The most relevant term concerning storm systems that move across Oklahoma is unquestionably “across.” Oklahoma is frequently a venue for nasty weather patterns that affect cities, towns and agricultural enclaves from one end of the state to the other. Widespread storms understandably pack a big punch, bringing the ready potential to inflict heavy damage relevant to both human life and property.
Oklahomans don’t have to think too hard to jog their memories for details of the most recent weather system that wreaked havoc across a wide swath of the state. In fact, it was just a couple weeks ago that problematic weather played out a large section of Oklahoma.
In referencing that system, one online publication spotlighted the “flooding, severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds” that centrally marked it and brought notable damage to all corners of the state. After surveying the fallout, Gov. Marry Fallin declared a state of emergency applicable to all 77 Oklahoma counties.
Similar systems have emerged of course, leaving varied levels of devastation in their wake, and more are destined to follow.
We note on our pro-policyholders’ website at Mansell, Engel & Cole in Oklahoma City that, while storm effects are variable in each case, there is one enduring constant that emerges in the aftermath of every major weather system.
Namely, that is the need for insured parties filing claims for damage to their homes, automobiles, businesses and other assets to deal with their insurers.
In the best-case scenario, that proceeds smoothly and with dispatch.
Unfortunately, though, many policyholders encounter stiff resistance and even outright challenges from their insurance companies when they make good-faith claims for payment on a covered loss. It is far from rare in such an instance for an insurer to delay, underpay, or flatly refuse to pay at all on a claim.
Policyholders should never respond to such behavior timidly or with a passive demeanor. After all, good-faith performance by a claimant should be responded to by an insurer in a reciprocal manner. That is, payment for a loss should be timely and fully made.
If it isn’t, proven insurance law attorneys who routinely advocate with knowledge and passion on behalf of aggrieved policyholders can deal directly with a non-performing insurer to secure an equitable result.