When a hailstorm or windstorm hits a commercial property, the damage is rarely limited to one roof. It can involve multiple buildings, rooftop equipment, tenant spaces, parking structures, and lost income at the same time. Dallas Public Adjuster represents owners and managers on commercial property insurance claims in Dallas, Dallas County, and nearby North Texas cities. We help organize the documentation, prepare detailed estimates, and handle communication with the insurer so you can focus on tenants and operations.
Commercial Properties We Represent
Apartment complexes
Multi-building complexes can sustain different levels of damage from building to building, with roof, siding, window, and interior water losses all in one claim. Tenant displacement and rental income add more moving parts. During the August 2022 flash flood, NOAA reports note that 2 feet of water entered an east Dallas apartment complex, a reminder that flood and storm damage can arrive together.
Retail and office buildings
Strip centers, medical offices, and office buildings often have flat or low-slope roofs, storefront glazing, signage, and HVAC units that can all be damaged in one event. Business interruption for tenants and owners can be part of the picture.
Warehouses and industrial facilities
Large low-slope roofs, metal panels, skylights, overhead doors, and stored inventory create big exposure. On May 28, 2024, NOAA records describe a roof torn from a commercial building in Carrollton and a partial roof collapse in Pleasant Grove during severe straight-line winds.
HOA and multi-family communities
Associations must coordinate the master policy, governing documents, a board, and individual owners. Clear documentation by building and by unit helps keep a complicated claim organized.
Common Causes of Commercial Losses in North Texas
- Hail damaging TPO and modified-bitumen membranes, metal roofs and wall panels, rooftop HVAC units, skylights, and vehicles. See hail damage claims.
- Wind lifting roof membranes and edge metal, breaking glass, and toppling signs. See wind damage claims.
- Tornadoes, like the EF4 Garland/Rowlett tornado of December 26, 2015 and the EF3 north Dallas tornado of October 20, 2019. See tornado damage claims.
- Water and freeze damage from sprinkler lines, plumbing, and roof leaks, including the widespread pipe bursts during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021.
- Fire and smoke affecting tenant spaces, inventory, and building systems.
Commercial Policy Provisions That Shape the Claim
| Provision | What to check |
|---|---|
| Deductibles | Per building, per occurrence, or a percentage of insured value for wind and hail |
| Coinsurance | Whether your limits meet the required percentage of value |
| Valuation | Replacement cost, actual cash value, or agreed value, and any roof-specific terms |
| Business income / rental value | Waiting period, period of restoration, and records required |
| Ordinance or law | Limits for code-required upgrades and demolition of undamaged portions |
| Exclusions | Flood, wear and tear, cosmetic damage to metal, mold, and others |
| Duties after loss | Notice, mitigation, proof of loss, and examination requirements |
Code requirements can be significant on older commercial buildings. Repairs inside the City of Dallas are permitted through the City of Dallas Planning & Development Department under the city’s adopted International Building Code, while suburban cities have their own permit offices. Our local building codes page explains how code upgrades relate to insurance.
Our Approach to Commercial Claims
- Policy and lease review. We read the full commercial policy and, where relevant, how leases assign responsibility for repairs and insurance.
- Building-by-building inspection. We document roofs, rooftop equipment, envelopes, interiors, and site features, using Matterport 3D imaging where it helps.
- Detailed estimating. We prepare Xactimate estimates with line items for each building and system, and coordinate with engineers or specialty contractors when needed.
- Business income documentation. We help organize the records the insurer will ask for to evaluate lost income or rent.
- Presentation and negotiation. We present the claim, respond to the insurer’s questions, and track deadlines. If there is a disagreement on the amount of loss, insurance appraisal may be an option under your policy.
First Steps After a Commercial Loss
- Make the site safe. Secure damaged areas, restrict access to unsafe spaces, and notify tenants.
- Prevent further damage. Arrange temporary roofing, board-up, or water extraction, and keep invoices for every emergency service.
- Document before cleanup. Photograph and video each building, roof section, and affected tenant space, along with damaged equipment and inventory.
- Report the claim in writing. Give notice to your carrier and broker, and record the claim number and the assigned adjuster.
- Start tracking costs and income. Set up a separate account code for claim expenses, and save rent rolls, sales records, and payroll data that show the effect on income.
- Review leases and contracts. Leases may shift responsibility for certain repairs or insurance to tenants, which affects how the claim is presented.
Weather records help tie damage to a specific date, especially when a property is hit by more than one storm in a season. Our Dallas storm history page summarizes NOAA records for Dallas County.
Why Commercial Claims Are Often Underpaid
Large losses invite shortcuts. An insurer’s estimate may treat a full membrane replacement as a patch, miss damaged insulation under a wet roof, skip rooftop units, or apply pricing that does not reflect current Dallas-area costs. Multi-building claims can also leave whole structures out of the scope. A careful estimate review can show where the numbers differ and why.
Working With Dallas Public Adjuster
We represent the insured only. We do not perform repairs on claims we adjust, and we do not give legal advice. If a dispute involves litigation, bad faith, or a deadline to sue, consult a Texas attorney. Nobody can guarantee a commercial settlement, but a complete, well-organized claim gives the insurer the information it needs to evaluate the loss.
Fees are disclosed in a written contract before any work begins; Texas law caps public adjuster compensation at 10% of the insurance settlement. To discuss a commercial loss, request a Free Claim Review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of commercial properties do you work with?
We help owners and managers of apartment complexes, retail centers, office buildings, warehouses, industrial facilities, mixed-use buildings, and HOA or multi-family communities in Dallas and surrounding North Texas cities.
What is a coinsurance clause?
Many commercial policies require you to insure the building to a stated percentage of its value, often 80%, 90%, or 100%. If the limit is too low when a loss happens, the payment can be reduced in proportion. Check your declarations page and talk to your agent about your limits before a loss.
Does my policy cover lost rent or business income?
It may, if your policy includes business income or rental value coverage. These coverages usually have their own waiting period, time limits, and documentation requirements, such as financial records showing what income was lost.
How are deductibles handled on multi-building properties?
It depends on the policy. Some commercial policies apply a deductible per building, per occurrence, or as a percentage of each building’s insured value. On an apartment complex or HOA community, that can make a large difference, so read the deductible provisions carefully.
Can you help an HOA with a storm claim?
Yes. HOA and condominium association claims often involve shared roofs, multiple buildings, and questions about what the association covers versus what individual owners cover. The governing documents and master policy both matter.
Will you repair the building after the claim?
No. A public adjuster in Texas may not participate in the repair or reconstruction of a property on a claim they adjust. You choose your own contractor.