Insurance Claim Help in Austin, Texas

Hail and wind damage from severe spring thunderstorms are the most common property damage claims in Austin. Flash flooding from the Colorado River tributaries is also a significant hazard, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods and areas near Onion Creek, Shoal Creek, and Waller Creek. Freeze damage became major news after Winter Storm Uri in 2021. Wildfire smoke from Hill Country fires can also affect Austin-area properties during dry years.

It depends on your specific policy and the timeline. Most Texas homeowner's policies have a statute of limitations for claims, and separately, any release you signed at settlement may limit your ability to reopen it. However, many Uri claims were settled without full documentation of hidden damage, and supplemental claims have succeeded in a number of cases. The only way to know what options remain is to review your specific policy, settlement documents, and the current condition of your property. We offer free reviews with no obligation.

Standard homeowner's policies exclude flooding from external water sources, including overflow from Austin's creeks and rivers. Separate flood insurance is required for that type of loss. However, water that enters through a storm-damaged roof, wall, or window is generally covered under a standard policy, even if a large amount of water entered. The cause and entry point determine the coverage, and Austin storms often produce a combination of both covered and excluded water damage in the same event.

This is a genuinely complex area that depends on when the damage occurred, whether the builder's risk policy was still active, what the homeowner's policy covers, and whether the damage is related to any construction defects. Builder warranties, the Texas Residential Construction Liability Act, and insurance policy terms all intersect in these situations. We review all applicable coverage and help determine the best path to full recovery. We handle new construction property claims throughout the Austin metro.

Austin's growth has driven construction costs significantly higher than what many older policies anticipated. When a claim settlement is based on replacement cost value, the current cost to rebuild in Austin may be substantially higher than the insured value or the carrier's estimate. We monitor current Travis County and surrounding area construction costs and ensure that your settlement reflects what it actually costs to rebuild in today's Austin market, not what it would have cost five years ago.