Houston Property Insurance Claims Attorneys

At JCE Law Group in Houston, our property insurance lawyers help homeowners, landlords, tenants and property managers recover for damage to homes and commercial buildings. Severe weather (hurricanes, tornadoes, wind or hail) can rip off roofs and walls, and fires or burst pipes can flood or destroy property. We guide you through the insurance claims process in plain language. We handle claims for storm/hurricane damage, wind/tornado damage, hail damage, water and sewer damage, sinkholes, fire/smoke loss, theft or vandalism, business interruption, and more. If your insurer delays or denies payment, our insurance claim lawyers fight back on your behalf. Under Texas law, an insurer must investigate and pay valid claims without unreasonable delay.

Houston’s weather can cause catastrophic property damage. Strong winds and flying debris can tear off roofs, break windows and crumble walls. As shown above, even a severe downtown storm can leave buildings and vehicles crushed by fallen masonry. After any disaster, document the damage thoroughly (photos, repair estimates) and notify your insurer immediately. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with insurance adjusters and know how to respond if they use tactics to minimize your claim.

Landlord and Tenant Insurance Obligations

In commercial leases, both landlords and tenants need insurance for full protection. Typically, a commercial landlord’s policy covers the building structure and common areas, along with liability for injuries on the property. For example, if a storm damages the walls or roof of an office building, the landlord’s commercial insurance should pay for structural repairs and compensate for lost rental income during repairs. However, many lease agreements let landlords pass the premium costs through to tenants as part of rent.

Tenants (business owners) need their own insurance too. A tenant’s policy should cover business personal property (inventory, furniture, equipment) and liability for accidents in the rented space. If a break-in destroys your office equipment or a customer is injured on your premises, tenant insurance applies. In short: landlords cover the building, tenants cover their own contents and liability. Commercial tenants and property managers should confirm their lease’s insurance clauses, and speak with an attorney if a dispute arises over who must insure what.

Homeowners Insurance Claims and Coverage

Homeowners’ insurance in Texas covers a wide range of risks, but policies have rules. After damage to your house (e.g. roof leaks, fire, burst pipes), file your claim promptly and follow your policy’s notice provisions. Texas law generally gives you two years from the loss date to file suit on a homeowners’ claim. (If you wait longer, you may lose the right to recover.) This two-year deadline often surprises homeowners, so we advise filing claims without delay.

A typical homeowners policy will cover sudden roof damage (wind or hail storms), water damage from burst plumbing or rain leaks, fire/smoke damage, and theft of personal property, subject to deductibles and coverage limits. Floods and long-term leaks (seepage) are usually excluded (flooding requires separate coverage). For example, most policies will pay to replace a roof destroyed by a tornado, but not damage from a slow roof leak caused by age. If your insurer wrongfully blames normal wear and tear or otherwise underpays a valid claim, a property damage lawyer can fight for your full benefits.

Allstate homeowners insurance and other carriers. Large insurers like Allstate are common in Texas. Allstate policyholders have reported denials of obvious storm damage claims by citing pre-existing conditions. For instance, after a hailstorm some homeowners found Allstate attributing roof cracks to age or wear. Investigations even showed Allstate sometimes denied roof claims that other companies paid, forcing homeowners to sue for coverage. If your Allstate claim (or any insurer’s claim) is delayed or denied without good reason, our Houston insurance attorneys can review your policy and damage evidence to demand fair payment.

Roof and Storm Damage Claims

Storms often hit roofs the worst. High winds, falling trees or hail can punch holes and tear off shingles. Replacement roofs are expensive, and insurers will look for excuses to pay less. Common adjuster tactics include pressuring you to accept a quick low offer, valuing damage well below replacement cost, or claiming damage was pre-existing. Don’t let them rush you. Take time to document damage, get independent repair estimates, and consult insurance experts if needed.

When roofs or walls collapse, as shown above, the insurance should cover full replacement and repair. If your claim is not fairly handled, a Houston property damage attorney can step in. We know the “secret tactics” that insurance adjusters use to lowball roof claims (see Common Home Insurance Adjuster Tactics in our resources). We advise clients to always get detailed contractor bids and keep copies of all claim correspondence. If an insurer delays without a valid reason (Texas law only allows limited delays) or undervalues the damage, we can negotiate and even file suit.

