Hurricane Harvey Insurance Claim in Port Aransas

The swath of destruction left by Hurricane Harvey has left thousands in the Texas Coastal Bend communities devastated. Prior to Hurricane Irma, Harvey was the worst storm to make landfall on the United States since 2005. Even several weeks later, residents are still uncovering the extent of the destruction to private homes and businesses. The Port Aransas community was hit especially hard due to its proximity to the point where Harvey made landfall.

A recent article in the Houston Chronicle indicated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is on track to pay $11 billion in Hurricane Harvey insurance claims in Port Aransas and the other affected communities through existing insurance policies. This, however, is only a fraction of the damage that actually exists, and a major problem is that they don’t have enough cash on hand to cover these damages. Add to that the additional damage left from Hurricane Irma, and the problem is even worse. While FEMA will eventually have to approach Congress for additional funding, it could be weeks or months for additional monies to be designated.

Given the widespread Hurricane Harvey insurance claims in Port Aransas and those of the most recent victims of Hurricane Irma in the Southeast United States, insurance companies will be working on settling property claims in Port Aransas for months to come. The influx of reports has many insurance companies scrambling to adjust their resources in an effort to meet demand.

The Port Aransas hurricane insurance claims lawyers of Carabin Shaw are here to offer assistance to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. We also want to pass along some important issues to consider as you pursue your property claim.

For the most part, insurance companies handle Port Aransas hurricane claims on a first come, first served basis. You may have had trouble contacting your insurance company to report your claim, given this high demand. Check to see if your insurance company has established a special hotline for Hurricane Harvey victims; some insurance companies have also sent catastrophe teams to set up remote claims offices in some of the harder hit communities.

Become familiar with the specific types of insurance you have on your home policy. In addition to your standard policy, you may have additional coverage via other channels. If you are uncertain or have trouble understanding your insurance policy, you may want to contact an attorney who can help.

Some homeowners filing Hurricane Harvey insurance claims in Port Aransas don’t bother contacting their insurance company because they assume they don’t have the coverage necessary to pay for their damages. The Insurance Law Center encourages homeowners not to make that assumption, as there are many options and workarounds that may exist, and there are various clauses in your policy that may afford you coverage. The best course of action is to report your claim and speak with an attorney for help.

If you’re in Port Aransas and find yourself at an impasse with your insurance company, you might consider reporting your experience to the Texas Department of Insurance. They have a number of resources that can help you with your insurance company. You can, of course, also give us a call.

Dealing with an insurance company is never an easy endeavor. Understanding your policy, trying to get someone to respond, and meeting all of the requirements they place on you can be overwhelming. When you’ve reached a difficult crossroads with your insurance company and aren’t sure what to do. The attorneys of Carabin Shaw are here for you.

We’ll meet with you for a free initial consultation to discuss your claim. One of our lawyers will let you know just what to expect, and then get to work to protect your rights as a homeowner, so you can leave the heavy lifting to us.

To schedule a free visit with one of our lawyers in Port Aransas, give us a call today at 361.717.4411 or toll-free at 800-862-1260.