Insurance Claim FAQ
Should you contact the insurance company first to file a claim?
Yes, when you have an insurance claim to file, whether it involves your car, business, medical treatments, or anything else, the first thing you should do is contact your insurance company. You should be able to assume that they will investigate the claim fairly and help you. If you have not even spoken to your insurer about your claim yet, then there is not much our legal team can do to help.
How do you know you should hire an insurance claim lawyer?
During any interaction with your insurance company, including conversations you have in email or traditional paper mail, keep an eye open for any suspicious language or policies. The moment your claim is denied or you suspect that it might be mishandled by the insurer is the same moment you should call (713) 589-7249 to talk with our Houston insurance claim attorneys.
What happens if an insurance company refuses to pay a claim?
If an insurance company will not pay a claim, then it needs to have a good reason to deny it, as allowed by the terms of the insurance policy. If no such reason exists, then the insurer is likely committing bad faith insurance, which will mean it is time to speak with our firm.
What happens if you do not agree with the insurance company’s judgment?
When you take issue with the insurance company’s coverage offer or reason for denial, you will usually have the chance to file an appeal. This process is not as simple as saying that you disagree and want a better outcome. Appeals are usually far more complex than initial insurance filings, so you should only proceed with a lawyer’s counsel.
Which insurance company pays for shared property pieces like a fence between yards?
Did your neighbor’s tree land on your fence and break it? In this case, either your homeowner’s insurance company or that of your neighbor should cover the damage. Ideally, you will file a claim with your insurer, it will arrange to cover the damages, and then it will contact your neighbor’s insurance provider to demand compensation. If neither insurance company wants to take responsibility and pay for the fence to be repaired, then it could be time to call an insurance bad faith lawyer.
My policy seems to cover only some water damage – why?
Be mindful about what type of water damage is covered in your homeowner’s insurance policy. Most policies have major exclusions that are hidden in the fine print. For example, most policies will cover damage caused by a burst pipe but not by naturally occurring flooding, or vice versa. Insurance companies are picky about what water damage they cover because it makes it easier for them to deny certain claims.
What is a public adjuster?
In Texas, Public Adjusters (PAs) are insurance claim specialists who only represent policyholders during disputes. While they have important knowledge of insurance claims and values, they usually do not have any legal background or training, so the assistance that they can offer you will be limited. When you work with an insurance claims attorney, you get the best of both legal and insurance knowledge.
