The Voss Law Firm, PC

Your valuable time: When a fire occurs you are left to pick up the pieces, deal with the insurance company, purchase new items, find another place to live, and the list goes on. This will often cost you valuable time, and may even lead to time away from work and lost wages.

When homes in Texas are damaged by floods, sewer back-ups, and other water leaks, it can lead to mold if it is not detected and cleaned properly.

Importance of Having an Inventory List When Pursuing a Residential Theft Claim in Texas - When theft to your home occurs, you will need to file a Texas homeowners insurance claim for the items that were stolen and the damage that may have been done to your house. If you ever have to pursue a theft claim in Texas, you may have to show proof of ownership of the items that are damaged or missing.

When theft or vandalism to your home occurs, the aftermath of the situation can leave you stressed, as you may be trying to remember everything the thieves stole. Have you walked in your front door only to find that your home has been vandalized? This horrible situation may leave you feeling violated and scared for your safety. Not only are you left with the mess that this situation created, but you also have to deal with the insurance company, which can be an exhausting and frustrating process.

When the Ground Gives Way in Texas – 5 Critical Things Every Home Owner Should Know - Sinkholes come in many different sizes - some small and others that grow up to 40 to 60 feet deep and wide. When a sinkhole develops on your property in Texas, no matter the size, it can be dangerous. Not only can a sinkhole disrupt your life, but it could also damage your home and property and injure people you love.

A homes roof must be physically inspected by a person who has training and experience to determine if there is actual hail damage. Insurance companies send their adjusters to special training so they can properly identify hail damage to a home. And, the insurance company is generally NOT ON YOUR SIDE. You may be thinking to yourself that you remember a hail storm but looked up at your roof and did not notice any damage. The fact of the matter is you can’t see hail storm damage from the ground.

If you have come home from a long day at work to find your house destroyed by a mudslide, or if you wake up one morning to find that your porch and garage are not attached to your home anymore because of a mudslide, you may not know where to turn and what to do after suffering this serious damage to your house. You are most likely feeling shocked that this could have happened to you and overwhelmed about what to do next.

When high winds are coupled with larger hailstones, serious damage may occur to your home and property. Some damage is noticed right away, such as broken windows and indentations on your car, or dents to the side of your home; however, sometimes hailstones can damage things unseen. A roof is typically a good example of this.

The Appraisal Clause is meant to be the method for determining disputed values. Appraisal cannot be used to determine what is covered. That is for a court of law to decide. If you have dispute with the company on whether or not something is covered, then you must file a lawsuit against your insurer to get that determination. Two of the most commonly misused and misunderstood terms in the insurance world are "appraisal" and "arbitration".

Tip 1 -- Don't assume NO is final - Did you know that less than 1% of claimants query the decision when a claim is denied? Yet, over 50% of those who do fight back get results. So, you've got a good chance of winning if you fight back. 10% of claims are unjustly denied, so if you are aware your claim is legitimate, and you've not indulged in any creative claiming, you have a good chance -- even if they've said no.

Filing a Texas Homeowners Insurance Claim During Tornado Season - When a tornado strikes, the first instinct you should have is to get yourself and your family to safety. But what about the aftermath of the storm, when you see the devastating damage to your home and reality sinks in? In Texas, tornados have been known to leave you with wind or hail damage, broken windows, roof damage, wall damage and more.

While shipowners have a duty to transport goods with due diligence in seaworthy vessels and to deliver goods to their rightful owners as set forth in bills of lading, the business of transporting goods by sea is fraught with hazards. If you have suffered a loss of cargo, it is important to consult with a lawyer with specialized knowledge in the shipping industry right away.

Insurance companies providing coverage often deny policy holders' valid insurance claims for damage, or pay as little as possible. Is your insurance company treating you fairly? Here are five things insurance companies don't want you to know. If your policy includes replacement cost, you are entitled to complete replacement of damaged property.

When wind damage strikes a condominium complex, there could be damage to individual units as well as to common areas. For example, the winds could be so strong that they knock over gates and signs to the complex, or even cause trees to fall over, which could lead to roof damage to individual units, property damage to vehicles or even personal injuries. Strong winds can cause serious damage, tear shingles off the roof, and even tear buildings apart.

Most commercial businesses, such as restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, and office buildings that are located in disaster prone areas purchase wind and flood coverage. Businesses in these areas also tend to purchase business interruption insurance, in case of wind damage or when other natural disasters strike.

