Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law helps Tulsa homeowners when their insurance companies deny or undervalue tornado damage claims. Dealing with a denied or lowballed claim after a tornado is frustrating–especially when you’ve paid for coverage to protect your home in situations just like this. If your insurance company isn’t offering what’s fair, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Tornado Damage Claims?
Situated in the heart of “Tornado Alley”, Tulsa is unfortunately very prone to these devastating weather events. If you’ve ever experienced one, you know how dangerous and destructive they can be. While your insurance should cover repairs, companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether when there’s damage. That’s where our legal team steps in. We can:
- Review your policy and claim to determine why your payout was reduced or denied.
- Challenge the decision by gathering evidence to prove the full extent of the damage.
- Negotiate for a better settlement from your insurance company.
- If negotiations don’t work, we’ll advise you on further legal options, including taking action in court.
You don’t have to accept an unfair settlement. If your homeowners insurance company is undervaluing or denying your tornado damage claim, our team is ready to fight for you.
What Do I Need to Do After a Tornado Damages My Home?
Unfortunately, there’s only so much preparation you can do for a tornado. Your top priority should always be you and your family’s safety. Tornadoes can cause devastating damage to your home, and while you may have homeowners insurance, you’ll still need to go through the claims process to get financial help. Every insurance company handles claims differently, but most follow these steps:
- Filing the claim – The first step is to document and report the tornado damage as soon as possible. From there, you’ll actually need to file your claim. You can usually do it online, by phone, or through your company’s app. Be sure to include details, photos, and any supporting documents.
- Investigating the damage – Once your company has your claim, they’ll send an adjuster to inspect the damage, take photos, and assess the situation to determine how much your claim is worth.
- Evaluating your claim – The insurance company will review the adjuster’s report, your policy, and other factors to decide how much they’re willing to pay.
- Making a decision – Your claim will either be approved, resulting in a payout, or denied. If approved, you’ll receive a settlement check or direct deposit.
If your claim is denied or undervalued, you have the right to challenge it. The appeals process can be complex, so knowing what steps to take is critical. But it’s also necessary if you’re going to get what you’re owed.
What Can You Do If Your Tornado Damage Claim is Denied or Undervalued?
Having your claim for tornado damage undervalued–or outright denied–is incredibly disappointing. Not only do you have to deal with significant property damage, but the whole reason you have homeowners insurance is for situations just like this. But, if you want to fight their decision, you’re going to have to take the following steps:
- Gather more evidence – The more evidence you have, the better your chances. So, do what you can to get additional repair estimates, take more photos, or get an expert opinion from your contractor or even an independent adjuster to strengthen your case.
- Write a formal appeal – Write an appeal explaining why the insurance company’s decision is incorrect and provide supporting documentation. Our team can help you with this step.
- Negotiate for more – We can also speak directly with an adjuster or a higher-up, which may lead to a better settlement. Strong evidence is key, and we know how to advocate for your position.
The whole reason for appealing the initial decision is to get more in a payout. Usually, your payout is comprised of things like:
- Home repair or rebuilding costs – This covers the cost to fix or rebuild your home if a tornado damages or destroys it, including materials, labor, and construction.
- Replacing your personal belongings – If the tornado ruins furniture, electronics, appliances, or clothing, your insurance can pay to replace them, either at their current value or full replacement cost.
- Temporary living costs – If you can’t stay in your home due to tornado damage, your insurance may cover hotel stays, rent, meals, and other essentials while repairs are made.
- Code compliance updates – If rebuilding requires updates to meet new building codes, your policy may help cover the extra expenses.
In Oklahoma, you generally have two years from the date of the tornado to file a claim, but filing as soon as possible improves your chances of getting a fair settlement. But it’s equally important to be able to identify what your insurance company is doing to undervalue or deny your claim.
How Do Insurance Companies Undervalue or Deny Tornado Damage Claims?
Even with coverage, your homeowners insurance might try to find ways to limit their payouts or deny your claim altogether. Here’s how they usually try to justify undervaluing or rejecting your tornado damage claim:
- Blaming wear and tear – They might argue that your home’s damage is due to aging or lack of maintenance rather than the tornado.
- Claiming pre-existing damage – They may say the damage was already there before the storm, requiring strong proof that the tornado caused it.
- Citing poor installation or repairs – If they believe past roofing or structural work was faulty, they may refuse coverage by blaming previous workmanship.
Even if they approve your claim, your homeowners insurance can still try to minimize your payout by:
- Forcing you to use low-cost contractors who don’t fully repair the damage.
- Pressuring you into accepting a low settlement to avoid delays.
- Claiming the damage is cosmetic rather than structural to reduce or deny payment.
You don’t have to accept an unfair settlement. If your tornado damage claim has been denied or undervalued, our legal team is ready to fight for the payout you need to repair your home and move forward.
Contact Ylla Gosney for a Denied or Undervalued Tornado Damage Claim in Tulsa
If your insurance company won’t cover the full cost of repairing or rebuilding your home after tornado damage in Tulsa, Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law, is here to help. You’ve paid for coverage, and you deserve the full protection your policy promises. So, our team will help you through the process and support you. Don’t settle for less than what you should get. Contact us today for a free consultation–we’ll review your case and fight for the payout you need to move forward.
