Basically, a property damage claim in Texas is a report that you submit to your insurance company after you have sustained damage to your insured property.
Once you know that your insured property has been damaged you may file a property damage claim with your insurance carrier.
There are two types of property damage claims which are damage to real property or damage to autos.
Damage to Real Property: These are insurance claims that relate to damage to property rather than your person. Examples of this can include damage that was experienced to your home or land.
Damage to Autos: The majority of this type of property damage occurs in auto accidents. The insurance company of the driver who was determined to be at fault usually is the one responsible for paying compensation for the damages or losses.
If you need more information regarding property damage claims, contact our law firm by calling (855) 768-7674 and schedule an appointment to speak with a member of our legal team. We can answer your legal questions and help you navigate the often confusing world of insurance claims.
What are the Reasons My Property Damage Claim Could be Denied in Texas?
Not Filing on Time: One of the main reasons that your property damage claim could be denied would be if you did not file it in a timely manner. Most policies have a specified time limit as to how long you have to file a claim.
Not Paying Your Premiums: In order to make a property damage claim, you must be current on your premiums. If you do not make your payments on time, or allow a significant amount of time to lapse you stand the chance of having your policy canceled and as such will have no ability to seek compensation for your damage claim.
False or Misleading Statements: When you make a claim, it is standard procedure for your insurance company to send an adjuster to inspect the damage that has occurred. If they feel that there is anything that is uncertain or misleading in relation to your claim, they may deny it.
Inadequate Documentation of Damage: The insurance company will require proof of your losses through proper documentation of the damages involved in your claim. As the policyholder it is your responsibility to make an accurate and complete inventory of your valuables and to take photos that can detail the extent of the damage that was done.
Exclusions or Claims Not Included in Your Coverage: Property insurance often comes with exclusions that are not accepted in the terms of your insurance policy. For example, if the damage that occurred to your property was caused by a flood, then your claim would be denied. Floods are generally covered through their own separate policy.
What Can Happen if I do Not Properly Make Temporary Repairs to Stop Further Damage?
In insurance language this is known as a failure to mitigate the loss. If you fail do not fulfill your obligation to stop any further damage from occurring then your claim may be denied. It is the property owner’s responsibility to make any reasonable and necessary repairs to ensure that no further damage occurs.
Should I Hire an Attorney if My Claim Has Been Denied?
Insurance companies often make it a common practice to underpay or deny claims. They employ a large department of lawyers whose only job is to look for loopholes in which they may deny your claim. If your claim has been denied you need an attorney who can aggressively fight for you to receive the money that you may be owed as outlined in your insurance policy.
Contact our law offices today and ask to speak to one of our storm damage attorneys who can review your case and help determine the best plan on how to proceed forward. Contact us by calling 877-890-6372 and scheduling an appointment with one of our lawyers today.
