The Texas freeze of February 2021, also referred to as Winter Storm Uri, was devastating to Texas householders throughout the state. In the event you or your private home remains to be feeling the consequences of that pure catastrophe, it’s necessary to know you’ll be able to nonetheless file a declare to be made entire. Nevertheless it’s vital that you just work rapidly as a result of time is sort of up!
Right here’s what you want to learn about submitting a Texas freeze declare, and the way lengthy you must do it earlier than it’s too late.
How Lengthy Do Texas Householders Need to File a Declare Following the February 2021 Freeze?
If your private home was broken within the Texas freeze, it’s not too late to file an insurance coverage declare — however your time is sort of up, so act rapidly! Most insurance policies in Texas permit only one 12 months from the date of the climate occasion to make your declare. The Texas freeze occurred February 13-17, 2021, so you probably solely have in the future left to file.
In the event you’ve already filed an insurance coverage declare, however your insurer denied it or underpaid it, the statute of limitations to pursue litigation in Texas is 24 months or two years. This implies you could have till February 13-Seventeenth, 2023 earlier than you lose the appropriate to pursue your insurer in court docket.
3 Issues to Keep in mind When Submitting a Texas Freeze Declare
Earlier than you rush to file, it’s necessary that you just collect all the data you want to make a sound declare. Listed below are a couple of key particulars to recollect earlier than submitting:
1. Take Photographs of Every thing
As a lot as potential, attempt to preserve photographs of the injury that occurred to your private home. These photographs present proof that your private home was broken on account of the storm, and so they assist present precisely how a lot injury was precipitated. With out them, your insurer might deny the validity or severity of your declare. So the extra photographs, the higher — and higher but in the event that they’re timestamped!
2. Doc Every thing
In terms of insurance coverage claims, each piece of documentation issues. Attempt to talk together with your insurer and adjuster via e mail or in writing as a lot as potential. Ask your adjuster to relay their findings by way of e mail, even when they let you know what they discover whereas they’re at your private home in-person. Use an app to scan the receipts for any services or products you buy to be able to restore any damages. Simply keep in mind, the extra documentation you could have, the higher probability you could have of getting the protection you deserve.
3. Know Your Rights
Insurers make cash once they don’t pay claims. It’s worthwhile for them to underpay or outright deny your declare, and so they’ll attempt to take action each time potential. Don’t allow them to try this to you.
Particularly in a large-scale catastrophe just like the Texas freeze, insurers are in search of a approach out. Know your rights, the right way to defend them, and who may also help you do it correctly.
What Occurs After You File a Texas Freeze Declare?
In Texas, insurers should pay out claims inside 5 enterprise days of approving them. Nevertheless, there are a couple of steps they need to undergo earlier than approval, together with:
- Discover of declare — Your insurer has 15 enterprise days to acknowledge they’ve obtained your declare and request any related info.
- Decide in your declare — Your insurer will get one other 15 days to decide in your declare.
- Pay out your declare — As soon as your insurer has permitted your declare, they’ve 5 enterprise days to make the ultimate fee to you.
Total, this course of takes about 35 days from once you submit your declare to once you’re paid. In the event you’d wish to know extra about what goes into the submitting course of, take a look at our current weblog, How Do Insurance coverage Firms Pay Out Claims in Texas?
I’ve Filed a Householders Insurance coverage Declare for Harm Attributable to the 2021 Freeze, however My Insurance coverage Firm Has Denied or Underpaid My Declare. Now What?
In case your insurer has denied or underpaid your declare, don’t rent a public insurance coverage adjuster (PA) to make or overview the declare in your behalf. Typically, that can be a waste of your money and time, as they don’t have the flexibility to expedite a call or enhance your odds of approval.
As an alternative, contact an skilled insurance coverage dispute decision lawyer as quickly as potential. Keep in mind, you solely have two years for the reason that climate occasion occurred to pursue litigation! A talented lawyer will make it easier to via the litigation course of, defend your case towards your insurer in court docket, and get you the compensation you deserve.
Texas properties have undergone excessive climate situations prior to now 12 months. Don’t let your insurer get away with out protecting your declare. As an alternative, get in contact with The Lane Legislation Agency’s insurance coverage dispute attorneys. We’re right here that will help you file a proper attraction in your declare and maintain your insurer liable for the declare you’re due.
