The Texas Coastal Bend was struck by the worst storm to make landfall in twelve years when Hurricane Harvey left behind a trail of destruction affecting thousands of people. Among those in the impact zone are residents of Victoria, and while the intensity of Harvey might have diminished somewhat as it worked its way inland, the damage was no less serious.
Insurance companies are facing record numbers of property claims being filed. From private homeowners to area businesses, water and wind damage have left many wondering what they should do next. The Victoria hurricane insurance claims lawyers of Carabin Shaw are ready to assist you as you navigate the complicated waters of filing property claims. In the meantime, we want to share a few tips on how to file for Hurricane Harvey damages in Victoria.
The first step in how to file for Hurricane Harvey damages in Victoria, if you haven’t done so yet, is to initiate a call with your insurance company. Nothing happens until you put them on notice of your intention to file a property damage claim. The initial call may be for the purpose of securing basic information, so they may follow up with you at a later date.
The insurance company may ask you to take photos or video as evidence of your damaged property. Even if they don’t, this is a good practice to perform anyways, as it provides clear documentation to support your claim. With the widespread use of mobile devices and the quality of images they are able to capture, this is a fairly easy task for most to accomplish.
Our lawyers also encourage homeowners in Victoria to maintain a journal documenting their interactions with their insurance company. It’s especially important to note names, dates, times, and any commitments made by insurance representatives. If there are any discrepancies between you and your insurance company, you’ll have a clear record of what has taken place.
Your insurance company will likely ask that you mitigate your damages. This is not an unusual request. What they are expecting is that you secure your home in such a way so as to prevent any further damage from taking place. If you incur any expenses from temporary repairs, be sure to keep any receipts related to such costs.
If you have any problems with your insurance company, you are within your rights to contact the Texas Department of Insurance. They have a lot of information for consumers and can answer questions regarding what you should expect from your insurance company. You can also contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for help, especially if you need assistance finding temporary shelter, provisions, or other emergency relief. Of course, our attorneys in Victoria are also resourced to provide you with valuable help.
We hope these steps on how to file for Hurricane Harvey damages in Victoria have been helpful. These are just a few of the things you can do when filing your property claim. The main thing to understand when it comes to filing for hurricane damages in Victoria is to be proactive in your dealings with your insurance company. You have faithfully paid your premiums to them, likely for years. Now it’s time for them to provide the service for which you’ve paid.
But what happens when things don’t work out as you expect? Unfortunately, there are times when you’ve done everything in your power to work with your insurance company, but they are not upholding their commitment to you as a homeowner. When that happens, call the law offices of Carabin Shaw and speak with our team of dedicated lawyers.
The resources and experience at our disposal can be of immense help as you move forward to rebuild and get back on your feet. Your first visit with one of our lawyers is free of charge, and we do all work on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid until you do.
Filing Victoria hurricane claims shouldn’t be stressful. Let us help you. To schedule a free visit with one of our lawyers in Victoria, give us a call today at 361.485.1400 or toll-free at 800-862-1260.