Commercial Roof Disputes On the Rise After McAllen Hailstorm

On March 29, 2012, a severe hailstorm damaged much of McAllen.  The baseball-sized hail was accompanied by strong winds and rain, causing measurable damage to the structure and roofs of many businesses throughout the city.  Many of those businesses suffered lasting damage to roofing granules and shingles, which can reduce the overall lifespan of a roof.  Not only can hail damage require extensive repairs, but in some instances, a damaged roof may need to be completely replaced.

Unfortunately, filing what seems like a simple, roof hail damage claim for a business owner frequently turns into a protracted dispute with the commercial insurer over the extent of roof damage.  While awaiting repairs to the roof and other key parts of the structure, a business is likely forced to temporarily shut down some or even all of its operations.  Thus, any delays getting payments under a commercial policy can be devastating for business owners.

With a number of covered property owners already filing claims under their policies, and others who are still evaluating their damages from the hailstorm, insurance companies will have to deal with a large number of claims.  Following any disaster, while some business owners who have filed commercial roof claims will get paid fully and timely, many will have their claims disputed, denied, or delayed as insurance companies focus on their bottom line.  By refusing to pay legitimate claims, insurance companies may be engaging in insurance bad faith.  They do so in order to avoid paying out the full value of covered losses, and policyholders often find it difficult to face a large insurance company on their own.

To avoid paying out on all valid claims, insurance companies will attempt to deny, dispute, or delay payment by pointing to a number of excuses.  They may argue that the damage to your business’s roof existed prior to the hailstorm, that the roof was poorly maintained, or simply insist that the hail damage only requires minor repairs and not replacement of your business’s entire roof.  As a result, business owners face an uphill fight for the compensation they need to make repairs and to rebuild in a timely manner.

An experienced property insurance attorney can help your business get the compensation it needs to fully rebuild and recover.  Doyle Raizner has begun to handle commercial roof claims for owners of apartment complexes, professional buildings, strip malls, condominiums, special purpose venues, office buildings, and other commercial properties.  Contact the experienced insurance attorneys at Doyle Raizner today, as our attorneys are helping business owners in McAllen recover on their commercial roof damage claims arising from the March hailstorm.

Doyle Raizner also covers non-commercial McAllen hail damage disputes.

About Doyle Raizner, LLP:
Based in Houston, Texas, Doyle Raizner LLP represents insurance policyholders in disputes arising out of the bad faith actions of their insurers, as well as persons who have suffered catastrophic maritime and international injury claims. Attorneys with the firm strive to recover monetary compensation for damages suffered by their clients. Doyle Raizner LLP has been recognized by Texas SuperLawyers, Rising Stars, and a number of other publications, as productive and professional attorneys who get exceptional results for their clients.