Homeowner alleges unfair settlement practices

A Galveston County resident has sued an insurance company and a claims adjustment firm, alleging violation of Texas' insurance code and fraud.

Trina Phillips filed a lawsuit March 2 in Galveston County District Court against ASI Lloyds of Dallas, and Pamela Boone and Alfred C. Shulle, individually and doing business as Alfred C. Shulle Wood Floor Specialist of Houston, alleging wrongful denial of an insurance claim.

According to the suit, Phillips, who had a homeowner’s insurance policy with ASI Lloyds, filed a claim with ASI for a burst pipe in her residence at 1222 Kirsten St., La Marque on Oct. 4, 2013. The incident resulted in extensive property damage to Phillips' home, including water and structural damage to walls and floors, the suit states, and ASI assigned Boone and Shulle as claim adjusters.

The complaint says the adjusters were improperly trained, that Shulle was unlicensed and that the adjusters performed a substandard inspection of the premises Oct. 22, 2013, undervaluing the cost of repairs needed. When Phillips disputed the assessment, specifically regarding wood floor repair throughout the house, ASI had Shulle reinspect but it would not change the estimate, according to the suit.

The suits cites delays in repairs that increased Phillips' expenses and breach of contract.

Phillips seeks seeks between $200,000 and $1 million in compensation, attorney fees, expenses and costs. She is represented by attorney Rene Sigman of Mostyn Law in Houston.

Galveston County District Court case number 14-CV-0208