FAQ ABOUT HURRICANE INSURANCE CLAIMS

Hurricane season in Texas begins in June and runs through November. In the past few years, we’ve experienced more severe storms, causing more damage than previous storms have caused across previous decades. Those who haven’t lived here very long sometimes fail to realize that even though hurricane season lasts only a few months, it only takes one storm to cause considerable physical and financial damage to your home and surrounding property.

Twenty-one named storms came through Texas in 2021, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that this season’s hurricane activity will also be above normal. Here are some questions you might want to think about before the first three 2022 Hurricanes: Alex, Bonnie, and Colin (really? not Clyde?) become household names.

Does my homeowner’s policy cover damage from wind or flooding?

People who haven’t read their insurance policies carefully sometimes believe a general policy covers any weather-related harm. Not until their home suffers storm damage do they learn that’s not the case. A standard homeowner’s policy does not cover flooding and may not cover wind damage.

While homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of repairing water damage from rain and water that blows in through windows or comes in through the walls, a standard policy will not cover water damage that comes from the ground. This includes damage originating from an overflowing body of water or a sewer. After Hurricane Katrina, state courts were inundated with lawsuits where judges had to inspect photos and other physical evidence to try and determine whether the damage had been caused by windblown water or flooding. This is why it’s crucial to purchase flood insurance to supplement your standard homeowner’s policy.

Likewise, not all homeowner policies cover wind damage. Checking your policy now can save you a great deal of money and headaches later.

If my home is damaged, should I wait until the insurance claim adjuster inspects the place before I begin making repairs?

Don’t wait for the adjuster to come by before you start repairs. It may take weeks for the adjuster to arrive after a large storm, and insurance companies expect you to begin mitigating your damages as soon as reasonably possible to prevent them from getting worse. But before beginning repairs, be sure to take photos of all the damaged areas as they appeared right after the storm (including all the debris), and keep receipts for everything you purchase in connection with the repairs.

Does my homeowner’s policy cover fallen trees?

Homeowner’s insurance covers damage to homes and any structures built on surrounding property, whether the affected property belongs to you or a neighbor. If the tree doesn’t damage any property but only leaves a mess in the yard, you’re generally on your own to cover most of the cost of cleanup.

Should I hire an attorney if my insurance company is acting in bad faith?

If you’re having trouble getting your homeowner’s insurance company to handle your claim promptly, help is available. Contact the insurance-claim lawyers at Manfred Sternberg & Associates through our website or call 713-547-5460.