Dallas & Houston Named-Perils Renters Insurance Attorneys
Many renters choose to get renters insurance because they want to protect themselves against property losses. Those living in disaster-prone areas often opt for a named-peril renters insurance policy, which offers coverage for specific risks like hurricanes, theft, or fire. Unfortunately, many renters face frustration when their renters insurance claim is denied, delayed, or underpaid, especially when the policyholder believed they were covered. If you are not covered as you should be under your named-peril renter’s insurance policy, the experienced and aggressive Dallas attorneys from Grisham & Kendall, PLLC are here to help. Contact us today by calling (713) 999-5085.
My wife and I thought we were heading into a complicated legal odyssey with a destroyed commercial property until we hired Bill Kendall. His sustained focus and hard work was so effective that we had a great settlement within hours of the first deposition.
F. Jones – Multi-Family Property Claim (Dallas, TX)
Our large hotel was severely damaged by hail. After significant delays by the insurance company, our claim was denied. We hired Bill Kendall and Grisham & Kendall soon after. Through Bill’s efforts during our lawsuit, we were able to reach a favorable settlement close to trial. We would certainly recommend Grisham & Kendall, PLLC to any property owner whose insurance company isn’t treating them fairly.
D. Patel – Hotel Hail ClaimWe Help With Denied or Underpaid Renters Insurance Claims
At Grisham & Kendall, PLLC, we understand that if you have filed a claim with your insurance company for lost property, you have likely already suffered through the stressful event that caused the damage. Having your claim denied or underpaid when you were prudent and responsible and bought named-peril insurance can seem unfair, and it may seem impossible to get your money when the insurance company seems so powerful. You do not have to go through this challenging experience alone. We understand that filing an insurance claim is often the result of an already stressful event. Whether it was fire damage, theft, or flooding, you bought your renters insurance policy to feel secure. But when your insurance company denies your claim without valid reason—or worse, acts in bad faith—it can leave you financially vulnerable.
Our renters insurance attorneys focus solely on helping policyholders. The highly qualified insurance attorneys at Grisham & Kendall, PLLC have been helping clients whose claims were delayed, denied, or underpaid by insurance companies for over 15 years. We are dedicated to only representing policyholders and providing them with vigorous and individualized representation. If you or a loved one has been given the run around by your insurance company, contact the knowledgeable and aggressive Dallas named-perils rental insurance lawyers at Grisham & Kendall, PLLC by calling (713) 999-5085, filling out a contact form online, or starting an online chat now.
Named-Perils Insurance vs. All-Risk Coverage
Many landlords now require that renters acquire their own renters’ insurance policy to avoid potential disagreements and possible lawsuits if the tenant’s property or belongings are damaged while on the landlord’s property. When acquiring their insurance policy, renters may or may not realize that a landlord’s insurance policy most likely will not cover any losses they could potentially suffer as a renter. For example, a landlord’s insurance may cover damage to their real property, such as the building or structure, but will likely not cover losses for a renter’s personal property, like your clothes, electronics, and art.
When choosing renters’ insurance, there are generally two options: an all-risk renters insurance policy or a named-perils insurance policy. An all-risk renters insurance policy is usually more expensive and comprehensive than a named-perils policy and will cover everything that can damage your property (except those things that are specifically excluded by the policy). On the other hand, a named-peril policy will protect property and possessions if they are damaged or lost due to the specific occurrences that are named in the insurance policy. If your property is damaged by the occurrence of something that is not explicitly named within the named-perils policy, then it is not covered by the policy.
People who live in areas where natural disasters frequently hit often opt to buy a named-perils renters insurance policy to protect their property. Depending upon the policy holder’s geographical location, some named-perils insurance policies that are commonly purchased are those that cover damage inflicted by the following:
- Wind, including hurricanes and tornadoes
- Hail
- Aircraft
- Riots or civil uprisings
- Volcanic activity
- Vehicles
- Explosions
- Fire & Smoke
- Lightning
- Theft
- Vandalism or malicious mischief
- Freezing
- Accidental discharge or overflow of water or stream
These are some of the common types of occurrences that a named-peril insurance policy covers, but a renter acquiring the policy may add other occurrences if it seems prudent.
