Fulgham Hamptom Law Group Blog

How Texans Can Find the Best Homeowners Insurance Policy

Homeowner Insurance Claims | Insurance Claims

Buying a home is exciting, but comes with a long to-do list that you might not have anticipated before you started attending open houses.

As a homeowner, you might have to pay HOA fees. You might have discussed how you are going to maintain your lawn. You will also need to purchase a homeowner insurance policy that protects your home (and everything in it).

Shopping for homeowners insurance can be one of the most overwhelming aspects of homeownership. Let us answer some of Texans’ most common questions to get you started.

No, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need one. You don’t have to have homeowners insurance when you own a home. Still, it’s [...]

Your House Has Flooded — What Texans Should Do

Flood Insurance | Homeowner Insurance Claims

As we head into the second half of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, there isn’t a single Texan who hasn’t already asked themselves, “What should I do if my house gets flooded?”

As of this writing, we’ve weathered seven tropical storms since May and have more than two months left in the season. Do you know the answer to the question?

Today, we provide you with eight easy steps to take that can help to ensure the best possible outcome should you become the victim of residential flooding.

Ready? Let’s begin.

Standard Texas homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage unless it is directly caused by a “covered peril.” When you purchased your home and [...]

Common Reasons Texas Insurers Deny Homeowners’ Claims (And What to Do)

Bad Faith Insurance | Homeowner Insurance Claims | Insurance Claims

When an unforeseen accident or disaster causes damage to your house, you may be stressed but reassured by the thought, “At least I have homeowners’ insurance!”

So when your homeowners’ claim is denied by your insurance company, it can come as an especially heartbreaking shock. Unfortunately, this situation is all too common in Texas.

Self-interested insurance companies may seek every possible opportunity to deny your claim in order to avoid paying it. We’ve explained some of the most common reasons insurers deny claims in Texas below.

Of course, for all the reasons your claim could be denied, there are usually ways to avoid them, so we’ve included a bit of advice, too.

How Do You Know If You Need Flood Insurance in Texas?

Flood Insurance | Homeowner Insurance Claims

Did you know that floods are the leading natural disaster to the U.S.? You may have at least noticed extreme weather events becoming more common.

So in a time when you’re more likely than ever to need it, you would think most homeowners insurance policies would count flood coverage as standard.

You should know, they don’t.

Now, Fort Worth doesn’t see hurricanes like coastal cities such as Houston. Still, the city — the entire DFW area, in fact — is located in the dead center in the northern-most part of a corridor known as Flash Flood Alley. This stretch of land from Central to Northern Texas is always hardest hit by precipitation each year.

Moreover, many parts of Fort [...]

Flood Insurance in Texas: An Overview

Flood Insurance | Homeowner Insurance Claims | Insurance Claims

One of the most affordable insurance policies a Texan can buy? Flood Insurance.

One of the least-purchased insurance policies in Texas? Also Flood Insurance.

One of the top reasons why Texas homeowners file insurance claims? Flooding.

Reportedly, 71% of Texas residences identified as being located in high-risk flood zones do not have coverage for flood waters.

There are a number of contributing factors to that – perception that flood risk is low, that it’s not required to by law, (mistakenly) believing it’s covered by another policy, bad faith claims leaving folks feeling like a policy isn’t going to pay out anyway. The fact remains, however, that your home is probably your biggest asset… and the policies you own — very [...]

Texas Businesses: How to Make an Insurance Claim Checklist

Business Insurance Claims | Homeowner Insurance Claims | Insurance Claims

Got your own company? It’s not about if, but when you will end up filing a business insurance claim.

Unfortunately, there are a number of steps for filing a business insurance claim in Texas, and a number of common missteps and often-overlooked items throughout the process.

We believe preparation is the best strategy for avoiding those mistakes and dealing with business losses and insurance claims more efficiently. To that end, you need an easy-access insurance claim checklist ready and available, and in this post, we want to share five of the most important considerations when creating one. That way, when it’s time to file a claim, you’ll be ready.

After reading this article, if you still have [...]

Why Is Your Texas Homeowner’s Insurance Denying Your Claim?

Homeowner Insurance Claims | Insurance Claims

While homeowners carefully choose a policy to ensure financial relief should any damage occur to what is likely their most valuable asset, sometimes all their hard work doesn’t matter. Sometimes, insurers simply don’t hold up their end of the bargain, doing everything in their power to delay or deny claims that should be completely valid.

What far too many people don’t realize is that they don’t have to accept this kind of behavior. There are ways to dispute the settlement that your insurer offers you. You can do this on your own or, if you believe it’s warranted, you have the right to work with a knowledgeable Texas homeowners insurance claims attorney to take legal action against them.

Before doing [...]