Galen Hair Invests in Insurance on the Ground – and the Communities that Need It

In an industry populated by firms who often care more about profits than people, Insurance Claim HQ stands out - and there's a good reason why. Co-founder Galen Hair has a unique and powerful story that directly affects how Insurance Claim HQ does things. From a childhood spent in poverty, to a work ethic that drove him through college, to strong compassion for families and business owners in the Southeast, Hair does insurance law a little differently. And his clients love him for it.

Developing Business Values and Principles

Hair's story begins in Arlington, Texas, where his family was so poor they couldn't even afford electricity. Hair started working when he was 13. His family couldn't afford college, but he quickly strategized a way around this roadblock: A talented tenor, he studied opera at the Boston Conservatory, Royal College of Music, and Boston University and got through college on scholarship. After graduation, he decided to attend law school at Tulane University. 

It was around that time that Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Hair went to help with the cleanup, where he met several social justice warriors. The whole experience inspired Hair to start something called the Student Hurricane Network (SHN). This organization helped the New Orleans area recover by bringing law students to the area to value houses and do other research.

It did something else, too - it gave Hair a front row look at the insurance industry and how insurance companies too often prioritized profits over people. What Hair learned in New Orleans would directly inform his values in the insurance world later on.

Starting Successful Businesses 

Hair's first career job was in Boston at a law firm. After the BP oil spill in the Gulf, he worked at a different law firm - one that focused on property damages. In 2011, Hair decided to strike out on his own and start his own firm with a colleague. The firm grew fast and quickly became successful: It received the Goldman Sachs 10000 business award and made the Inc. 500 list. But Hair was kept so busy taking care of the cases on the docket that he didn't have time for the advocacy work he was truly passionate about.

That's why Hair started a new firm, Insurance Claim HQ, in August 2020 with Alexander Shunnarah, who he'd met in a business owner group. Their first year in business was a baptism by fire - with the major hurricanes that hit Louisiana and Texas, they were kept busy traveling through the Gulf States and helping clients work with their insurance companies.

Insurance Claim HQ focuses on property casualty work. "I always say [that's] the stuff that happens to your home that's not your fault," Hair said. "Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, things like that."

Most people are covered for these events. But unfortunately, most people aren't paid enough to actually rebuild their home. That's where Hair and his team come in. They help advocate for clients with their insurance company to get them what they're owed.

Insurance Claim HQ currently represents over 800 houses and six churches, helping rebuild southwest Louisiana. For Hair, whose passion was kindled in New Orleans after Katrina, it's a full-circle moment. And he's not stopping there - eventually, he hopes to work with clients all over the country. 

A Different Kind of Commitment

There are plenty of insurance firms out there that work with clients after natural disasters. But Insurance Claim HQ is different. While other companies might spend their time and money on fancy dinners, Hair and his team invest their energy where it matters: on the ground.

When Hurricane Zeta hit in 2020, Hair, who lives in Louisiana, sustained damage to his own home. But he didn't stop to fix it - he tossed a tarp over the missing roof and headed out to the front lines with his team. And that's what Insurance Claim HQ is known for: actively supporting families and business owners in some of their most difficult days.

From Arlington to New Orleans and back again, Hair is rooted in the South. And with his new company emerging as a firm that has a strong foundation on the core principles and values Hair prioritizes, it's clear the Southeast is in good hands with Insurance Claim HQ, a company they can trust.

About Galen Hair

Galen M. Hair, owner of Insurance Claim HQ, is a property insurance attorney. His firm operates in more than seven states including Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Georgia among others. Galen and his team have helped over 800 families rebuild their homes and businesses. He has been rated a Super Lawyers Rising Star, and voted one of National Trial Lawyers Top 100. To learn more about how Galen and his partner, Alexander Shunnarah, can help protect property from disaster, please visit: https://insuranceclaimhq.com

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