Brasher Law Firm - August/September 2025

Stress-Free Travel Starts Here PACK LIKE A PRO While taking a vacation is often the highlight of the year, many Americans dread the preparation involved in ensuring everything goes according to plan. You have to find the right flight at an affordable price, pick the best hotel to accommodate your needs and wants, determine whether you need a rental car, and get to the airport on time. The planning process is complex, which can lead to mistakes when packing your suitcases. We’ve all reached a destination only to realize we left behind something vital or have luggage full of wrinkled clothes. Want to erase your packing woes? Start implementing these strategies before your next vacation. CREATE A PACKING LIST. While you can usually replace your phone charger or any forgotten clothes while on vacation, other items like prescriptions are irreplaceable and must go with you. List everything you need to bring to ensure you don’t forget anything. Categorize your list to make it easier to check off, and don’t forget to check the weather before you go. You can always get a raincoat at your location, but you’ll save Have you ever seen someone digging through their luggage before the baggage drop to see what they can leave behind to make their suitcase lighter? You don’t want to be in this situation. Ideally, you should use a lightweight suitcase, but if that isn’t an option, do your best to avoid coming close to exceeding any weight limit. You should also make sure your luggage is not torn or damaged. If you bring a carry-on, measure it to ensure it fits in the overhead or under a seat. Having to check your carry-on can be time-consuming. BE INTENTIONAL WHEN PACKING. Your suitcase is essentially a big puzzle, and you have to ensure all the pieces fit together correctly. Roll your clothes instead of folding them to create more space, limit extra shoes or bulky items, and consider using packing cubes to compress and keep them organized. You should also leave room for souvenirs if you plan to pick up a memento on your travels! money by bringing your own! INSPECT YOUR LUGGAGE.

What to Do If Your Insurance Claim Gets Stalled After a Storm Whether it’s a hurricane barreling through the Gulf, a sudden hailstorm, or flash floods sweeping through your neighborhood, we know how to brace for impact. That’s why, on average, Texans pay over $3,000 yearly in homeowners’ insurance, and expect coverage when disaster strikes. But what happens when your claim gets buried in red tape, when silence, stalling, and shifting excuses replace the peace of mind you paid for? Unfortunately, some insurers use delay tactics, not out of SILENCE ISN’T A SETTLEMENT

necessity, but to protect their bottom line. SPOT THE RED FLAGS OF BAD FAITH.

Insurance companies are required to process claims in good faith, but that doesn’t mean they always do. If your insurer is dodging your calls, demanding repetitive documentation, or rotating adjusters one after the other, it may be more than just a backlog. These could be signs of a deliberate strategy to frustrate you into giving up or settling for less

than your claim is worth. Here’s what to watch for:

• Repeated requests for information you’ve already provided • Unreturned phone calls or emails • Unexplained claim denials or undervalued offers • Constantly shifting reasons for delay TURN UP THE PRESSURE, LEGALLY. You don’t have to accept silence as an answer. If you suspect stalling, it’s time to take control: • Organize everything. Create a folder with all your claim-related documents, photos, communication logs, receipts, and damage assessments. • Request written confirmations. Ask for a written acknowledgment each time you send documents or request updates, which creates a paper trail. • Escalate the issue. If informal communication isn’t working, consider filing a formal complaint with the state insurance board. Still hitting a wall? That’s when it’s time to bring in backup. An experienced bad faith insurance attorney can cut through the noise, put legal pressure on the insurer, and demand the compensation you deserve. DON’T WAIT TO TAKE ACTION. Time matters. Insurance companies are hoping you’ll run out of patience or steam. But with the right legal help, detailed documentation, and unwavering follow-up, you can force their hand. If your claim is being delayed, don’t guess. Get answers. Our team specializes in holding insurance companies accountable. Your insurance policy is a promise. We’re here to make sure they keep it.

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