Representing Homeowners With Denied Insurance Claims

In Oklahoma, 80%-90% of all homeowners insurance claims involve roof damage from tornadoes, hail and violent storms. However, fire, flooding and other disasters can also require an insurance company to fulfill its duties and provide financial relief.

Unfortunately, too many homeowners find themselves trapped in a stalemate with their insurance companies over denied claims, delayed claims and other types of “bad faith.” Our attorneys handle homeowners insurance disputes over:

• Wind and hail losses
• Losses after a fire
• Water-related damage
• Losses after an earthquake or tornado
• Collapse or structural damage
• Other property damage losses due to natural disasters

If you find yourself in a difficult scenario involving any such loss, turn to Mansell & Engel. Since 1994, we have dedicated our practice exclusively to representing people like you in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

When Insurance Adjusters And Contractors Don’t Agree

Typically, the insurance company will send one of its own adjusters to view your home. He or she will make an estimate of the damage and how much money you deserve for repairs.

The problem is that the actual contractor who is performing the work may not agree with the insurance adjuster’s estimate. The adjuster may say that only a small section of your roof needs repairing, for example, but the contractor may insist that it’s impossible to only fix one section — the entire roof needs to be replaced.

If reputable construction contractors believe that the cost to properly repair your house greatly exceeds what your insurance company is willing to pay, what are your options? Must you pay for the repairs out-of-pocket? Should you agree to substandard repair work in order to reduce the expense?

The first and most important thing you should do is learn about your legal rights. At Mansell & Engel, we will clearly explain your options under the law. Then, we will create a customized strategy for pursuing the benefits you paid for.

Denied Roof Damage Claims

Oklahomans are well aware of the numerous severe weather events, including tornadoes, that have damaged many roofs in our state in recent years. If your property was harmed in the November 4th and 5th, 2022, tornado outbreak in southeastern Oklahoma, or any other recent serious weather event, you may still be struggling to get your roof repaired by your insurance company. Our insurance claims attorneys have helped numerous clients to overcome difficulties after wind and hail have damaged roofs.

Among various inadequate responses of insurers, we have learned of many incidents such as the following:

• Insurance claims adjusters denied their claims immediately after storms damaged them.
• Roofs valued at more than $100,000 were more often devalued than less expensive roofs.
• Owners of homes worth $400,000 or more tended to experience more denials than others.
• Even when property owners had wind and/or hail policies in place, insurers sometimes insisted that the damage in question was not caused by wind or hail.

In some cases, insurers have contended that other natural causes contributed to the roof damage – and used that excuse to avoid paying on tornado-related roof damage claims.

‘Ground Settling’ And ‘Deterioration’ Are Common Excuses

All too often, with homeowners’ claims after tornadoes and other types of severe weather, the insurance company adjuster or engineer will claim that the damage to your home is due to some other cause not covered by your policy. They may allege that the damage was caused by:

• Improper workmanship when the house was built
• Natural settling or shifting of the ground below the house
• Long-term deterioration of roofing materials

The company’s decision-makers know that it is required to pay for storm damage, for instance, so they hope to lay the blame on something else. Our insurance claims attorneys fight back. They have helped many Oklahomans overcome initial denials.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma Insurance Policies

Our attorneys hear some common questions from our clients. Here are some basics you should know:

What does a standard homeowners insurance policy cover in Oklahoma?

Every homeowners insurance policy can be different, but a typical policy is designed to cover damage to the home itself and damage to the property it holds from any pre-designated dangers listed in the policy. It’s important to understand specifically what kinds of damage are covered, as well as what kinds of damage are excluded. For example, some policies cover hail storms but not flood damage.

In general, homeowners insurance also covers personal liability and medical payments to others for property liability claims.

Is homeowners insurance required by law in Oklahoma?

No, Oklahoma law does not require homeowners insurance. However, unless you own your home outright, your mortgage lender may require you to have homeowners insurance to obtain a loan. They may also “call the loan” if you allow your policy to lapse.

Are there any specific homeowners insurance coverages that are recommended for Oklahoma residents?

Because of Oklahoma’s unique climate, it’s recommended that every homeowner have coverage that will pay for wind and hail damage, tornado damage, flood insurance (even when a residence is not in a flood zone) and personal property replacement costs. Coverage for jewelry and personal electronics may also be important.

How can I save money on my homeowners insurance premium?

The most important thing you can do is to shop around when looking for insurance. You can also save money by combining your home and auto insurance from the same provider to get a “bundled” discount and select a higher deductible. You may also be able to obtain a lower policy in exchange for adding home security or making certain upgrades to your home.

Contact Our Insurance Claims Lawyers Today

At Mansell & Engel, our highly experienced attorneys will collaborate with structural engineers and other experts to set the record straight. Most insurance carriers know our firm by name. We have a well-earned reputation for being able to successfully litigate cases and obtain substantial settlements on behalf of our clients.

Schedule a free consultation about your case today. Simply call our Oklahoma City office at 405-212-5921 or email our lawyers. We also offer free consultations to other attorneys who seek co-counsel on these types of cases.