Has your New Orleans business recently suffered property damage, leaving you concerned about how to cover the costs?
Is your commercial property insurance company making things worse by refusing to take your claim seriously?
You shouldn’t need to fight through delays, low offers, or wrongful denials while trying to get your business back on track. With the proper legal support, you don’t have to do it alone.
At Insurance Claim HQ, we understand that your business is your livelihood. We also know how many New Orleans businesses have suffered extensive damage due to storms, water damage, fires, pipe failures, and other problems.
Our experienced legal team can take on your insurer, challenge unfair tactics, and demand the payment your insurance policy provides.
Our Louisiana property damage attorneys have extensive experience holding insurance companies accountable when they let property owners down.
Contact ICHQ today to arrange your free initial consultation with a commercial property damage lawyer in New Orleans.
What Are the Key Causes of Commercial Property Damage in New Orleans?
Running a business in New Orleans means staying alert to the many ways property damage can occur.
Here are some of the most common causes of commercial property damage in New Orleans:
- Hurricanes and tropical storms: Natural disasters can bring high winds, heavy rain, and storm surge that can cause roof failures, broken windows, and extensive flooding.
- Flooding: Even outside of major storms, heavy rainfall and drainage system backups are common and can easily lead to water intrusion.
- Fires: Electrical failures, kitchen accidents in restaurants, and lightning strikes can spark fires that damage large portions of a commercial property.
- Mold: New Orleans’ humid climate creates conditions that allow mold to spread quickly after leaks or minor water damage. Mold can harm air quality and destroy structures.
- Vandalism and theft: Break-ins, graffiti, and other forms of criminal activity can result in direct property damage, business disruption, and financial loss.
Structural damage: Aging buildings or poorly maintained systems sometimes contribute to roof collapses, plumbing problems, or similar failures. - What Steps Should I Take Immediately After Discovering Commercial Property Damage?
The discovery of property damage can be overwhelming for any business owner, but taking quick action can help protect your insurance claim. Take the following steps to reduce further harm and strengthen your business property damage claim:
- Contact emergency services if the damage creates a fire risk or another immediate danger.
- Secure the property or shut off utilities as necessary to prevent further damage.
- Take clear photos and videos of all visible damage before starting any cleanup or repairs.
- Report property damage promptly and follow the reporting instructions in your insurance policy.
- Keep receipts for any expenses related to urgent repairs you make to protect the property.
- Avoid discarding damaged items before an insurance adjuster can inspect them.
- Contact a New Orleans commercial property damage attorney for guidance on filing an insurance claim and navigating disputes.
Why Do Insurance Companies Delay, Undervalue, or Deny Commercial Claims?
Insurers often delay, undervalue, or deny claims because they know many policyholders won’t push back. Providers use various underhanded tactics to protect their profits with the expectation that business owners will simply accept smaller payouts or give up.
They’re counting on the fact that most people will feel too overwhelmed, confused, or trusting to stand up to them.
A New Orleans commercial property damage attorney can level the playing field by holding your insurer accountable, demanding prompt communication, and fighting for the full payout you need.
With the right legal help, you can make it clear that you will not accept less than what your coverage provides for your commercial property insurance claim in New Orleans.
What Are Examples of Insurer Bad Faith in Commercial Property Damage Claims?
As a policyholder who has faithfully paid your premiums, you have the right to expect your insurer to honor your policy agreement.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Some companies employ bad-faith insurance practices that harm business owners and limit rightful payouts, such as:
- Unreasonable delays: An insurance company might stall the claims process unnecessarily to pressure policyholders into accepting less than they deserve.
- Lowball offers: Some insurers present settlement amounts that fall far short of actual repair costs, leaving business owners to either pay out of pocket or fight for the full amount owed.
- Improper policy interpretations: A provider might unfairly interpret the exclusions or limits of a given policy to avoid paying a rightful claim.
- Sloppy investigations: Instead of conducting a full inspection, an insurer might overlook key losses or send an adjuster who spends only a few minutes on the site.
- Wrongful denials: Some insurance companies deny valid claims without clear or reasonable explanations. Policyholders then face additional financial strain while they work to challenge the denial.
- High-pressure tactics: Insurers may push business owners to accept quick payouts that do not accurately reflect the real value of the loss, knowing their policies prohibit them from recovering additional compensation later.
What Types of Evidence Do You Need to Prove Your Losses?
Strong evidence matters in New Orleans commercial property insurance claims. A skilled business property damage claim lawyer can use the following types of evidence to support your claim:
- Photos of structural and interior damage
- Videos showing the condition of the property after the incident
- Repair estimates from licensed contractors
- Invoices and receipts for emergency repairs
- Maintenance records for the property
- Inventory lists showing lost or damaged items
- Financial records that prove income losses
- Correspondence with the insurance company
- Inspection reports from independent experts
- Weather reports or official records related to the event
What Is the Role of a Property Damage Claim Lawyer?
A commercial property damage lawyer in New Orleans can protect your rights if your insurance company treats you unlawfully.
You paid your insurance premiums for a policy to protect you when disaster strikes.
If the insurance company is trying to renege on coverage you’re entitled to, an experienced attorney can step in to point out their missteps, gather evidence, and demand a timely resolution to your claim.
