McAllen Property Damage Lawyer

One category of liability insurance covers is property damage. More specifically, property damage liability insurance is meant to cover the damage that has occurred to your property, such as:

• damage your home has incurred following a storm;
• damage from water or sewage that enters the house (depending on your policy);
• damages to your fencing (if you have wind coverage);
• damage to your house caused by frozen pipes (depending on your policy);
• damage to your home caused by the weight of sleet, snow, or ice;
• damages to your house from falling objects, such as trees.

In certain situations, your insurance policy might also provide compensation to stay in a hotel or rental due to your home being damaged to an unlivable extent. Your policy might also pay up to $500 or more for spoiled food if a power outage affects your refrigeration. It is best to take photos of the food that spoiled or keep a list as presentable evidence.

Note that, generally speaking, your insurance policy will probably pay up to 10% of the amount you insured your house for. However, be aware that most policies only pay for damages to your home, so any damage to property outside of your home (fence, patio, sheds) might not be directly covered.

What Should You Do Following a Storm?

If your property has incurred some kind of damage following a storm or natural disaster, it is important that you document the damages and promptly contact your insurer. An experienced home property damage lawyer near you can better help facilitate this process and ensure that your insurer appropriately covers your damages, as many an insurer may attempt to skirt the responsibility and cheat you of what you are due in an accident.

As you communicate with your insurer, be ready to provide an accurate description of the extent of the property damage. An insurance adjuster will likely inspect the damage you’ve noted, and afterwards they will write a check to help you repair or replace the damage. Note that some companies might ask you to submit an inventory of items damaged, so it is advisable to take photos and record any relevant receipts.

Keep in mind that it is fine to make temporary repairs for your safety, but it is best not to make permanent repairs until you’ve settled the situation with your insurance company. After all, your policy should be able to pay for the materials and labor you spend to make these repairs.