How to Make a Claim with Homeowners Insurance After Property Damage in Texas

How to Make a Claim with Homeowners Insurance After Property Damage in Texas

Dealing with property damage is stressful enough without the added confusion of navigating your insurance company's claims process. Whether your home was hit by a hailstorm, suffered wind damage, or experienced a pipe burst, knowing exactly how to make a claim with homeowners insurance can be the difference between a fair settlement and a denied payout. This guide walks you through every step of the process in Texas — so you know what to do, what to watch out for, and when to call for help.

Step 1: Document the Damage Immediately

Before you call your insurance company, document everything. Use your phone to take photos and videos of all damaged areas — roofing, siding, windows, interior walls, flooring, and personal belongings. The more evidence you capture right away, the harder it is for an adjuster to minimize your claim later.

Make a written list of every item or structure that was damaged. Note the date the damage occurred and any relevant weather events. If the damage is severe, save all receipts for emergency repairs you make to prevent further harm — your policy likely covers those costs too.

Avoid making permanent repairs until an adjuster has inspected the property. Insurance companies can use premature repairs as a reason to dispute the extent of the original damage.

Step 2: Review Your Policy Before You File

Pull out your homeowners insurance policy and read it before you file a claim. In Texas, most standard homeowners policies cover:

• Wind and hail damage
• Fire and smoke damage
• Water damage from burst pipes or appliance failure
• Theft and vandalism
• Falling objects

Pay attention to your deductible — especially your windstorm or hail deductible, which in Texas is often calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value rather than a flat dollar amount. Also note your policy limits and any exclusions that might affect your claim.

Knowing what your policy covers helps you frame your claim accurately and prevents the insurance company from using your own words against you.

Step 3: File Your Claim Promptly

Contact your insurance company as soon as reasonably possible. Texas law requires insurers to acknowledge a claim within 15 days of receiving it and to accept or deny coverage within 15 business days after receiving all necessary documentation — though extensions are allowed.

When you call, write down:

• The date and time of your call
• The name of the representative you spoke with
• Your claim number
• Everything you were told

Always follow up phone calls with an email or written confirmation. Creating a paper trail protects you if the insurance company later claims you provided incomplete information.

Step 4: Cooperate — But Protect Yourself — During the Inspection

Your insurer will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. You have the right to be present during this inspection. Take notes and photos alongside the adjuster. If possible, have your own independent contractor or public adjuster present as well.

Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their job is to assess the claim — but also to keep payouts as low as possible. If the adjuster misses damage or undervalues repairs, that initial estimate can be used to justify a low settlement offer.

Be factual and thorough when describing the damage. Stick to the facts and let the documentation you gathered in Step 1 do the talking.

Step 5: Understand What Happens After You File

Once the adjuster completes their inspection, the insurance company will issue a coverage determination. If your claim is approved, you'll receive a settlement offer. If it's denied, you'll receive a written explanation of why.

In Texas, insurance companies are required to pay approved claims within 5 business days of notifying you that payment will be made. If they delay unreasonably, they may owe you interest under the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act.

Don't feel pressured to accept the first offer. Low initial offers are common, and you have the right to negotiate or dispute the amount. Get independent repair estimates from licensed Texas contractors to compare against the insurance company's figures.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied or Underpaid

Unfortunately, claim denials and low settlement offers are not uncommon — especially after major Texas weather events when insurers are flooded with claims. If your claim is denied, you have options:

Request a written explanation. The insurance company must tell you in writing exactly why your claim was denied. Review this carefully — sometimes denials are based on clerical errors or misclassified damage.

File an internal appeal. Most insurers have an internal appeals process. Submit additional documentation, contractor estimates, and weather data supporting your claim.

Hire a public adjuster. A licensed Texas public adjuster works on your behalf — not the insurance company's — to assess damage and negotiate a higher settlement.

File a complaint with TDI. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) investigates complaints against insurers operating in the state. Filing a complaint can sometimes prompt a reconsideration of your claim.

Consult a property damage attorney. If your claim has been wrongfully denied or significantly underpaid, an attorney can review your policy, identify bad faith conduct, and pursue the compensation you're owed — including potential additional damages under Texas law.

Louis Law Group has represented Texas homeowners against insurance companies that delayed, denied, or underpaid legitimate property damage claims. We understand the tactics insurers use, and we know how to push back effectively.

Texas-Specific Protections You Should Know

Texas has some of the strongest insurance laws in the country when it comes to protecting policyholders:

• Texas Insurance Code Chapter 541 prohibits unfair claim settlement practices, including misrepresenting policy terms and failing to conduct a reasonable investigation.
• The Prompt Payment of Claims Act requires insurers to acknowledge, investigate, and pay claims within specific timeframes — and imposes 18% annual interest penalties plus attorney's fees for violations.
• Two-year statute of limitations — in most cases, you have two years from the date of loss to file a lawsuit against your insurer in Texas.

Don't let time slip by without acting. If you suspect your insurer is dragging its feet or acting in bad faith, the sooner you consult with an attorney, the more options you have.

If your Texas property damage claim was denied or underpaid, Louis Law Group fights for your full compensation. Call us for a free case review.