![Why Harvey Victims Should Absolutely File Insurance Claims Before Sep. 1](http://townsquare.media/site/156/files/2017/08/GettyImages-839967884.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Why Harvey Victims Should Absolutely File Insurance Claims Before Sep. 1
After multiple Facebook posts regarding legal rights and Harvey flood victims went viral, news sources such as CNN Money, Dallas News and Click2Houston confirmed the legitimacy of the subject.
According to Click2Houston, Texas legislation that passed earlier this year and will negatively affect Hurricane Harvey victims will go into effect on September 1. Basically, House Bill 1774 reduces penalties to insurance companies when they don't pay out enough insurance claims. Earlier this year The Texas Tribune wrote:
... the bill would discourage property owners from suing insurers over weather-related claims.
The article explains that if victims file their claims by September 1, 2017, insurance companies will suffer an 18% penalty interest for slow or no payment. However if filed after September 1, 'insurers who deny or delay paying claims would only face a 10% penalty.'
Ware Wendell, executive director of non-partisan advocacy group, Texas Watch, said:
I’ve been hearing that some insurance companies are telling people to wait a week until they have pictures of the damage before filing their claim. You do not need to attach pictures of your claim. You can always supplement with photos if need be.
Dallas News says in order to ensure your claim will be filed, a phone call or message will not suffice. You must email directly or send mail dated before September 1 to your insurance company. Even then it doesn't guarantee anything but it is the best chance for homeowners to protect themselves from the new policy that favors the company instead of policy holders.
More From KUSJ-FM
![Charlie Robison Asks Fans for Help Raising Money for Coastal Relief Effort](http://townsquare.media/site/601/files/2017/10/Charlie-Robison-2.png?w=980&q=75)
![Pizza Hut Giving Back For Hurricane Harvey](http://townsquare.media/site/516/files/2017/09/Pizza-Hut-Harvey-Relief-Corrected-Flyer-Pizza-Hut.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Texas Gas Prices Slowly Falling After Hurricane Harvey](http://townsquare.media/site/513/files/2015/03/Gas-Pump-ThinkStock.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Les Harveyables](http://townsquare.media/site/155/files/2017/09/Sarah-Hames-YouTube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![State Sues Three Texas Businesses Accused of Price Gouging During Hurricane Harvey](http://townsquare.media/site/176/files/2017/09/GettyImages-465175906.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![FEMA Hiring Texans to Help Rebuild Their Communities](http://townsquare.media/site/514/files/2017/09/CBS-Miami-via-youtube.png?w=980&q=75)
![Temple’s roJo Salon Continues Hurricane Harvey Donation Drive](http://townsquare.media/site/514/files/2017/09/roJo-Salon-in-Temple-Hurricane-Harvey-Relief-Drive-Photo-Courtesy-of-Kelly-Mach.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Cavender’s to Donate Proceeds from Texas Tough T-Shirts to Hurricane Harvey Victims](http://townsquare.media/site/515/files/2017/09/Texas-Tough-T-Shirt.png?w=980&q=75)
![HEB CEO Makes Huge Donation to J.J. Watt’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund](http://townsquare.media/site/514/files/2017/04/Ribbon-cutting-ceremony-at-new-Killeen-HEB-location-1101-W.-Stan-Schlueter-Loop-Aaron-Savage-Townsquare-Media-27.jpg?w=980&q=75)