Several weeks ago, the Port Aransas City Council took a stand against insurance practices on behalf of its residents and businesses. In a unanimous vote, the city council passed a resolution asking the Attorney General and the Board of Insurance to investigate "slow, low, and no insurance payments" in Hurricane Harvey's wake. City Council member Wendy Moore, who is also a branch manager at the American Bank in Port Aransas, put it on the agenda.
In the words of the resolution, “The results of low, slow and no insurance (payments) have and are resulting in untimely, slow restoration of damaged properties within the city, resulting in not only economic, physical and emotional damages our property owners but also resulting in budget issues for the City of Port Aransas, the Port Aransas Independent School District, Nueces County and the entire state of Texas due to loss of sales tax and loss of valuation on unrepaired properties."
The resolution is one of the few things that the city has the power to do in the fight against unjust insurers. However, the resolution has an ally in the State Legislature: Representative Todd Hunter. Mr. Hunter has urged city councils and organizations in his district to issue proclamations to put public pressure on insurers while giving him an instrument to use on them.
An Old Story, a Painful Outcome
For those who keep track of insurance company practices, Port Aransas is becoming part of an old, frustrating story. In 2005, insurance companies complained that they would be given the 'undue' burden of paying out billions to homeowners and business owners after Hurricane Katrina. Instead, the following year they posted record profits.
Now, insurance companies in the Coastal Bend are complaining about the same thing—that they should somehow be released from their duty to pay for people's losses in the event of a disaster. Instead of helping claimants, the TWIA recently voted to hike up their rates without providing a solution for the people still waiting on their payouts.
Ultimately, whatever their complaints, insurance companies exist for one purpose: to provide people with what they need after disaster strikes. People spend years paying for a policy they may never use—but in this case, the one time that our communities need it most, insurance companies are balking at the opportunity to step up.
It's unacceptable, and our insurance claims attorneys sincerely hope the Attorney General and other authorities take insurers to task for their dishonest, irresponsible practices.
If your claim deserves payment, but you haven't received anything, then call our Hurricane Harvey insurance claims attorneys for help getting what you need. Call (888) 400-2101 today.