PA woman claims insurer failed to pay for fire damage

A Port Arthur woman has filed suit against Standard Guaranty Insurance Company, claiming it did not cover damages caused to her house in a fire.

Helen Bernard claims her house, located at 1610 DeQueen in Port Arthur, was damaged in a fire on Aug. 20, 2005, according to a complaint filed Oct. 20 in Jefferson County District Court.

She owned a Texas homeowner's insurance policy through Standard and asked the company to cover the costs of repairs to her damaged home, the suit states.

Bernard claims Standard denied her claim, even though it should have been covered.

The company has not offered any reasons for its denial, according to the complaint.

Bernard seeks unspecified actual, treble, punitive and exemplary damages, plus attorney's fees, costs, prejudgment and post-judgment interest and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

Brandon P. Monk of The Monk Law Firm in Nederland will be representing her.

Case No. A182-563.