After the Memorial Day weekend storms, insurance claims were filed for damage to approximately 650 homes across Texas, according to figures from the Texas Insurance Council. Experts estimate the damage could be more than $100 million, which doesn’t include damage to businesses and vehicles in the state.
While many of these claims will be paid in full, many insurance companies will pay far less than what is owed or deny claims entirely.
A recent investigative report by KVUE looked at the issues consumers face in insurance claims. In the report, an Austin woman shares her fight over a hail-damaged roof — a fight that has gone on for more than a year.
After a May 2014 hail storm dropped hail up to 2 inches in diameter on her neighborhood, Michelle Wise said she filed a claim with her insurance company for damage. Although two roofers and an independent claims adjuster said Wise’s roof damage was clearly caused by hail, her insurance company denied the claim.
But when a valid claim by a policyholder is denied, what options are there?
Fighting A Denied Insurance Claim
If an insurance company wrongfully denies a claim, the policyholder should NOT give up on getting their money. There are several options for getting the compensation you are owed.
- Submit a complaint to the Texas Department of Insurance.
- Get a second opinion from an independent insurance adjustor.
- Contact an insurance denial attorney, who can help you do all of the above, as well as file a bad faith insurance lawsuit on your behalf.
Insurance companies are bound by law to act in good faith. Sadly, these companies exist to make a profit, not to help policyholders in need. It is in their best interest to avoid paying out claims to protect their bottom line.
While insurance companies often promise to be there in your time of need, many fail to provide the support and assistance policyholders expect when that time comes. Bad faith claims can arise when an insurance company:
- Fails to process a claim in a reasonable timeframe.
- Fails to accurately and thoroughly investigate the claim.
- Pays only partial benefits for a claim that should be paid in full.
- Denies a legitimate claim.
Wrongful insurance claim denials can happen with any type of policy, including auto insurance, health insurance, life insurance, and homeowners insurance.
If your claim was wrongfully denied, delayed or underpaid, contact our law firm Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers to speak to a bad faith insurance claim attorney in Houston.
