General information only. This is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Policy language controls.

Short answer: Insurers commonly deny or underpay wind and hail claims by calling the damage wear and tear, disputing the storm, or delaying while the roof and interior get worse. Some of those positions are legitimate. Many are not. Suit-limitation, notice, and appraisal deadlines can run while the owner waits for a second inspection.

Why storm claims stall

  • Wear and tear, deterioration, or “pre-existing damage.”
  • An estimate that covers only a fraction of actual repair cost, including code upgrades.
  • A dispute over whether a particular hail or wind event caused the loss.
  • Open-ended delay while the property continues to leak.

The difference between a fair adjustment and a fight is usually in four places: the policy form, the weather data, the photographs, and whether the carrier followed its claim-handling duties. A second phone call to the same adjuster rarely creates that record.

Deadlines still control the file

Most policies impose notice, cooperation, appraisal, and suit-limitation periods. Waiting for another inspection can quietly burn those clocks. If the dispute is about the amount of loss, appraisal may be available. If the dispute is about coverage itself, appraisal may not answer the question. Either way, the date on the denial or estimate letter matters as much as the dollar figure.

What to gather before a review

  • The policy and declaration pages, not just the denial letter.
  • Every estimate, supplement, and scope of work.
  • Dated photos, interior leak photos, and any contractor invoices.
  • A timeline of every call, claim number, and adjuster name.
  • The storm date you believe caused the damage.

That package is what we use on our Texas and Oklahoma wind and hail claim reviews. In appropriate cases these matters may be handled on a contingent-fee basis, with fee terms set out in a written agreement.

Frequently asked questions

The adjuster said the damage was old. Is that the end of it?
No. Age-of-damage arguments are common. Independent documentation, weather data, and the policy’s actual language still have to be compared to the denial.
Should I sign the first estimate?
Do not treat the first estimate as a final settlement until you understand what it leaves unpaid, including matching, code, and interior repairs.
Does a public adjuster replace a lawyer?
They do different work. A coverage dispute, bad-faith issue, or missed deadline is a legal problem, not only a scoping problem.

Check case eligibility online or call 866-230-7236.