Raizner Slania has filed a hail damage insurance lawsuit on behalf of a Dallas County condominium owners association against Peleus Insurance Company, Strata Claims Management LLC, and Engle Martin & Associates, Inc.
March 2016 Wind and Hail Storm
On March 23, 2016, a wind and hail storm swept through Dallas County causing substantial damage to the roofs, HVAC, exteriors, and interiors of the condominiums. Immediately upon discovering the damage, the plaintiff filed an insurance claim under its policy with Peleus for damages caused by the storm. The plaintiff asked that the cost of repairs be covered pursuant to the policy.
In response to the claim, Peleus assigned adjusters, consultants, and agents to the plaintiff’s file that were inadequate and improperly trained. More specifically, Peleus assigned Strata to adjust the claim and Strata assigned the claim to a claims manager. Peleus also assigned the plaintiff’s claim to Engle Martin, who in turn assigned it to an employee to adjust the damage.
Strata and Engle Martin failed to perform a thorough investigation of the claim. Strata, Engle Martin, and their representatives failed to prepare any estimates or scopes of damages to the property for the plaintiff. They also grossly undervalued the damages they did accept. Strata, Engle Martin, and their representatives made false representations to the plaintiff, including illegitimately representing that the entirety of damages occurred prior to the policy period and improperly ignoring facts confirming and supporting the hail and wind event and in turn extent of damages.
Peleus had ultimate decision-making authority over the claim. Peleus falsely denied the claim, failed to conform to proper claim settlement practices in Texas, failed to properly supervise its designated representatives, and unreasonably denied and delayed full and fair claim payment.
Our client was forced to hire its own consultant to adjust the damages because Peleus refused to do so. The plaintiff’s own consultant has identified substantial damage far beyond what Peleus acknowledged.
The Carriers Violated the Texas Insurance Code
Our client alleges numerous violations of the Texas Insurance Code, including the failure to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of a claim and misrepresentation of the insurance policies under which it affords property coverage to the plaintiff.
Dallas County Hail Damage Attorneys
Many insurance companies purposefully misrepresent policies during claims investigations to avoid costly payouts. If your insurance carrier delayed, denied, or undervalued your claim, the experienced Dallas County hail damage attorneys at Raizner Slania can help. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
