Senate Advances Limits on Hail Damage Insurance Claims

[ashling]

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Senate-Advances-Limits-on-Hail-Damage-Insurance-Claims-301748731.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_DFWBrand

The Senate has voted to impose limits on Texas homeowners filing insurance claims for roof damage following hailstorms -- despite opponents' worries it favors insurers over policyholders

I guess this means that the insurance lobbies slush funds were bigger than the roofing industries hail funds

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I guess it's time for those who can afford it to start spending more money on stronger roofs.

Metal clad or whatever, that can take a beating without being damaged.

[elehhhhna]

2. actually those metal roofs take hail very very poorly.

[packman]

3. What a racket

You get insurance, then when you get water damage, wind damage, hail, -whatever damage- the insurance says "No" you had to have a separate policy for that. O.K. - you lay out extra dollars to cover this or that. Then if you need it someday in the future you find out that the insurance lobbies have imposed a limit of how much it covers.

"Sorry Mr. Jones. I realize you have a policy for that hail damage that caused 50k worth of damage but the limit we're obligated to pay out is $10,000.

But I've already paid out 12k in extended policy these past 8 years!

Yah, ain' that a bitch."



Christ - they got you coming and going.

My house insurance policy went up from $1,200 a year after a hurricane to $3,600 a year due (the said) to an inadequate number of hurricane straps holding the rafter secure to the roof. There were straps there, just not enough according to them AND, the roof suffered no damage during the before said hurricane.

[ashling]

4. Slush beats hail every time

... and floods, and hurricanes, and wind, and ...

[MisterP]

5. yup, that's literally how Austin works: in the 90s they had a HSR plan

with no state or federal money, just loan guarantees (basically Austin pays only if everyone's dead or in jail)
Southwest and Day's Inn of course squalled and basically got a liberum veto

[TexasTowelie]

6. The bill was sponsored by Senator Taylor from Friendswood,

who owns an insurance agency.

[TexasTowelie]

7. More information from the Texas Tribune:

A controversial bill that would make it harder for homeowners and companies to recover certain damages from their insurance companies — cheered by the insurance industry and criticized by liberal groups and some businesses — cleared the Texas Senate on Thursday.

Senate Bill 1628 by state Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, would make broad changes to the way homeowners and businesses can sue insurance companies who don't deal with them fairly, or don't adequately pay out on claims made under property and casualty insurance policies, such as losses after a storm, fire or accident.

The bill would establish a two-year time limit on seeking claims. And before being allowed to sue for deceptive acts or unfair claims handling, policyholders would have to provide advance written notice, sign a statement attesting that damages occurred and show proof of damages. It would also offer certain new immunity protections to insurance agents and adjusters who are named in lawsuits. And the bill would lower the penalty that insurance companies face for late payments.

Democrats and trial lawyer-backed groups have adamantly opposed the measure, arguing that it takes away property owner rights that have been enshrined in Texas insurance law for decades.

More at http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/30/senate-bill-makes-it-harder-sue-insurers/