Every season brings unique risks for Texas property owners — and with them, new challenges in how insurance claims are handled, disputed, and resolved. From hurricane winds on the Gulf Coast to hailstorms in North and Central Texas, the state’s extreme weather doesn’t just damage homes and businesses — it shapes the very laws that govern insurance coverage and claim disputes.
At Green, Klein, Wood & Jones, our Texas insurance lawyers have seen firsthand how each storm season leaves a lasting impact on both policyholders and the law itself.
Texas Weather and the Insurance Claim Landscape
Texas leads the nation in billion-dollar weather disasters, and each type of event creates unique legal and practical issues in property insurance claims:
- Hurricanes and windstorms often raise coverage disputes over wind versus flood damage — a distinction that can determine whether a loss is covered or excluded.
- Hail and tornado events frequently lead to underpaid claims and appraisal disagreements about roof, siding, or structural damage.
- Winter freezes (like Winter Storm Uri in 2021) expose weaknesses in insurer investigations and raise issues under the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act.
These weather-driven disputes have pushed Texas courts to continually refine how insurance policies are interpreted and how insurers are held accountable for delays, denials, and bad faith conduct.
How Seasonal Disasters Influence Texas Insurance Law
Each major storm or freeze becomes a catalyst for change in Texas insurance law. Legal rulings and legislative updates often follow in the wake of catastrophic events:
- After Hurricane Harvey (2017), litigation centered on insurer timeliness and compliance with the Texas Prompt Pay Act.
- Post-Uri (2021), courts clarified the “ensuing loss” doctrine and the limits of policy exclusions for water and freeze damage.
- Ongoing hailstorm litigation continues to shape how appraisal awards are treated, when the appraisal panel can address causation, and how contractors and adjusters can protect their interests.
These evolving legal precedents make it essential for Texas policyholders, public adjusters, and contractors to stay informed — because the law that applies to your claim today may look very different after the next storm season.
What Texas Policyholders Should Do Before the Next Storm
With hurricane season extending into late fall and hail threats peaking again in spring, preparation is key. Policyholders can reduce claim disputes and strengthen recovery by:
- Reviewing insurance policies before a loss occurs — especially wind, hail, and flood coverage provisions.
- Documenting property conditions regularly through photos, inspections, and maintenance records.
- Reporting claims promptly and tracking all insurer communications to preserve evidence for any future dispute.
- Consulting experienced Texas insurance lawyers when facing delays, denials, or appraisal disputes.
Why Policyholders Trust Green, Klein, Wood & Jones
At Green, Klein, Wood & Jones, we represent policyholders across Texas in property insurance disputes involving wind, hail, hurricane, and freeze damage. Our firm has helped shape significant legal outcomes in Texas insurance law — including record-setting verdicts and landmark rulings that protect the rights of policyholders.
If you’re navigating an insurance dispute after a Texas storm, our team is here to help ensure your insurer honors its obligations under the law.
