Gulf Coast Homeowners Insurance Claims

Houston Insurance Attorney

The Gulf Coast hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30, and many residents of the region are well aware of both the financial and emotional toll the devastation caused by a tropical storm can take on a homeowner. Insurance companies have paid out billions of dollars to Gulf Coast residents due to several destructive hurricane seasons. To make up for their losses, these insurance companies have raised premiums and aggressively denied coverage when it comes to paying homeowners for their storm damages.

If you have endured a hurricane or tropical storm and now find yourself in an insurance dispute, read through our list of frequently asked questions to learn more about your legal options. A Houston litigation lawyer from Arnold & Itkin can also review your policy to determine the extent of your coverage and the amount of any deductibles. Our Houston hurricane insurance claims lawyers have a history of obtaining successful verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our firm recovered more than $250 million for our clients in 2011 -- and we can help you too.

Gulf Coast Hurricane Insurance Disputes

Gulf Coast hurricanes and tropical storms can leave behind a wake of devastation and destruction, leaving homeowners with damage from heavy winds, rain, storm surges, mold and debris. Homeowners may face repairs to roofs, foundations, drywall, insulation, decks, porches and garages. In extreme cases, a home might be damaged beyond repair, requiring the rebuilding of a home from its foundation.

Your hope is that your insurance policy will help you rebuild and get your life back on track. Your policy may cover most structural repairs as well as water damage, mold damage, electrical problems and repairs to other buildings on your property, such as a garage or shed. You may also be entitled to living expenses that cover the cost of renting another home while you are waiting for your repairs to be completed.

Generally, policies will cover wind and rain damage but exclude flood damage. Flood damage is typically covered in a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Without this you likely will not receive any money for flood repairs. But don't let the insurance companies take advantage of your lack of flood coverage.

After a hurricane, it is often difficult to determine whether damage was caused by rain or rising flood waters. Because of the distinction required during the claims process, an insurance company may try to avoid making a full claims payment by saying damage was caused by flooding rather than another condition that is covered in your policy. A hurricane insurance lawyer can help you to overcome this insurance company tactic by deploying qualified inspectors, appraisers and other experts to examine your home's damages and determine the true nature and cause of your losses.

Insurance companies may employ other tactics to escape full claims payments, such as:

• Requiring unnecessary documentation or a series of follow-up inspections or interviews without any reasonable explanation
• Admitting you have a legitimate claim but delaying payments without any justifiable excuse
• Denying your claim without making a proper inspection of your home
• Simply refusing to pay your claim despite overwhelming evidence in support of it.

Contact a Houston Litigation Lawyer

The Houston hurricane insurance lawyers at our law firm have a thorough understanding of common insurance industry practices, and we know how to expose weaknesses in adjusters' arguments. If you are a Gulf Coast homeowner whose hurricane insurance claim has turned into a dispute, you can rely on us to fight for your full, fair and timely compensation. We do not charge for our services unless we obtain a successful verdict or settlement on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation .

At Arnold & Itkin, we are experienced trial lawyers and aggressive advocates for our clients. Our attorneys quickly assess the strengths and weaknesses of each individual case and map out a strategy for winning. Once you meet the legal team at our firm, you will understand why H Texas magazine in Houston named Arnold & Itkin LLP "Top Lawyers for the People" three years in a row and why Texas Monthly has consistently recognized our attorneys as "Rising Stars."

For more information, contact a Houston insurance attorneyfrom the office.