Raizner Slania has filed a wind and hail damage lawsuit on behalf of a local funeral home against Ohio Security Insurance Company after its commercial property hail damage claim was wrongfully denied under Texas law.
April 2014 Tarrant and Dallas County Wind and Hail Storm
On April 4, 2014, a wind and hail storm swept through Tarrant County and Dallas County and caused severe damage to the roof, HVAC, exterior, and interior of the property. Immediately upon discovering the damage, the plaintiff filed an insurance claim with Ohio Security Insurance and asked that the cost of repairs be covered pursuant to the policy.
In response to the claim, Ohio Security Insurance assigned adjusters, consultants, and agents to the plaintiff’s file that were inadequately trained to handle this type of claim. Specifically, the claim was assigned to an adjuster who failed to perform a thorough investigation of the claim. The adjuster performed a substandard inspection of the property and did not prepare any estimates or scopes of damages for the properties and/or failed to provide those items to the plaintiff.
The adjuster failed to hire qualified experts to assess the damage and continually delayed the claims process. Ohio Security Insurance relied solely on the adjuster’s inadequate, incomplete, and unreasonable investigation to determine what amounts, if any, to pay on the claim. As a result, the plaintiff’s claim was grossly underpaid and the plaintiff has been unable to make the necessary repairs to the property. This has caused additional damage to the exterior and interior of the property.
Ohio Security Insurance Acted In Bad Faith
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 the failure to provide a reasonable explanation for the denial of a claim. Additionally, Ohio Security Insurance misrepresented the insurance policies under which it affords property coverage to plaintiff.
Misrepresentations of Policies
Many insurance companies purposefully misrepresent policies during claims investigations to avoid costly payouts. For policyholders who regularly pay their premiums, this isn’t just dishonest – it’s illegal. If your insurance carrier delayed, denied, or undervalued your claim, the experienced bad faith insurance lawyer at Raizner Slania can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
