Commercial Flood Insurance Claim Lawyers

The flash flooding caused by storm surges, tropical storms, heavy rain, and other natural disasters has caused much flood and water damage across the state of Texas, especially along coastal areas. Historically, the Lone Star State ranks #3 across the country in terms of flood risk. Areas like Houston, Dallas, Galveston, and Port Arthur have seen a great deal of both residential and commercial flooding, with flood victims desperate for insurance companies to help with the clean up process and rebuilding.

However, sometimes, an insurance provider may be reluctant to help business owners with financial losses, debris removal, and repairs after floods. If you do not have the proper flood coverage, you may be out of luck in Texas. Even with a valid commercial flood insurance policy, sometimes insurers still pull out all the stops to avoid paying policyholders what they are owed.

If your commercial or personal property has been damaged by rising floodwaters, it is essential that you retain professional legal representation from experienced attorneys capable of helping you get the fair compensation you deserve. There are several legal complexities to flood insurance claims and the claims process, so we advise you not to pursue a property damage claim without professional legal counsel.

Our San Antonio, Texas, law firm has extensive experience representing clients with flood insurance claims. To learn more about our legal services and how we can assist you during this difficult time, please schedule your free case review today.

What Are Common Causes of Flood Damage in Texas?

Floods in Texas have many causes and can occur seemingly without warning.

Common causes of flooding and flood damage in the state of Texas include:

• Flash flooding caused by periods of intense rainfall
• Hurricane storm surges
• Ice jams
• Melting snow
• Mudslides caused by heavy rain on hills and mountainsides
• Natural disaster
• Urban Development, such as new construction
• And more

Whatever the cause of the flooding, it is essential to conduct a thorough investigation into the flood damage, looking for causes and property damage. As your legal representation, we will help you fight to protect your rights and interests in the pursuit of full compensation from your insurance provider.

What to Do if Your Business Property is Flooded?

If your commercial property is flooded, you may experience business interruption, loss of personal belongings, and other financial losses. Some property damage may be relatively minor, but major flooding events have been known to shut down businesses across the country permanently. It may be impossible to understand the full extent of the damage until much later.

As a business owner, it is important to understand that after a major natural disaster or flooding event, thousands upon thousands of flood claims may be submitted. To ensure that your flood insurance claim doesn’t sink below the rest, you must properly document all damages, and we recommend doing so with the help of a professional attorney.

Follow these steps when documenting your flood claim:

• Take photographs and videos of your property before and after the storm surge. Evidence showcasing how water levels have damaged your property can be essential to winning your case
• When you are able, make a list of all damages and the approximate value of the damaged property, complete with receipts if possible
• If you must make minor repairs in order to prevent further damage or injury to staff, ensure that you keep detailed records and receipts of all expenditures. You shouldn’t have to wait for your insurance provider to pay your claim before you get back to business. However, certain repairs may be wisest if left until later
• Some flood events force business owners to move their commercial property to a new location. If this becomes a necessity, keep all receipts, including hotel stays, meals, and additional living expenses
• Do not discard damaged personal belongings or commercial property while an investigation is still ongoing. If your municipality demands that items be destroyed or thrown away for safety reasons, take photos and videos before following these orders
• Keep a detailed log of all communication you have with insurance adjusters, insurance agents, and anyone related to your flood damage case. Just as it is important to keep receipts of your purchases and repairs, so too is it important that you keep a detailed diary of all communiques with your insurance provider

What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

Not all types of commercial insurance policies provide coverage for flood damages. To protect your property from rising water levels, you must purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from private insurers.

The National Flood Insurance Program covers all types of flood damage. The NFIP uses a system that categorizes commercial property’s flood risks to determine insurance premiums. Your commercial flood insurance policies may also differ depending on the age of the commercial property, its occupancy, its height, its location, and the deductibles you choose.

We encourage our clients to buy commercial flood insurance from either a private insurer or the NFIP.

Does Commercial Property Insurance Cover Flood Damage?

Most commercial flood policies cover damages done to structures and personal property in the event of a natural disaster or flooding. Both the building and its contents typically receive coverage of up to $500,000.

What Does Commercial Flood Insurance Cover?

Your insurance compensation can help repair and replace damaged property such as bookcases, windows, foundations, walls, plumbing systems, furnaces, carpeting, permanently installed cabinets, and machinery.

Additionally, your commercial property insurance may cover the following flood-damaged property:

• Air conditioners
• Appliances
• Currency, including precious metals
• Curtains
• Detached garages
• Electrical systems
• Flooring
• Furniture
• Personal valuables
• Solar equipment
• Staircases
• Support structures
• Water heaters

What Isn’t Protected by Flood Insurance Coverage?

Commercial flood insurance does not cover everything. Even the most comprehensive commercial flood policies have many exclusions and exceptions.

Common damages not typically covered by flood insurance include:

• Flood damage to motor vehicles
• Water damage to walkways and fencing
• Certain lost income due to temporary closing
• Damage to the basement and property within
• Flood damage that can be attributed to sinkholes or landslides

For claims with the NFIP, the federal government program requires that excess water levels damage at least two or more properties or two or more acres of land. Floor insurance coverage provided by the NFIP also does not cover financial losses due to business disruptions. You may need to go to a private insurer for insurance coverage for business interruption. isn’t

Why Has the Insurance Company Denied Your Flood Claims?

Commercial flood insurance can be a valuable means of protecting commercial properties in the event of natural disasters and other flooding events. However, insurance providers sometimes deny seemingly valid claims.

Common grounds for an insurance claim denial include:

• Exclusions to insurance policies
• Failing to meet certain policy terms
• Failure to perform adequate upkeep of the property
• Flood zone errors
• Insufficient or improper documentation
• Insurance coverage limits
• Lapses in policy coverage
• Late reporting
• Long waiting periods
• Misrepresentation of the facts
• Pre-existing damages

What Are Bad Faith Practices That Insurance Companies Sometimes Employ?

Unfortunately, it’s also fairly common for insurance companies to act in bad faith when reviewing and ultimately denying insurance claims. Even if you have a valid claim and a current insurance policy providing your building coverage, insurance companies are always looking for ways to save a little money.

Common bad-faith tactics that insurance companies sometimes use include:

• Delayed handling of the claims process without cause
• Failure to investigate the property in a timely manner
• Harassment
• Intentional underpayment
• Intimidation
• Misrepresentation of commercial insurance policies
• Unjustified and unexplained denials

Schedule a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Commercial Flood Damage Claim Today

If you have a business property that’s been damaged by rising water levels, you need the professional legal representation of a commercial flood damage attorney. Our legal team has extensive experience representing clients in complex insurance claims cases, and we would be proud to represent your rights as you seek fair compensation for your insurance claim.

Contact Stormlex Law Group to schedule your free initial consultation today. You may reach us at 877-890-6372