In September 2025, a major Texas shopping center reached a $7.3 million settlement after a lengthy dispute with its insurance carrier over hailstorm damage. What began as a lowball offer turned into a hard-fought victory—proving that commercial property owners can fight back when insurers undervalue or deny storm claims.
This case serves as a blueprint for other business and property owners navigating the realities of rising premiums, narrower coverage, and aggressive insurer tactics in 2025.
The $7.3 Million Texas Mall Case
After a 2024 hailstorm, a Fort Worth mall sustained extensive roof, HVAC, and structural damage. Operations were disrupted for months, costing the businesses inside significant revenue.
● The insurer’s initial offer was only $2 million, claiming much of the damage was due to wear-and-tear exclusions, not storm impact.
● The mall’s legal team responded by retaining independent engineers, roofing specialists, and financial experts to prove that the hailstorm was the direct cause of the damage and business losses.
● After months of litigation and negotiations, the insurer agreed to a $7.3 million settlement—covering the full cost of repairs and business interruption losses.
This outcome highlights how preparation, persistence, and strong legal advocacy can turn a denied or undervalued claim into a fair recovery.
Lessons for Policyholders
The Texas mall case underscores several critical takeaways for commercial property owners:
1. Expert Evidence is Critical
Independent engineers, roofing contractors, and forensic meteorologists provided scientific data and inspections that directly refuted the insurer’s claims. Without these third-party assessments, the policyholder would have been left with a fraction of the repair costs.
2. Business Interruption Coverage Matters
The final settlement included lost rental income and operational revenue, demonstrating the importance of documenting every financial impact. Too often, insurers attempt to minimize or ignore these losses—even though they are covered under many commercial policies.
3. Persistence Pays Off
The policyholder’s legal team did not accept the insurer’s lowball tactics. Through depositions, discovery, and aggressive negotiation, they created leverage that ultimately forced the insurer to settle fairly.
How Commercial Property Owners Can Apply These
Lessons
Texas weather patterns continue to grow more severe, with hailstorms ranked among the costliest perils for commercial property. Here’s how you can prepare for and respond to a storm damage claim:
● Engage Experts Early
Don’t rely solely on the insurer’s adjuster. Bring in engineers, public adjusters, and construction experts to ensure your damages are fully documented.
● Document Financial Losses
Track revenue declines, repair costs, and tenant impacts. Keep detailed records—these can be the difference between recovering your full losses or walking away undercompensated.
● Partner with a Policyholder Attorney
Insurers have teams of lawyers working to limit payouts. A skilled policyholder litigation attorney can level the playing field, applying pressure and precedent to secure the compensation your policy promises. At the Voss Law Firm, our attorneyshave recovered billions for commercial clients in storm and hail damage disputes.
Why This Matters in 2025
Texas remains one of the nation’s most hail-prone states, and insurers are responding to increased risks with higher premiums, stricter exclusions, and more aggressive claim denials.
The $7.3 million Texas mall settlement proves that policyholders don’t have to accept what insurers offer. With the right team and strategy, you can fight back—and win.
If your hailstorm claim has been denied, delayed, or undervalued, don’t wait. Contact The Voss Law Firm today for a free case review, and let us help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
