Houston Personal Injury Lawyers offer Help with Hurricane Ike Claims
After an event as devastating as Hurricane Ike, many homeowners are so overwhelmed that they simply cannot fathom how they are going to get their lives back in order. Fortunately, Houston personal injury lawyers are experienced in dealing with Hurricane Ike claims and should be able to help their clients navigate through the process. Your attorney should advise you to contact your insurance company as soon as possible, both over the telephone and in writing. However, some Hurricane Ike insurance claims may take a few additional steps in order to reach a smooth settlement.
The official Texas Insurance Code for insurance companies states that there is a 15 day limit on how long your insurance company can begin to investigate your claim after notification. In the event of a natural disaster, such as Hurricane Ike, the provider may take up to 30 days if granted leniency by the state insurance commissioner—which was granted after Hurricane Ike. Some homeowners have found that their insurance provider has taken advantage of this leniency and has gone over the allotted 30 days for claims investigation. If this has happened to you, it may be time to consider a consultation with Houston personal injury lawyers. There may even be penalties and attorney fees reimbursement available in some circumstances.
While there are strict deadlines for when an insurance company has to begin investigating Hurricane Ike claims, there is no limit on how long the investigation process can last. Homeowners may get anxious to settle their claim and receive compensation; but the reality is that there may be a relatively long period of time before they actually see money from their insurance settlement.
Some steps that may help you and your attorney more quickly settle your Hurricane Ike insurance claims include:
- Record damage to your property with photographs or videos. This record should include not only structural damage, but any items that had to be discarded due to spoilage or destruction. It is difficult to recover compensation for items if you do not have a record that they existed.
- Keep receipts for expenses related to Hurricane Ike. Your personal injury attorney should tell you to keep orderly records of alternative living expenses and any money spent on temporary repairs.
- Be present when the insurance adjuster comes to your home. Sometimes the presence of the homeowner can make a big difference, and may also provide the best chance of a favorable initial estimate.
- Use independent contractors to evaluate damage and provide free estimates on repair costs. Independent contractors can help give homeowners an understanding of how much it will cost to have the repairs completed. They may also provide the chance to see if the adjuster’s estimates are fair; significant differences between the contractors’ and the adjuster’s estimates may be a cause for concern. Your attorney may ask that the estimates provided by the contractors be taken as the actual amount necessary for the repairs to be completed.
If you do get an initial offer for your Hurricane Ike insurance claim, but you are not satisfied with it, do not agree to it! You do have options, and reopening an already closed claim can be very difficult. Do not be intimidated by the tactics of your insurance company—call Houston personal injury attorneys, such as the experienced lawyers at Walker & Crawford, and let us help you obtain the settlement you need to rebuild your life after your Hurricane Ike claim.
Additional Resources
Legal Assistance for Hurricane Ike Claims
Business Owners with Hurricane Ike Insurance Claims
EVALUATION
WALKER & CRAWFORD, PC
Houston Personal Injury Lawyers
1924 Portsmouth | Houston, TX 77098
Phone: 713-552-1117 | Fax: 713-552-0956
E-mail: Info@walkertexaslawyer.com
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