Local NewsA tree lays across the roof of a home in the Oaks Forest neighborhood of Northwest Houston after a tornado and straight-line winds moved through SE Texas on May 16, 2024.What have the last five days—or honestly, the last month—looked like for you as a storm attorney? I’m sure it’s been very busy.It’s interesting because last year we had the hottest summer on record for a really long time, and then you have the El Niño and La Niña effects.
But there are some smaller carriers covering some large areas who really do not have a lot of staff adjusters in general. So, when things like this happen, they have to outsource it. So, they have to either go to an independent adjusting company and hire them, or they end up sending out people who are licensed adjusters. That’s all their job is, is to take photographs and measurements and then report back to a desk adjuster.
. The only thing that gets them out of making a decision or payment within 60 days is if the governor declares it an emergency or extends those timelines under the insurance code, or if they’ve asked for information from the homeowner. For example, if they’re asking for more information, and the homeowner doesn’t provide it, that gives them a reason and an excuse not to pay within 60 days.
If you don’t agree with their final result or payment, that’s when you can seek legal action and do something more about it. But when you put in your request, you definitely want to ask the questions about the process. “Who’s going to come out? When are they going to come out? How long is it going to take?” Ask for a copy of your policy.
As a, as a lawyer. Do you have any advice on questions property owners should ask to find that attorney who knows what they’re doing?I tell people, you know, in a day of technology, if you’re talking to a lawyer, you should absolutely Google them. You should research them. Look them up on the internet to see what comes up. That’s the first thing. It’s the easiest thing you can do, is research them, Google them, look up and see how much experience they have.