Hail, wind, and hurricane damage: If a hailstorm shatters windows or pummels your siding, if high winds pull off shingles or gutters, report it to your insurer right away. Under Texas law, once you file a claim your insurer has 15 days to acknowledge receipt and start an investigation. Have professionals document the damage. We assist in working with adjusters (or hiring a public adjuster) to ensure all storm damage is covered. We also handle hurricane claims where roof or structural damage makes the home unlivable and forces relocation.

Business interruption coverage: Commercial property owners should check for business interruption insurance, which covers lost income if a disaster shuts down operations. If you had to pause business because of covered property damage, make sure your lost profits and payroll are included. Our firm also helps with these complex commercial claims.

Water, Fire, Theft and Other Losses

Homeowners and property owners face many other covered perils. We help with:

• Water damage: Burst pipes, flash floods (if covered), plumbing leaks, and sewer backups. (Note: standard policies usually exclude flood, but cover sudden plumbing failures or roof leaks from storms.) We handle claims for basement flooding, waterlogged walls, sump pump backups (if you bought the rider), and mold remediation when covered.
• Sewer backup: Water from a backed-up sewer line usually requires an add-on endorsement. If you have sewer damage coverage and your insurer refuses payment, we litigate the claim.
• Sinkhole damage: Texas policies may cover sudden sinkhole collapse if it damages the foundation. We see to it that your policy is enforced for such rare but serious losses.
• Fire and smoke damage: We assist clients whose homes or buildings suffer fire, including full or partial structural loss and smoke cleanup. Insurance should pay for rebuilding and replacing destroyed belongings.
• Theft and vandalism: If your home is burglarized or your business inventory is stolen, those losses (up to policy limits) should be covered. We handle homeowner and commercial claims for stolen property, even coordinating with police reports. (While auto insurance covers stolen cars, we address home-based property theft. For example, stolen tools or equipment are covered by your property policy.)
• Employment-related losses: Though not common on a property page, we note that business owners sometimes need legal help if employee actions cause property damage or if a claim involves employee negligence. We can advise on insurance issues that straddle liability and property coverage.

If your insurer disputes these claims, we can intervene. Our Houston attorneys know the coverages and limits of policies from companies like Allstate, State Farm, Farmers, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (for coastal properties), and others.

Bad Faith and Insurance Disputes

Insurance companies are required by law to act in good faith. Texas law (Insurance Code Ch.541 and common law) forbids unfair tactics – such as unreasonable delays, misrepresentation of policy terms, or wrongful claim denials. If your insurer ignores you, fails to explain a denial, or conducts a superficial investigation, it may be committing “bad faith.”

Common adjuster tactics: Insurers may use tactics to lower your payout. Examples include denying damage was due to a covered event, requesting unnecessary documents to delay, or offering a “lowball” quick settlement. The list of adjuster tactics (flattery, bullying, downplaying losses, etc.) shows how complex a home claim can become. We counsel clients to stay persistent with adjusters and to put agreements in writing. If you suspect bad faith (for example, your denial letter is vague or ignores expert evidence), we can file a bad faith lawsuit. In Texas, insurers can be liable for attorney fees and damages if they violate good-faith duties.

Our attorneys also help negotiate with insurance lawyers and, if needed, file litigation in Harris County or the appropriate venue. We know the deadlines (for example, suit must generally be filed within two years after a denial) and procedural rules. Many times, just having a lawyer involved prompts the insurer to settle fairly.

Why Hire Our Insurance Attorneys at JCE Law?

• Local Houston knowledge: We know Texas insurance law and Houston’s weather risks. We apply local knowledge to your claim.
• Client-focused guidance: We explain in everyday language what your policy covers, what your rights are, and what to expect. We handle paperwork and negotiations so you can focus on recovery.
• Full-service support: We work on contingency fee (no upfront attorney fees in many cases). We assist from claim filing through appeals or trial if necessary.
• Broad coverage: From residential damage to large commercial losses, we represent property owners in all types of claims. Whether it’s a homeowners property insurance Allstate dispute or a complex commercial loss, we can help.

Don’t try to fight a large insurance company alone. An insurance claim lawyer understands how to build a strong case to maximize your recovery. If needed, we involve engineers or public adjusters, and we hold insurers accountable for bad faith. We also pursue related claims (for example, underinsurance or disputes over code upgrade costs).

Our Promise: You have an advocate handling the insurance company for you, speaking your language, and keeping you updated. We treat every client with respect, communicate clearly, and work diligently to resolve your claim.