Picture this: You’ve faithfully paid your Houston home insurance premiums for twenty years. When Hurricane Beryl damages your roof, you file a claim expecting help. Instead, your insurer takes one look and declares the damage “pre-existing”—despite clear evidence the shingles were torn off during the storm.
This scenario isn’t hypothetical for many Texas homeowners. It’s becoming the norm.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
In 2023, nearly 47% of homeowner insurance claims in Texas were closed without payment—up from 35% just seven years earlier. According to a recent Houston Chronicle analysis, some insurers are denying more than 60% of the claims they receive.
Let that sink in: You’re more likely to get denied than paid, even when damage is legitimate.
This isn’t happening because homeowners are filing fraudulent claims. It’s happening because the system has fundamentally changed—and not in your favor.
How We Got Here
Three major shifts have stacked the deck against Texas homeowners:
Sky-High Deductibles Have Become the Norm Many policies now carry wind and hail deductibles of $5,000, $10,000, or even higher. Insurance companies know that most storm damage won’t exceed these thresholds, making your “coverage” effectively worthless for the most common types of claims.
The Delay, Deny, and Deflect Playbook Some insurers have turned claim handling into a war of attrition. They’ll drag out investigations for months, request the same documentation repeatedly, or close claims abruptly without clear explanations—hoping you’ll simply give up and go away.
Weakened Legal Protections In 2017, Texas lawmakers passed legislation that reduced penalties for wrongful claim denials and made it harder for homeowners to challenge insurance company decisions. The result? Less accountability and more aggressive denial tactics.
What This Really Means for You
Here’s the hard truth: Having insurance doesn’t guarantee protection anymore. It just means you’ve bought a ticket to play a game where the rules heavily favor the house.
When your claim gets denied, it’s rarely because the damage isn’t real. More often, it’s because of:
- Policy exclusions buried in dense legal language
- Technicalities around timing or documentation
- Adjusters trained to minimize payouts rather than fairly evaluate claims
- Company policies that prioritize profit over policyholder protection
Most homeowners aren’t prepared for this fight. You’re dealing with actual damage to your home while trying to navigate a system designed to discourage you from pursuing what you’re owed.
A Different Approach to Fighting Back
Consider this common scenario: A homeowner’s fence is destroyed by straight-line winds, but their insurance company claims it was “normal wear and tear” despite clear storm damage. The adjuster spends just fifteen minutes on the property and closes the file the same day.
This is exactly the type of situation where understanding how insurance companies operate makes all the difference.
As a former corporate defense attorney, I understand how insurance companies think and operate. I’ve seen their internal strategies and know the pressure adjusters face to keep claim payouts low. That background helps me anticipate their moves and counter their tactics effectively.
Here’s how we would typically approach a case like this:
Step 1: Policy Analysis We carefully review the policy language to identify coverage that applies to the situation—coverage the adjuster may have overlooked or misinterpreted.
Step 2: Evidence Building We document the storm damage with professional photos, gather weather data from the National Weather Service, and obtain repair estimates from licensed contractors.
Step 3: Strategic Demand Instead of simply asking them to reconsider, we present a detailed analysis of why the denial violates the policy terms and Texas insurance law.
In cases like this hypothetical fence scenario, homeowners often receive the full amount needed for replacement—plus compensation for the time they’ve been without proper property protection.
Your Action Plan
Whether you’re currently fighting a denied claim or want to be prepared before disaster strikes, here’s what you need to know:
Before You File a Claim:
- Document your property’s condition with photos and video
- Keep maintenance records that show you’ve properly cared for your home
- Understand your policy’s actual coverage limits and deductibles
After Damage Occurs:
- Take comprehensive photos immediately, before any cleanup
- Get multiple repair estimates from licensed contractors
- Keep detailed records of all communications with your insurer
- Don’t accept the first denial as final—many can be successfully challenged
When to Get Legal Help: You don’t need to wait until your claim is denied to seek guidance. Early consultation can help you avoid common pitfalls that insurers use to justify denials later.
The Bottom Line
Insurance companies are businesses first, and their success depends on collecting premiums while minimizing payouts. That’s not necessarily wrong—it’s just the reality you’re working within.
But when legitimate claims get denied through bad faith tactics or policy manipulation, that’s when the system needs a check. Having someone who understands both sides of the process can make the difference between walking away empty-handed and getting the coverage you’ve been paying for.
If you’re dealing with a denied insurance claim or want to understand what your policy actually covers, reach out to Colby Lewis for a free consultation. Don’t let your insurance company’s first “no” be your final answer.
Contact us today to discuss your options.
