PIPE BURST INSURANCE CLAIMS
Residential and commercial property owners who have experienced significant water damage to their property (building and contents) stemming from pipe bursts or plumbing leaks may need assistance in dealing with their insurance company to insure their claim is handled properly. Water damage can wreak havoc on your commercial property and business operations, and leaks behind walls, under a foundation, or from failed equipment such as hot water heaters can be difficult to evaluate . Our attorneys have represented property owners with their pipe burst insurance claims for almost twenty years. We may be able to help in the event you experience severe loss and damage to your property.
A timely and thorough investigation is required soon after the loss in order to accurate assess the scope, nature and amount of damages. Insurance claim for water damage often cause significant emotional and financial stress on property owners. If you believe your insurance company has failed to conduct a proper investigation of a water damage insurance claim to your property, consider legal assistance in obtaining what you are owed under your insurance policy.
Causes of Plumbing Leaks
Leaks to a plumbing system may be due to any number of reasons, ranging from:
Freezing temperatures
Faulty workmanship
Clogged pipes
Rust or corrosion
Cracks in piping
Leaky pipe joints
Unregulated water pressure
While there are numerous other reasons a plumbing leak may arise, the fact remains that if you find a leak in your home, you will very likely have to deal with your insurance company. If you’ve experienced a leak that has caused significant damage to your property, you must notify your insurance company quickly. The source of the plumbing leak must be identified and the water stopped as soon as possible. Next, the water extraction and drying process should begin at the earliest opportunity. Generally speaking, the insured or insurance company will retain the services of a qualified water extraction or remediation company to assist with the water clean-up and drying process.
For large water losses in both residential and commercial claims, there is often a significant disparity between what the insurance company recommends–on the advice of their paid experts–to address the structure and contents affected by the water leak and what a qualified water damage expert without financial ties to the carrier recommends. Did the insurance company conduct appropriate testing since you were dealing with CAT 3 contaminated water? Has the adjuster checked for potential hidden water damage in the walls? Have delays in treating the affected property after the water loss caused the damages to be worse than they otherwise would have been? What about mold coverage? Does your policy contain endorsements that compensate an insured by accounting for recent local ordinances or laws that may be triggered depending on the size of the loss? These are just some of the questions which may arise during the course of a large pipe burst or sprinkler leak losses. Be prepared and know your rights under your insurance policy.
Plumbing Leak & Pipe Burst Insurance Claim Attorneys in Texas
Appliance system leaks & failures that occur in properties can cause extensive damage to the building and its contents. If these water damage insurance claims are not adjusted quickly and accurately by the carrier, the property owner may be forced into either making inadequate and incomplete repairs as a result of the carrier’s underpayment, or engaging in a costly and time-consuming battle against the insurance company, its attorneys, and defense experts.
The pressure to take what the insurance company offers can be overwhelming for business owners and families. The insurance companies and their adjusters know this all too well. If you are being pressured to settle your pipe burst insurance claim for an amount that you believe to be inadequate, you may consider seeking the advice and assistance of a qualified property insurance lawyer.
A sprinkler system leak or failure often results from frozen pipes that burst, causing the interior of the structure or building to flood. Most insurance policies have specific requirements concerning the maintenance and care of property sprinkler systems that can limit and even eliminate coverage.
Our lawyers have helped residential and commercial property owners whose plumbing leak insurance damage claims have been delayed, underpaid, or denied. We understand what is covered and not covered under your insurance policy and have almost 40 years of collective experience exclusively fighting large carriers who refuse to pay the full amount of what they owe the policyholder.
There are never any costs unless we win a jury award or settlement. Even then, your insurance company could be responsible for paying any legal fees incurred by the policyholder under Texas law.
Is water damage usually covered by property insurance?
It depends. Most commercial property insurance will cover water damage that occurs within a business – such as that resulting from a burst pipe. Water damage resulting from something outside the commercial structure, such as a leaky roof or storm damage, may be covered by different provisions or riders.
