Did your insurance company in Houston, Texas, refuse to pay your claim after a car accident or another covered event? Contact Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers at (281) 888-2339 for a free consultation. Our Houston first party claims attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $100 million for our clients to date.
Our award-winning personal injury law firm is ready to help you assert your legal rights and make the most of your claim. Contact us today or reach out online for more information; we can provide you with initial legal advice during your complimentary case evaluation.
Why Choose Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers to Help Me File a First Party Insurance Claim in Houston?
Insurance companies don’t always act in good faith. Ultimately, they aim to generate a profit and will do so in any way possible. If you hire an experienced Houston first party claims attorney with our legal team, we’ll level the playing field and help you secure the outcome that makes you whole again to the best of our ability.
Here’s why Texans choose Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers for help with first party claims:
- We have recovered more than $100 million on behalf of accident victims in the area through meaningful settlements and verdicts
- We have over a century of collective legal experience, so we know how to handle complex insurance disputes just like yours
- We can leverage our relationships with top-rated expert witnesses as needed to make your claim as strong as possible
- We’re not afraid to stand up to powerful insurers and hold them accountable in court if necessary
- We’ve received numerous awards and accolades, including from Super Lawyers four straight years running
- We handle first party insurance cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you
Insurance companies have extensive resources and legal departments on their side; you deserve to have a respected lawyer fighting for you, too. Contact our law offices in Houston, TX, today for a free consultation.
What Is a First Party Insurance Claim?
A first party claim is a legal claim you file directly with your own insurance company. It’s based on your contract (policy) with them. In contrast, a third party claim involves filing against another person’s insurance provider, like when you’re injured in a car accident caused by another driver.
First party claims can cover a wide range of situations, including:
- Homeowners’ insurance claims for fire, water, and storm damage
- Auto insurance claims under your own policy
- Health and life insurance claims for benefits wrongfully denied
- Disability insurance claims for short- or long-term coverage
- Business interruption insurance for losses due to natural disasters and property damage
Unfortunately, many insurers use tactics designed to avoid paying the full amount that you may be entitled to under the law.
What Are Common Examples of Bad Faith by Insurance Companies in Houston?
When an insurance company doesn’t handle your claim honestly or fairly, it may be acting in bad faith. Texas law requires insurers to investigate, process, and pay valid claims in a reasonable manner.
Some common examples of bad faith behavior include:
- Delaying payment without a legitimate reason
- Denying coverage without conducting a proper investigation
- Misrepresenting policy terms to avoid paying a claim
- Offering unreasonably low settlements that don’t reflect actual losses
- Failing to communicate or provide updates on your claim
- Refusing to explain a denial or cite policy language to justify it
When this happens, you have the right to challenge the insurer’s conduct. Our first party claim attorneys in Houston, Texas, can evaluate whether your insurer violated state law and pursue additional damages if bad faith is proven.
What Are My Legal Options in Texas?
Texas provides strong legal protections for policyholders.
If your insurer has wrongfully denied or delayed your first party claim, several statutes may apply to your case, including:
- Texas Insurance Code Chapter 541, which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices by insurance companies
- Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542, which requires the prompt payment of valid claims
- The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) applies if the insurer engaged in false and/or misleading conduct
If your insurer violates these laws or others, you may be able to take legal action and recover compensation.
How Much Is My Houston First Party Claim Worth?
Every insurance dispute is unique, ultimately, and so each has a unique value as well.
How much your claim might be worth will depend on several key factors, such as:
- The type of coverage involved
- The extent of your losses and property damage
- Whether you can prove bad faith conduct by the insurer
- The evidence and expert testimony supporting your claim
- Your out-of-pocket costs caused by the delay or denial
Our legal team will thoroughly evaluate your situation to determine what a fair settlement should look like. Then, we’ll use that information to negotiate from a position of strength.
From there, if the insurer refuses to make a reasonable offer, we’ll be ready to present your case in court to pursue the full amount you’re owed as best as the law and facts permit.
What Should I Do if My Insurance Claim Was Denied in Houston, Texas?
A denial doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your case; many valid claims are rejected at first simply because the insurer hopes you’ll give up.
Before you accept a denial, however, take the following steps:
- Review your policy carefully to understand the coverage terms
- Request a written explanation from your insurer for the denial
- Collect all correspondence and claim documentation
- Consult with a personal injury attorney to determine if you can challenge the decision
Our Houston first party claims lawyers can file any appeals, negotiate directly with the insurance company, and take the matter all the way to trial if that is in your best interest and makes sense in context.
What Damages Are Available in a First Party Insurance Case?
When you file a first-party insurance claim in Texas, you’re seeking compensation from your own insurer, meaning the company you’ve been paying to protect you. Depending on the type of policy and the losses involved, several kinds of damages may be available.
You could recover compensation for:
- Property repairs and replacement costs
- Lost wages and income if your home or vehicle damage interferes with work
- Medical expenses related to an insured incident
- Temporary living expenses and rental costs
- Personal property losses
- Other covered costs outlined in your policy
In some cases, your insurer may delay or deny your claim in bad faith, as discussed above. If that happens, additional compensation may be available. Texas law sometimes allows policyholders to seek penalty interest, attorney’s fees, and court costs when an insurance company acts unfairly or violates the Texas Insurance Code.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a First Party Claims Lawyer in Houston?
Hiring a lawyer might sound expensive off the cuff. However, at Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers, there’s no upfront cost to get started. Our Houston insurance disputes attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we successfully handle your case.
Instead of hourly rates or retainers, our fee is a percentage of the amount we win in your case. This arrangement ensures that our interests are aligned with yours in that the more we recover for you, the better for both sides. It also makes high-quality legal representation accessible to anyone dealing with an unfair insurance company.
How Long Do I Have to File a First Party Insurance Lawsuit in Texas?
The deadline for filing a first-party insurance lawsuit in Texas can vary, and it’s not always the standard four-year contract limit that many people expect.
While Texas generally gives you four years to sue for breach of a written contract, many insurance policies include their own “suit limitation” clause. Under Texas law, these clauses are enforceable as long as they give you at least two years and one day to file a lawsuit after the insurer denies your claim or otherwise indicates it will not pay.
Because many policies shorten the filing deadline, you cannot assume you have a full four years. The clock often starts when the insurer issues a final denial, not when the damage happened or when you first filed your claim.
Reaching out to a Texas insurance disputes lawyer as early as possible is the safest way to protect your rights. During your free consultation, an attorney can review your policy, identify any shortened deadlines, and make sure your lawsuit is filed on time.
Contact Our Houston First Party Claims Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Insurance companies often rely on confusion and fine print in order to avoid paying what they owe. You don’t deserve to be treated like that. With over 100 years of combined experience and more than $100 million recovered, Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers has the knowledge and resources to stand up for your rights effectively.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation. Our Houston first party claims lawyers help you demand the compensation you’re due and hold your insurance company accountable.