Trying to stay healthy and safe during the coronavirus pandemic is at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now. However, in order for social distancing to take place and be effective, businesses have had to adjust to local, state and federal mandated orders to either shut down operations or alter them significantly.
These changes have greatly affected the revenue business owners would normally bring in during this time frame. In order to stay afloat and provide for employees, many companies have been making claims against their business interruption insurance.
Due to the widespread need for financial help right now, insurance companies have been less accommodating to claims that are being filed.
If your insurance company is acting in bad faith and failing to properly deal with your claim, the team at Millin & Millin want to represent you. We can challenge insurers who refuse to provide you compensation and ensure you obtain the coverage that is rightfully owed to you.
For a business interruption claim to be accepted, there needs to be evidence of property damage and physical loss of use of certain kinds of assets. When these kinds of claims are approved, it’s typically due to the aftermath of natural disasters, fires or acts that damage the physical aspects of your business.
The challenge business owners are currently facing boils down to the lack of insurance law on viral pandemics. While these are unprecedented times, and the need for business interruption claims are widespread, businesses aren’t getting the help they need.
Part of the reluctance of insurers is their own efforts to save money, which causes the denial of viable claims. Because there aren’t specific laws in place regarding interruption claims made during a pandemic, it has been difficult for business owners all across the company to receive help from their insurers.
However, this doesn’t mean it isn’t worth your time to seek out restitution with the support of qualified insurance attorneys who can handle bad faith claims.
In an article from the Chicago Tribune, Thomas Bentz, an attorney on the insurance industry team at Holland & Knight said that the fight insurance companies are putting up boils down to economics.
Insurance doesn’t work where everyone has the same loss at the same time. If you have 100% loss across your portfolio, it’s not sustainable,” Bentz says.
The article also covered how new bills are being introduced across the country to require insurance carriers to cover business interruption claims filed due to Covid-19. This is progress and evidence that the government is holding insurance companies accountable for the new reality we are all living in. Unfortunately, these bills are not being passed in ALL states.
Millin & Millin has been working aggressively for the past two decades to represent individuals dealing with bad faith insurance companies. With our support, we’ll see to it that you are fully compensated so that you can preserve your company during these trying times.
For two decades, Millin & Millin, PLLC has represented hundreds of policyholders in their fight against insurance companies who wrongfully denied or underpaid their commercial property insurance claims. During this time, our firm has litigated claims for business interruption and property damage for hotels, retail centers, churches, office buildings, warehouses, and public schools all over the country.
Due to the government’s decision to issue shelter-in-place orders because of the COVID-19 virus, we know that many business owners are suffering tremendous losses in revenue. While many have coverage for business interruption and orders issued by a civil authority, we expect the industry to attempt to avoid paying trillions of dollars in legitimate claims. Insurance agents and adjusters will tell you that your building must sustain “direct physical loss or damage” before coverage is triggered, but we know this is not always the case.
Simply put, insurers will save themselves money by issuing a broad range of wrongful denials, and they will eventually settle the relatively small proportion of lawsuits filed by policyholders who are willing to fight for what is rightfully their money. Millin & Millin, PLLC is uniquely qualified to represent consumers like you in this battle. Call or email us today so that we can conduct a free review of your policy and provide you with advice you need to make the appropriate decision for your business during this tumultuous time.
As we start spring, construction projects are likely to increase now that the winter months have come to an end. Unfortunately, spring is also the season of storms, so it is extremely important to have the right builder’s insurance set in place in preparation for a bad situation.
The purpose of construction insurance is to protect construction projects while they are taking place. So in the case of an incident that leads to damage, construction companies and project owners are protected against any potential financial losses.
The reliable bad faith insurance attorneys of Millin & Millin want to provide you in-depth information on what construction companies should know about Texas Builder’s Risk Insurance this spring season.
Each year, storms, fires, and other disasters rock Texas, causing billions of dollars worth of damage to buildings and houses, including those that are still under construction. In a region that is susceptible to unforgivable spring weather, there is no question that builder’s risk insurance is essential as the likelihood of being impacted by a spring storm is greater than in other areas.
If this type of damage isn’t covered by your traditional builder’s insurance, it could drastically postpone a project, or result in them failing, if the financial loss is large enough.
Builder’s risk insurance can offer protection for delays, market loss, faulty workmanship, and other indirect incidents that result in losses. While not all builder’s risk policies are identical, the vast majority cover all-risk basis. Basically, it’ll take care of all causes of loss except for those not mentioned in the policy.
