Insurance claims after disasters
According to Texas personal injury lawyers, natural disasters damage homes, cars, personal belongings and lives in unimaginable ways. Most home owner’s insurance policies do not cover damages related to flooding.
Personal injury lawyers throughout Texas are stressing the need for injured parties to know how to file an insurance claim in order to receive the necessary compensation for damages. Injured citizens of Galveston, Freeport and Port Arthur are feeling the destructive outcomes after Hurricane Ike blasted its fierce winds and rains, in September of 2008.
When people returned to their cities and towns, many found their personal belongings such as cars, homes, and boats completely destroyed. With massive amounts of damages, comes massive amounts of insurance claims – there have been around 50,000 claims already filed and expecting to reach 300,000.
After hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association was the only wind damage insurer left to provide insurance for injuries suffered by the residents of Galveston and surrounding cities. Personal injury lawyers are familiar with insurance companies attempting to avoid reimbursement of claims after a natural disaster.
For example, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association will pay for wind and hail damage, but not flooding. Many Galveston residents are left struggling to pay these costs on their own. This does not always have to be the case. If the insurance company fails to follow through with the requirements, under the law, according to the Texas Insurance Code, they may be held responsible. Insurance companies usually won’t suffer the legal ramifications without the representation of a personal injury lawyer. Under Texas law, insurance companies are instructed to pay your claim within a reasonable amount of time. They are also required to give correct information concerning areas not covered. They must also pay an appropriate amount of money for damages.
Consider the following when filing an insurance claim:
1. Document the area. Take pictures and record all property damages.
2. Contact your insurance company and present your claim under either injuries or losses. You may be required to provide a deed or mortgage payment document.
3. Schedule a time for the claims adjuster to view the property to record your losses.
4. Maintain contact with the insurance company. When numerous amounts of claims are filed after natural disasters, you must be patient because it does take time to process.
A personal injury lawyer specializing in Hurricane insurance recovery, for property damage, may be able to assist you.
Contributor: Amy K. Witherite - A Dallas personal injury lawyer specializing in Hurricane insurance recovery, for property damage, may be able to assist you.Law Office of Eberstein & Witherite
3100 Monticello, Suite 500
Dallas, Texas 75205
Toll Free: (888) 407-6669
Fax: (214) 378-6670
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