Property Damage Litigation Law Firm in Louisiana

Common Types of Louisiana Property Damage Claims

A personal property damage lawyer from Montiel Hodge can assist you with all types of insurance claims. Some of the most common types of property damages we encounter include those caused by:

• Hurricanes

• Tropical storms

• Lightning

• Wind

• Downed trees

• House fires

• Household appliances failures

• Broken water lines/pipes

• Sewer line blockages

Are you not seeing your cause of damage listed? Contact one of our personal property claim attorneys for help!

Example: You may experience damage to your home from someone losing control of their car and driving into your property, or through an act of vandalism or malice. 

At Montiel Hodge, we can help with all types of insurance claims- give us a call! 

How Do You File an Insurance Claim for Property Damage?

If you plan to file a claim on your own, we advise that you start by reviewing your homeowner's insurance policy to determine the types of coverage you have and the policy’s insured limits. You may have replacement value or actual cash value (depreciated value) coverage for the primary structure of your home as well as:

• Detached garages,

• Workshops,

• Guest houses,

• Site fencing,

• Personal property/contents,

• Property cleanup,

• Debris removal, and

• Temporary relocation.

Knowing and understanding what is and is not covered by your policy is the first step to recovering the compensation to what you are legally entitled to. Insurance policies are usually written in complex legal language, making it difficult to fully understand the terms in your policy. Having a dedicated lawyer on your side to interpret your coverage can be an invaluable asset during this challenging and often stressful time.  

Your insurer may require specific forms or procedures for filing a claim, but typically, you will have to submit information such as:

• Before and after photos of your property and damage;

• Property repair estimates;

• List of lost or damaged contents;

• Documentation of contents’ value;

• Receipts for water extraction and remediation;

• Receipts for board-up, temporary roofing, etc.;

• Receipts for replacement items you purchased;

• Receipts for temporary housing, meals, transportation, etc.; and

• Receipts for any other out-of-pocket expenses you incur.

The most overwhelming part for homeowners when filing a homeowner’s insurance claim is the volume of information and paperwork required to submit. By working with an experienced property damage lawyer to handle your claim, you can offload a significant portion of that burden. This allows you the freedom to handle the more pressing matters you’re facing and alleviate stress that is accompanied by a loss of this nature.

Storm & Hurricane Damage: Will You Be Covered?

New Orleans and the surrounding areas have become repeated targets for hurricanes and tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico. The increased frequency with which we sustain damage has caused insurance rates to soar. At the same time, insurers are finding new ways every day to limit their financial liability for property claims.

Flood damage may not be covered under your standard policy, although you may have purchased a separate flood policy. However, under your homeowner's insurance, hurricane damage should be covered. This includes water damage that results from wind-driven rain, but be aware, insurance companies may try to avoid their legal responsibility to you as a policyholder.

Some examples of how insurance companies accomplish this include:

• Denying you had valid coverage,

• Refusing to investigate your claim,

• Delaying sending out an adjuster,

• Delaying payment on your claim,

• Making false or misleading statements,

• Undervaluing your claim, and

• Denying your claim outright.

Even though it is illegal, an insurer might try to discourage you from talking to a property damage lawyer. They might offer you an immediate settlement, despite it being significantly undervalued. They hope that you will take this offer and not seek legal advice.

At Montiel Hodge, our property damage lawyers stand up to the insurance companies who are ignoring your rights and not paying you fair compensation for your loss. We hold them accountable and compel them to deal with your claim in good faith. Let us handle everything on your behalf and fight to get you what you rightfully deserve for your insurance claim.