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What to do if my home is damaged by a hurricane?

Posted by Jeremiah Boling | Aug 23, 2022 | 0 Comments

Hurricanes are some of the most dangerous storms to hit the United States. Hurricanes can also cause extensive damage to homes and property. If your home or business is damaged by a hurricane, you need to know how to handle your insurance claim so that it doesn't become more complicated than necessary.

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What do I do if my home is damaged by a hurricane?

  • Call your insurance agent.
  • Call your insurance company.
  • Call your insurance adjuster.
  • Call your insurance company's claims center.
  • Call the number on the back of your policy and ask to be transferred to the claims department.
  • Call a public adjuster to come out and perform an independent estimate.
  • Call an attorney who handles Hurricane claims.

Do I have a claim against the insurance company?

The first step in filing a lawsuit or making a claim is to determine whether or not you have coverage under your homeowner's policy. You'll need to check your contract with the insurance company and review any exceptions they may include in their policy.

As an insurance policy holder you have rights under your insurance agreement, as well as under Louisiana law. Contact a Louisiana attorney who specializes in hurricane claims to help you better understand what type of coverage options are available under your homeowner's policy. It's important that you find an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases because they will be able to guide you through all stages of litigation process, including making sure that no details slip through the cracks as evidence progresses through court proceedings (or arbitration).

How does a hurricane claim proceed?

Once your claim is filed, the insurance company will send out an adjuster to inspect your home. The adjuster will look at the damage and offer you a settlement amount (the amount of money that you can expect from your insurance company). If you agree with their settlement offer, then you may be able to settle your claim without hiring an attorney. However, insurance companies routinely under value their insured's damages, and often don't want to pay the full value of your claim.

If you don't agree with their offer or have any questions about it, then we recommend that you hire an attorney right away. In fact, Louisiana law requires all homeowners to seek legal counsel in order to avoid losing their right—and ability—to file a lawsuit. You only have a limited amount of time you can file a law suit in order to preserve your legal rights, so it is important to contact an attorney quickly following the storm.

What do adjusters look for in a hurricane claim?

Adjusters will be looking for any damage that is not covered by the policy. The adjuster works for the insurance company, and it's their job to save the insurance company money.

Why would an insurance company deny my hurricane claim

  • Why would an insurance company deny my hurricane claim? Hurricane policies are complex, and there are many details that can affect the outcome of your claim. Insurance companies have a variety of reasons for denying claims. Some common reasons include:
    • You didn't give them enough time to inspect the damage before filing the claim.
    • You have pre-existing damage.
    • You did not secure your property
    • You do not have coverage for the damage under your insurance policy.

What should I be looking for while the adjuster inspects my home?

While the adjuster is inspecting your home, you should be looking for anything that could be considered damage. This includes both the damage caused by the storm and anything else that was damaged during or immediately following the storm. Some examples of this would be:

  • Damage from wind, water, or debris (e.g., broken windows)
  • Any damage caused by flooding, including mold growth as a result of standing water in your property
  • Other types of structural problems (e.g., cracked walls)

Try and be present when your insurance adjuster is present to ensure the adjuster does not miss any details in their inspection. You can also hire a public adjuster that will perform an independent estimate of your property damage.

Don't I have to accept what the adjuster offers me?

Absolutely not. You are under no obligation to accept the settlement offer. You have the right to a fair settlement that is based on the value of your property and damages.

If you feel that the adjuster is trying to take advantage of you, you can hire an attorney to help you with your claim. As a Louisiana insurance home owner policy holder, it's important to be represented by Counsel in any dispute with your insurance company over a Louisiana hurricane claim because attorneys know what they're doing when it comes down to negotiations over liability amounts or other issues related with Louisiana hurricane claims processing.

Can an attorney help me with my hurricane claim dispute?

Absolutely. An attorney can be a valuable resource in certain legal matters. As a general rule, if you are not sure about your rights or have any questions about the process you should consult an attorney. Lawyers are experts in their field and can give good advice on how to proceed with a claim dispute.

A hurricane damages your home and property, but not your right to receive fair treatment under the law.

You, as a policyholder, have rights under Louisiana law. These include the right to receive fair treatment under the law. You also have rights under your insurance contract and contract law. Your home is damaged by a hurricane, but there are steps you can take to ensure that your claim is handled fairly and correctly, and hiring a licensed attorney with experience handling Hurricane claims can help.

Hurricane coverage is complicated, and it can be difficult for you to understand how the law applies to your insurance claim. If you have questions about your coverage or are concerned about whether or not an adjuster offers enough money for repairs, contact an attorney. We can help you find out if your insurance company is offering fair compensation for damages and make sure that you get the financial compensation you're entitled to as a home or business owner.

If you or a loved one have property damage from Hurricane Ida call us at 1-800-799-7914 or contact us today.

About the Author

Jeremiah Boling

Founder - Jeremiah earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the Mississippi State University. During his tenure at Mississippi State, he pitched for the Bulldogs baseball team and was selected for the Southeastern Conference academic honor roll. Thereafter, he received his Juris Doctor...

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