HOUSTON – A family in The Heights says damage to their home is getting worse and worse since the recent storms, mainly because Allstate, the insurance company they pay a premium to, hasn’t even sent out an adjuster to look at it.
“We have two beautiful trees. A big elm no longer there. A beautiful sycamore,” said Terra Davies, adding that most of the sycamore is no longer there. “Three large branches ended up in the roof.”
The result from the recent Derecho storm. Big roof holes, water and electrical damage.
“We paid to tarp it ourselves. Then the next storm comes in. 70 mph winds, rips off one of the tree tarps, more water damage,” Davies said.
At that point she says Allstate, their insurance provider, said it would retarp it.
“After several appointments, they no show. Finally tarp it after another rain storm,” she said.
Davies says she thought her claim would finally be processed, until Allstate told her she needed to get a third party inspector, which seemed impossible because the would-be inspectors said the roof was too high.
“Two separate companies. Five separate appointments. We finally get one to show up on Sunday,” she said.
Davies says the one adjuster who did come out says he couldn’t get to the roof because of cables that present a safety issue, and the home behind it presents a liability issue.
We decided to send a drone up and were able to see the damage within seconds.
“So if a client like in your situation, the people in The heights. If they have a homeowners insurance policy then they pay a premium,” said first party insurance attorney, Rene Sigman.
Sigman says the clients aren’t only paying for coverage but also for an adjustment. Sigman encourages insurance clients to look into Texas Insurance Code section 542, Prompt Payment of Claims act which requires insurance companies to begin an investigation within 15 days of the notice of loss.
“One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself for later, is to put everything in writing,” she said.
Sigman adds the client should send a detailed email saying they want someone out to their house ASAP, and in Davies case, that the damage is getting worse
“Sometimes you may call and they’ll say ‘sure we’ll have someone come out’ but later if you do have to go and file a lawsuit against them, you want it memorialized so there’s no factual dispute,” she said.
Davies believes the damage to her home would run upwards of 40k. The good news is she says Allstate finally promised to have an inspector to come out and look at it within a few days, She’s holding on to hope but by now says she’s lost faith in Allstate all together.