Generally, builder’s risk insurance policies cover:
Coverage may be consolidated for the builder’s risk for extra costs that occur because of a construction delay. These construction costs include, but are not limited to:
It is worth noting that builder’s risk policies typically cover new construction expenses, meaning your insurance might just cover the recently renovated or fixed parts of the building if you’re working on an existing structure. The policy might only address the new construction costs’ value and dismiss any damages to the current structure.
While insurance companies hold the right to deny certain coverage outside of your policy, some will reject perfectly worthy claims. Bad faith insurance acts are used to convince you that your insurer’s rejection is within their rights. A common tactic used is to say that your filed claim isn’t part of your policy - even when it is.
Exclusions are losses that aren’t mentioned in your policy. Your insurance provider may declare that your damages are excluded from the policy to get out of covering them. They may intentionally misinterpret your claim so they can completely decline it.
In some cases, your insurance may state that the damages already existed, that you didn’t notice the damage as pre-existing, or they might even accuse you of insurance fraud.
Even if your claim may have been denied, you don’t have to give up on seeking coverage. If you think your insurance provider acted deceitfully, then you may be eligible to file a bad faith claim. An insurance company acts in bad faith when they fail to demonstrate their expected responsibility as an insurer. You may be able to file a claim against your insurance company and receive compensation for any losses you experienced because of the denial.
Insurance law is very complicated, so it is imperative to seek the right representation and resources to challenge an insurance company. Most insurers already have legal teams ready, so it’s especially crucial to prepare yourself for what’s to come.
Depending on any and all losses you faced because of your insurer’s acts, you may receive compensation for:
Completing a construction project is already a challenge on its own. When your insurance company doesn’t support you, it can cause you to feel overwhelmed. If you believe your claim was denied without a valid or legal reason, then do not wait to contact the insurance attorneys at Millin & Millin.
Our legal team is well-versed in bad faith insurance claims and construction accident litigation. Let us assist you through this process so you can finally get the compensation you deserve.
At the beginning of the new year, many people often make resolutions to better themselves. From eating healthier to exercising more, saving money to completing a project, we all make goals for the year.
In 2020, resolve to better protect yourself and your loved ones by performing an annual insurance review. This simple act can save you from a ton of problems should you have to file an insurance claim down the road. By knowing exactly what coverage you have and - perhaps more importantly - what you are missing, you’ll be able to make the right decisions about your insurance needs.
Your insurance claim lawyers at Millin & Millin highly recommend you review your policy at the start of every year with your insurance agent. Here’s why.
If you have coverage for any of your property - including a home or other valuables - you may find that you are actually underinsured because of how property value increases. For instance, if the property value of your home is greater than the cost of when you first bought it, then you may not have enough coverage to rebuild in the event of a catastrophe.
For example, if you paid $150K for your home but over the years its value has increased to $250K, then a lack of coverage could leave you footing the bill on any damages suffered.
When reviewing your insurance policy, you may find the means by which to save yourself a bit on insurance costs, including taking advantage of discounts you weren’t aware of, adding extra coverage at no extra costs, or even taking coverage off of property you no longer have, such as a vehicle you recently sold.
Depending on your insurance provider, you may even be able to lower your premium if you have improved your credit score over the past year, decided to pay an annual premium versus monthly installments, or simply been with the company for a significant amount of time.
Businesses in the United States are expected to have certain policies in place in order to protect employees and clients. Failure to update your coverage can lead to substantial penalties, or even bigger issues, like being sued by another party.
It is much better to be proactive when it comes to your business and seek out adequate coverage so you can protect your business and yourself from financial hardship.
When performing an annual insurance review, there are several questions you will want to ask your insurance agent in order to ensure that you have the protection you need to keep yourself, your family, and your valuables safe.
Start the decade off on the right foot by reviewing your insurance policies. If it’s been some time since you last examined them, you’ll have the opportunity to make adjustments before disaster strikes. This can prove to be absolutely pivotal when making an insurance claim.
Unfortunately, even with the right coverage in place, insurance companies may still act in bad faith. If you are dealing with an insurer who does not want to pay out the coverage that is rightfully owed to you, then do not hesitate to contact the dependable and trustworthy insurance claim lawyers at Millin & Millin. We have the skill, knowledge, and compassion necessary to get you the results you need.
While insurance companies are obligated to compensate victims of drunk driving accidents, there have been instances where they attempt to avoid paying out by placing blame solely on the driver.
For instance, one agency attempted to classify a drunk driving accident as intentional in order to avoid paying the verdict. The insurer argued that because the driver chose to drink and drive, it was as if they were acting intentionally, which is not covered in their policy and thus they were not liable for damages.
The victim of the accident was forced to sue the insurance company as a result. Thankfully, the court ridiculed the logic of the insurance company and forced them to pay out to the victim.