Insurance law states that should there be an ambiguity or uncertainty in a policy, that issue would be resolved in favor of the policyholder and against the insurer. In the absence of a misrepresentation regarding coverage or exclusions, if the language of the policy is clear and explicit, the clear meaning will be enforced. Insurance contracts are interpreted by judges and courts to implement only the objectively reasonable expectations of the insured.

Every insurance contract contains an unwritten or implied term referred to as the covenant or promise of good faith and fair dealing. This is a promise imposed by law upon an insurance company to always act fairly towards its insureds in handling their claims. In bad faith cases, a jury is always asked whether under the facts the carrier acted reasonably.

In order to get the most from your insurance company, fire insurance claims need to be pursued aggressively and quickly, because owners of commercial buildings need to minimize the impact of day-to-day losses. It is important to note that insurance companies and adjustors are not your friends. This means that they will do everything to deny your commercial fire claim.

When a fire damages your condo unit and all the items inside of it, you might assume that everything will be replaced or covered by the condo insurance policy under a fire damage insurance claim. However, not all condominium insurance policies cover personal property. This does not sound fair, as you may not have been the one to even start the fire.

Under a normal homeowner’s insurance policy, losses caused by an earthquake are rarely covered. This is why earthquake insurance needs to be purchased separately so that in shaky times your property damages will be covered. Typical homeowner’s insurance policies pay for damages that result from theft, storms, lightning, fires and some other damages that are considered “Acts of God.” So, what happens if your home is damaged by an earthquake? Is it covered?

Two of the more powerful tornadoes touched down in Jefferson County, in the cities of Clay and Center Point. After a survey of the damage in Jefferson County, the National Weather Service reported that the damage in Clay, Alabama indicated that the tornado was an EF-3 with winds of 150 mph.

Many people get homeowner's insurance because it is required when purchasing a home. But how many actually look at what the insurance policy will cover and how much it will cover if the home is destroyed or damaged by a fire, hurricane, windstorm, hail, tornado, or other disaster? Most people believe that if anything happened to their house they would be covered because they have an insurance policy.

When bad things happen, it can often leave people without the ability to think rationally and calmly. For example, when a homeowner sustains property damage in a windstorm, tropical storm, hurricane, tornado, heavy rain, or from hail, there are certain things to do and not to do in order not to hurt their potential residential insurance claim.

After the Bastrop fire, Hurricane Irene and other tropical storms that have wreaked havoc on homes in the last couple months, many homeowners were left holding their insurance policies trying to figure out how much insurance they had and what was and wasn't covered by their homeowner's insurance policy.

Maybe a hurricane, tropical storm, or harsh rains and wind ripped across your property, destroying everything in sight. After you discover that your home and residential property are damaged, you have a responsibility to report it to your homeowner’s insurance company. However, this is not the only responsibility that you have following your Texas residential disaster.

When hot and humid weather brings abundant moisture and abnormal heat, it can set the stage for a damaging thunderstorm. When large thunderstorms hit Texas and sweep across the South, the wind gusts, torrential rainfall and large hail can be so strong that it can be dangerous and damaging.

While the summer is a great time to travel, it is also a perfect time to tackle the much-needed home repairs and projects around the house that you may have been putting off. However, it’s important not to put off home-related to-dos for too long, as some repairs can make your home safer and help you avoid a future Texas residential insurance claim.

Insurance companies hire insurance claims adjusters to evaluate property damage claims to determine the liability of the insurance company. Although the insurance adjuster’s job is to be thorough – completing an investigation on the claim by reviewing reports, examining damage and talking to eye witnesses of the incident – many insurance adjusters just try to settle the claim quickly.

Is the State of Georgia overdue for a devastating hurricane? Many weather officials have stated that Georgia has not had a direct hit from a major hurricane for more than one hundred years, and only four minor storms have made landfall – with the last one over 33 years ago. Is the State of Georgia overdue for a devastating hurricane?

Although fire season is still in its early stages, many states have already been seriously affected by wildfires blazing out of control. Western states such as California, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, New Mexico and Colorado have been hit hard. The lack of rain, high winds and record temperatures have made it difficult for firefighters to contain these fires. Sadly, about 29 large fires have already consumed over 1.5 million acres of land across these states.

It may sound odd that a natural hole will appear all of a sudden and out of nowhere. The gradual formation is quite understandable and it gives you time to address the problem. However, when the hole is formed suddenly, then you might not have time to deal with it. It can even bring casualties. Fortunately, some insurance cover sinkholes to protect you from their unfortunate occurrence.

