If you live in an area where hurricanes can occur you may want to make sure you are prepared for when a storm damages your property. Hurricane damage can severely impact property owners in Houston, Corpus Christi, and other coastal cities in Texas. Preparation means getting familiar with the types of insurance policies that offer coverage for damages caused by wind and water.
Is your home covered for hurricane damage?
Not all policies cover all potential damages caused by hurricanes. There are three different policies that combine to provide you with full coverage if a hurricane damages your property:
- (1) Homeowners/Building
- (2) Flood
- (3) Wind
Homeowners/Building Policies: These policies offer protection to your home and belongings but exclude damage from rising water (flood). In some areas, mainly coastal regions, it excludes wind damage as well. Protecting against flood and, in some cases, wind, requires additional insurance.
Flood Policies: Even if you live several miles inland or in a low-risk area, you can suffer flooding from tropical storms and hurricanes. Remember: If it can rain, it can flood. Flood insurance is available through most brokers and private carriers through the National Flood Insurance Program and becomes effective 30 days after purchase, so it’s best not to wait.
Wind Policies: Damage from wind may be covered with its own deductible in some homeowners insurance policies. In high-risk coastal areas, wind damage is often excluded from homeowners’ policies and is only available through a state-managed insurance pool. There may be a waiting period before coverage begins.
Do yourself a favor and schedule a sit down with your insurance agent or point of contact at your insurance company to make sure you are fully covered this hurricane season.
Contact Stormlex Law Group!
Due to the all too frequent and violent nature of storms that Texas is prone to, residents of San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and other cities often experience significant property damage as a result. In your time of need and stress, you expect the insurance company to show up for you and your claim. That’s not always the case.
Negotiating with the insurance company can be a daunting and stressful task and Stormlex Law Group understands how essential it is to advocate for your rights and interests. Our insurance lawyers are prepared to present your case clearly and persuasively, using evidence and documentation to support your arguments.
Facing a denied insurance claim can be a challenging and overwhelming experience, but it’s important to remember that you have options and rights as a policyholder. By understanding your rights, gathering evidence, and seeking legal guidance, you can increase your chances of overturning the denial and obtaining the coverage you deserve.
If you are currently dealing with a denied claim, give us a call at 877-890-6372 or send us an email at info@stormlex.com
Disclaimer: Credit to USAA, who sent out an informative email about Hurricane preparedness to their email subscribers. We completely took some of the information in their email and repurposed it here.
