San Antonio Tornado Damage Insurance Claims Could Exceed $100M
Early estimates from last week’s devastating tornadoes in and around San Antonio are expected to surpass $100 million, according to the Insurance Council of Texas. More than 10,000 tornado damage insurance claims have been filed since the storm, including more than 5,000 in the San Antonio area. Local media reported that at least three homes suffered a full collapse. The extent of the tornado damage compelled San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor petitioned Texas Governor Greg Abbott to declare the city a disaster area.
Storm System Forces Tornado Damage Insurance Claims
The storm system that prompted these tornado damage insurance claims swept through Central Texas early last week. According to the National Weather Service, at least six tornadoes touched down in the San Antonio and Austin areas late Sunday night and early Monday morning. More than 100 homes in the San Antonio area suffered sustained damage. Many of these homeowners are expected to file tornado damage insurance claims with their carriers.
Major Tornado Damage Insurance Claims Expected
As residents pick up the pieces from the storm, more tornado damage insurance claims are expected. In one area north of San Antonio, more than 40 homes sustained damage from winds exceeding 100 miles per hour. San Antonio Fire Department spokesman Woody Woodward told local media outlets that at least three homes in the area suffered a total structural collapse. The extent of the damage to this and other subdivisions in the area may be added to the total number of tornado damage insurance claims filed because of the storm.
How to Handle Tornado Damage Insurance Claims
Many of the neighborhoods affected by the storm have not seen such extensive damage in decades, so residents may not have any experience in handling their tornado damage insurance claims. Mark Hanna of the Insurance Council of Texas recommends that those seeking to file tornado damage insurance claims “get an insurance adjuster out there as quickly as possible.” Also, experts recommend that tornado damage victims practice due diligence on contractors or other service providers offering to handle repair work in exchange for a cash down payment, as many of these “repairmen” operate as con artists.
Tornado Damage Insurance Claims Could Lead to Lawsuits
With the wide extent of the tornado damage insurance claims expected to come through Central Texas, some insurers may attempt to find ways to underpay or deny legitimate claims. These actions can leave those homeowners who file insurance claims struggling to cover repair or replacement costs. When this occurs, the homeowner can consider filing a tornado damage insurance claims lawsuit. These lawsuits hold the insurers accountable to the word of their policies and get homeowners the compensation they deserve.
Know Your Rights in a Tornado Damage Insurance Claim Lawsuit
To find out how we can help you with a tornado damage insurance claim lawsuit, contact the Flowers Law Firm today at 903-965-2000. Our friendly staff will ask a few questions about your case and connect you to a tornado damage insurance claim lawsuit attorney.
Sources:
Insurance Journal, KENS-TV
NOTE: This post is a news story and does not imply an endorsement of the Flowers Law Firm by any of the parties mentioned herein.