How Common is Hailstorm Damage Insurance in Texas?

Hail Storms in Texas are one of the leading natural disasters and cause widespread and devastating damage to homes, schools, commercial properties, and more.

These Texas hailstorms are a constant destructive reality. Recent statistics show that over 872 hail storms were recorded in Texas in one year, and over 638,000 hail damage insurance claims were reported in two years; hailstorms are very common in Texas.

Even a relatively minor hailstorm can severely impact your property, and Texans heavily rely on property insurance coverage to cover this damage.

However, when insurance providers attempt to dodge responsibility for claims or pay far less than needed, residents and business owners can suffer deep losses.

Just a few of the things that even a minor hail storm can damage are:

  • The roof and siding of your home.
  • Trees, cupolas, and other property landscaping.
  • The windows, HVAC units, and other peripheral equipment.
  • Other property structures including garages, tool sheds, guesthouses, etc.
  • Vehicles, boats, farm equipment, and much more.

In Texas, hailstorm insurance claim damage must be filed within precise deadlines and statutes of limitation. If you are a home or business owner and do not promptly file your claim or a lawsuit within these deadlines, you may lose the right to receive any compensation.

Filing deadlines may depend on various factors, such as the severity of the storm and its location. Still, the Texas statute of limitations for filing a hailstorm claim is two years from the date of the incident.

So, much like any other insurance claim, the insurers will not keep you apprised of when (and even how) to file and always attempt to pay as little as possible. Therefore, to ensure you obtain the fair and rightful compensation you’re entitled to, the help of a Dallas, Texas professional and a knowledgeable hail damage lawyer is mandatory.

What Are the First Steps I Should Take If I’ve Had Hail Damage?

The hail damage insurance claim process is challenging, especially if you’re a commercial property or business owner dealing with significant damage.

Just a few of the steps you must take to start the process are:

  • Fully document the damage to your property and possessions – Take clear photos and videos of all the damage and list it thoroughly.
  • Review your insurance policy in depth – It is critical to fully understand your coverage, deductibles, etc., and the process for making a claim.
  • Contact your insurance company as soon as possible – But be ready with your documentation and all the necessary proof.  
  • Collect estimates on all the repairs and replacement values – Get several quotes from licensed contractors and suppliers.
  • Meet with the insurance adjuster – Ensure you obtain a total assessment of your property’s damage, including equipment, etc.
  • Finalize your claim, but make sure you obtain legal help if needed – Review the settlement offer, but be assured it usually will be a lower amount than you need.

Always remember that the insurance adjuster does not work for you; they work for the insurance company. Hailstorms can wreak havoc on your property and possessions and significantly strain your finances; therefore, don’t accept a “lowball” offer without legal advice.

Stormlex Law Group offers free claim evaluations to help you determine if you are being taken advantage of by your insurance company.

If you have a private residence, commercial building, multifamily complex, etc., the adjuster will strive to pay as little as possible for your claim. If you feel you are not getting what you need, being delayed, or even denied, seek a Texas hailstorm lawyer’s professional, experienced help immediately.

Your lawyer will tirelessly and diligently fight for your rights and the full compensation you must have to repair and replace all you’ve lost.

You Must Make Sure You Fully Understand Your Homeowners Insurance Policy.

Understanding your insurance policy and all its terms and restrictions, etc., is critical.

For example, Actual Cash Value (or ACV) is crucial when dealing with a hailstorm damage claim. The “ACV” represents the current value of your roof. It factors in depreciation (and more) and means that the older your roof is, the less upfront money you’ll receive.

Let’s say your roof is 10 years old but has a lifespan of 30 years: your insurance company will calculate its depreciated value. So, the amount you receive is designed to help you start repairs but won’t cover the total cost of the repair.

Depreciation reduces the value of your roof due to its age, wear, and tear. So, the ACV is often far lower than the RCV (Replacement Cash Value); the age and condition of your roof before the damage, the lower the initial ACV payment.

Alternatively, the replacement cash value (RCV) is the total cost of fully repairing or replacing your damaged roof with today’s materials and expenses. The RCV doesn’t account for depreciation, so you’ll get the full amount you need for all the repairs.

However, in many cases, you’ll only receive the RCV after you complete the repairs and submit all the proper invoices to your insurance company. Initially, you usually get the ACV payment, and when all the repairs are done, documented, and verified, your insurance company will release the remaining amount; however, this is commonly problematic, and where many property owners contact a Texas hail damage lawyer.

Insurance policies are complex and challenging to understand. The best approach is to seek the professional and knowledgeable legal advice you need before you must. A full understanding of all these terms and conditions, what is covered, and the payment process can make navigating any hail damage claim process much smoother and more successful.

What Is a Bad Faith Insurance Claim and How Can It Help Me?

It’s unfortunate but true that in Texas (and most states), insurance companies often delay, deny, or underpay policyholders’ claims. This practice is known as operating under “bad faith,” but there are things you can legally do about it.

By most state laws, insurance companies’ bad faith practices are illegal, and they can be held financially accountable in the Texas court.

As a policyholder, you and your well-versed, compassionate, and knowledgeable hailstorm lawyer can file a bad-faith insurance claim against your insurance company. By doing so, you can hold the insurance providers accountable for the duty of good faith so that they deal more fairly with you and pay what they genuinely should for your claim.

When you purchase and pay for an insurance policy, this contract effectively binds both parties to precise contractual obligations. As the policyholder, you have a duty of care to make scheduled payments, and the insurance provider has a duty of good faith under which it must honor the policy and pay all honest and credible claims.

If you are the only party performing your agreed-upon contractual duties, then, under Texas law, the insurance company has committed a “breach of contract.” If you ever feel this is happening to you, contact a qualified Texas storm damage lawyer immediately. We know how to proceed and fight diligently and effectively to get you the full amount of compensation you rightfully deserve.

I’ve Had Hail Damage to My Property and More; How Should I Proceed?

Storm damage cases are legally challenging, and it is prudent not to settle a hail insurance claim alone.

Many policyholders have difficulty communicating with their insurance company, experience unexplained delays, don’t agree with the settlement amount, and more; don’t wait until it becomes an extreme issue or take less than you deserve.

The storm damage lawyers at the Stormlex Law Group know precisely how to assess, file, and ensure you get the full compensation your policy provides.

Call us today at 877-890-6372 for a free consultation on your unique case. We will aggressively fight for your rights and obtain what you truly deserve so you can reconstruct what you lost and move forward confidently.