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During the last decade Texas has suffered several natural disasters and extreme weather events. Most notably, the 2011 drought and subsequent heat wave, record-breaking rains and Hurricane Harvey in 2017, as well as the most recent winter storm in February 2021. Particularly, this storm left over 200 people dead and resulted in more than $20-billion in damages.
These types of unexpected weather events leave Houston residents dealing with the complexities of power outages, frozen pipes and burst pipe damage claims. However, understanding the risks associated with a warming climate could help homeowners better prepare for dealing with property damage and insurance claims.
A Warming World
According to data from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), Texas is expected to experience drier and warmer conditions than average through February. This outlook covers the ‘meteorological winter’ from December through February in the Lone Star State.
These weather conditions in Houston and the rest of Texas are also part of ‘La Niña’- a phenomenon characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. This means drier and warmer than average temperatures across the U.S. South which can cause droughts and more fire risks.
Houston Home Insurance in Spotlight After Natural Disasters
This year, Houston experienced the brunt of a changing climate, including a severe winter storm that lasted days. In fact, many were left without heat, resulting in frozen pipes bursting and having to deal with major property damage and insurance claims. Additionally, the city experienced heavy rainfall throughout the year accompanied by thunderstorm and tornado warnings.
The National Climate Assessment showed that intense precipitation is becoming more frequent across the country, according to Katharine Hayhoe, chief scientist for the Nature Conservancy.
“We always get storm fronts sweeping across Texas from west to east in May and in June,” she said. “That’s normal. We always get severe weather associated with those fronts. That’s normal too. But what’s not normal is the sheer amount of precipitation that’s falling, and that amount is what we can link to a warming world.”
The idea is simple: warmer air can hold more water vapor which storms deposit on cities like Houston. In fact, research meteorologist Kelly Mahoney pointed out that every degree of Fahrenheit warming produces about 4% more rainfall.
¨There is no reason to think that it will decrease or even stay steady,” Mahoney said. “Because you are changing one ingredient systematically by warming the Earth.”
This fact could change the way many could consider changing their Houston homeowners insurance policy to better deal with a changing climate.
Home Owners Face Climate Change Consequences
It can be difficult to truly understand the far-reaching effects of climate change since most people don’t see the immediate effects of a warming planet. However, homeowners in certain vulnerable U.S. states have front-row seats to the climate crises threatening everything they own.
When Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans in 2005 many were left without a home. For those with flood insurance, what comes next is a process of reporting the damages and awaiting a payout to begin rebuilding. But for others like Joel Blazek, a resident of Chalmette just outside New Orleans, it wasn’t that simple.
Mr. Blazek had no flood insurance because their mortgage company advised them they didn’t need it. After all, he says, “We were high and dry in previous hurricanes, including Betsy, which was the last hurricane that devastated New Orleans.”
“The flood walls, at that time, had also broken, during Betsy, and the water had come into St. Bernard Parish but had never flooded where we lived because we were on a ridge,” he said.
The reality is that standard homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, although there are specific policies which do. Consequently, climate change may be something more people need to consider when thinking about insuring their homes and which policies they choose.
How to Deal With Insurance Claim Adjusters
Filing a property damage claim can be a long and complicated process involving many steps that are crucial to either the successful recovery, or a denied or underpaid claim. Preparation is key to helping the adjuster appointed by the insurance company to understand the value of the damages.
Local Houston based public adjusting firm, ClaimsMate Public Adjusters, provides tips for dealing with insurance adjusters. “Many of our clients are quite surprised to learn that the insurance company is not always on their side. The best tip is to trust your instincts and when in doubt, get a second opinion.” says Richard Chastain, Operation Director at ClaimsMate.
The following tips will help to make a successful claim more likely.
First off it’s important to take inventory of everything that was damaged, and it’s approximate value. Writing down the make and model of these items makes calculating compensation easier for the adjuster.
Similarly, recording structural or superficial damage to a home through photos or videos is also helpful. The idea is that while an adjuster makes their own individual assessment of the home in question, keeping a home inventory makes sure they don’t miss anything.
It is also a good idea to keep a log of meetings with the adjuster for future reference. This serves the purpose of recording anything said which may be important later in the process. Additionally, claimants should be honest about their damages for the same reason.
Adjusters will take note of anything said which could potentially hurt the chances of a fair payout. For example, if a claimant suggests that they are at all to blame for any part of the accident then an insurance company can reject a claim altogether.
Ultimately the best way to deal with insurance claim adjusters is to understand the policy in question, and it’s limits, and get help when needed. Knowing what a policy doesn’t cover can make the process easier and help a claimant focus their efforts on documenting and communicating what is covered.