry. These include failing to properly communicate with customers and not paying out claims when liability for a loss is reasonably clear. A failure to provide compensation after water damage may indicate a violation of this law.

Many policies require that a policyholder be paid replacement value for their damaged contents or structure. Adjusters may attempt to downplay damage or undervalue the replacement cost of certain items in an effort to minimize coverage. Others may attempt to blame damage on previous events or wear and tear. An experienced water damage attorney can help property owners to better understand the duties of insurance companies under state law and determine if they can demand further compensation or file suit against the carrier.

Contact a Houston Water Damage Claims Attorney After a Claim Denial

The onset of water damage to a home or commercial property can result in tens of thousands of dollars in losses. The owners of the property may be relying on insurance payouts to cover the costs of rebuilding or reclamation. A water event may render a home or business unusable. Many policies cover certain out of pocket expenses of the insured during the time they are out of their home or business. It is important to know what benefits are available to you and the best way to provide evidence of your losses to collect those benefits.

At Kirk Law Firm, PLLC, a Houston water damage claims lawyer is ready to fight for you. They can evaluate the cause of your damage; help you preserve and collect the evidence needed and make sure you are receiving all of the benefits available to you under your policy. If it appears that an insurance company has breached its contract or acted in bad faith, they are prepared to fight for the compensation that you deserve. Contact one of our dedicated attorneys now to get started. There is no fee unless we recover benefits for you.