The Texas freeze of February 2021, also referred to as Winter Storm Uri, was devastating to Texas owners throughout the state. If you or your own home continues to be feeling the results of that pure catastrophe, it’s vital to know you possibly can nonetheless file a declare to be made entire. But it’s important that you just work shortly as a result of time is nearly up!
Here’s what you’ll want to find out about submitting a Texas freeze declare, and the way lengthy you must do it earlier than it’s too late.
How Long Do Texas Homeowners Have to File a Claim Following the February 2021 Freeze?
If your own home was broken within the Texas freeze, it’s not too late to file an insurance coverage declare — however your time is nearly up, so act shortly! Most insurance policies in Texas enable only one yr from the date of the climate occasion to make your declare. The Texas freeze occurred February 13-17, 2021, so you seemingly solely have someday left to file.
If 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 means you will have till February 13-Seventeenth, 2023 earlier than you lose the correct to pursue your insurer in courtroom.
3 Things to Remember When Filing a Texas Freeze Claim
Before you rush to file, it’s vital that you just collect all the knowledge you’ll want to make a legitimate declare. Here are a couple of key particulars to recollect earlier than submitting:
1. Take Photos of Everything
As a lot as potential, attempt to preserve photographs of the harm that occurred to your own home. These photographs present proof that your own home was broken because of the storm, and so they assist present precisely how a lot harm was induced. Without 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. Document Everything
When it involves insurance coverage claims, each piece of documentation issues. Try to speak together with your insurer and adjuster by means of e-mail or in writing as a lot as potential. Ask your adjuster to relay their findings through e-mail, even when they let you know what they discover whereas they’re at your own home in-person. Use an app to scan the receipts for any services or products you buy as a way to restore any damages. Just keep in mind, the extra documentation you will have, the higher likelihood you will have of getting the protection you deserve.
3. Know Your Rights
Insurers earn a living 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.
Especially in a large-scale catastrophe just like the Texas freeze, insurers are searching for a approach out. Know your rights, the right way to defend them, and who may help you do it correctly.
What Happens After You File a Texas Freeze Claim?
In Texas, insurers should pay out claims inside 5 enterprise days of approving them. However, there are a couple of steps they have to undergo earlier than approval, together with:
- Notice of declare — Your insurer has 15 enterprise days to acknowledge they’ve obtained your declare and request any related data.
- Make a call in your declare — Your insurer will get one other 15 days to decide in your declare.
- Pay out your declare — Once your insurer has accepted your declare, they’ve 5 enterprise days to make the ultimate cost to you.
Overall, this course of takes about 35 days from while you submit your declare to while you’re paid. If you’d wish to know extra about what goes into the submitting course of, try our current weblog, How Do Insurance Companies Pay Out Claims in Texas?
I’ve Filed a Homeowners Insurance Claim for Damage Caused by the 2021 Freeze, however My Insurance Company Has Denied or Underpaid My Claim. Now What?
If your insurer has denied or underpaid your declare, don’t rent a public insurance coverage adjuster (PA) to make or evaluation the declare in your behalf. In most instances, that will probably 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.
Instead, contact an skilled insurance coverage dispute decision lawyer as quickly as potential. Remember, you solely have two years for the reason that climate occasion occurred to pursue litigation! A talented lawyer will enable you to by means of the litigation course of, defend your case towards your insurer in courtroom, and get you the compensation you deserve.
Texas properties have undergone excessive climate circumstances up to now yr. Don’t let your insurer get away with out masking your declare. Instead, get in contact with The Lane Law Firm’s insurance coverage dispute attorneys. We’re right here that can assist you file a proper enchantment on your declare and maintain your insurer answerable for the declare you’re due.