Hail damage claim McClenny Mosely attorneys Texas
December-05-2022

The Ultimate Guide to Texas Hail Damage Claims

Texas has the highest number of hail events registered annually, and the damages are enormous. In 2021, for instance, there were 688 major hail events in Texas, with one-inch or higher diameter hailstones. According to recent statistics, Texas also had the highest number of properties affected by hail, with over 1.5 million houses. Texas and Colorado account for more than a third (37%) of all the hail insurance claims in the country. Overall, the hail season leaves behind damages between $8 and $14 billion per year. If a hail storm ever hits your house, you need to know exactly what to do to recover total damages. Here are the most critical steps.

Document the Scene

A picture containing floor, wooden, indoor, measuring stick. Texas attorneys hail damage claims.

Once the storm dies down, and you can break cover safely, get outside and take pictures. If there are hailstones in the garden, take a few wide-angle shots to capture the scale of the devastation. Then, carefully pick up some larger stones and take individual photos. Place a ruler or an easily measurable object next to the stone to prove its size. Some homeowners wonder whether they should keep hailstones in the freezer to submit as proof, but that is unnecessary.

If it was a significant event, the Texas weather service would make a full report indicating the size of the hailstones that fell from the sky, and this should be enough for insurance purposes.

Check for Damage to the House

Start with the exterior walls and windows. Take pictures of the damage, such as dents or broken items. Your biggest worry, however, will be your roof. If it’s safe, you can climb up to the roof to take a few pictures, but you need an expert’s opinion. Even if you don’t see major damage to the roof, call a professional and let them have a look. Sometimes, minor damage can lead to a leak which can cause significant damage over time.

Notify the Insurance Company

You should notify your insurer as soon as possible. The company must send an inspector to the house to assess the damages, and this is where the first problem may appear. If the insurance guy’s opinion differs from that of the roofer, take it as a sign they’ll try to deny your claim or vastly reduce the value of your claim. For instance, the company inspector may find only ‘cosmetic damage’ to the shingles, and they won’t pay for that. Don’t be fooled by these insurance adjuster tricks and bad faith practices — get in touch with an experienced attorney ASAP. They’ll probably recommend contacting an independent adjuster to get a second opinion. Submit all the documentation required to the insurer and wait for their decision. They have 15 days to study your file and accept or deny your claim.

Texas Attorneys Hail Damage claims. Photo of unmelted hail in grass.

Don’t Take ‘No’ for an Answer!

If you disagree with their settlement offer or if they deny your claim outright, your lawyers will help you gather even more proof and file an appeal. The company is required by law to consider your appeal. Schedule a meeting with the insurance adjuster, and bring your insurance claims lawyer.

When threatened with a lawsuit, most insurance companies prefer to settle to avoid a public trial where their not-quite-legal practices may be exposed. Also, if they lose a trial, they’ll have to pay you interest on the money they owed you, your legal fees, and sometimes even punitive damages. 

The MMA Team is Here to Help

Don’t waste any time and talk to a skilled Texas hail damage claims lawyer. at MMA Law Firm, our experienced attorneys are well-versed in Texas hail damage claims. In addition, our team of homeowner’s insurance claim lawyers in Houston is on your side and is willing to fight for what you deserve! Call our office toll-free at (844) 662-7552