NEWS — Time expiring to file weather claims

By Daniel Schreiber

The deadline to file insurance claims under most insurance policies is quickly approaching if your home or business sustained damage from the hail or wind storm last year.  I am not an attorney or an insurance adjuster (so this is not legal advice), but I am someone who witnesses the storm-damage insurance claim process on a daily basis. 
In Texas, under most insurance contracts, insurance companies give you up to 1-year following a storm to claim damages under your insurance policy. Once that 1-year term has expired, your chances for receiving a payout for your storm damage is greatly reduced, and in some cases, may even be denied completely, even if you have damage. Furthermore, if you sustain damage from a hail or wind storm in the future (but fail to report previous damage within your policy window), insurance companies may even attempt to place this damage to the high-wind or hail dates of 2020, outside of the period in which they are liable to pay for damages. Simply put, this sort of dispute happens very frequently.
This year, under most policies, your hail damage from the April 11th, 2020 hail storm must be claimed by April 10th, 2021, and your wind damage by April 26th, 2021, if you received wind damage from the April 27th, 2020 wind storm. 
If you are renting your home: Be sure to contact your property manager or landlord and make them aware of the storms, and any damage that you may have, however minimal it may be. 
If you own property:
1) Check the fine print in your insurance policy. See what is covered, and the amount of time you are given following a storm to report a claim. You may need to call your insurance company to discuss your policy, and have them walk you through the legal-eze of your policy. 
2) If you are physically and safely able to do so, check your property for signs of damage. Photograph them, if possible.
3) Have your home inspected by a LICENSED insurance adjuster only (not a roofer or a general contractor), even if you think the damage is minimal. Ensure that the adjuster photographs and documents their findings, and ask for a copy of that document when it is finished for your records. This will ensure that the insurance company is aware of the condition of your property, and puts them on the hook for either paying your insurance claim, or giving your property a clean-bill-of-health. An inspection should not cost you anything out-of-pocket.   
Unfortunately, insurance companies will not remind you that you had a storm that you may need to claim by a certain date, if you have damage. Following these simple steps will help ensure that you are abiding by your end of the insurance contract, and that your insured property will be covered at the appropriate time.
Dan Schreiber is a certified consulting meteorologist and Del Rio resident. He specializes in historical weather investigations for the insurance and aviation industries. Dan is not a lawyer, insurance agent, or an insurance adjuster. The opinions and tips within this article are not to be considered legal advice and are simply provided as a friendly reminder.