This case was of great value to Texas drivers who have been injured in auto accidents caused by drunk drivers and who are having issues with the negligent party’s insurance company. You DO NOT have to deal with insurance company’s acting in bad faith when you have suffered a severe personal injury as the result of another party’s carelessness. Let the insurance claim lawyers of Millin & Millin help right the wrongs done against you.
In order to recover compensation for the damages and injuries you have suffered, you will need to file a claim against the drunk driver’s insurance provider. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done.
Insurance companies - especially those acting in bad faith - may attempt to delay your claim in order to either frustrate you into taking a minimized settlement or in order to stretch the claim out until it has passed the statute of limitations.
In the State of Texas, individuals have two (2) years from the date they were injured in order to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party.
This means that you should seek out quality legal counseling immediately after you have suffered your catastrophe. Not only is it necessary so that you can file your claim within the proper time frame, but also so that you can also fight back against insurance company who is unlawfully denying or slowing down the claims process.
Whether you are misinformed by the negligent party’s insurance provider or if you simply do not know your rights, please be aware that the drunk driver does not have to be charged or found guilty of criminal activity in order for you to file a civil claim.
Whether or not the driver is found guilty of a DWI charge, you can still pursue a personal injury claim. Your attorney will need to provide evidence, however, that the driver was responsible for the accident - and simply using the DWI charge is not valid enough. Instead, your attorney will have to rely on the facts of the situation and focus on the exact cause, such as speeding or running a red light, in order to prove that the driver was responsible for your injuries.
A dependable attorney will thoroughly investigate the claim in order to recover compensation for your damages.
What Will the Insurance Company Cover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
Depending on the specific circumstances of your accident and the amount of coverage the liable driver has available, then you may be able to receive compensation to help cover but not limited to:
It is important to note that (1) if the driver only has minimum coverage then you may need to seek restitution through another manner and (2) you will only be able to receive compensation up to the policy limits of the insurance company.
Is the insurance company of the responsible driver trying to deny your claim or place liability strictly on the driver? This is known as bad faith and you have the right to seek justice against this type of illegal business tactics.
Suffering from a serious accident and having to make an insurance claim can be scary and frustrating. Sadly, many insurance companies will not make it any easier on you and may make you jump through hoops just to receive the coverage that is rightfully yours.
Do NOT accept this type of behavior.
Have you had a terrible experience with your insurance company acting in bad faith or offering you a disappointing settlement? In addition to consulting with the insurance claim lawyers at Millin & Millin, you also have the option of filing a complaint with the Texas government agency responsible for protecting consumers against bad faith insurance settlements.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regulates and investigates the handling of insurance claims in the state of Texas. If you believe that your insurance claim has been mishandled, the TDI can help hold the insurance company responsible and reverse or adjust your settlement, though a private insurance lawyer may be a better option in some cases.
Before we discuss the advantages of hiring a private insurance lawyer, here is some basic information on how to file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.
Insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests when they settle an insurance claim, but consumers also have policy rights that must be protected.
Some of these rights include a prompt settlement process, fairness in negotiation and ultimately, a “good faith” settlement that is appropriate to the claim being made, whether it is home, auto or another type of insurance.
According to the TDI website, the department can help you with your insurance complaint against the following companies, agents and adjusters:
Disputing an insurance settlement can be a long process that may require detailed documentation and mediation between the parties involved. The process itself starts simple enough with downloading and submitting a complaint form from the TDI website, but before doing so you should speak with the insurance company’s customer service department to try and settle the dispute.
In other words, you should think twice before filing a complaint because it can be a long process and the result may not be what you expected. It is important to know clearly from the outset what is the nature of your complaint, what results you want to achieve and what are the chances of achieving those results.
Our insurance law attorneys at Millin & Millin can help you think through these questions.
Unfortunately, in the State of Texas, the department of insurance is not able to make findings on who is at fault in an accident. This is something you would have to take up with a personal insurance lawyer. Also, due to tort reform, the TDI is limited in what it can do in cases of personal injury claims.
An example of what the TDI can help you with is when an insurance company refuses to make auto repairs. In this case, you will want to keep all repair receipts to show the TDI and also make sure an adjuster inspects the vehicle damage before repairs are made.
By following the right process from the beginning (documentation, prompt communication, etc.), you can make sure that no insurance company will get away with a bad faith settlement.
There are many cases when hiring an experienced insurance lawyer is preferable to disputing a claim through the TDI or other state insurance department. Unlike the TDI, lawyers are working directly for their clients and are not dealing with thousands of public cases at a time.
