Texas Insurance Claims Lawyer | Top-Rated Insurance Law Firm
Having insurance can provide a variety of uses based on the type of policy and the needs of the policyholder in Texas. After experiencing a car accident or property damage that wasn’t the responsibility of the policyholder, they are generally eligible to file a claim with their insurance provider to obtain compensation—dependent on coverage requirements and additional conditions detailed in their policy.
Filing claims for damages caused by environmental disasters, property damage, or other insured events is a standard procedure in Texas. Catastrophic events can bring about great financial burdens, as well as emotional or physical hardship, without the help of insurance. However, receiving compensation from an insurance company can sometimes be difficult.
In Texas, insurance companies—including home, vehicle, health, and property coverage—could potentially underestimate, undercompensate, decline, or mishandle insurance claims. During difficult times, these are the last complications individuals and business owners would want to face.
At LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC, our Texas-based insurance claims lawyers are dedicated to aiding policyholders in resolving conflicts with their insurers. Whether the issue is from a natural disaster, a car accident claim, a health insurance claim, or property damage, we are here to help. Consulting a knowledgeable attorney offers guidance. Know your legal rights and learn about strategies to maximize your insurance claim settlement.
Types of Insurance Disputes in Texas
In Texas, LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC provides legal assistance to policyholders in their pursuit of fairness and accurate compensation when dealing with insurance companies. Residents of Texas and business owners here can find a wide range of insurance products available that require filing a claim after an accident. This process can be difficult for some people, confusing, stressful, and even intimidating. Unfortunately, to make matters even worse, these claims can be even more difficult when the adjusters and representatives of the insurance companies refuse to provide fair compensation.
Although insurance companies profess to be family to their policyholders, many people in the Lone Star State can relate to similar stories of having to face the disappointment of having a claim denied or underpaid. Whether it is an auto accident, a property damage claim, difficulty obtaining private health or life insurance benefits, or other costly circumstances, policyholders must remain vigilant in holding insurers accountable for proper and equitable compensation. Attorneys of LeMaster & Ahmed, PLLC are experienced in addressing the different types of insurance disputes in Texas. If you are having issues with your claim contact our insurance law firm to learn more about your rights and the legal options available to you and your family under Texas law.
Common Types of Insurance Disputes in Texas include:
- Car insurance claims involving an injury
- Residential property insurance claims
- Business interruption claims
- Commercial property insurance claims
- Condominium association insurance
- Life insurance claims
- Long-term care insurance claims
Reasons for Insurance Claim Denials in Texas
Insurers in Texas may reference a range of reasons for their decision to deny or undervalue claims. For those legally pursuing compensation for damages, this can be a difficult issue to face. When policyholders in Texas receive an unexpected denial or low offer, they may question whether they are being unreasonable or have overestimated the value of their claim. Additionally, insurance companies may make a determination that the policyholder is liable for covering their damages.
Understanding the common reasons insurance companies deny or undervalue the requests of policyholders in Texas can help claimants prepare ahead of time.
Reasons insurance companies give when denying or undervaluing a claim in Texas include:
- Adjusters find that no covered loss occurred
- Adjusters determined the damages to be ineligible for coverage
- The losses are excluded from your policy
- Damages are below the policy’s deductible amount
- Damages are below what the insured claimed
Once you receive an unexpected denial or low payout offer, policyholders may often ask themselves questions such as:
- Am I being unreasonable with my request?
- Did I overestimate how much my insurance claim is worth?
- Is there any reason why I might be considered liable for covering my damages?
How Insurance Claim Mismanagement Can Happen in Texas
Unfortunately for Texas policyholders, not every issue that they find themselves facing with their insurance company is a denial or undervalued claim. Mismanagement of claims and unnecessary complications in the claims process are also major issues that may be experienced by customers.
Insurance companies are supposed to provide fair judgments and act in good faith when responding to claims filed by their policyholders. However, as companies that have a financial stake in preserving their cash reserves, sometimes insurance providers may not act in good faith. Texas law requires insurance companies to act in good faith when responding to claims filed by their policyholders. When they do not, it is called bad faith. The Texas Department of Insurance assists policyholders or other insured parties in disputes concerning alleged bad faith practices by their insurance company.
Examples of Insurance Issues That Might Lead to a Dispute in Texas Include:
- Mishandling information related to the claim in Texas
- Misinterpreting the circumstances (including any losses) that led the insured to file the claim in Texas
- Overlooking types of coverage offered in the insurance policy in Texas (leading to a denied or undervalued claim)
- Excessively drawing out the claims process
- Lack of effective communication with the policyholder
- Denying a claim without providing a reasonable explanation
- Failing to pay medical providers or other specialists after the policyholder has paid their premiums and hit their deductible
If you’re concerned that your insurance claim in Texas has been mishandled, or that your insurer is attempting to reduce the amount of money you’re owed, you may have several options to dispute and resolve the issue. Speak to a Texas Insurance Lawyer today and learn about your legal options in an insurance claim lawsuit.
What to do if You’re Experiencing Insurance Claim Issues
In some cases, insurance companies will only investigate a claim if the policyholder steps up to take legal action against them for mismanagement. Taking this critical step is often difficult for many policyholders, as insurance claims often involve technical and legal concepts that can be difficult to navigate and dispute on their own. This gives the insurance companies an advantage, as they can use the complexity of the claims process to confuse or manipulate policyholders attempting to dispute a settlement.
If you’re having problems with an insurance claim in Texas, one step you can take to try and resolve the issue is filing a complaint with the Texas agency that oversees insurance companies. This can put your dissatisfaction with the company—and their handling of your claim—on record. However, this may not guarantee that the issue will be resolved, and the agency could end up siding with your insurance company.
The best option for resolving your claim dispute is to consult with an experienced insurance claims lawyer in Texas. An experienced legal team will provide a general overview of your legal options and explain the possible outcomes of a dispute. Taking this step increases the chances that your insurance claim dispute will be resolved in your favor.