Fall Hailstorms in Texas: Why Insurance Companies Increase Claim Denials
Texas fall weather may bring cooler air, but it can also bring a sharp rise in denied hail damage claims. From Amarillo to Austin and down into the Hill Country, late-season hailstorms can leave a path of destruction that is every bit as damaging as spring storms. The difference? Insurance companies are far less willing to pay.
At Palker Law, we see it year after year. Hail hits. Homeowners file claims. And then, the delays start. Followed by denials or lowball offers that don’t come close to the cost of repairs.
In fact, nearly 47% of residential property claims in Texas were closed without payment in 2024, part of a broader trend of insurers tightening claim approvals across the state. So why do claim denials spike in the fall, and what can you do about it?
Why Denials Spike After Fall Storms
Insurance companies don’t always deny claims because those claims are invalid. Sometimes, they deny them because they assume you won’t challenge them. In the fall, this behavior becomes more common for a few key reasons:
1. End-of-Year Profit Protection
Fall storms often hit just as insurers are closing their books for the year. Insurers are financial institutions first. Every dollar they do not pay out improves their year-end bottom line. That internal pressure leads to more denials during Q4. To protect their loss ratios, many companies tighten claim standards or categorically deny borderline cases, especially when they think policyholders won’t fight back.
2. Homeowner Distraction
With the holidays approaching and school in full swing, many homeowners have less time to push back on suspicious inspections or request second opinions. Insurers know this, and may use that distraction to their advantage.
3. “Wear and Tear” Excuses
The further away from the storm date, the more likely an adjuster is to attribute your roof damage to age, not hail. They may claim it’s “pre-existing” or due to “deferred maintenance,” but these are often just tactics designed to shift blame away from storm-related damage.
4. Preemptive Denials Based on Inspection Timing
Insurers may argue that if you didn’t report damage within days of the storm, the damage must not be related. But Texas law doesn’t require you to spot every issue right away. You can still file a valid claim, or even reopen one, if the evidence supports storm damage.
What to Do if Insurance Lowballs Your Hail Damage
If your insurer offers a suspiciously low payout, or worse, denies your claim entirely, do not panic, but do not wait, either. Under the Texas Insurance Code §542, insurers have strict deadlines for handling claims.
Here’s what to do next:
| Situation | Recommended Action |
| The claim was denied outright | Request the denial in writing and contact an attorney immediately |
| The claim was paid, but it seems too low | You may still be able to challenge the valuation, even after accepting partial payment |
| The adjuster blamed the roof age | Get an independent inspection to verify hail as the cause |
| No response or inspection delay | File a complaint and push for enforcement of claim timelines |
Also, document everything, including dates of inspections, correspondence, damage photos, and repair estimates. The stronger your documentation, the harder it becomes for your insurer to ignore your claim.
How Palker Law Reverses Denials
At Palker Law, we don’t take “no” for an answer when it comes to fair compensation. Our Texas-based legal team specializes in storm and hail damage claims, and we’ve helped homeowners across the state recover money they were originally denied.
Here is how we do it:
- Licensed, impartial inspections
We work with credentialed roofing experts who specialize in identifying hail damage and linking it directly to storm events using radar data and forensic techniques.
- Full legal navigation
From issuing pre-suit demand letters to representing you in court if needed, we manage the legal process from start to finish, so you don’t have to.
- Experience with insurer tactics
We know how insurance companies operate in Texas, from their preferred adjusters to their claim stall strategies, and we use that insight to your advantage.
At Palker Law Firm, we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case. No hourly rates. No upfront bills. Just legal help when and how you need it.
Claim Delays = Real Risk
The longer you wait, the more likely your insurer is to:
- Blame the damage on an earlier storm
- Attribute problems to aging or neglect
- Claim that your documentation is too weak
- Close your claim entirely
According to the Insurance Information Institute, hail damage accounts for over $20 billion in insured losses in the U.S., every year, with Texas consistently leading the nation in storm-related insurance disputes. That is why acting as soon as you can, even if it is weeks or months after a storm, still matters.
Questions? Let’s Talk.
Still wondering what to do if insurance lowballs your hail damage? You’re not alone, and you do not have to fight this battle alone.
At Palker Law Firm, we offer free consultations, fast evaluations, and a clear explanation of your options. We don’t leave you guessing. Call now or send a message to schedule your review.
