At Daly & Black, P.C., our Houston commercial insurance claims lawyers fight aggressively to protect your business and help recover every dollar you’re owed. If you’re facing an insurance dispute, we are ready to go to battle on your behalf.
Protecting Your Business from Bad Faith Insurance Practices
When your business faces an unexpected loss, you rely on your commercial insurance policy to cover damages and ensure financial stability. Unfortunately, insurance companies often delay, underpay, or deny valid claims, leaving business owners struggling to recover.
What is a Commercial Insurance Claim?
A commercial insurance claim is a request made by a business to its insurance provider for coverage due to property damage, financial losses, or liability issues. These claims arise from unforeseen events such as:
- Property damage (fire, hurricanes, flooding, vandalism).
- Business interruption losses (forced closures, supply chain disruptions).
- Liability claims (customer injuries, lawsuits against the business).
- Bad faith insurance disputes (delayed or denied payments, underpaid claims).
Businesses purchase insurance policies to protect against financial uncertainty, but insurers frequently use tactics to avoid full payouts. That’s where our experienced legal team comes in.
The Commercial Insurance Claims Process
Filing a commercial insurance claim in Houston, Texas, should ideally be a straightforward process, but many business owners find themselves navigating through numerous hurdles. The process starts with the submission of the claim along with all necessary documentation to support it.
Upon receipt of the claim, Texas insurance companies are legally bound to act within specified time frames as outlined by the Texas Insurance Code.
According to Section 542.056, insurers must acknowledge the claim, start an investigation, and request any additional information needed from the claimant within 15 days. Subsequently, per Section 542.058, they have 15 business days to make a decision on the claim after receiving all necessary documentation.
During the evaluation stage, insurers rigorously scrutinize policy terms and assess the damages to determine if they qualify for coverage. Once a decision is made and the commercial insurance claim is approved, Texas law mandates that the insurer must issue payment within five business days.
Despite these statutory guidelines meant to streamline the process, insurers’ responses can sometimes diverge from straightforward legal compliance, leading to scenarios where the fine print and policy interpretations become battlegrounds.
These regulatory frameworks are established to ensure that claims are processed promptly and equitably, upholding the integrity of the policyholder’s rights. However, when these standards are not adhered to, the help of an experienced commercial insurance claims lawyer becomes crucial.
At Daly & Black, our lawyers provide the necessary insight and assertive representation needed to navigate whatever bad faith practices insurance companies might use in order to avoid paying what they owe.
Bad Faith Insurance Tactics That Hurt Businesses
Delaying Payments or Ignoring Claims
Insurance companies often stall the claims process, forcing businesses into financial hardship. By prolonging investigations and dragging out responses, insurers hope business owners will accept lower settlements out of desperation.
Disputing Policy Coverage
Many insurers attempt to reinterpret policy language to limit or deny coverage. They may claim that certain damages are excluded or require excessive documentation to slow down the process.
Offering Lowball Settlements
Instead of paying what a business is rightfully owed, insurers frequently offer settlements far below the actual cost of repairs or losses. Without legal guidance, businesses may unknowingly accept inadequate compensation.
Denying Claims Without Justification
One of the most frustrating tactics is the outright denial of valid claims. Insurers may claim a lack of evidence, misrepresent policy terms, or use vague language to avoid paying what they owe.
If you’re experiencing any of these bad faith tactics, Daly & Black is prepared to take legal action and hold insurers accountable.
How a Commercial Insurance Claims Lawyer Can Help
Insurance disputes can be complex, and business owners shouldn’t have to fight alone. Our legal team provides the following services:
- Reviewing policy terms and coverage to identify policyholder rights.
- Challenging wrongful denials and underpayments through legal channels.
- Negotiating aggressively with insurers to secure fair settlements.
- Litigating in court if necessary to recover the full value of your claim.
By working with our Houston commercial insurance claims attorneys, you gain a powerful advocate with a proven track record of securing maximum compensation for businesses.
The Daly & Black Difference
At Daly & Black, P.C., we understand that your business is not just a livelihood but a legacy. When facing disputes over commercial insurance claims, having a dedicated Houston commercial insurance claims lawyer by your side is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Our team is committed to protecting businesses from the unfair practices of insurance companies that delay, underpay, or deny valid claims.
A History of Success in Commercial Insurance Litigation
Daly & Black has built a formidable reputation for securing substantial settlements and verdicts that compensate for both immediate financial losses and long-term business needs. We’ve mastered the strategies insurers use to minimize payouts and developed effective countermeasures that ensure our clients receive every dollar they’re owed.
Aggressive Legal Representation
Our legal team doesn’t hesitate to take robust action against insurance companies. We are known for our fearless approach to litigation, taking cases to trial when necessary to secure a fair outcome. Insurance companies know and respect our firm for our readiness to challenge them in court, which often leads to more favorable settlement offers for our clients.
No Upfront Fees – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
Understanding the financial strain that insurance disputes can place on a business, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement ensures that all businesses, regardless of size or financial standing, can access top-tier legal representation without upfront costs. You only pay if we successfully recover compensation for your claim.
Client-Centered Approach
At Daly & Black, every client is treated with the utmost respect and receives personalized legal services. We ensure you are well-informed throughout the claims process, from policy analysis to claim resolution. Our attorneys are always accessible to answer your questions and provide updates, making you feel supported every step of the way.
If your business has been impacted by an unjust commercial insurance claim denial or underpayment, don’t settle for less than what you deserve. Reach out to Daly & Black, P.C. today to schedule your free consultation. Let us show you how we can make a significant difference in the outcome of your dispute, ensuring your business’s stability and continued success.
FAQ
Q: When should I hire a commercial insurance claims lawyer in Houston?
A: Hiring a commercial insurance claims lawyer in Houston is advisable if your business experiences delays, denials, or underpayments of insurance claims.
Lawyers not only advocate on your behalf but also work to hold insurers accountable, ensuring you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to. This is particularly crucial when dealing with large insurance policies where the stakes and potential disputes can be significant.
Q: Can a Houston commercial insurance claims lawyer help with business interruption claims?
A: Absolutely. If your business has suffered financial losses due to operational downtime—from natural disasters, mandatory shutdowns, or other covered events—a Houston commercial insurance claims lawyer can be invaluable.
Such lawyers have experience in interpreting complex policy language related to business interruption and can effectively negotiate with insurers to secure compensation for lost revenue and additional incurred expenses. Their expertise ensures that your claim covers all aspects of the interruption, maximizing your financial recovery.
Q: What is the most common type of commercial insurance?
A: Commercial property insurance is one of the most common and essential types of commercial insurance. It provides coverage for physical damage to business assets, including buildings, equipment, and inventory. This type of insurance is crucial for businesses as it protects against losses from a wide range of events such as fires, storms, theft, and other unforeseen incidents that can have devastating financial impacts.
Understanding the specifics of your commercial property insurance policy, including what is and isn’t covered, can help you better prepare and respond in the event of damage, ensuring your business can continue operations with minimal disruption.
Fight Back with a Houston Commercial Insurance Claims Lawyer
Commercial insurance disputes require a robust response. As your Houston commercial insurance claims lawyers, Daly & Black, P.C. are well-prepared to challenge any insurer that fails to meet its obligations.
We understand your business needs and are relentless in our pursuit of your claims. Take the first step towards resolving your commercial insurance issues. Contact Daly & Black, P.C. today for a FREE consultation with a dedicated lawyer.