Hurricane Damage Insurance Claims in Louisiana
As more hurricanes reach Louisiana each year, one thing is becoming clear: dealing with major storms is part of living in the state. In fact, researchers are estimating that the landfall of major storms is becoming more likely each year. While this news is alarming, one of the only things Louisiana residents can do is make sure they have a good hurricane insurance policy. Yet, even this isn’t always enough. Before a storm arrives, one of the most important things a person can do is to create a record of their belongings and the condition of their home. One way they can do this is by making a comprehensive video showing the outside of their home, its interior, and the items that are in it.
When a hurricane passes through an area, it doesn’t just damage one home—it destroys many. While it shouldn’t effect claimants, this means that an insurance company is facing multiple claims after a major storm.
When insurance companies are facing a significant number of claims, they might start trying to protect their profits by unfairly denying or delaying them. This is called bad faith insurance practice. Though illegal, it isn’t uncommon, and claimants should hire an attorney if they think they are experiencing it.
Types of Hurricane Damage
Strong winds and heavy rain are the two most destructive aspects of a hurricane. These two things combine to cause various types of damage to a person’s home and property.
- Surface damage describes things such as broken windows and destroyed roof paneling on a home. This type of damage is more than superficial as it can expose the interior of a home to the elements, increasing the destructive force of a hurricane.
- Structural damage changes the integrity and livability of a home. For example, the flood waters from a hurricane can soak into the woodwork of a home, causing lasting damage that needs to be corrected. If left uncorrected, water damage can cause a structure to be unsafe and can even make residents sick after the development of mold.
Predicting the type of damage a hurricane will inflict on a home is close to impossible. In some instances, a home might sustain broken windows and minor water damage. Or, a home can be destroyed inside and out from the power of wind, rain, and flooding. After a hurricane damages a home in any way, a person will need to file a claim to have it fixed. If the company isn’t being reasonable or is refusing to cover part or all a hurricane’s damage, calling an attorney will help a person decide what to do next.
What to Do After Wind Damage in Louisiana
When your house or business is damaged by strong winds, it’s reasonable to expect that the insurance company you’ve paid for years will repair it. Since wind damage is obvious, it’s hard to imagine an insurer doing anything but quickly covering your losses as it’s supposed to do. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen as we’d expect.
With the state’s hurricanes and tornadoes gaining strength and frequency over the years, making sure you have the right coverage for wind damage is important. According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI), those who’ve had property damage caused by wind should contact their insurer as soon as possible. Importantly, many policies require property owners to protect their property from further damage after a wind-related incident. So, a person might need to make temporary repairs or coverings until their insurance company can assess the situation. The steps a person takes during this time might be reimbursable under a policy.
The LDI also encourages the following actions after wind damage occurs:
- Take pictures or video of the wind damage, your home, and any contents it destroyed.
- Make sure the insurance company has your contact info, especially if you had to evacuate.
- Separate your damaged and undamaged property to help speed the assessment process along.
Call Our Louisiana Wind Damage Attorneys
Most people can’t afford to fix the damage caused by wind without help—that’s why they spend years paying premiums. When disaster strikes, they expect their insurance company to be there for them. When an insurer dodges responsibility by delaying or denying a claim, a person might feel like their entire life has been placed on hold. At Arnold & Itkin, our mission is to level the playing field. Our Louisiana wind insurance lawyers are ready to step in and let your insurance company know that it’s usual tactics won’t be acceptable during your claim. We’ll investigate your claim, demand reasonable compensation, and fight to hold your insurer accountable. If you’re sick of the red tape used by your insurance company, it’s time to call a team that’s ready to cut through it.
What Our Louisiana Hurricane Insurance Firm Can Do
When insurance companies aren’t being fair, our job is to make sure they honor the terms of a client’s policy. Our team is ready to investigate the damages to a home, demand fair compensation, and take an insurance company to trial if needed. We never settle for less than clients deserve and prepared to devote the resources required to hold insurance companies accountable.
Call Our Louisiana Hurricane Damage Claims Law Firm Today
At Arnold & Itkin, our Baton Rouge insurance claim law firm has experience helping people with all types of insurance claims, including those involving hurricane damage. When Hurricane Harvey tore through the Gulf Coast states, we were there to demand that residents and businesses were able to receive the compensation they needed from the insurance companies they paid for years. Insurance companies have no right to deny paying policyholders, and we’re ready to be the difference makers you need to move on with your life.
Hold your insurance company accountable by calling our firm today at (888) 493-1629. Our team of Louisiana hurricane damage claim lawyers is ready to fight for the fair compensation that you need and deserve.
