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Insurance company in the hot seat with state officials, customers

by Mark Greenblatt / 11 News

Posted on October 29, 2009 at 11:21 AM

HOUSTON -- We argue about it:  Are there more of them? Less of them? Are they stronger than before? Or is it just the same as before? Whatever your opinion about hurricanes, the one thing it seems everyone agrees on is they could do without them.

In the past few years, Texans have been given a good reminder of the power and danger of these storms.

And then there's the damage they can do to your home.

Which is why hundreds of customers and even state officials are crying foul about a certain insurance company: Texas Windstorm.

Formed by the state to guarantee storm coverage for coastal homeowners, experts say Windstorm isn't playing fair when it comes to repairing one of the most common forms of storm damage: unadhered or lifted shingles.

It may sound trivial, but engineers and homeowners say they know if a shingle is blown by a strong enough wind. They say that the shingle will bend so far up that the seal that keeps it in place, and the water out of your home, will break.  You can have serious leaks and water damage if that happens.

But as the 11 News Defenders have discovered, Texas Windstorm may be stacking the deck against their customers when it comes to roof and shingle claims.

Tonight at 10, Investigative reporter Mark Greenblatt will take you inside the company and reveal troubling e-mails detailing how Windstorm is handling these claims. And Greenblatt doesn't stop there, you'll also see his probing interview with the head of the company.

But most of all, you’ll learn about how Windstorm’s policy may be affecting those really in-need: A shelter for handicapped and abused children.  Shelter officials say engineers and even adjustors agree that because of Hurricane Ike the home needs a new roof.  But guess what Windstorm says?

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