Be sure to carefully review your insurance policy to confirm your property is covered against water damage. Keep in mind that oftentimes insurance companies try to use certain tactics to say a business is not covered due to the specific method in which the water damage occurred. If you believe your company is covered and get this response from your insurance company, seek legal advice immediately.
What should I do if my business or home has suffered water damage?
It is important that you take steps to thoroughly assess – and document – that damage. This includes photographing and/or videoing the damage after it occurs. If there are steps you must take to stop ongoing water intrusion, be sure to document them. Keep any receipts for purchases you have made to treat the damage. All of this can be used to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
How long do I have to file a pipe burst or water damage insurance claim?
Most insurance companies allow you one (1) year from the date the damage occurred to file a pipe burst insurance claim. This can vary, though according to the terms delineated in your individual policy, so it is important to review it thoroughly.
Why Choose Lundquist Law Firm?
All of our attorneys previously defended carriers in these exact types of disputes. Unlike most firms, this is all we do—our entire practice is dedicated to helping policyholders get the just compensation they deserve for their properties following pipe burst insurance claims. Indeed, for over 20 years, we have helped policyholders with their disputed water damage insurance claims, collecting almost $100 million in confidential settlements from carriers for our clients. Additionally, as a smaller firm, we offer greater attention to detail and a hands-on approach. No matter how solid your claim, insurance companies will always look to protect themselves and try to avoid paying you what you are owed. We are a nationally recognized bad faith insurance litigation law firm that is familiar with the tactics insurance companies often use to deny claims. Our attorneys counter with successful strategies, including hiring professional roofing inspectors and engineers to fully inspect the nature of the damage to find clear, physical evidence of property damage covered under the specific terms of your policy. This allows us to have a detailed, comprehensive estimate of the real damage to your property and how much we should seek in claim compensation on your behalf. Our use of professional experts, contractors, and engineers sets us apart from other insurance litigation firms. We approach each case as though it is going to trial, not just settlement, appraisal or mediation.
Want your lawyers to have a proven track record? Since 2017, in addition to our co-counsel, we are the only law firm who successfully went to trial on a commercial property insurance claim against any insurance company stemming from a denied Hurricane Harvey claim—obtaining a record-setting verdict in the process. The final judgment was entered by the judge for over $4.200,000, which TopVerdict determined to be the #1 Texas verdict against any insurance company in 2020.
How Our Firm Can Help
At Lundquist Law Firm, we are experienced in dealing with insurance company defense tactics and know how to fight back on behalf of policyholders by confirming weather history for the affected property, thoroughly documenting the existing damages, obtaining and reviewing previous property inspection reports (including inspections performed by the insurance company as part of their underwriting process), and hiring qualified causation, damages, and insurance bad faith experts to prove your case in court against the insurance company. If you decide to contest your insurance company’s coverage decision, they will spend whatever it takes to hire their own attorneys and experts to defeat your claim. If the insurer’s conduct has been particularly inappropriate, you may have a bad faith action against the insurer depending on the state. For recovery under your policy, and for bad faith litigation, it is important that you have experienced property insurance attorneys on your side. Lundquist Law Firm will fight the insurance companies on your behalf and ensure that your insurance claims are honored. Please call us today at (346) 704-5295.
We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you owe us nothing if we are unsuccessful. We also front the case expenses necessary to combat the insurance company in litigation. We promise to aggressively pursue your rights under the insurance policy if your pipe burst insurance claim was delayed, underpaid, or denied.
Contact a Pipe Burst Insurance Claims Lawyer
If your business or home was damaged by pipe bursts or water damage from an appliance leak and your insurance claim is being denied, underpaid, or put on hold, contact the insurance claim lawyers of Lundquist Law Firm. Challenging an insurance company can be intimidating, but our experienced lawyers are committed to helping clients fight for compensation. For more information and a skilled assessment of your claim, contact us today by calling (346) 704-5295 or send an email using the Contact Us below.