Insurance exists to transfer risk. You pay premiums expecting coverage when disaster strikes. But insurance companies profit by collecting premiums and minimizing payouts. When your claim gets denied, delayed, or underpaid, that tension becomes personal. Texas law provides strong protections for policyholders, including the Texas Insurance Code’s provisions against unfair claim practices and the Prompt Payment of Claims Act requiring timely decisions. But exercising those rights requires attorneys who understand how insurers operate and how to hold them accountable.
Insurance disputes arise across virtually every coverage type: homeowners claims after storms, commercial property losses, liability coverage for lawsuits, business interruption during disasters, and professional liability for errors. The Texas Department of Insurance regulates the industry, but individual claim disputes typically proceed through negotiation, appraisal, or litigation rather than regulatory complaints. Whether you are a policyholder fighting a denied claim or a business needing defense under your liability policy, insurance attorneys provide the expertise these complex matters require.
What Insurance Law Attorneys Handle
Bad Faith and Claim Disputes
When insurers deny valid claims, delay investigations unreasonably, or offer lowball settlements, policyholders may have bad faith claims under Texas common law and the Insurance Code. Bad faith damages can include the policy benefits owed, consequential damages from the delay, and in some cases treble damages and attorney’s fees. Attorneys investigate claim handling, document insurer misconduct, and pursue recovery through negotiation or litigation.
Coverage Analysis and Disputes
Insurance policies contain complex language defining what is and is not covered. Disputes arise over policy exclusions, coverage limits, deductible applications, and whether particular losses fall within policy terms. Attorneys analyze policy language, research applicable case law, and advocate for interpretations that favor their clients. Coverage opinions help businesses understand their protection before losses occur.
Insurance Defense
When lawsuits name insured parties as defendants, liability insurers typically owe both defense and indemnification. Insurance defense attorneys represent insureds in personal injury, property damage, professional liability, and other claims. They work within policy limits to minimize exposure while protecting the insured’s interests. Some defense attorneys also represent insurers directly in coverage disputes.
Commercial and Specialty Coverage
Businesses face unique insurance needs including commercial general liability, directors and officers coverage, errors and omissions policies, cyber liability, and business interruption insurance. Attorneys help businesses understand coverage gaps, negotiate policy terms, and pursue claims when losses occur. Hurricane, flood, and other catastrophic loss claims often involve complex valuation and causation disputes.
How to Choose an Insurance Law Attorney
Policyholder or insurer representation. Most insurance attorneys represent primarily one side. Policyholder attorneys understand insurer tactics and fight to maximize recovery. Defense attorneys know how to protect insureds while managing insurer relationships. Choose based on your position in the dispute.
Coverage type experience. Property claims differ from liability disputes, which differ from professional liability matters. Ensure your attorney has handled claims similar to yours and understands the specific policy forms and industry practices involved.
Litigation readiness. Insurance companies often settle meritorious claims only when facing credible litigation threats. Ask about trial experience, not just settlements. Attorneys who regularly try cases obtain better results because insurers know they will go to court if necessary.
Fee structure. Policyholder attorneys often work on contingency for bad faith claims, collecting fees only if they recover money. Hourly arrangements may apply for coverage opinions or business insurance matters. Defense work typically bills hourly to the insurer or insured depending on the arrangement.
Texas Insurance Law Attorneys
Hendershot Cowart P.C.
Location: Houston, Texas
Website: https://www.hchlawyers.com
Phone: 713-783-3110
This Houston firm represents policyholders in insurance coverage disputes and bad faith claims, bringing over 100 years of combined attorney experience to these matters. The practice handles commercial and personal lines disputes, including property claims, liability coverage issues, and business interruption losses. Attorneys analyze policy provisions, document insurer misconduct, and pursue full recovery through negotiation or litigation. The firm emphasizes prompt, personal attention throughout the claim process.
Practice Focus:
- Bad faith insurance claims
- Commercial coverage disputes
- Property insurance litigation
- Policy interpretation and analysis
- Indemnity and additional insured issues
Thompson Coe Cousins & Irons LLP
Location: Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio (statewide)
Website: https://www.thompsoncoe.com
Phone: 214-871-8200
Thompson Coe has represented insurance industry clients for over 70 years, earning consistent recognition from Chambers USA as a leading Texas insurance firm. The practice handles coverage litigation, bad faith defense, property claims, and class action defense across all policy types. Attorneys have defended insurers through major catastrophic events including Hurricanes Harvey, Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Dolly. The firm combines deep insurance law knowledge with trial experience across state and federal courts nationwide.
Practice Focus:
- Insurance coverage litigation
- Bad faith and extra-contractual defense
- Property and catastrophic loss claims
- Insurance class action defense
- Stowers litigation and settlement
Law Office of Mark A. Ticer
Location: Dallas, Texas
Website: https://www.ticerlawfirm.com
Phone: 214-219-4220
Attorney Mark Ticer has focused on insurance coverage disputes for over 35 years, representing policyholders against insurers across all coverage types. The practice handles homeowners, auto, liability, disability, life, health, and ERISA-governed employee benefit claims. In addition to litigation, the firm provides expert consulting and testimony on insurance coverage, claim handling, and industry practices. The straightforward approach emphasizes thorough preparation that often leads to favorable settlements before trial.
Practice Focus:
- All coverage types including property, liability, life, health, disability
- ERISA employee benefit claims
- Bad faith and unfair claim practices
- Insurance coverage expert testimony
- Commercial litigation and consumer claims
Costs and Fees
Insurance litigation fees vary by case type and representation side. Policyholder bad faith attorneys typically work on contingency, collecting 33% to 40% of recovery with no fee if unsuccessful. Coverage opinion work for businesses proceeds hourly at $300 to $500 per hour. Insurance defense rates depend on insurer panel arrangements but generally range from $200 to $400 per hour. Complex commercial coverage disputes may require retainers of $10,000 to $25,000 with ongoing hourly billing. Initial consultations for policyholders with potential bad faith claims are typically free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes insurance bad faith in Texas?
Bad faith occurs when an insurer lacks a reasonable basis for denying or delaying a claim, or fails to conduct a reasonable investigation. Common examples include denying claims without explanation, unreasonable delays in processing, lowball settlement offers, misrepresenting policy terms, and failing to properly investigate before denying. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 541 prohibits unfair claim settlement practices and provides remedies including actual damages, treble damages in some cases, and attorney’s fees.
What is the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act?
The Act requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 15 days, accept or reject claims within specified timeframes (typically 15 to 45 days depending on claim type), and pay accepted claims within 5 business days. Violations can result in 18% annual interest on unpaid amounts plus attorney’s fees. The Act applies to most property and casualty claims and provides significant bargaining power for policyholders facing unreasonable delays.
Can I sue my insurance company for denying my claim?
Yes, if the denial was improper. You can pursue breach of contract claims for the policy benefits owed and bad faith claims for additional damages if the insurer’s conduct was unreasonable. Texas law also allows claims under the Insurance Code and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act in some circumstances. An experienced insurance attorney can evaluate your claim, the denial reasons, and your potential recovery.
Last Updated: January 2026
Disclaimer: This directory is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, endorsement, or recommendation of any attorney or law firm. Information about attorneys and law firms was compiled from publicly available sources and may not be current or accurate. We make no representations or warranties about the qualifications, experience, or quality of any attorney listed. Fee estimates are approximations only and actual costs may vary significantly. Always verify attorney credentials with the State Bar of Texas, confirm current contact information, and conduct your own due diligence before hiring legal counsel. No attorney-client relationship is created by use of this directory.