Tag: Hail Damage

Hailstorm Devastates DFW Area

Posted by Amy Hargis on June 11, 2018

For most people, last Wednesday, June 6^th was pretty unremarkable. Unfortunately for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the early morning was marked by a catastrophic hailstorm. Many places in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and North Texas suffered hail damage, including the cities of Coppell, Carrollton, Arlington, Irving, Frisco, and Farmers Branch.

The storm caused widespread damage and turned severe just after midnight. At 12:30 a.m., the National Weather Service released warnings for portions of Denton and Collin Counties. The storm continued to move southwest, moving through the Dallas-Fort Worth area dumping large chunks of hail along the way. Early Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service recorded wind gusts at DFW airport at 59 miles per hour.

The reports of hail size varied from 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter in places like southeast Arlington to softball-sized hail in parts of Coppell and Carrollton. For property owners, even small pieces of hail can cause serious damage. Hail can damage roofs, creating openings for rainfall that damage interiors. Hail can also damage other building components like HVAC systems, which can require costly repairs.

Filing A Commercial Property Hail Damage Claim

While most commercial property owners have insurance policies to protect against hail damage, it’s important to understand how insurance companies might try to minimize paying out on claims. Storms like the one that caused widespread damage in the DFW area cost insurance companies millions. To avoid paying out, insurance companies might use a variety of bad faith tactics. Oftentimes insurance companies will claim the damage to a property is just regular wear and tear or due to inadequate maintenance. Other times insurance companies will misrepresent the terms of their policies, claiming certain hail damage isn’t covered when in fact it is. For commercial property owners, talking to an experienced bad faith insurance lawyer can help make sure you get what you are rightfully entitled to under your policy.

Commercial Property Hail Damage Lawyers

When policyholders regularly pay their insurance premiums, they deserve full coverage under their policies. At Raizner Slania LLP, we have extensive experience taking on large insurance companies and obtaining successful outcomes for our clients. Call one of our commercial property hail damage lawyers today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Waxahachie Hotel Owner Files Hail Damage Insurance Lawsuit

Posted by Andrew Slania on May 23, 2018

Raizner Slania LLP has filed a hail damage insurance lawsuit on behalf of a Waxahachie hotel owner against AmGUARD Insurance Company after its insurance claim was wrongfully denied.

February 2017 Hailstorms

The plaintiff filed a hail damage insurance claim with AmGUARD after discovering extensive hail damage due to Texas hailstorms in February 2017. Portions of the property’s roof were damaged, causing storm created openings that further damaged the interiors of the property. Additionally, the HVAC systems, windows, and other portions of the property were severely damaged.

In response to the claim, AmGUARD assigned an internal adjuster who inspected the property and prepared an estimate documenting $144,073.53 in covered damages. However, several weeks later the plaintiff was notified the adjuster was being removed from the claim, and the claim would now be handled by an adjuster from Engle Martin & Associates, a preferred vendor of AmGUARD.

In an effort to assist AmGUARD with the claims process and to mitigate any further damages to the property, the plaintiff engaged its own contractor to assist with estimating some of the repair costs. AmGUARD’s claims-handling process omitted a wealth of facts, physical evidence, obvious damages, and meteorological data supporting the plaintiff’s claim. AmGUARD unreasonably determined the damage was insufficient to warrant a payment to the plaintiff. AmGUARD and its preferred vendor, Engle Martin & Associates, ignored obvious evidence.

Although AmGUARD has provided no clear documentation of its findings, to date no payments have been made to the plaintiff for the extensive damage to the Waxahachie hotel. To this day, AmGUARD has refused to pay for any damages covered under the insurance policy.

AmGUARD Violated The Texas Insurance Code

Our client cites numerous violations of the Texas Insurance Code, including a failure to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of a claim, failure to promptly provide a reasonable explanation for the denial of a claim, and misrepresentation of the insurance policy under which it afford coverage to the plaintiff.

Waxahachie Bad Faith Insurance Lawyers

At Raizner Slania LLP, we have extensive experience taking on large insurance companies and obtaining successful outcomes for our clients. If your insurance company has delayed, underpaid, or denied your claim, call the Waxahachie bad faith insurance lawyers at Raizner Slania LLP today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Dallas County Apartment Owner Files Hail Damage Insurance Lawsuit

Posted by Amy Hargis on November 27, 2017

Raizner Slania has filed a hail damage insurance lawsuit on behalf of a Dallas County apartment owner against Peleus Insurance Company, Strata Claims Management, LLC, and Engle Martin & Associates, Inc. after its insurance claim was wrongfully denied.

March 2016 Hailstorm

On March 17, 2016, a wind and hailstorm swept through north Texas, causing substantial damage to the roofs, HVAC, exteriors, and interiors of the apartment complex property. Upon discovering the damage, the plaintiff filed an insurance claim with Peleus. In response to the claim, Peleus assigned adjusters, consultants, and agents to the plaintiff’s file that were inadequately and improperly trained.

Specifically, Peleus assigned the claim to both Strata and Engle Martin. In turn, both Strata and Engle Martin assigned the claim to claims representatives. Peleus, Strata, Engle Martin, and their representatives failed to perform a thorough investigation of the claim.

The representatives performed a haphazard inspection of the property and its damages and grossly undervalued what damages they did accept. Additionally, Peleus, Strata, Engle Martin, and their representatives made false representations to the plaintiff, including illegitimately claiming the damage occurred prior to the policy period and improperly ignoring facts confirming the wind and hail storm.

Strata and its representative also misrepresented the extent of damages confirmed at the property, falsely used excuses such as roof deficiencies and improper installation, and made misrepresentations about available weather data, including blatant misuse of predictive modeling supposedly being relied on to deny and delay the claim.