The difference between a state insurance department and a private insurance lawyer can be somewhat like the difference between a public defendant and a personal lawyer in a criminal case. With a private attorney, you can be sure that you are getting the personal attention you deserve and that the lawyer will try to find every avenue to pursue what is rightfully yours.
The TDI is a good option in many general cases such as auto repairs, but other types of complaints (for example, personal injury) can be complex and a private attorney can uncover options beyond what you originally expected.
Even if you decide to file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance, by contacting the insurance claim lawyers at Millin & Millin you can discuss all your options and make the most informed decision for your insurance claim.
Is your insurance company acting in bad faith? Millin & Millin can help to right the wrongs done against you!
Contact us today at (956) 631-5600 for a FREE case evaluation.
The past few years have seen a few devastating hurricanes cause massive amounts of damage to Texas’ coastal region. While we here in the Rio Grande Valley have been fortunate to avoid any catastrophes, the reality is that a major storm can eventually hit our region.
That’s why being prepared this hurricane season is so important.
You not only want to have a plan in order to protect yourself and your loved ones, but you also want to make sure that you have the right insurance coverages in place so that you don’t have to handle the costs of hurricane damages all on your own.
Let the dedicated bad faith insurance claim attorneys of Millin & Millin provide you some tips that can help to minimize any storm damages while also giving you insight into additional insurance policies you may need to purchase.
Before a hurricane or tropical storm hit, you’ll want to take the proper steps to protect your home and property.
a. Inspect your roof for any damages such as leaks, loose or missing shingles, cracks, or other signs of roof damage that could become a major issue should a hurricane strike. Get it fixed as soon as possible.
b. Double check that your windows and doors are properly sealed with caulking.
c. Check your home’s gutters and drains for any damages that can lead to water leaking into your home.
d. Clean up your yard including trimming loose branches and placing loose objects into a storage room or home.
If a storm is definitely going to hit the region, you’ll want to protect your windows by using plywood or having storm shutters installed if possible.
Alongside physically preparing your home for a storm, you’ll want to make sure you have the right insurance coverage.
Many homeowners do not know exactly what their insurance covers and this can lead to a world of financial trouble if they aren’t careful.
Generally speaking, home insurance policies typically do not cover flooding and certain other damages that can occur if you live in an area prone to hurricanes, tropical depressions, or floodings. To ensure you are fully protected, start investigating as to whether or not you will need:
While we hope that our region will be able to avoid any major storms this hurricane season, we also want to ensure that the people of the Rio Grande Valley are fully prepared. Should your home suffer severe damage caused by a storm and you cannot secure the coverage to you, do NOT hesitate to contact the experienced insurance claim attorneys of Millin & Millin.
Whenever you sign up for insurance, either life, home, or auto, you do so under the belief that you will be protected should you or your property suffer some sort of damage. Insurance companies claim that they have all the resources and knowledge needed to help you successfully settle your claim - and that you won’t have to worry about a thing.
While they know how to sell to the consumer, do they actually know how to take care of them? The answer might be a bit startling.
The American Association for Justice (AAJ) did extensive research to compile a list of “The Ten Worst Insurance Companies.”
The organization dug through thousands of court documents (including those from the SEC and FBI), investigations, complaints, news pieces and testimonials from former agents and adjusters. The organization wanted to uncover which agencies were most prone to acting in bad faith. This refers to an intentional dishonest act by not fulfilling legal or contractual obligations, misleading another, entering into an agreement without the intention or means to fulfill it, or violating basic standards of honesty in dealing with others.
The organization found the following 10 companies were the worse culprits of conducting bad faith insurance.
There is a sense of irony when Allstate’s motto is “You’re in Good Hands” and end up being the worst offender. Based on the claims by the AAJ, the reason Allstate was at the top of their list was because of the company’s focus on increasing profits for shareholders rather than actually focusing on delivering quality customer care.
The company utilized deceitful tactics to essentially “lowball” their customers into taking minimal settlements. If the customers did not comply, the insurance would deny the claim.
The others are equally guilty as charged. The reports found that they all play by their own rules, meaning they’ll do whatever they can in order to save the company money while increasing profits. These insurance companies sadly put profits over the policyholders, and because of this, the insurance industry makes $30 billion a year in profits, on top of the $1 trillion they obtain off premiums.
Luckily, if you have experienced bad faith by your insurance, there is hope.
If you need a bad faith lawyer that can defend your rights and help you secure the recovery you so rightfully deserve, then contact the insurance claim attorneys of Millin & Millin. We have the skill, knowledge, and compassion necessary to achieve a favorable outcome you.
