Serving Houston & Galveston County

Commercial Claims

Expert commercial property damage and business interruption claim assistance for businesses across Houston and Galveston County

Quick Answer

Commercial property insurance claims are highly complex, often involving extensive structural damage, specialized equipment breakdown, and business interruption losses. Because insurers frequently underestimate these commercial losses to protect their margins, hiring a licensed public adjuster ensures your damage is properly documented, your lost income is accurately calculated, and your business recovers the full settlement required to resume operations.

Types of Commercial Claims We Handle

Commercial Property Damage

Fire, storm damage, water damage, vandalism, equipment failure

Physical damage to commercial buildings, equipment, inventory, and business personal property

Common Damage Types:

  • Building structure damage
  • Equipment replacement
  • Inventory loss
  • Tenant improvements
  • Signage and fixtures

Business Interruption Claims

Property damage, utility interruptions, civil authority orders

Lost income and extra expenses when business operations are disrupted by covered property damage

Common Damage Types:

  • Lost revenue
  • Continuing expenses
  • Extra expenses
  • Extended period losses
  • Civil authority coverage

Equipment Breakdown Claims

HVAC failures, electrical damage, computer systems, manufacturing equipment

Coverage for mechanical and electrical equipment failures that cause property damage and business interruption

Common Damage Types:

  • Equipment replacement
  • Production downtime
  • Spoiled inventory
  • Repair costs
  • Business interruption

Hidden Commercial Damage Often Missed

Don't Let Hidden Damage Cost Your Business

Commercial property damage often extends beyond what's visible. Insurance adjusters may miss critical damage that could cost your business thousands in future repairs and lost revenue. Our commercial experts know exactly what to look for.

Structural Integrity Issues

Hidden structural damage that may not be immediately visible but affects building safety

Detection Method

Professional structural engineering inspection and assessment

Electrical System Damage

Power surges and electrical damage that can affect entire commercial electrical systems

Detection Method

Licensed commercial electrician inspection and testing

Code Compliance Upgrades

Required building code upgrades triggered by damage repairs

Detection Method

Building code analysis and compliance assessment

Business Income Calculations

Complex business interruption loss calculations often undervalued by insurers

Detection Method

Forensic accounting and financial analysis required

Environmental Contamination

Contamination from chemicals, mold, or other hazardous materials

Detection Method

Environmental testing and remediation assessment

Extended Period of Restoration

Additional time needed to restore business operations and customer base

Detection Method

Business recovery analysis and market impact assessment

Don't Wait - Commercial Claims Are Time-Sensitive

Business interruption losses compound daily, and evidence can deteriorate quickly. The sooner we can assess your commercial property and document losses, the stronger your claim will be.

Commercial Claims FAQs

Get Your Commercial Claim Review

Free consultation with commercial claims specialists. We'll review your policy and assess your damages at no cost.

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Why Choose DCS?

Commercial Specialists

Experience in complex commercial claims

Licensed & Bonded

Fully licensed and bonded public adjusters in TX & FL

Deep Industry Experience

Insurance industry experience since 2010, advocating for policyholders since 2017

Full Policy Recovery

Our goal is to help you pursue every dollar you may be entitled to

How Commercial Property Insurance Claims Work

Commercial property policies in Texas and Florida are usually written on an ISO Commercial Property (CP) form, a Building & Personal Property Coverage Form (CP 00 10), or a Businessowners (BOP) form. The most relevant first-party coverages on a typical commercial loss are Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income (sometimes called Business Interruption), and Extra Expense. Each coverage carries its own limits, sublimits, deductibles, and conditions, and each is documented and adjusted differently.

A complete commercial claim typically requires four parallel documentation streams: (1) cause-of-loss documentation establishing what happened and that the cause is a covered peril; (2) building scope documentation — the physical damage measured to construction-grade tolerances and priced using a recognized estimating platform such as Xactimate; (3) Business Personal Property inventory — equipment, fixtures, inventory, tenant improvements; and (4) financial documentation supporting any Business Income or Extra Expense element of the loss. Missing any one of these streams typically results in an underpaid claim or an extended period to resolution.

Commercial losses also routinely involve issues that are rare on residential claims: ordinance & law / code-upgrade exposure, period of restoration disputes, contributing-cause analysis, depreciation methodology on specialty equipment, suit limitation provisions, and protective safeguards endorsements. Each of these can move a settlement materially.

Commercial Claim FAQ

What kinds of commercial properties does DCS handle?

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Retail, office, multi-tenant commercial, restaurants, light industrial, warehousing, hospitality, multifamily (5+ units), assisted-living facilities, and houses of worship are typical. We work commercial claims of all sizes within Texas and Florida and have experience across CP, BOP, and special multi-peril policy forms.

How is a Business Interruption (BI) claim calculated?

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BI is generally calculated as the net income the business would have earned during the period of restoration, plus continuing normal operating expenses, less any non-continuing expenses. The calculation uses pre-loss financial records (typically 12–24 months of operating data), seasonal trend analysis, and the policy's specific definitions of "period of restoration" and "extra expense." For larger or contested BI claims, we work alongside a forensic accountant.

What is "ordinance or law" coverage and why does it matter?

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Most jurisdictions require that when a damaged building is repaired beyond a certain threshold, undamaged portions must be brought up to current code (electrical, life-safety, structural, ADA). Ordinance & Law coverage — usually purchased as Coverage A (loss to undamaged portion), Coverage B (demolition cost), and Coverage C (increased cost of construction) — pays for the code-upgrade exposure that the basic policy excludes. On older buildings or larger losses, ordinance & law often determines whether a claim is fully payable.

My carrier said the loss is below my deductible. Is that final?

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Not necessarily. Deductible disputes typically involve disagreement on the scope of covered damage. We re-document the loss, identify any coverage components the carrier may have overlooked (matching, code-upgrade, BI, BPP), and present a revised claim package. If the loss properly documented exceeds the deductible, the deductible question becomes moot.

How long do I have to file a commercial claim?

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Texas and Florida policies contain "suit limitation" provisions and notice-of-loss requirements that vary by carrier and form. As a general rule, notice should be given as soon as practicable after the loss, and any lawsuit on the policy must be filed within the contractual time limit (often 1–5 years depending on form and state). Specific deadlines should be reviewed against your actual policy. Do not let policy deadlines lapse — once they pass, contractual rights against the carrier are typically forfeited.

Can DCS work with our company's existing risk manager or in-house counsel?

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Yes. Larger commercial accounts often have an in-house risk manager, broker advocate, or coverage counsel involved. We coordinate with all of them. The PA role is the on-the-ground first-party documentation and negotiation; legal questions stay with counsel, and broker advocacy stays with the broker.
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