Crystal Beach resident claims TWIA policy cancelled due to insurer error

GALVESTON - Nazarali Samanani claims Insurance Services of America, Ronnie Patel and Shahin Meghani mishandled his application for Texas Windstorm Insurance Association coverage.

In a lawsuit filed Aug. 31 in Galveston County Court at Law No. 3, Samanani complains that he was not able to make arrangements with the windstorm association regarding a policy for his Crystal Beach residence because the defendants reportedly did not inform him about a certain deadline.

The plaintiff purchased the subject policy from TWIA for $1,267 on April 9, 2008.

The original petition shows Samanani's insurer occasionally received correspondence from the windstorm association stating that the plaintiff must furnish a WPI8 certificate within a 60-day window before he can be issued a policy.

Samanani asserts TWIA was in possession of his correct mailing address, but the letters were not addressed or sent to him.

He went on a trip abroad later that summer only to return to apparent word that his windstorm policy had expired and a check would be forthcoming, the suit says.

It further explains that the windstorm association forwarded a refund check to his
insurer, however, the check was not made out to the plaintiff or both parties.

Consequently, Samanani seeks more than $75,000 in damages and a jury trial.

He is represented by attorney Shaun W. Hodge of Galveston.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County Court at Law No. 3 Judge Christopher Dupuy.

Cause No. 65,925