Houston Hurricane Damage Lawyer
Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause extensive damage throughout Houston and the surrounding Gulf Coast region. High winds can damage roofs, siding, windows, and commercial buildings, while wind-driven rain can cause significant interior water damage. For property owners, the problems can become even more complicated when an insurance company delays the claim, disputes the cause of the damage, or offers far less than it will actually cost to make repairs.
At The Hodge Law Firm, our Houston hurricane damage lawyers represent homeowners and businesses in disputes with insurance companies following hurricanes and severe storms. Our firm is headquartered in Galveston, giving us deep roots along the Texas Gulf Coast and firsthand familiarity with the impact major storms can have on communities throughout the region.
If your insurer has denied, delayed, or underpaid your hurricane damage claim, we can review your policy, investigate how the claim was handled, and help you understand your options for pursuing the compensation available under your coverage.
Hurricane Insurance Claims in Houston Can Be Complicated
Houston property owners are no strangers to hurricanes and tropical weather. Major storms can bring several causes of damage at once, making insurance claims particularly complicated.
One of the most significant issues is determining what actually caused the loss. A property may experience hurricane wind damage, wind-driven rain, flooding, or a combination of several different forces during the same storm.
Insurance policies do not necessarily treat each cause of damage the same way. An insurer may argue that some or all of the loss resulted from flooding or another excluded cause rather than covered wind damage. These disputes can dramatically affect how much the insurance company agrees to pay.
Our attorneys represent policyholders throughout the state in these types of disputes. You can learn more about our broader representation of property owners on our Texas hurricane damage lawyer page.
Types of Hurricane Damage We See in Houston
No two storms or properties are identical. Hurricane damage can range from obvious structural destruction to less visible problems that are discovered days or weeks later.
Houston hurricane insurance claims may involve:
- Missing, lifted, or damaged roofing materials
- Structural and framing damage
- Wind-driven rain and interior water intrusion
- Damaged windows, doors, siding, and exterior materials
- Damage caused by falling trees or flying debris
- Electrical and mechanical system damage
- Damage to personal property
- Mold and moisture-related problems
- Commercial building and inventory losses
- Business interruption and loss of income
Roof losses are especially common after powerful wind events. Even when a roof has not completely failed, wind can compromise roofing materials and allow water to enter the property. Our attorneys handle disputes involving hurricane roof damage claims when insurers disagree about the cause, scope, or cost of necessary repairs.
Why Houston Hurricane Claims Are Denied or Underpaid
Filing an insurance claim does not guarantee that the insurance company will agree with a property owner’s assessment of the damage.
Following a major hurricane, insurers may be handling thousands of claims simultaneously. Inspections may be rushed, damage can be overlooked, and repair estimates may differ substantially from estimates obtained by the property owner.
Common disputes include an insurer:
- Claiming damage existed before the hurricane
- Attributing damage to normal wear and tear
- Arguing that water damage resulted from flooding rather than covered wind
- Disputing whether a roof needs replacement or can simply be repaired
- Using repair estimates that do not reflect the full scope or cost of the work
- Excluding certain damaged items from its estimate
- Delaying inspections or payment
- Denying coverage altogether
A denial is not necessarily the final word. If your insurer has refused to pay for a covered loss, learn more about how we handle denied hurricane insurance claims.
Likewise, receiving a payment does not always mean the claim was handled properly. If the amount offered is insufficient to restore the property, there may be grounds to challenge an underpaid hurricane insurance claim.
Wind Damage vs. Flood Damage After a Houston Hurricane
One of the most important issues in many Houston hurricane claims is the distinction between wind and flood damage.
A hurricane can subject the same property to high winds, heavy rainfall, rising water, and other damaging conditions. Standard property insurance policies may cover certain wind-related losses while excluding or limiting damage caused by flooding.
That creates the potential for disputes when multiple forces contribute to a loss.
For example, an insurer may contend that interior water damage occurred because floodwater entered the property. The property owner may have evidence that hurricane-force winds first damaged the roof or exterior, allowing rain to enter.