For homeowners who sustained serious storm damage, there is no question that they will file residential insurance claims to collect for damages they suffered. However, homeowners who suffered minor property damage often find themselves asking if they should file insurance claims. Tropical Storm Debby, the fourth tropical storm of this 2012 hurricane season, caused slight to moderate damage to some homes and businesses and serious damage to others.

Waking up to the sounds of trees snapping and loud bangs from trees falling over was a living nightmare for many residents across the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic region recently. Residents in 13 different states were affected by violent windstorms, as high winds caused downed trees and other serious damage to areas including:

The forecast is dry and the outlook is grim for farmers in the Midwest corn and soybean belt from Iowa to Ohio. In fact, over 1,000 counties in 26 states are affected by the record heat and drought conditions. The latest information from the National Climatic Data Center revealed that the current drought is threatening about 55 percent of the United States, which is the highest percentage in over 56 years.

When a tornado strikes, the first instinct you should have is to get yourself and your family to safety. But what about the aftermath of the storm, when you see the devastating damage to your home and reality sinks in? In Texas, tornados have been known to leave you with wind or hail damage, broken windows, roof damage, wall damage and more. In some severe cases, a tornado can even level a house, as tornados can produce wind speeds as high as 300 mph.

Imagine driving around the corner to find your business in a blaze. Just seeing your commercial building engulfed in flames can leave you wondering what you should do next. You may find yourself asking the questions: How did this happen? Where do I start? Do I have enough insurance? How will I make a living while my business is temporarily relocated or shut down?

The recent Bastrop wildfire has left thousands of Texans with damaged homes and businesses, which means that insurance companies are having to deal with countless insurance property claims regarding the Bastrop fire in the coming months. If your home was one of the 1,386 homes destroyed in the wildfire, don't take any chances.

Many people get homeowner's insurance because it is required when purchasing a home. But how many actually look at what the insurance policy will cover and how much it will cover if the home is destroyed or damaged by a fire, hurricane, windstorm, hail, tornado, or other disaster?

When bad things happen, it can often leave people without the ability to think rationally and calmly. For example, when a homeowner sustains property damage in a windstorm, tropical storm, hurricane, tornado, heavy rain, or from hail, there are certain things to do and not to do in order not to hurt their potential residential insurance claim.

If your home was one of the 1,386 homes destroyed in the wildfire, don't take any chances. Talk to a skilled insurance litigation lawyer today for help navigating these complex insurance claims. You need to be prepared to deal with your insurance company so your claim does not get denied or settled for a lower amount.

After the Bastrop fire, Hurricane Irene and other tropical storms that have wreaked havoc on homes in the last couple months, many homeowners were left holding their insurance policies trying to figure out how much insurance they had and what was and wasn't covered by their homeowner's insurance policy.

Fires and wildfires have caused tremendous property damage for Texas residents this past year. Although most fires are caused by humans and started in kitchens, there are those that occur due to low levels of precipitation, drought conditions, and high temperatures. When those conditions are combined with dry, windy days, vegetation can easily ignite and cause a wildfire to spread rapidly.

For homes in Corpus Christi and along the coast, windstorm certifications are necessary to ensure that the home can withstand a serious windstorm. Prior to purchasing a home, buyers need to confirm that a coastal home has undergone a windstorm inspection to make sure they can stand up to what Mother Nature may throw their way.

Why is earthquake insurance needed? Under a normal homeowner’s insurance policy, losses caused by an earthquake are rarely covered. This is why earthquake insurance needs to be purchased separately so that in shaky times your property damages will be covered.

After living through a tornado, you may just be thankful to be alive and to hug your loved ones. However, the reality of filing an Alabama tornado claim will soon kick in. As a tornado survivor, you will have many things to do following a serious storm, such as cleanup, collecting personal belongings, securing your damaged home, and filing a residential insurance claim.

If you have recently filed a homeowners insurance claim due to property damage caused by vandalism, fire, hail, wind, or a serious tropical storm, you need to know how to keep your insurance claim active, even if your residential insurance claim gets denied.

When previously buried trees and foundations are being exposed due to sinking ground, you probably have sinkhole damage at your home. Because a sinkhole is a serious matter, you need to act quickly to avoid more damage to your home and property.

When a Texas wildfire breaks out and a residential neighborhood is destroyed, there could be hundreds of homes and people affected in one fire. Some homes may have been totally leveled, while others may only have suffered smoke damage. In either case, homeowners need their insurance companies to come through for them in their residential fire insurance claims.

Business owners who suffer financial losses in a fire are often at a loss for what to do next. No one ever expects a blaze to destroy their company and bring their business to a halt. However, when you are forced to close down or business is at a standstill until you can get a temporary location or get repairs made to your building, you need to know your options.

