The Texas freeze of February 2021, also known as Winter Storm Uri, was devastating to Texas homeowners across the state but it isn't the only freeze Texas has experienced. If you or your home is still feeling the effects, it’s important to know how long you have to file a freeze claim and that you work quickly because your time may almost be up.
Find out the filing deadlines, what damages may be covered, and steps to take if your Texas freeze claim has been denied or underpaid.
How Long Do I Have to File My Texas Freeze Claim?
If your home was damaged in a freeze, depending on how long it's been since the freeze, you may need to act quickly. Most policies in Texas allow just one year from the date of the weather event to make your claim.
If you’ve already filed an insurance claim, but your insurer denied it or underpaid it, the statute of limitations to pursue litigation in Texas is 24 months or two years.
3 Things to Remember When Filing a Texas Freeze Claim
Before you rush to file, it’s important that you gather all the information you need to make a valid claim.
Key details to remember before filing:
- Take Photos of Everything. As much as possible, try to keep photos of the damage that occurred to your home. These photos provide proof that your home was damaged as a result of the storm, and they help show exactly how much damage was caused. Without them, your insurer may deny the validity or severity of your claim. So, the more photos, the better, especially if they’re timestamped.
- Document Everything. When it comes to insurance claims, every piece of documentation matters. Try to communicate with your insurer and adjuster through email or in writing as much as possible. Ask your adjuster to relay their findings via email, even if they tell you what they find while they’re at your home in-person. Use an app to scan the receipts for any products or services you purchase in order to repair any damages. Just remember, the more documentation you have, the better chance you have of getting the coverage you deserve.
- Know Your Rights. Insurers make money when they don’t pay claims. It’s profitable for them to underpay or outright deny your claim, and they’ll try to do so whenever possible. Don’t let them do that to you. Especially in a large-scale disaster like the Texas freeze, insurers are looking for a way out. Know your rights, how to defend them, and who can help you do it properly.
What Happens After You File a Texas Freeze Claim?
In Texas, insurers must pay out claims within five business days of approving them. However, there are a few steps they must go through before approval.
- Notice of claim. Your insurer has fifteen business days to acknowledge they’ve received your claim and request any relevant information.
- Make a decision on your claim. Your insurer gets another fifteen days to make a decision on your claim.
- Pay out your claim. Once your insurer has approved your claim, they have five business days to make the final payment to you.
Overall, this process can take about 35 days from when you submit your claim to when you’re paid. To dive deeper into these steps of the filing process, read How Do Insurance Companies Pay Out Claims in Texas?
What to Do If Your Freeze Claim Is Denied or Underpaid
If your insurer has denied or underpaid your claim, don’t hire a public insurance adjuster (PA) to make or review the claim on your behalf. In most cases, that will be a waste of your time and money, as they don’t have the ability to expedite a decision or improve your odds of approval.
Instead, contact an experienced insurance dispute resolution attorney as soon as possible. A skilled attorney will help you through the litigation process, defend your case against your insurer in court, and get you the compensation you deserve.
Texas homes have undergone extreme weather conditions in the past years. Don’t let your insurer get away without covering your claim. Instead, get in touch with The Lane Law Firm’s insurance dispute attorneys. We’re here to help you file a formal appeal for your claim and hold your insurer responsible for the claim you’re due.
