Eight Things to Know about Louisiana Hurricane Insurance Claims
Hurricane Ida makes the top 10 costliest storms in US history, doing the most damage in Southeast Louisiana and south Mississippi. If your home or other property was damaged in a Louisiana hurricane, what you don't know can hurt you. Here are eight essential things you should know about a hurricane damage claim in Louisiana, whether it’s a Hurricane Ida insurance claim or otherwise.
1. Losses You Can Claim After a Hurricane
According to hurricane law in Louisiana, you can generally claim the following losses depending on the specifics of your insurance policy:
Loss of use for your home or business if it's damaged enough that you can't live or do business within it
Structural damage - for example, claiming a hurricane roof damage
Interior and exterior damage
Personal belongings or inventory
2. You May Need to File Multiple Claims - Homeowners Insurance Claims
Depending on the damages to your various property types, you may need to file multiple hurricane damage claims under different policies. For example, you may need to file homeowners insurance claims under your homeowner's flood and high wind policies. In addition, if your car suffered damage, you need to file a claim with your auto insurer.
3. How Insurance Works After a Hurricane
If you've never had to file an insurance claim after a hurricane, you may not be sure what to expect. Generally, the process is as follows:
Report the damage to your insurance company and inform them if you need emergency services. Emergency services may include electricity, filing a hurricane roof damage insurance claim, plumbing, etc.
Take any steps to mitigate damages and use pictures, videos, and a journal to document all the damages you've incurred.
You may receive advanced payments to cover the loss of your belongings or a temporary place to live or do business.
An insurance claims adjuster will come to your property to assess the damage.
You get repair estimates and schedule the work.
The insurance company pays for or reimburses you for the repairs
4. You May Have to Wait for Services
After a natural disaster that has impacted many people, you may have to wait for a claims adjuster to come to your property. Many people had to wait for their Hurricane Ida insurance claim. Due to an influx in demand, you may also have to wait to have any non-emergency repairs done to your property. It also can take some time for the insurance company to process your claim and cut you or a repair person a check as they are likely inundated with claims. Unfortunately, you may also have to wait for your final homeowner's insurance claim check.
5. Don't Wait to File Your Claim
You don't have to wait until you thoroughly assess the damage to your property to file a claim. You can file a hurricane damage insurance claim as soon as you know there has been damage and then deal with the rest later. This may help reduce your wait time for an adjuster to evaluate your damages and repair timetable.
6. It's Your Job to Mitigate Damages
It would be best if you took any necessary actions to prevent further damage to your property. For instance, you should board up broken windows to prevent additional damage from rain or theft. In addition, you should have the water shut off to your home if there is flooding and the electricity if there are electrical concerns. If you don't take these steps, your insurance company may refuse to pay for any additional damages caused by your inactions.
7. You Have Legal Rights and Options
While some insurance companies might act like it, they don't call all the shots. You have legal rights and options as a consumer and a party to your insurance policy contract. One of them is to contact an experienced attorney for help with your hurricane damage insurance claim. So even if your insurance company tells you that they will take care of you and that you don't need legal help, you still have the right to consult with and hire an attorney.
8. Montiel Hodge is Here for Your Hurricane Insurance Claim
If a Louisiana hurricane has impacted your home, business, or other property, the attorneys and staff at Montiel Hodge are here for you. We can help you file your claim or an appeal if the insurance company unfairly denied your initial claim, as we are highly experienced in hurricane law in Louisiana. Our attorneys can also assist with claim delays. Call us today to learn more about our services and how we can help after such a devastating event.
