HOUSTON, Texas – A derecho blows throw your community in May and sends a tree into your home.
You pay a deductible for repairs.
It gets fixed.
Now, imagine your home being damaged again with Hurricane Beryl.
Guess what?
The fix is going to require a second deductible to be paid out. Thousands out the door not once, but twice for repairs caused by storms.
This is a reality for some Houstonians.
“It’s a big financial strain,” said Cynthia Fronterhouse.
Fronterhouse says a tree went through her family’s home, penetrating their roof, kitchen, and bedroom back during May’s derecho. They put in a new roof last month.
Then last week, Hurricane Beryl put another tree through their master bedroom as well as their brand-new roof.
“It wasn’t as bad as the first,” said Fronterhouse. “But regardless, it creates another deductible.”
All this storm damage is forcing Fronterhouse to ask one key question: “Do you think I should move?” said Fronterhouse.
As the clean-up from both Derecho and Beryl continues, adding to the mess and headache is having to file insurance claims. We sat down with attorney Hunter Klein with Green, Klein, Woods, and Jones Law.
“In this situation, is she stuck with these two deductibles that are above 10 thousand dollars?” asked John Paul Barajas
“Probably yes, unfortunately; there are a lot of options available for funding your deductible; a lot of companies will offer pretty low-interest financing for these exact situations,” said Klein.
Klein says that insurance companies are now applying percentage deductibles to named storms, which is also driving up the price.
With both storm and financial damage Fronterhouse worries that more damages could occur with hurricane season just getting started; and what it could mean for her insurance policy.
“I don’t want to have my insurance coverage canceled or my rates to go up,” said Fronterhouse
“Insurance companies cannot individually raise rates; they can raise rates in various zip codes based on the loss history of that area,” said Klein
Klein explains insurance companies can cancel your policy if you file three or more claims that are not weather-related, but that weather-related claims cannot be counted against a homeowner.
“When you’re in the middle of hurricane season, do you file right after each incident?” asked Barajas
“Yes, that’s a very good question; the reality is insurance policies require insurers to give prompt notice after the loss or damage occurs,” answered Klein
