Don’t Let Water Damage Sink Your Claim

When water invades your home or business, it can leave behind a trail of destruction that’s both emotionally devastating and financially crippling. As you survey the damage to your cherished possessions or vital business assets, the last thing you need is an insurance company that drags its feet or denies your rightful claim.

At The Hodge Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the stress and uncertainty you’re facing. From our location in Galveston, Texas, we’ve helped countless clients nationwide navigate the choppy waters of property damage insurance claims. With over 150 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys are ready to fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve.

We Help You Overcome Mold Exclusions

Many insurance companies have started inserting “mold exclusions” into insurance policies. These exclusions are regularly written and applied in very misleading ways by the insurance company and their adjusters. While most insurance policies do not cover mold/fungus as a covered cause of loss most policies generally do provide coverage if your property was first impacted by a covered cause of loss such as a burst pipe, wind/hailstorm or roof leak. Any part of your house that has become wet because of a covered cause of loss needs to be properly documented and thoroughly and completely dried out, including removing all wet materials such as drywall, insulation, carpeting, floors and baseboards. Don’t fall for the misrepresentations and excuses from the insurance company that your policy doesn’t provide coverage for wet items because you have a “mold exclusion” under your policy. The Hodge Law Firm has a highly qualified team that documents the damages to effectively prove your claim.

From Drips To Disasters: How We Handle Your Claim

We work closely with our clients to build strong cases against insurance companies that attempt to minimize or deny water damage claims. Our attorneys are experienced in handling many different water-related incidents, including:

• Burst pipes
• Toilet backups
• Sewer damage
• Storm-related flooding
• Roof leaks
• Appliance malfunctions

Whether you’re a homeowner experiencing a flooded basement or a business owner facing extensive damage to your inventory, we’re here to help you pursue a positive outcome.

When Insurers Try To Leave You High And Dry

Insurance providers often employ various strategies to avoid paying out on water damage claims. Some of these tactics include:

• Arguing that the damage was preexisting
• Claiming that the policyholder failed to mitigate further damage
• Disputing the extent of the damage
• Offering lowball settlements
• Delaying the claims process unnecessarily

Our attorneys are familiar with these strategies and work diligently to counter them, ensuring that your claim receives fair consideration.

Why You Need An Attorney For Your Water Damage Claim

Dealing with water damage is stressful enough without having to battle your insurance company. Here’s why working with our firm can make a significant difference:

1. We level the playing field: Insurance companies have teams of lawyers on their side. We ensure you have an equally strong representation.
2. We understand policy language: Our attorneys can interpret complex insurance policies to identify all available coverage.
3. We gather compelling evidence: We employ skilled investigative resources and techniques to build a strong case.
4. We negotiate effectively: Our experience allows us to anticipate obstacles and negotiate from a position of strength.
5. We’re prepared for litigation: If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we’re ready to take your case to court.

With these advantages, we strive to maximize your chances of a positive outcome and help you recover from your water damage loss more quickly and completely.

Common Questions About Water Damage Insurance Claims

Water damage insurance claims are not to be taken lightly. Our answers to the commonly asked questions can help.

What should I do if my property sustains water damage?

Immediately document everything and take steps to mitigate further damage. Keep all receipts for emergency repairs. Take pictures and video to visually-document all the affected areas.  Save damaged items for inspection and make temporary repairs to prevent additional damage. You should also create a detailed inventory of damaged property.  Most importantly, promptly notify your insurance company, in writing, of the damage.

Can I sue for water damage?

You can pursue legal action for water damage in several scenarios. This includes cases where your insurance company wrongfully denies your claim, delays payment or offers an inadequate settlement. You may also have grounds to sue responsible parties such as negligent contractors, property managers or neighboring property owners whose actions caused the damage.

How can my insurance company try to deny a water damage claim?

Insurance companies commonly deny water damage claims, citing:

• Pre-existing damage or lack of maintenance
• Late reporting or inadequate documentation
• Policy exclusions for certain types of water damage
• Failure to mitigate further damage

How long after water damages my property can I file an insurance claim?

While you should report damage immediately, specific deadlines vary by state and policy. Many policies require notification “promptly” or “as soon as practical.” However, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit against your insurance company is generally two years from the date your claim was denied or from when the damage occurred.

What can I do if my insurance denies my water damage claim?

If your claim is denied, you have several options:

• Request a detailed explanation of the denial in writing
• File a formal appeal with supporting documentation
• File a complaint with the Department of Insurance
• Consider legal action for bad faith insurance practices

If an insurance company fails to act fairly and in good faith, you may have grounds to hold them accountable.

Fight For Your Damage Claim – Call Today

Don’t let water damage derail your life or business. If you’re struggling with a water damage insurance claim, we’re here to help. Contact The Hodge Law Firm, PLLC, today for a free consultation. Call us at 409-241-7246 or visit our online contact page to schedule your consultation.