Hurricane Harvey made landfall northeast of Corpus Christi, late on Friday, August 25, 2017. It was a Category 4 hurricane, with winds as fast as 130 MPH. It briefly moved offshore before making landfall again on the shore of Copano Bay, as a Category 3 hurricane this time. The storm brought devastating amounts of rain and wind damage to Texas’s most populous cities, including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, and more. Part of the extensive amount of harm that came from the hurricane was the result of torrential rain. Some parts of Texas might see more than 50 inches by the time the rain stops completely.
However, because so many houses, apartment buildings, and businesses were damaged in the storm, there are a few things Texan property owners need to know. If your home was damaged by Hurricane Harvey, you should file a claim BEFORE this Friday, September 1, 2017.
The Texas legislature just met and passed House Bill 1774 this year, which affects the rights and remedies available to property owners under the Texas Insurance Code. This law affects property damage claims involving “forces of nature,” including rainstorms, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, hail, wind, and wildfires. The new law takes effect this Friday.
This new law is more favorable to insurance companies than to property owners and consumers. The bill reduces the penalties insurance companies face when they don’t pay enough in claims, decrease the chances they will have to pay the plaintiff’s attorneys fees and protect individual agents from the adverse effects of being sued personally (such as diminished credit scores).
A consumer rights group called Texas Watch opposed the bill, is saying the new measures would force many cases into already backlogged federal courts and add costs and uncertainty for property owners who want to challenge insurance companies’ decisions in court. Under the law, many insurance companies will pay property owners as little and as late as possible
Before this bill goes into effect on Friday, file a claim by mail, fax, or e-mail, and keep a copy of what you send for your records. If you need help filing your claim, or you think you might need to fight your insurance company in court, call our skilled Houston hail and wind damage claims attorneys today. Farah Law is well acquainted with the tactics of the insurance industry, and we have years of experience holding them accountable on behalf of our clients. If your insurance company is acting unscrupulously, let us help.
Contact us at by phone or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation today.