Hurricanes don’t leave every property with the same kind of loss. One Pasadena business may be dealing with a torn roof and soaked inventory, while another has several buildings that can’t safely reopen.
Then comes the insurance question: what will actually be covered? A hurricane damage lawyer in Pasadena can get involved when the answer from the insurer doesn’t line up with the damage or the policy.
Barcus Arenas, PLLC, focuses on complex insurance disputes, backed by nearly two decades of combined experience. As an insurance claims lawyer in Pasadena, our team represents businesses, condo associations, apartment complexes, churches, and owners of substantial properties when a storm claim becomes difficult, expensive, or both.
The Storm Is Over, but the Property Problems Aren’t
After a hurricane, the obvious damage tends to get attention first: missing shingles, broken glass, standing water, or a roof that’s been torn open. But that may not be the whole loss. Water can work its way into walls and ceilings, affect wiring, and leave behind moisture that eventually turns into a mold problem.
On a commercial property, the damage can be scattered everywhere. One tenant space might have water inside while another has roof damage. An apartment complex could be dealing with problems across several buildings at once. And if equipment is unusable or the property has to close, the financial hit doesn’t stop with the repair bill.
That’s why an early inspection doesn’t always tell the full story. Some water intrusion and structural problems only become clear once repairs begin or damaged areas are opened up. Our hurricane lawyers in Pasadena are ready to help when you run into problems like these.
For a free legal consultation with a hurricane damage lawyer serving Pasadena, call (800) 941-1041
What Evidence Can Matter in a Hurricane Damage Claim?
An insurance adjuster will gather information for the insurer, but property owners should keep their own records as well. A well-documented hurricane damage claim in Pasadena can make it easier to show what the property looked like after the storm and where disagreements with the insurer began.
Useful records can include:
- Photos and video: Take pictures of the property as soon as it’s safe, including damaged roofing, wet interiors, broken windows, equipment, and areas where water entered.
- Repair estimates: Hold onto contractor estimates, inspection findings, and other documents showing what needs to be repaired or replaced and the expected cost.
- Business records: Keep financial statements, sales records, payroll information, and other documents that help show how a shutdown or reduced operations affected the business.
- Insurance correspondence: Keep emails, letters, estimates, coverage decisions, and requests received from the insurance company.
- Pre-storm records: Earlier photographs, maintenance documents, inspection reports, and repair records may help establish the property’s condition before the hurricane.
Don’t assume a document is unimportant just because the insurer hasn’t asked for it yet. Large hurricane claims can change as additional damage is discovered.
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When Wind and Water Damage Overlap
After a hurricane, it isn’t always easy to separate one type of damage from another. Wind may pull roofing away or break windows, allowing rain to pour into the building. At the same time, rising water or storm surge can damage the lower portions of the property.
That distinction can become a major issue during the insurance claim. Commercial property coverage may respond differently to wind and rain than a separate flood insurance policy responds to rising water. When both happen during the same storm, disagreements over what caused the damage can quickly turn into a coverage dispute.
A Pasadena hurricane claims lawyer can examine those competing explanations alongside the actual insurance policies. The goal isn’t to treat every loss the same. It’s to determine what happened at this property and what the applicable coverage says about it.
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Windstorm Coverage Can Depend on Where the Property Is Located
Where a Pasadena property sits can make a difference when windstorm insurance is involved. The Texas Department of Insurance identifies the part of Pasadena within city limits and east of State Highway 146 as being within the state’s designated catastrophe area.
That distinction can affect properties seeking certain wind and hail coverage through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. But location alone doesn’t tell you what coverage a particular building has. Commercial properties may be insured through different carriers, including surplus lines insurers, and their policy terms can vary considerably.
A Pasadena hurricane attorney can sort through the policies, endorsements, deductibles, and policy exclusions before determining how those provisions may affect the claim. With a large commercial loss, small details in the policy can have expensive consequences.
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A Covered Loss Can Still Be Underpaid
Getting the insurer to recognize hurricane damage is only one part of the claim. The next disagreement may be over what it will actually cost to put the property back together. An adjuster might allow for a roof repair when a contractor believes replacement is needed, or an estimate may overlook damaged interiors, equipment, or portions of a multi-building property.
A Pasadena hurricane damage attorney can review those numbers against contractor estimates, inspection reports, photographs, and other records from the loss. If covered damage has also forced a business to close or scale back operations, the financial impact of that interruption may need to be addressed as part of the claim.
There’s also the way the claim itself has been handled. Long stretches without an answer, a denial that doesn’t seem to fit the policy, or unexplained cuts to documented repair costs can raise additional questions. That doesn’t automatically make the dispute a bad faith case, but it can be a reason to look more closely at what the insurer did and why.
Call a Hurricane Damage Lawyer in Pasadena Today
For commercial property owners, hurricane season isn’t an abstract concern. A single storm can affect buildings, tenants, inventory, employees, and revenue at the same time. If the insurance company then challenges the extent or cause of the loss, getting the property back to normal can become even harder.
Barcus Arenas, PLLC, works on a contingency basis and offers consultations by Zoom. Our attorneys are also willing to take insurance disputes to trial when a case calls for it.
If you’re facing a substantial hurricane claim involving a business, condo association, apartment complex, church, or other high-value property, talk with a hurricane damage lawyer in Pasadena about the insurer’s position and your next move.
Call or text (800) 941-1041 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
