KATY, Texas – Months of frustration mount for a North Katy homeowner as her tornado-damaged house remains untouched while neighbors’ repairs are complete, highlighting ongoing challenges with insurance claims after natural disasters.
It’s something that Houstonians are all too familiar with following natural disasters like the 2024 Houston derecho, Hurricane Beryl and even Hurricane Harvey.
Azeezat Sulaimon’s home stands out on her street and not in a way she’d like.
While surrounding houses show no trace of the EF-1 tornado that struck days after Christmas 2024, her residence remains covered in weathered tarps, a visible reminder of her ongoing battle with American Risk Insurance (ARI).
“They are just stonewalling me,” Sulaimon said, describing her insurance company’s response to the extensive damage that includes a shifted roof structure.
Insurance settlement timeline
According to Larry Simmons, VP of Claims at American Risk Insurance, the company initially issued settlement payments totaling $81,188.24 based on an adjuster’s estimated repair cost of $95,639.51.
The company later provided a supplemental payment of $14,006.18, bringing the total to $110,733.90, following a revised estimate that incorporated recommendations from a licensed structural engineer.
Despite these offers, Sulaimon maintains these figures fall short of covering the actual damage.
“You got my money. I didn’t owe a cent as of the time of this incident, so then pay out,” she said, expressing frustration with the delayed resolution.
Appraisal process underway
The dispute entered a new phase when Sulaimon’s public adjuster invoked the policy’s appraisal clause on April 10, 2025, according to information provided by the insurance company.
This clause, triggered when parties disagree on loss amounts, requires both sides to select independent appraisers within 20 days.
ARI confirmed appointing their appraiser by April 25, meeting the required timeline. According to the company’s statement, while the appraisers haven’t reached an agreement, they are reportedly “close to finalizing an agreement” without requiring an umpire’s intervention.
Understanding public adjusters’ role
Public insurance adjusters offer an alternative for homeowners dissatisfied with their insurance company’s assessment.
Unlike insurance adjusters who work for insurance companies, public adjusters represent homeowners’ interests and can leverage policy terms in their clients’ favor.
However, they typically charge up to 10% of the final settlement amount for their services.
The best thing to do is prepare now before a natural disaster hits and you’re fighting both Mother Nature and the insurance company.
Insurance experts recommend several preventive measures to avoid similar situations:
- Review and understand your insurance policy thoroughly
- Verify coverage amounts match potential replacement costs
- Identify specific exclusions in the policy
- Consult with insurance agents or professionals for policy clarification
The company states it will issue a final settlement once the appraisers reach an agreement and sign an appraisal award.
As of August 14, ARI reports providing Sulaimon’s public adjuster with a comprehensive update on the claim status.
The situation serves as a cautionary tale for homeowners about the importance of understanding insurance coverage before disaster strikes and the potential challenges of claim resolution.
