How to File a Successful Hurricane Damage Claim

When a hurricane unleashes its full fury, it leaves mass devastation in its wake. Thousands of homes can be flooded in an instant. Wind damage tears off roofs and scatters personal property all throughout the area. And once the hurricane moves on, the surviving homeowners are left to rebuild.

Almost as daunting as the hurricane itself is the prospect of filing an insurance claim for hurricane damage. Many homeowners may not even be aware of how insurance works when it comes to a hurricane. That is why one of the best steps you can take if you find yourself in this situation is to call a knowledgeable New Orleans hurricane damage claim lawyer.

How Does Hurricane Insurance Work?

Strictly speaking, most people do not have “hurricane insurance.” If they own their home, then they naturally have homeowner’s insurance. Unfortunately, many standard homeowner’s policies in Louisiana do not cover wind and flood damage, which are the two most common forms of hurricane damage. Homeowners often need to purchase additional or standalone coverage to cover these events.

Assuming your hurricane damage is covered, however, the steps you need to take are largely the same as for any other homeowner’s claim. Here is a brief rundown:

• Notification: You must notify your insurance company or insurance agent as soon as possible following the hurricane. Insurance policies generally contain language requiring notification within a reasonable period as a precondition of coverage. If you wait too long, the insurer may deny your claim outright.
• Documentation: Even before your insurance company asks, you need to start documenting your hurricane damage right away. Take photos and video of your property, focusing on any area where there appears to be storm-related damage. For any damaged item on part of your home, describe the exact damage sustained and list the estimated value of the property. Ideally, you should create a home inventory before a storm to help you better track hurricane damage.
• Review: You need to carefully review every aspect of your insurance policy. Do you have to pay a deductible? What is the maximum the policy will pay to repair–or possibly replace–your home? An experienced insurance claims lawyer can assist you in making sure you completely understand what your policy will and will not cover.
• Adjuster: Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess your hurricane damage. Make sure to provide the adjuster with all of your documentation, as well as your home inventory. You may also wish to consider hiring a public adjuster who is not associated with your insurance company to offer a second opinion.
• Repairs: You can and should make minor repairs to your home in order to protect your property and its belongings. You will need to save your receipts so you can ask your insurance company to reimburse you. For major repairs, your insurer will likely recommend a contractor. You should still gather multiple estimates from different contractors.

Contact a New Orleans Hurricane Damage Claim Lawyer Today

It will usually take several weeks–and possibly months–to resolve your hurricane damage claim.

This is simply due to the fact that there are an overwhelming number of claims to resolve. At the same time, you should not let the insurance company drag its feet or demand you settle for less than full compensation. A New Orleans hurricane damage claim lawyer can advise and assist you in this process. Contact Insurance Claim HQ today to schedule a free claim evaluation.