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2-Year Statutes of Limitations After the 2024 Houston Derecho and Hurricane Beryl

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2-Year Statutes of Limitations After the 2024 Houston Derecho and Hurricane Beryl
On This Page
  1. 2024 Houston Storms: Key Facts
  2. Why You Might Need a Lawyer
  3. Texas 2-Year Statutes of Limitations
  4. Take Action Now

Following the devastating 2024 Houston Derecho (May 16) and Hurricane Beryl (July 8), property owners across Houston and surrounding areas faced widespread damage and prolonged recovery. If you are dealing with insurance claims for storm-related property damage, it’s critical to understand Texas law, including the two-year statute of limitations (SOL) for filing lawsuits. Consulting a Houston insurance claim attorney early can ensure your rights are protected and your claim meets all deadlines.

2024 Houston Storms: Key Facts

  • May 16, 2024 – Derecho: With wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, the storm caused extensive structural damage, downed trees, and massive power outages.
  • July 8, 2024 – Hurricane Beryl: Made landfall in the Houston area, compounding the destruction with additional wind, rain, and flooding in some neighborhoods.
  • Combined Impact: Over 90% of Harris County residents lost power for more than two days. The storms exposed vulnerabilities in the city’s infrastructure, including power grids and building resilience.
  • Recovery Funding: The City of Houston has received federal grants exceeding $300 million for recovery, including HUD Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds.

For a free legal consultation, call (800) 941-1041

Why You Might Need a Lawyer

Hiring an insurance claim attorney is often necessary when insurers delay, underpay, or deny claims following major storms like the 2024 Derecho or Hurricane Beryl. An attorney can:

  • Combat Underpayment & Lowball Offers: Attorneys can hire independent engineers or contractors to document damage and calculate accurate repair costs.
  • Challenge Wrongful Denials: Insurers may claim damage is pre-existing or outside covered perils. A lawyer interprets policy language to enforce your contractual rights.
  • Address Bad Faith Practices: Under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 541, insurers acting unreasonably, delaying payment, misrepresenting terms, or refusing to investigate, may be liable.
  • Recover Additional Damages & Fees: Lawyers can pursue attorney’s fees, court costs, statutory interest, and, in some cases, treble damages for egregious misconduct.
  • Level the Playing Field: Legal representation ensures you have a professional advocate to manage communications and negotiations with the insurance company.

You should consider consulting an attorney if your claim involves total denial, unreasonable delay, large gaps in value, or complex policy issues. Most storm damage attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you recover compensation.

Texas 2-Year Statutes of Limitations

The two-year SOL is the strict legal deadline to file lawsuits for property damage or insurance disputes in Texas. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation.

1. General Deadlines for 2024 Storms

  • Property Damage: Two years from the date of the final claim determination and/or denial.
    • Derecho (May 16, 2024) → Final Claim Determination (July 15, 2024) → Deadline: July 15, 2026
    • Hurricane Beryl (July 8, 2024) → Final Claim Determination (August 15, 2024) → Deadline: August 15, 2026
  • Bad Faith & Deceptive Practices: Lawsuits alleging insurer misconduct must also be filed within two years of the wrongful act.

2. Accrual: When the Clock Starts

Texas Courts have held that a policyholder’s cause of action accrues (begins) when there is a denial of coverage. To avoid risk, using the storm date as your “safe” deadline is generally recommended.

3. Pre-Suit Notice (Chapter 542A)

Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542A requires policyholders to provide formal written notice at least 61 days before filing a lawsuit for weather-related claims. Failing to provide this notice can delay your case and jeopardize attorney’s fees recovery.

  • Derecho (May 16, 2024) → Final Claim Determination (July 15, 2024) → Deadline to File Suit: July 15, 2026

Deadline to Serve Pre-Suit Notice: May 15, 2026

4. Exceptions & Shorter Deadlines

  • Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA): Some policies require filing within one year of the loss.
  • Contractual Limitations: Certain private policies may shorten the deadline to two years and one day from the date of denial.
  • Government Claims: Claims against government entities may have much shorter deadlines, sometimes as little as six months.

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Take Action Now

Storm damage claims can become complicated when insurers question coverage, undervalue repairs, or delay payments. Consulting a Houston hurricane damage attorney ensures you meet all legal deadlines and that your claim is properly documented and presented.

The attorneys at Barcus Arenas, PLLC represent property owners across Houston and Texas in disputes arising from the 2024 Derecho, Hurricane Beryl, and other severe weather events. Our team works with independent engineers and contractors, interprets complex insurance policies, and advocates aggressively to help you recover full compensation.

If you suffered property damage from the 2024 storms or are facing challenges with your insurer, contact Barcus Arenas, PLLC today to speak with an experienced insurance claims lawyer. We provide strategic guidance, strong advocacy, and dedicated support to protect your rights and maximize your recovery.

Call or text (800) 941-1041 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Frequently Asked Questions

  • First, document everything - take photos and videos of the damage and keep all repair estimates and receipts. Then, file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. If your claim is delayed, underpaid, or denied, contact us immediately to protect your rights and maximize your payout.

  • Insurance companies delay claims hoping you’ll give up or accept a low payout. If you’re getting the runaround, we can step in, demand answers, and push for a fair settlement. The longer they stall, the worse it can be for you - don’t wait to get legal help.

  • Yes! Insurers often wrongfully deny claims by misinterpreting policies or using loopholes. We’ll review your policy, investigate the damage, and challenge their denial to fight for the compensation you’re entitled to.

  • Probably not. Insurers frequently undervalue claims to save money. Before accepting anything, let us review your offer. We often uncover damages and policy benefits that were overlooked, which can result in a significantly higher payout.

  • Yes, but it’s best to consult us first. Insurers may argue that repairs make it harder to assess the original damage. If you’ve already started, keep detailed records of all expenses and contact us to ensure your claim is handled properly.

  • If your insurance company is delaying, denying, or underpaying your claim, or if you feel like you’re not being treated fairly, it’s time to talk to us. We specialize in fighting back against insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions
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