You pay your insurance premiums every month expecting your insurer to be there when you need them. But when disaster strikes—a hailstorm destroys your roof, a fire damages your home, or a burst pipe floods your property—too many insurance companies look for reasons to deny, delay, or underpay your claim.

At Johnson Tabor & Johnson, we represent homeowners, property owners, and businesses in disputes with their insurance companies over property and casualty claims. Our senior partner spent over 40 years working for insurance carriers—he knows exactly how they evaluate claims, how they justify denials, and where their arguments fall apart. Now that insider knowledge works for you.

Whether your claim was denied outright, underpaid, or endlessly delayed, we have the experience to hold your insurance company accountable and fight for the full coverage you're owed under your policy.

When Your Insurance Company Won't Pay What You're Owed

Property insurance exists for one reason: to make you whole when your property is damaged or destroyed. Your policy is a contract, and your insurer has a legal obligation to honor it. But insurance companies are businesses, and paying claims reduces their profits. That creates a fundamental conflict of interest.

We see it every day: legitimate claims denied on technicalities, repair estimates slashed by company adjusters who've never set foot on your property, and policyholders pressured into accepting far less than their damage is worth. If this sounds familiar, you may need an attorney on your side.

Our Unique Advantage

Most attorneys who handle insurance disputes have only ever worked the policyholder side. Our senior partner spent his career on the other side of the table—as defense counsel for major insurance carriers. He knows how claims are evaluated internally, what triggers a denial, and what it takes to reverse one. That perspective is invaluable in coverage disputes.

Types of Property & Casualty Claims We Handle

Hail & Storm Damage

Roof damage, siding damage, window damage, and other property damage caused by Nebraska's severe hailstorms and wind events.

Fire & Smoke Damage

Structural fire damage, smoke damage, soot contamination, and loss of personal property from house fires.

Water & Flood Damage

Burst pipes, sewer backups, roof leaks, and flood damage. Coverage disputes often arise over the cause and extent of water damage.

Wind & Tornado Damage

Structural damage, fallen trees, debris impact, and total property loss from Nebraska's severe wind events and tornadoes.

Ice & Winter Storm Damage

Ice dam damage, frozen pipe bursts, roof collapses from snow load, and other winter weather property claims.

Commercial Property Claims

Business property damage, business interruption claims, and commercial coverage disputes for Nebraska businesses.

Hail & Storm Damage Claims in Nebraska

Nebraska sits squarely in the heart of Hail Alley. Every year, severe hailstorms cause hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage across the state. Roofs bear the brunt of the damage—but siding, gutters, windows, HVAC systems, and other components are often affected as well.

After a major hailstorm, insurance companies are flooded with claims. To manage their exposure, they often deploy tactics designed to minimize payouts: sending their own adjusters who underestimate damage, arguing that damage was pre-existing, or claiming that cosmetic damage doesn't affect functionality.

What a Proper Hail Damage Claim Looks Like

A hail-damaged roof often needs full replacement, not just repair. Shingle damage from hail may not be visible from the ground, but a qualified roofing inspector can identify impact marks, granule loss, cracking, and compromised seals that significantly reduce the roof's lifespan and protective capacity.

If your insurance company has denied your hail damage claim, underpaid it, or is pressuring you to accept a lowball estimate, contact us. We work with qualified roofing professionals and independent adjusters to document the true extent of your damage and fight for the full replacement or repair cost you're owed under your policy.

Need a Roofing Professional?

If you need a qualified roofing inspection or hail damage assessment in the Omaha metro area, our team works alongside experienced roofing professionals who specialize in storm damage documentation and insurance claim support. Ask us for a referral during your consultation.

Why Property Insurance Claims Get Denied

Insurance companies deny property claims for a variety of reasons—some legitimate, many not. Common reasons include:

"Pre-Existing Damage"

The insurer claims the damage existed before the covered event. This is especially common with roof claims where they attribute hail damage to normal wear and tear or age.

"Not a Covered Peril"

The insurer argues the cause of damage isn't covered under your policy. Water damage claims are particularly susceptible to this tactic.

"Failure to Mitigate"

The insurer claims you didn't take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after the initial event.

