After a hailstorm or high winds, the instinct is to get the damage fixed quickly. That is understandable, but repairs made before the damage is documented can make a claim harder to prove.
Document first
Take dated photos and video of every damaged area, wide and close up.
Photograph interior damage, such as ceiling stains, and any damaged personal property.
Keep damaged materials when practical until the adjuster has seen them.
Write down the date of the storm and when you first noticed each problem.
Make only reasonable temporary repairs
Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as tarping a roof. Keep receipts for those costs and for any emergency work, and tell the insurer what you did and why.
Keep a paper trail
Report the claim promptly, get the claim number, and record each conversation with the date and name of the person. Ask for a copy of the adjuster's report and any estimate. If you disagree with the estimate, get an independent inspection and written estimate from a qualified contractor.
Watch the deadlines
Policies and Texas law contain notice and filing deadlines that can be short, including special pre-suit notice rules for certain weather-related claims. Check your policy early.
A well-documented claim is easier to evaluate and harder to dispute. If the insurer denies or underpays, that record becomes the foundation of your next step.
Davila Cobos Law Firm, PLLC represents clients in San Antonio and Laredo. Learn more about our insurance claim denial attorney services, or contact the firm to discuss your situation.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is different, so talk to a Texas attorney about yours.