After purchasing a building in 1994, a Houston man known as Davis, found himself in a horrible bind after realizing that his roof had sustained damages from natural causes.
When Davis originally purchased the building, he knew that the roof was composed of asphalt and a rubber material, but he didn’t know the exact age of the roof nor did he find a need to replace it. Naturally, Davis purchased an insurance policy to ensure the coverage of any future damages.
Davis was running his business from the building, and living there as well, which further cemented his need for insurance on the property. National Lloyds Insurance Company (Lloyds) insured his property against wind, fire, and hail.
Unfortunately, Davis’ policy did not cover rain damages “unless the building or structure first sustains wind or hail damage to its roof or walls through which the rain [can enter]”. The policy also stated that it would “determine the value of the covered property in the event of loss or damage ... [at] actual cash value as of the time of loss or damage”.
Optional coverages were offered, including replacement cost value coverage that Davis declined. The policy had a $3,700 deductible for building damage and a $2,500 deductible for damages to the building’s contents.
Houston was struck by Hurricane Rita in 2005 and many individuals suffered property damage - including Davis. He immediately noticed roof leaks right after the storm and decided to file a claim, which was unfortunately denied.
Davis had no other choice, but to use out of pocket money to hire a contractor to repair the building to its original state. The work performed put a pause on the leakage, until 2008, when Houston underwent another natural catastrophe - Hurricane Ike.
The roof once again began to leak and the property underwent other damages to a shingled area and an AC unit. Again, a Lloyds adjuster inspected the damages, but only valued them at $1,825, ensuring no payment was to be made to Davis.
Luckily, a public adjuster made an additional inspection, and this time, asserted that the property had incurred damages directly caused by Hurricane Ike and that they were above Davis’s $3,700 deductible.
Davis ultimately filed a lawsuit and alleged a breach of contract, violation of the Texas insurance code, and breach of good faith and fair dealing. When both parties were at trial, plenty of disagreements arose in regards to what evidence showed was the cause of the roof leakage.
Lloyds’ experts concluded that the roof was old and had previously shown a leakage issue in 1997. Both parties also disagreed on the cost of repairs.
Experts who represented Davis asserted that $108,038.75 was owed in repair cost, while Lloyds’ experts argued that the price was inaccurate and did not differentiate between covered damages from non-covered damages.
Lamentably, the court concluded that Davis’ policy only covered cash value, which the jury determined was below the deductible. Although it was a fact that the condition of the roof was defective and needed to be replaced, Davis’ policy only covered damages done by hail and wind.
The trial court also concluded that the insurer could not be liable for bad faith since no payment was liable under the terms of the insurance contract.
Are you struggling to receive your fair share of compensation? Is your insurance company claiming your policy didn’t cover damages by arguing about unclear language? The tough team of attorneys at Millin & Millin have fought for the rights of a multitude of individuals. Call us today for a free case evaluation at (956) 631-5600.
The holiday season is one of the most joyful times of the year; there’s family, friends, food, and a festive spirit that makes the whole time of the year seem like one giant celebration. However, a day of celebration can quickly turn into a moment of tragedy, especially if you or a loved one are involved in an auto accident.
Whether traveling to visit family, or simply enjoying the evening at a friend’s holiday celebration, it’s important to remain diligent on the road. Unfortunately, during the holiday season, 2 to 3 times more people die in alcohol-related crashes, with 40% of traffic fatalities involving a driver impaired by alcohol. There are, however, a few things that you can do in order to improve your safety and that of your family’s as well.
Tips for Traveling Out-of-Town
The safety of you and your family should be number one on your list this year as you travel to-and-fro to visit relatives. Stay safe with these tips:
Maintain Good Driving Techniques During the Holidays
While the holiday season is a time of joy and relaxation for many, it can also be quite chaotic and frenzied because of all the traveling and holiday shopping that takes place. While it’s easy to get flustered by all the aggressive drivers, make sure to maintain good driving techniques yourself. Follow these good driving techniques to ensure safe travel:
Safety Tips for that Holiday Party
Holiday parties usually include a bit of alcohol. Sadly, The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Addiction states that between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, 1200 people will be killed and 25000 will be injured in traffic accidents caused by alcohol. Consider the following safety tips to enjoy time with your friends and family and get home safely.
You don’t have to be drunk to be affected by alcohol. You may feel normal, but nobody drives well after a drink.
The winter holidays are some of the best days of the year because we get to enjoy time with our loved ones in a festive environment. That why our lawyers at Millin & Millin want you to share this information with friends and family to ensure you stay safe during these busy days.
However, if you are involved in an auto accident, and are dealing with bad faith practices from your insurer, then do not hesitate to contact us at (956) 631-5600.
