Goliad Wind Damage Insurance Claims

When Hurricane Harvey made landfall along the Texas coast just as summer was winding down, it was the worst storm to hit the United States in twelve years and left thousands of residents and businesses devastated. Some experienced only minor wind damages, while others experienced a total loss of their property. Though just on the edge of the Texas Coastal Bend community, residents of Goliad were nonetheless impacted by the powerful winds of Hurricane Harvey.

Like many other coastal communities, Goliad was without power for an extended period, but the majority of the damage was structural. The challenge for most people after the hurricane is that they are among the thousands flooding insurance companies with homeowner and business claims.

With the widespread impact of Hurricane Harvey and, more recently, Hurricane Irma, insurance companies are taking in a record number of Goliad wind damage insurance claims. Many have deployed catastrophe teams and established dedicated hotlines in an effort to adequately meet the needs of policyholders.

Unfortunately, many residents and business owners are falling through the cracks. They are living in damaged homes, unsure how to proceed, and waiting for a response from their insurance company.

If you’re still waiting to hear back from your insurance company, the Goliad wind damage claims lawyers of Carabin Shaw are here to help you. We will get to work and make sure your insurance company delivers the service you expect for the premiums to pay. In the meantime, we do have a few actions items you can take.

• When you make your initial call to your insurance company, be sure to take detailed notes of your conversation, including names, dates, and any commitments they make to you. This is a good practice to keep for every conversation you have with your insurance company and their representatives. There are laws in place to ensure their prompt response to and handling of your claim. Having a journal of your conversations can be of great assistance should you run into any problems.
• If your home has experienced any damage which by its own nature could lead to additional damage, you will want to make any necessary temporary repairs to keep that from happening. Your policy likely contains a clause expecting you to mitigate your damages. Doing your part to secure your home is a major part of this expectation.
• In the wake of storms such as those seen in recent weeks, it’s not unusual to see an increase in fraudulent activity targeting homeowners making Goliad wind damage insurance claims. Individuals posing as contractors may try to take advantage of the tragic situation that many are in. These individuals most often initiate contact with the homeowner in person, make claims of being able to do the work more quickly and for a lower price than others. They may even ask for payment up front.
• A legitimate repair contractor will not initiate contact to solicit business this way, nor will they ask for payment in full up front. They may require a down payment, but typically not ask for final payment until the work is complete. If you suspect or witness potentially fraudulent activity, report it to your local police.

If you’re among the many filing Goliad wind damage insurance claims, you can do everything right and meet every request your insurance company makes, but still find yourself at odds with them. When this happens, call our offices. Our lawyers are ready to go to work for you.

If your home in Goliad was affected by Hurricane Harvey and you reach an impasse with your insurance company, the attorneys at Carabin Shaw have the resources and experience to help. We are already hard at work protecting the rights of homeowners throughout the area. Call us and find out how our lawyers can do the same for you.

All initial consultations with our attorney are free of charge. We will assess your Goliad hurricane claim and design a strategy that will work on your behalf.

To schedule a free visit with one of our lawyers in Goliad, give us a call today at 800-862-1260.