Insurance companies have been hit hard last year with tornado, hurricane, wind, flood, hailstorm, other storm-related claims, as well as fire insurance claims. Because the state of Texas experienced many damaging natural disasters, the insurance companies are looking for ways to minimize insurance claim payouts.

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground. Tornado intensities are classified on the Fujita Scale with ratings between F0 (weakest) to F5 (strongest). They are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles.

After a disaster such as a tornado, wildfire, or hurricane caused damage to your home, you may have taken a lot of time to take photographs of your damaged or destroyed home and property as well as made lists or gathered receipts for your missing or damaged personal belongings. The process for submitting your insurance claim seemed frustrating and overwhelming, but you managed to give the insurance company everything they asked for.

Sometimes the past can be used as an example of what could take place in the future. For instance, Hurricane Ike in 2008 caused billions of dollars in losses for many Texas residents. The wind damage, water damage, roof damage and overall hurricane damage left many homeowners in need and waiting for their insurance companies to come through for them so that they could rebuild, repair and move on.

After the recent tornadoes that hit Kennedale, Texas and tore through Arlington and the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, residents are left to wonder if their tornado damage is covered by their insurance policies and what exactly is an act of God insurance claim.

Once property insurance claims enter the legal arena, one burden the insured often has is to further demonstrate their damages. This is often accomplished through the use of experts who are hired by our law firm to analyze the claim and provide an opinion of not only the scope of damages, but also the cause and value of those damages.

The United States, specifically in the “Tornado Alley” area that runs from Texas through much of the Midwest, sees more tornadoes than any other country – with approximately one thousand tornadoes touching town each year. If you have been watching the news, you have most likely heard about the devastation that the Midwest suffered due to tornadoes that ripped through states like Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and others.

Although many homeowners believe their insurance companies are there for them and agents even show remorse for their situation, homeowners need to remember that they represent dollar signs to the insurance company. Parts of North Texas sustained major damage and devastation caused by the tornadoes and serious storms that moved through the area during the first week of April. The tornado and hail damage has caused thousands of Texas homeowner claims to be filed with insurance companies.

The Texas wildfire was destructive to say the least, as it burned approximately 34,000 acres, lasting over 2,000 hours in Northeast Bastrop, Texas (about 30 miles east of Austin). During this time, over 1,700 homes and businesses were destroyed by the fire.

If you haven’t reached for your home insurance documents yet, then you probably should do so. It is a wise idea to understand how you will be protected in the event of a hurricane, because some homeowners have to purchase separate insurance policies to cover their hurricane damages, depending upon where they live. Other owners may have coverage built into their standard policy.

As Texas insurance litigation lawyers, we have seen so much devastation from hurricanes and tropical storms that we want to make sure you are protected. In order to be adequately protected, you have to get in shape. Almost one year after Tropical Storm Irene hit followed by Tropical Storm Lee, our nation is gearing up for the beginning of 2012’s tropical storm and hurricane season.

The majority of tornadoes are considered weak tornadoes. Although experts in the field refer to tornadoes designated EF1 or EF0 as weak, they can still cause property damage in Texas. These types of tornadoes generally stay on the ground for about a mile after touching down. In this time, they can cause damage to homes, cars, businesses and more.

No matter how the insurance companies spin it, not every homeowner or business owner received assistance or was offered a fair claim payout for their Joplin tornado damage.

When businesses incur fire damage or a major loss, it is very difficult for a business to recover, even when the people running the company are experts in their field and know how to run and manage their business. Dry conditions, high winds and lightning strikes are the cause of many wildfires. Although many wildfires happen in remote areas, no home or business is immune to fire threats and property damage.

Did you know that less than 1% of claimants query the decision when a claim is denied? Yet, over 50% of those who do fight back get results. Tip 1 -- Don't Assume NO is Final - Did you know that less than 1% of claimants query the decision when a claim is denied? Yet, over 50% of those who do fight back get results. So, you've got a good chance of winning if you fight back.

Although hurricane season is upon us and can be extremely destructive to homes and properties, hailstorms can be equally as costly, as hail has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. When hot and humid weather brings abundant moisture and abnormal heat, it can set the stage for a damaging thunderstorm.

Although you may have done everything you can to help make your home a safer place, you may still be a victim of a natural disaster and need to file a Texas homeowners insurance claim. While the summer is a great time to travel, it is also a perfect time to tackle the much-needed home repairs and projects around the house that you may have been putting off.