Many Coloradans suffered damages due to the horrific hail storm on June 6, 2012. One person said it looked like Christmas in June because the golf ball size hail was so big and thick that it looked like snow. Numerous homes and buildings were bombarded by hail and severely damaged. Some people filed claims with … Continue Reading
Over the last few days, major weather systems across the country produced violent hail storms resulting in significant property damage in many areas including Denver and Reading, Pennsylvania.… Continue Reading
From April to June, 2013, the state of Oklahoma was slammed with continuous severe weather, including multiple hails storms and horrific tornadoes. Roofs were destroyed, cars totaled, and many people had to relocate. After the storm, these policyholders contacted their insurance companies for help.… Continue Reading
Arizona hail damage losses are being hotly litigated by the insurance industry. Last week, Farmers was hit with a $1,904,000 punitive damage verdict for failing to adjust a hail damage claim in good faith. The compensatory damages were $952,000.… Continue Reading
Hail damage claim disputes and lawsuits are the rage in Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Missouri. Many insurance companies have developed operational claims responses for the purpose of controlling their severity of loss. For many insurers, HAAG is the “go to” preferred expert vendor providing various services.… Continue Reading
Historically, homeowners and commercial insurance policies provide coverage for any and all direct physical loss or damage caused by the peril of hail and its ensuing damage. Carriers are trying to limit this exposure by raising the standard under policies from a direct physical damage standard to a functionality standard – damage that affects the … Continue Reading
Hail storms across Texas have brought out the worst conduct in some insurance companies. We have found some, if not many, insurance adjusters making assessments of damage without closely inspecting for roof damage. It is hard to find subtle indicators of hail damage and water leaks on roofs without climbing up there and looking for … Continue Reading
If an insurance adjuster states in deposition there was no damage to your property after a hail storm, but he had previously issued reports finding the properties around and including yours were damaged by hail, you should be able to obtain those files (with reasonable limitations) in discovery in your case. Discovery of relevant information … Continue Reading
I recently took a trip to McAllen, Texas, to survey the damage left behind after this year’s record-setting hailstorms. Driving through town, I could still see many broken business signs and battered wooden roofs that are awaiting repair. Off in the distance, I saw contractors repairing many roofs, including businesses and schools. It was apparent … Continue Reading
I am learning much from hail damage claims throughout the United States. While I mentioned Phoenix hail damage claims in Arizona Office Opened—Hail Damage Claims Disputed, I was in St. Louis, Missouri, for a mediation yesterday regarding a Kansas City hail storm claim dispute. The Gateway Arch was clear from the office building where the mediation … Continue Reading
We have opened an Arizona office in the Phoenix area. Monica Lindstrom is heading our efforts there. The primary reason for the office is to help policyholders with hail storm damage claims which are disputed by insurance companies.… Continue Reading
When you think about hail damage in Texas, many of you probably think about the hail storm that hit the Dallas area a few months back. However, Dallas isn’t the only city in Texas ravaged by a severe hail storm recently. McAllen, Texas, is still suffering the effects of not one, but two hail storms … Continue Reading
In today’s post, I bring you news about the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association’s (TWIA) financial troubles as well as an updated figure of the damage caused by the hail storms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.… Continue Reading
On June 13, 2012, the Dallas area was hit with what may turn out to be its costliest hail storms ever. People reported that baseball-sized hail caused damage to cars, homes, and businesses. The National Weather Service reported that the hail storms were the worst in the North Texas and Dallas area since April 2003.… Continue Reading
(Note: This Guest Blog is by Erin Kristofco, an attorney with Merlin Law Group in the Denver, Colorado, office). Home and business property owners who suffered hail damage during Colorado’s hail storms must determine whether their property insurance policy requires the insurer to replace not only the hail damaged surface, but also any substrate, insulation … Continue Reading
Social Media investigation can lead to fascinating results. In this case, Twitter led me to a television report regarding State Farm’s testing of hail damage. Many policyholder attorneys should probably consider discovery from State Farm on this topic if they have a dispute involving hail damage. I wonder what other tests State Farm and other insurers … Continue Reading