Taking Action Against an Insurance Company
A major difference between an all-risk policy and a named-perils policy is that when making a claim under a named-perils policy, the insured must show that the loss of property resulted specifically from an occurrence listed in the policy. With an open policy, the insurance company must prove that the act is not covered to deny a claim. This means that with a named-perils policy, the burden of proof is shifted to the policyholder. This also means that if the renter’s claim is denied, they must present evidence that an occurrence listed explicitly in their policy damaged their property.
An insurance company may also deny, underpay, or delay a claim because they think that the insured will not appeal. The more claims an insurance company can get away with denying or underpaying on, the more profit they make for themselves. However, in Texas, insurance companies have a legal obligation to operate in good faith and fair dealings. Denying a claim that is included explicitly in your renters named-perils insurance policy just because they do not want to pay you can amount to bad faith. If you believe your insurance company has acted in bad faith or has been unfair in their dealings with you, they may be liable to you for more than just your original claim.
If your claim is denied, delayed or underpaid, knowing how to proceed with an appeal can be confusing and complicated. Furthermore, insurance companies usually have large teams of attorneys to guide them in their decision-making process and to represent them should a claim or lawsuit against them be filed.
That is why it is best to have aggressive legal representation of your own when dealing with insurance companies, like the Dallas area named-perils policy renters insurance and bad faith attorneys at Grisham & Kendall, PLLC.
Why Was My Renters Insurance Claim Denied?
When filing a named-perils renters insurance claim, the burden is on the policyholder to prove that their loss was caused by one of the listed perils. This is a critical distinction from all-risk policies, where the insurer must prove the loss is excluded.
Unfortunately, many renters hear, “Your claim is denied,” because:
The peril isn’t listed in the policy
The insurer undervalues the loss
The insurer delays action, hoping you won’t appeal your denied claim
If your insurer lowballs your insurance settlement or delays payment unnecessarily, it may constitute bad faith insurance practices. You deserve better—and under Texas insurance laws, you have the right to legal recourse
How to Appeal a Renters Insurance Claim Denial
Not sure what to do if your renters insurance claim was unfairly denied or you received a low settlement offer? Here are a few steps:
Review your named-perils insurance policy.
Collect documentation of the damage or theft.
Contact an experienced renters insurance claim lawyer.
File an appeal or legal claim if your insurance company is acting in bad faith.
Our Texas insurance dispute attorneys can guide you through this process and help pursue what you’re owed.
Why Choose Our Dallas Renters Insurance Attorneys?
We help renters throughout Dallas, Houston, and across Texas who are dealing with:
Delayed renters insurance claims
Underpaid insurance settlements
Denied insurance claims
Renters insurance bad faith
Named-perils vs. all-risk policy disputes
Whether your renters insurance theft claim was denied or your renters insurance fire damage claim was undervalued, we will fight to ensure your rights are protected. Our firm is committed to helping you appeal your renters insurance claim and recover the compensation you’re entitled to.
Contact Us
At Grisham & Kendall, PLLC , we understand that if you filed an insurance claim under your named-perils renters’ insurance policy, you may already be stressed out as you are dealing with the damage that occurred. Trying to get what you are owed from your insurance company so you can move forward with your life should not be so difficult. The intention of paying for an insurance policy is that in the event something happens to your property, you are able to get the money to replace it.
Unfortunately, even though you have paid your premiums and held up your end of the bargain, the insurance company may now be giving you a difficult time. Do not go through this trying period alone or let the insurance company get away with not paying you what you are owed. If your claim under your named-perils renters’ insurance policy was denied, delayed, or underpaid, contact the highly qualified and aggressive Dallas renters’ insurance attorneys at Grisham & Kendall, PLLC for help by calling(713) 999-5085.
