Key points
- Check your deductible: many Texas policies use a percentage wind/hail or named-storm deductible based on dwelling coverage, not a flat dollar amount.
- Water entering through a wind-created opening is often covered even when other rain or flood damage isn’t.
- TWIA policies, which cover coastal windstorm in designated areas including parts of eastern Harris County, have strict claim-filing and dispute deadlines under Insurance Code Chapter 2210.
- Photograph damage immediately, make temporary repairs to prevent further loss, and keep every receipt.
Wind damage we help property owners recover
- Roof and exterior: missing, lifted or creased shingles, broken seal strips, and damaged flashing, soffits, fascia and ridge caps;
- Structure and envelope: displaced siding and trim, chimneys, vents and skylights, and broken windows and frames from flying debris;
- Outbuildings and fixtures: fences, sheds, carports, and fallen trees striking structures;
- Interior damage: water staining from roof punctures, and ceiling and wall cracks from structural movement; and
- Commercial losses: business interruption, extra expense and code-upgrade costs.
How insurers dispute wind claims
Adjusters often attribute damage to age, poor installation, or a prior storm, or they scope only visible exterior damage. Creased shingles and broken seals can be hard to see from the ground. Where wind and an excluded cause such as flood or deterioration combine, Texas courts generally expect the policyholder to show which damage the covered peril caused, so the evidence matters. We work with roofers, engineers and meteorological data to establish cause and scope, and we challenge estimates line by line.
| Evidence that wins wind claims | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Date-stamped photos and video during or right after the storm | Ties the damage to the event, not to wear and tear. |
| Storm reports and wind-speed data | Establishes the wind event at your location. |
| Directional debris patterns | Supports wind as the cause. |
| Independent roofer or engineer inspection | Rebuts “pre-existing” and “cosmetic” conclusions. |
| Mitigation and repair invoices | Proves you protected the property and documents the cost. |
Adjuster said “wear and tear”?
That’s an opinion, not the final word. Get an independent inspection, then talk to us about the claim and your deadlines.
TWIA windstorm claims
If your coastal windstorm coverage is through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, special rules under Insurance Code Chapter 2210 apply, including a deadline to file the claim generally within one year of the loss, specific timeframes for TWIA’s decision, and a limited dispute process with short deadlines to invoke appraisal or file suit. Missing a TWIA deadline can end the claim, so get advice early.
How we help
Hayes Hunter PC documents wind damage with qualified professionals, reviews your policy and deductibles, presents a complete claim, negotiates with the carrier, invokes appraisal where it makes sense, and litigates under the policy and the Texas Insurance Code when the insurer won’t pay. See storm insurance recovery for how Chapters 541, 542 and 542A work together.