"Late Reporting"

The insurer argues you waited too long to report the damage, even though some damage—like hail damage to a roof—may not be immediately apparent.

"Cosmetic Damage Only"

The insurer acknowledges damage but classifies it as purely cosmetic, avoiding the cost of full repair or replacement. Many policies now include cosmetic damage exclusions that insurers exploit aggressively.

Underpayment / Excessive Depreciation

Rather than outright denying your claim, the insurer approves it but applies excessive depreciation or uses artificially low repair estimates to reduce your payout.

A denial or underpayment is not the final word. Your policy is a contract, and you have the right to challenge your insurer's decision. We can help.

Insurance Bad Faith in Nebraska

Nebraska law requires insurance companies to deal fairly and in good faith with their policyholders. When an insurer unreasonably denies a valid claim, fails to conduct a proper investigation, or uses deceptive practices to avoid paying, that may constitute bad faith.

Bad faith conduct by an insurer can include:

  • Unreasonable denial of a valid claim
  • Failure to properly investigate
  • Unreasonable delay in processing
  • Misrepresenting policy language
  • Offering far less than the claim is worth
  • Threatening or intimidating policyholders

If your insurer has acted in bad faith, you may be entitled to additional damages beyond the value of your claim, including attorney's fees and, in egregious cases, punitive damages. We evaluate every case for potential bad faith and pursue those claims aggressively when warranted.

The Property Claims Dispute Process

Here's what to expect when you bring a property claim dispute to our firm:

Step 1
Free Claim Review

We review your policy, the insurer's denial or offer, and the facts of your claim at no cost to you.

Step 2
Independent Damage Assessment

We work with independent adjusters, roofing professionals, contractors, and other experts to document the true extent of your damage.

Step 3
Demand & Negotiation

We present the insurer with our findings and demand full payment under your policy. Many disputes resolve at this stage.

Step 4
Appraisal or Litigation

If the insurer refuses to pay fairly, we pursue the appraisal process under your policy or file a lawsuit to enforce your rights.

Step 5
Resolution

You receive the full compensation you're owed under your policy, plus potential bad faith damages if applicable.

Serving Property Owners Across Nebraska

Johnson Tabor & Johnson represents homeowners, property owners, and businesses in insurance disputes throughout Nebraska, including:

  • Omaha and surrounding metro
  • Lincoln and Lancaster County
  • Grand Island and Hall County
  • Kearney and Buffalo County
  • Norfolk and Madison County
  • Columbus and Platte County
  • North Platte and Lincoln County
  • Scottsbluff and the Panhandle
  • All of Nebraska & western Iowa

Frequently Asked Questions About Property Claim Disputes

A denial is not the end of the road. You have the right to dispute the insurer's decision. We'll review your policy, have an independent professional assess the damage, and challenge the denial with documented evidence. Many denied claims are successfully overturned with proper legal representation.

Absolutely. Underpayment is one of the most common issues we see. Insurance companies frequently use their own adjusters who underestimate damage, apply excessive depreciation, or use below-market repair costs. An independent assessment often reveals that the true cost of repair or replacement is significantly higher than the insurer's offer. You don't have to accept their first number.

Most property insurance policies include an appraisal clause that allows either party to request an independent appraisal when they disagree on the value of a loss. Each side selects an appraiser, and the two appraisers select an umpire. If the appraisers can't agree, the umpire makes the final decision. This can be an effective alternative to litigation for resolving value disputes.

Your policy will specify a timeframe for reporting claims—typically requiring "prompt" or "timely" notice. For filing a lawsuit against your insurer, Nebraska's statute of limitations is generally five years for breach of contract claims. However, your policy may contain shorter deadlines. Don't wait—contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

No. You have the right to choose your own contractor. Insurance companies often have "preferred vendor" programs, but these contractors work for the insurer's interests, not yours. We recommend getting independent estimates from qualified contractors to ensure the repair scope and cost are accurate. We can connect you with trusted roofing and construction professionals in your area.

We handle property and casualty claim disputes on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees unless we recover additional compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free.

Insurance Company Not Paying? We Can Help.

Whether your claim was denied, underpaid, or delayed, contact us today for a free consultation. We know how insurance companies think—because we used to work for them.

There's no fee unless we win.