Bad faith insurance companies will no doubt add to the misery Hurricane Ike left behind. Gulf Coast residents are facing power outages, gas shortages, flooded homes and destroyed property. Sadly, some may also face insurance companies that don’t want to pay off on policies. Ask anyone who lives in Florida. That state had eight hurricanes in 24 months. Insurance companies owed a cool $36 billion to customers when they had taken in only $15 billion in premiums. Needless to say, some companies tried to avoid paying policy holders for damaged property.
If an insurance company starts nitpicking your claim, enlist Jim Adler’s help. He’s been successfully fighting insurance companies for 30 years, forcing them to pay victims what they deserve. Jim S. Adler & Associates does not charge to evaluate your case or charge until the firm wins. Even then, clients may pay nothing at all. The courts can order insurance companies to pay all attorney fees.
The Texas Department of Insurance wants to protect you, too. Check out its advice about predators: Crooked contractors often arrive in unmarked vehicles, going door to door offering to do repairs. They may be unlicensed, untrained or dishonest, “trying to make a quick dollar at your expense.” Do not pay the entire repair bill in advance.
Crooked public insurance adjusters ask for a large upfront fee and then disappear without handling your claim. They have been known to refer victims to dishonest contractors for a kickback. They may file false or inflated claims against your policy. They may use your Social Security number or other personal data for identity theft scams.