Determining the cause and sequence of damage can therefore become a critical part of the insurance claim. Photographs, videos, repair estimates, inspection reports, weather information, and evaluations from qualified professionals may all become important evidence.
The Hodge Law Firm focuses on hurricane damage insurance claims and other property insurance disputes, allowing our attorneys to evaluate both the physical damage and the insurance issues surrounding a claim.
Texas Law Provides Protections for Policyholders
Insurance companies have contractual obligations under their policies as well as legal obligations under Texas law.
Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542 establishes requirements concerning the handling and payment of insurance claims. Chapter 541 addresses certain unfair or deceptive insurance practices, including conduct involving claim investigations, policy representations, and settlement practices.
Whether these laws apply and what remedies may be available depend on the circumstances of an individual claim.
When we evaluate a Houston hurricane damage dispute, we look beyond the amount of the insurer’s estimate. We examine the policy, the insurer’s investigation, communications concerning the claim, estimates and reports, and the basis the company gave for denying or reducing payment.
If the evidence indicates that an insurer failed to properly investigate or pay a covered claim, we can determine what legal options may be available.
What Should You Do After Hurricane Damage in Houston?
The actions you take after a hurricane can have a significant impact on your insurance claim.
When it is safe to do so, document the condition of the property with photographs and video before damaged materials are removed. Take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage, but avoid permanently repairing or discarding important materials until they have been documented.
Keep copies of communications with the insurance company, estimates, invoices, receipts, inspection reports, and other records associated with the loss. Review your insurance policy and pay attention to notice requirements and other deadlines.
Most importantly, do not assume that the insurance company’s initial estimate accurately reflects everything covered by your policy. Contractors, engineers, and other professionals may identify damage or necessary repairs that were not included during the insurer’s inspection.
If there is a significant disagreement about coverage or the value of your claim, an attorney can review the dispute before you accept the insurer’s position.
How a Houston Hurricane Damage Attorney Can Help
Property insurance disputes can involve complicated policy language, competing estimates, questions about causation, and substantial amounts of money.
Our attorneys can investigate the loss, review the insurance policy and claim file, evaluate the insurer’s explanation for its decision, and work with appropriate professionals when additional evidence is necessary.
The Hodge Law Firm’s hurricane practice works with engineers, damage consultants, contractors, builders, and other professionals when appropriate to document property losses, including through tools such as moisture detection, thermal imaging, drones, and satellite imagery.
Depending on the circumstances, we may negotiate directly with the insurance company or pursue litigation when a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Our goal is to make sure the insurance company evaluates the claim based on the policy, the evidence, and the full extent of the covered loss.
Houston Hurricane Damage Claim FAQs
Can I challenge a hurricane insurance claim that was already denied?
Yes. A denied claim may be challenged when the insurer’s decision does not accurately reflect the policy or the facts surrounding the loss. An attorney can review the denial letter, policy, inspection findings, and other evidence to determine whether there are grounds to dispute the decision.
What if my insurance company already sent me a check?
Accepting an initial insurance payment does not necessarily mean additional benefits are unavailable. If previously overlooked damage is discovered or the insurer’s estimate does not account for the actual cost of covered repairs, you may have options for seeking additional payment.
Do I need an attorney immediately after a hurricane?
Not every property insurance claim requires an attorney. However, legal assistance can be valuable when a substantial claim has been denied, significantly underpaid, repeatedly delayed, or involves a dispute over what caused the damage.
Does The Hodge Law Firm represent both homeowners and businesses?
Yes. Our hurricane practice represents residential and commercial property owners dealing with hurricane-related insurance disputes.
Contact a Houston Hurricane Damage Lawyer
If your Houston home or business was damaged by a hurricane and your insurance company is refusing to fairly pay your claim, The Hodge Law Firm can help you understand your options.
Our attorneys represent policyholders in Houston and throughout the Texas Gulf Coast in denied, delayed, and underpaid property insurance claims. We understand how much can be at stake when insurance proceeds are needed to repair a home, reopen a business, or recover after a devastating storm.
Call The Hodge Law Firm at 409-762-5000 to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Houston hurricane damage lawyer.
