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Hurricane Laura strengthened to a Category 4 before barreling into the Texas and Louisiana coast. In addition to damaging winds, the storm brought a catastrophic storm surge that is expected to affect vast amounts of the region. As noted by CBS News, the storm continues on its path of destruction, moving inland and leaving threats of tornadoes and flooding in its wake. In some cases, homes were left completely destroyed, showing only mangled messes of the furniture and things that once inhabited them.
If you suffer losses after a storm, you expect that the insurance company will promptly address your claim and pay you for your losses. Unfortunately, substantial numbers of claims go unanswered, underpaid, or altogether denied in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Insurance companies routinely deny claims, victimizing distraught homeowners.
If your first-party insurance claim is denied after Hurricane Laura, contact Maverick Ray & Associates at (281) 346-9451 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.
If you have suffered losses due to a storm, you need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process.
If you have not already, you will want to:
An insurance company must respond to your claim promptly and start an investigation. If an insurance representative fails to respond to your request or delays the investigation into damages, you may have recourse. Furthermore, if the insurance company denies your claim, they must inform you in writing, and it must be for just cause.
If your weather-related claim is denied, you have the right to appeal and to legal representation. If an insurance company acted in bad faith when denying or underpaying your claim, they might be subject to a lawsuit. The most important thing to remember is that you have rights and should never have to settle for less than your claim is worth.
In order to receive the maximum recovery allowed under your policy, you want to make sure that you:
It can take months or even years to get the compensation you deserve for your losses if your insurance company denies your initial claim. According to the Tampa Bay Times, one year after Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida coast, property owners are still waiting for their claims to be paid. Tens of thousands of people had their claims denied outright despite suffering devastating losses. The headlines are the same for nearly every other major storm that has hit the United States, including Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey.
The Texas Department of Insurance estimates that around 15,500 claims related to damage done by Hurricane Harvey remained unpaid after 16 months. According to their data, by December 31, 2018, over 165,000 homeowner claims had been closed without any loss payment, thousands remained open. Their research showed that the Houston area had the “highest percentage of claims closed without payment at 65 percent.”
Insurance companies use deceptive tactics to deny claims and delay payments, including claiming that the damage was pre-existing, or that the insured does not have the appropriate coverage. If your claim is denied, it may be in your best interest to hire an attorney who knows the law and can hold the insurance company accountable.
At Maverick Ray & Associates, our attorneys are experienced litigators that regularly represent clients in first-party insurance claims. If you suffer losses from Hurricane Laura and your claim is denied, contact our office at (281) 346-9451 to discuss your legal options. Get the aggressive, dedicated representation you need to get the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys are never afraid of a good fight. Let us take on the insurance company for you and help make you whole again after the devastation of Hurricane Laura.
