Hurricanes and tropical storms are among the most destructive natural disasters — and they’re only getting more powerful. These weather events can bring heavy rain and powerful winds, often causing catastrophic flooding and wind damage. As these storms continue to grow in size and strength year after year, it’s essential for Texas commercial property owners to know how to file an insurance claim for catastrophic hurricane damage before disaster strikes.
Hurricane Damage Costs
It’s no secret how destructive hurricanes can be. These massive storms can result in catastrophic damage to coastlines and communities, even traveling several hundred miles inland. Hurricanes can produce winds exceeding 155 mph, spawning tornadoes and sending debris flying—breaking windows, tearing off doors, and allowing rain and floodwater to enter properties.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), total damage from weather and climate disasters from 1980 to 2025 has reached nearly $2.9 trillion, with hurricanes being among the costliest. Business owners — especially those along coastal regions — need to know how to prepare for potential damage when a hurricane is predicted, including how to properly file a claim with their insurance provider.
With winds over 155 mph and severe flooding, hurricanes can devastate coastal businesses—preparation is key.
Insurance Claims Tips: How to Prepare Before a Catastrophic Hurricane Hits
Before a hurricane makes landfall, commercial property owners must assess how prepared their properties are to withstand it. These tips can help protect the business and essential assets inside:
- Inspect roof-mounted signage, equipment, and supports.
- Repair or replace damaged windows and door hinges.
- Secure generators or backup power sources.
- Plan where to place sandbags to divert water.
- Install shut-off valves to prevent sewage backup.
- Store critical data or equipment in a safe location.
- Keep emergency tools like pumps, tarps, and lighting accessible.
- Secure outdoor materials and hazardous items.
- Identify safe storage for vehicles and machinery.
- Document the property with photos and videos before a storm.
What to Do Before Filing a Claim
Before hurricane season begins, review and update your insurance policies. If it has been more than a year, your coverage limits may no longer match your property’s current value. Even small policy details can affect your recovery after a storm.
Don’t forget to review umbrella policies, which may include business interruption or extra-expense coverage. Many commercial property policies exclude or limit flood and wind damage, so it’s important to secure flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer, and windstorm coverage where available.
What to Do After a Hurricane
After a hurricane, document all damage thoroughly inside and outside the property. Owners should use photos and videos to provide an accurate description of the amount and types of damages, and report the loss to your insurer immediately. The sooner a claim is filed, the sooner a commercial policyholder can resolve it.
Next, create an inventory of lost or damaged items with receipts, purchase orders, and photos. This evidence strengthens your claim and helps adjusters assess your losses accurately.
Once documented, commercial property owners should make temporary repairs. This is usually a condition of the commercial property policy itself, as additional damage resulting from a failure to mitigate the initial destruction can lead to claim denial. Temporary repairs can include putting a tarp over a damaged roof or closing off damaged areas from other portions of the property that may not be damaged or have suffered minimal damage.
Lastly, contact an insurance coverage attorney. Many policyholders are unaware of the legal options available to them when insurance companies act in bad faith. Legal counsel can review your policy, identify coverage gaps, and protect your rights if an insurer delays, denies, or underpays your claim.
After a hurricane, document all damage, make temporary repairs, and contact an insurance attorney to protect your claim.
Watch for Unlicensed Public Adjusters
After a hurricane, unlicensed individuals may pose as public adjusters to manage your claim. These people can cause serious problems for policyholders.
Most states, including Texas, have strict rules about how public adjusters can work. To become licensed, they must pass a test and complete continuing education to keep their license active.
However, some people try to skip these requirements and pretend to be licensed adjusters when they are not. When this happens, it can cause insurance companies to lose money and raise their rates to make up for it.
As a result, policyholders end up paying more through higher premiums and deductibles. In some cases, the insurance company may even reduce the coverage available to customers, leaving them in a much worse position.
Commercial Property Damage Lawyers
After a hurricane, business owners often face challenges with their insurance companies when trying to rebuild. Some insurers delay payments, pay too little, or deny valid claims. Preparing ahead of time can help, but hiring a lawyer is often the best way to protect yourself from unfair insurance practices.
At Raizner Slania, our attorneys have successfully pursued claims against some of the world’s largest insurance providers. We routinely handle bad-faith claims involving complex commercial properties and are ready to fight for the policyholder. Our property damage lawyers make sure your valid claim is handled fairly and that you get the full payment you deserve.
If you need help with a commercial property policy or a hurricane-related claim, we are here for you.