Storm, wind & hurricane claims

Storm Damage Insurance Claims Adjuster in Houston, TX

Hurricane, wind and tornado losses — including the wind-versus-flood causation split that decides which policy pays.

On the Gulf Coast a single storm can trigger three policies at once: homeowners for the tree through the roof, windstorm for the wind-driven rain, and flood for the surge that came up the street. Each carrier has an interest in attributing your damage to somebody else's peril, and the policyholder is left in the middle of an argument they did not start.

Winning a storm claim means proving causation, not just damage. We document the direction and mechanism of the loss — what the wind opened, where the water entered, how high the surge reached — so each policy is claimed for what it actually owes rather than each being used as an excuse to deny the other.

What we document

The loss categories carriers under-scope

Underpayments are almost always missing scope rather than low pricing. These are the line items we make sure your claim actually contains.

Wind versus water causation

The evidence that separates wind-created openings and wind-driven rain from rising surface water — the single most consequential distinction in any Gulf Coast storm claim.

Roof system and envelope

Lifted, creased and missing shingles, decking uplift, ridge and hip damage, torn underlayment, and compromised flashing at every penetration.

Windstorm deductible verification

Named-storm and percentage deductibles calculated correctly against the actual insured value, not the figure the carrier applied by default.

Impact and debris damage

Fallen trees, wind-borne debris strikes, fence and outbuilding loss, and damage to detached structures covered under Coverage B.

Interior water intrusion

Ceilings, insulation, drywall and flooring damaged by rain entering through a wind-created opening — covered where the opening was wind-made.

Business income and extra expense

For commercial policyholders: the income lost while the property is unusable and the cost of operating from somewhere else.

The wind-versus-flood problem, and why it decides your settlement

Anti-concurrent causation language in most Texas policies means that when a covered peril and an excluded peril combine to cause a loss, the insurer may deny the whole thing. In practice, that turns hurricane claims into a fight over sequence: did the wind open the roof before the surge arrived, or did the water get there first?

This is decided on evidence — high-water marks, debris lines, the pattern of interior damage, the direction of the material failure, and the timeline of the storm as it crossed the address. Established early, that record supports claims under both policies. Left to be argued later, it typically supports neither.

Hurricane deductibles are not what most people assume

Coastal Texas policies commonly carry a separate named-storm or windstorm deductible expressed as a percentage — one, two or five per cent — of the dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount. On a home insured for four hundred thousand dollars, a two per cent windstorm deductible is eight thousand dollars, not the one thousand you pay on everything else.

It is worth confirming which deductible the carrier applied and what value it was calculated against, because errors here are common and expensive. It is also worth checking whether the storm was actually a named event on the date of loss, since the higher deductible should not apply to an ordinary thunderstorm.

How it works

What happens after you call

No fee up front, and no fee at all unless the claim recovers. Here is the whole process.

Free claim review
Call us and we read the policy — every coverage, endorsement, sub-limit and deductible. If your claim is being handled properly, we will tell you so.
Independent inspection
We inspect the property ourselves: every roof slope, moisture readings across affected and unaffected material, thermal scanning, HVAC, attic and detached structures.
Scope, estimate and inventory
A line-by-line replacement cost estimate in the same software carriers use, plus the contents inventory and any specialist reports the file needs.
Negotiation
We present the documentation, respond in writing to the carrier's position, and work the gap between the two estimates — through appraisal if it comes to that.
Settlement and follow-through
We track the actual cash value payment, the recoverable depreciation holdback and its deadline, and any supplemental claim as the rebuild uncovers more.

Answers

Storm Damage claim questions

Still unsure? A phone call costs nothing and usually answers it in five minutes.

Call (281) 829-8020

Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage in Texas?

Partly. Wind damage from a hurricane is generally covered by your homeowner policy or, in some coastal counties, by a separate windstorm policy — often subject to a percentage named-storm deductible. Storm surge and rising water are flood, and are excluded from homeowner policies. A single hurricane commonly produces claims under two or three separate policies.

What is a named storm deductible and how is it calculated?

A named storm or windstorm deductible is a separate, higher deductible that applies when damage is caused by a storm the National Hurricane Center has named. It is usually a percentage of the dwelling coverage limit rather than a flat amount, so on a home insured for four hundred thousand dollars a two per cent deductible equals eight thousand dollars.

The insurer says my damage was flood, not wind. Can I challenge that?

Yes. Causation is a factual question decided on evidence — high-water marks, debris lines, the direction and pattern of material failure, the sequence of interior damage, and the storm timeline over your address. Where wind created an opening before water arrived, the resulting interior damage is generally a windstorm loss regardless of what came later.

Does my policy cover a tree falling on my house?

Standard Texas homeowner policies cover damage to the structure caused by a fallen tree, along with reasonable removal cost, whether the tree was yours or a neighbour's. Coverage for removing a tree that fell without damaging anything insured is usually limited or excluded, and healthy-versus-diseased-tree arguments occasionally arise with neighbouring property.

How soon should I file a storm damage claim?

As soon as the property is safe to inspect. Texas policies require prompt notice, and after a widespread event carriers process thousands of claims simultaneously — files opened early get inspected earlier. Document the property before any temporary repairs, keep receipts for tarping and board-up, and do not dispose of damaged material until it has been photographed.

Related claim types

Other catastrophes we handle

Most severe losses involve more than one peril. Each has its own policy, its own deductible and its own deadline.

See all services

Where we work

Storm Damage claims across the Texas Gulf Coast

Based in Alvin, handling storm damage claims throughout the Houston metro and beyond.

What clients say

Policyholders we have stood beside

Every review below is from a Texas property owner who came to us mid-claim.

“After experiencing severe flood damage, I was overwhelmed with the insurance claims process. Joe Hensley and his team were lifesavers. They handled everything with professionalism and empathy, ensuring we understood every step. Their expertise made a significant difference in our claim. Highly recommend!”

Evelyn TorresFlood damage claim · Houston, TX

“Dealing with earthquake damage was stressful, but Joe Hensley Public Insurance Adjusters made the insurance claim process bearable. Their attention to detail and dedication to getting us the best outcome was evident from start to finish. Truly grateful for their support and expertise.”

Marcus JohnsonEarthquake damage claim · Pearland, TX

“Joe Hensley Public Insurance Adjusters provided exceptional service after hail damaged our home. Their team was not only knowledgeable and efficient but also incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. We felt genuinely cared for and would recommend their services to anyone facing similar challenges.”

Linda NguyenHail damage claim · Friendswood, TX

“I never imagined that dealing with the aftermath of a storm could be so straightforward until I worked with Joe Hensley's team. Their thorough approach to our insurance claim ensured we received the compensation we deserved. Their expertise and compassion made all the difference. Thank you!”

Raj PatelStorm damage claim · League City, TX

Read all client reviews

Underpaid on a storm damage claim?

Bring us the policy and the carrier's estimate. We will tell you what is missing from it — and there is no fee unless your claim recovers more.

Call (281) 829-8020 Request a claim review

Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Licensed Texas public insurance adjusters