Strata and its representative then wrongfully claimed the roofs did not need to be replaced and instead blamed the clear damages on installation failures and the age of the roof systems. These are deceptive, unfair, and unreasonable claim actions, as Peleus and Strata’s own underwriting data confirms the good and insurable condition of the buildings.

As a result of the haphazard inspections and investigation, Peleus wrongfully denied the plaintiff’s hail damage insurance claim. Peleus failed to perform a thorough investigation of the claim and the plaintiff has been unable to make the necessary repairs, causing additional property damage.

Peleus Wrongfully Denied The Claim

Our client cites numerous violations of the Texas Insurance Code, including failure to adopt and implement reasonable standards for prompt investigation of claims, refusal to pay a claim without conducting a reasonable investigation, and misrepresentation of the insurance policy under which it affords property coverage to the plaintiff.

Hail Damage Insurance Lawsuits

If you regularly pay your insurance premiums, you deserve full policy protection. Oftentimes when apartment owners try to receive compensation from a claim, they discover their insurance company is less than honest. If your apartment complex suffered wind or hail damage and the insurance company isn’t being straight with you, contact the hail damage insurance lawyers at Raizner Slania LLP. We’ve helped hundreds of property owners get full compensation under their policies.

Bexar County Church Files Bad Faith Insurance Lawsuit

Posted by Andrew Slania on November 20, 2017

Our client, a local Texas church, has filed a lawsuit against Church Mutual Insurance Company after its wind and hail damage claim was wrongfully denied under Texas law.

April 2016 Storm

On April 25, 2016, a wind and hail storm swept through Bexar County and caused significant damage to the roof, exterior, and interior of the church’s property. Immediately upon discovering the damage, the plaintiff filed an insurance claim with Church Mutual and asked that the cost of repairs be covered pursuant to the policy.

In response to the claim, Church Mutual assigned representatives, adjusters, consultants, and agents to the plaintiff’s file that were inadequate and improperly trained. Specifically, Church Mutual assigned the claim to an internal representative, as the local claims representative charged with assessing damages under the policy.

The internal representative failed to perform a thorough investigation of the claim and performed a haphazard inspection of the property. The internal representative failed to acknowledge clear and visible damages to the church and its school’s roof system. The internal representative only estimated damages for the metal components of the roof and to comb out the air conditioning fins. The representative refused to concede the roof system itself had been compromised and that interior damages would clearly continue to occur because Church Mutual did not provide a full roof repair and replacement.

Church Mutual relied on the representative’s substandard investigation in determining what amounts, if any, to pay on the plaintiff’s claim and failed to perform its own investigation. As a result of the haphazard inspection, misrepresentations, and inadequate investigation, Church Mutual ultimately denied the plaintiff’s claim.

Church Mutual 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, failure to adopt and implement reasonable standards for the prompt investigation of a claim, and refusal to pay a claim without conducting a reasonable investigation.

Church Insurance Claim Attorneys

Many church owners learn the hard way that insurance companies are sometimes less than honest. If your church or other religious institution suffered property damage, contact the church insurance claim lawyers at Raizner Slania LLP. We are experienced handling insurance cases for religious organizations and other non-profit groups, and we can help you get the compensation you deserve under your policy. Call today to schedule a free consultation.

Dallas County Condominium Association Files Wind and Hail Insurance Lawsuit

Posted by Jeff Raizner on November 7, 2017

Raizner Slania has filed a bad faith insurance lawsuit on behalf of a Dallas County condominium association against Peleus Insurance Company, Strata Claims Management, and Engle Martin & Associates. The plaintiff’s wind and hail damage insurance claim was wrongfully denied under Texas law.

March 2016 Wind and Hail Storm

On March 23, 2016, a wind and hail storm swept through Dallas County. The storm caused substantial damage to the roofs, exteriors, and interiors of the property. Immediately upon discovering the damage, the plaintiff filed an insurance claim with Peleus.

In response to the claim, Peleus assigned adjusters, consultants, and agents to the plaintiff’s file that were inadequately and improperly trained. Specifically, Peleus assigned both Strata and Engle Martin to adjust the claim. Strata and Engle Martin in turn assigned the claim to two adjusters.

The adjusters performed a substandard inspection of the property and failed to prepare any estimates or scope of damages or failed to provide them to the plaintiff. Strata, Engle Martin, and the adjusters continually delayed the claims process and did not communicate with the insured during the process.

Strata, Engle Martin, and the adjusters deliberately misevaluated the damage by claiming it was cosmetic only, instead of acknowledging the widespread compromising of the roof systems, necessitating full repairs and replacement. The adjusters further caused additional damages themselves at the site inspection by foot damaging unsupported areas of the roofs.

Strata, Engle Martin, and the adjusters performed an inadequate, incomplete, and unreasonable investigation of the claim. Peleus relied solely on Strata, Engle Martin, and the adjusters when determining what amounts, if any, to pay on the claim. As a result, the plaintiff’s wind and hail damage claim was wrongfully denied.

Violations of 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. Additionally, our client alleges violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA).

Dallas County Hail Damage Attorneys

Insurance companies use a variety of bad faith tactics to avoid paying out on valid claims. Not only is this wrong, it’s illegal. If your wind and hail damage claim has been denied, delayed, or grossly underpaid, the Dallas County hail damage attorneys at Raizner Slania can help. Our attorneys have helped commercial property owners across the country get their rightful payments under their policies. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Condominium Owners Association Files Hail Damage Insurance Lawsuit

Posted by Andrew Slania on October 18, 2017

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

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.