Homeowners Insurance
Claims Attorney in New
Orleans, Louisiana

Has Your Home Been Damaged by a Hurricane?

Do You Need Help Filing an Insurance Claim?

Standard home insurance usually provides limited coverage, which does not cover the costs associated with property damage caused by a hurricane. You need to have an additional deductible to get full coverage. Every homeowner should understand their policy before filing a claim, as the claims process is often long and complicated. However, with a qualified New Orleans homeowners insurance claims attorney, you have a greater chance of recovering the damages and restoring your home.

According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, state homeowners can choose from 2% to 5% of their home’s insured value as their hurricane deductible. That means a policyholder whose home is insured for $200,000 would pay a hurricane deductible of $4,000 if they select the 2% option.

At Hammond Law Firm LLC, we are experienced in all aspects of homeowners insurance claims and property damage litigation. We understand the hardship that natural disasters such as hurricanes can cause and stand ready to assess the situation to help you get fair compensation for the damages.

Schedule a risk-free consultation with our New Orleans homeowners insurance claims lawyers today.

How Can a New Orleans Homeowners Insurance Claims Attorney Help You Avoid Denied Claims?

There are no incentives for an insurance company to pay a claim if the policyholder can’t prove that their property suffered damage due to a hurricane. Insurance companies often deny claims for trivial reasons that could easily be avoided with the help of a knowledgeable homeowners insurance claims attorney.

Some tactics that insurance companies use to deny claims include:

• Ignoring or misinterpreting policy language
• Failing to investigate the claim thoroughly
• Downplaying the extent of damages
• Claiming pre-existing damage or not recognizing the damage as a genuine peril
• Requiring excessive documentation to prove a claim
• Delaying payments and denying valid claims.

Our New Orleans homeowners insurance claims lawyers have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies, and we are familiar with their tactics. We understand the factors and legal and policy information and know how to argue against their attempts to deny your claim. We will counter insurance companies’ attempts to escape liability and help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you’re going through a difficult time after your home suffered damage due to a hurricane, contact us today to learn more about our services. We are ready to assist you and help you with the claims process.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Hurricane Insurance Claim?

When a catastrophic weather event, such as a hurricane, causes severe damage to your property and a state of emergency or disaster is declared, you have at least 180 days from the incident to file a hurricane insurance claim.

However, Louisiana’s state government may also extend the time limit due to the specific conditions and circumstances of the disaster. This extension, however, is made on a case-by-case basis and is not always guaranteed. You may also appeal for an extension to your insurance company if extenuating circumstances prevent you from filing your claim within the required time limit. This includes evacuation due to hurricanes, displacement, and more.

Considering the complexities and the pressing time limit, you should start filing claims as soon as possible. Our homeowners insurance claims attorney in New Orleans can help you keep track of deadlines, statutes, and other details, such as those involving your policy coverage and the claims process. We can help you improve the chances of claim approval and restore your financial stability.

What Types of Hurricane Damages Can Homeowners Insurance Claims Attorneys Help You Recover?

Comprehensive hurricane insurance plans are designed to cover wind and water damage caused directly by the storm. You can recover the following damages with the help of a qualified New Orleans homeowners insurance claims lawyer.

• Dwelling repairs, such as roof or window replacements, siding cosmetic repairs, replacing broken doors, etc.
• Replacement costs for personal belongings (such as furniture) destroyed during the disaster due to flooding or other types of water damage.
• Removal of debris, such as fallen trees and branches, that have caused structural damage.
• Additional living expenses if you cannot use your home due to extensive repairs related to hurricane damage. These include temporary housing costs, meals, transportation, and other related expenses while you are displaced from your home.

While every policy is unique, these may be covered in your policy. Our homeowners insurance claims attorney in New Orleans can help you review it and ensure you are compensated for the damages.

What Is Bad Faith in Homeowners Insurance Claims?

Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 22:1973, insurers are expected to uphold good faith and fair dealing. This implies that insurance companies should handle claims promptly, thoroughly, and objectively, striving to provide a fair and just settlement.

Other duties as defined under Louisiana Revised Statute 22:1892 include:

• Initiating the loss adjustment of a property damage claim within 14 days after notification of the claim, except in cases of catastrophic events. 
• Making a written offer to settle property damages within 30 days of receiving satisfactory proof of loss.
• Ensuring fair claims practices when determining liability for damages and providing settlement offers.
• Providing a copy of the adjuster’s report within 15 days upon request.

If any insurer fails to meet these standards, it’s considered a breach of the implied covenant, called “bad faith.” Insurers who fail to pay out a legitimate claim within 30 days may be liable to pay the amount of loss, fifty percent damages on the amount of loss, and attorneys’ fees & costs, or two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), whichever is greater.

Our New Orleans homeowners insurance claims attorneys can help you determine if the insurance company’s actions constitute bad faith and get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact us to discuss your case today. 

What Documents Do I Need to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim?

Without legitimate proof, receiving payments on a homeowners insurance claim can be challenging. However, the filing process would be easier if you know what documents you need to have on hand and work with a qualified homeowners insurance claims attorney. 

The documents that are typically required to file a homeowners insurance claim include the following: 

• Proof of ownership – This could be in the form of a mortgage statement, title deed, or lease agreement.
• Policy documents – including declarations page and any endorsements. 
• Contractors’ estimates for repairs. 
• Photographs or videos of all damaged areas of the home, as well as the date when the damage occurred. 
• Receipts for all items destroyed or damaged in the incident, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing.
• Copies of repair bills, medical receipts, and other damage-related expenses. 

When filing a claim, the accuracy of the information provided is critical. Homeowners should carefully review all documents before submitting them to the insurer to ensure they reflect the correct details of the damage incurred and any resulting expenses. 

Our New Orleans homeowners insurance claims attorney stays current on all the latest laws and regulations surrounding homeowners insurance. We’ll review your case to help you get the compensation you deserve, no matter how complex the claim. 

If you have questions or need legal advice on homeowner’s insurance claims, please contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to help!

How Can a New Orleans Homeowners Insurance Claims Attorney Help Me Prove My Damages?

Proving damages in the event of a hurricane is one of the most challenging parts of filing a claim. Our attorneys have experience handling hurricane claims and can help you present your damages in an organized and comprehensive way. This increases your chances of claim approval. 

Here are some of the steps we can take to prove your damages: 

. Gather evidence: We can help you collect evidence to back up your claims, including photos of the damage, written statements from witnesses, and estimates of repair costs. 

. Negotiate an agreeable settlement: Once all the damages have been documented, we can negotiate with your insurance company for a mutually beneficial agreement. 

. Mediation and arbitration: If your insurance company refuses to cooperate, we can opt for mediation or arbitration with the help of an experienced dispute resolution specialist.

Your financial security after a hurricane is important to us, and that’s why our New Orleans homeowners insurance claims lawyers work diligently to prove your damages and help secure fair, equitable compensation for your loss. 

If you need help filing a homeowners insurance claim, contact us today, and our team will assist you with a smooth and successful resolution. 

Don’t Let the Insurance Company Deny, Delay, or Underpay Your Claims

Our Homeowners Insurance Claims Attorneys in New Orleans Are Here to Help You Get Fair Compensation!

At Hammond Law Firm, LLC, we understand the intricacies of filing homeowners insurance claims and the difficulties people face when they don’t receive a fair settlement from their insurer. Our homeowners insurance claims attorney can help you file a strong claim to get you the compensation you deserve.

We specialize in claims resulting from hurricanes and handle disputes involving claim denials or delays from the insurer. So, if your insurer is not providing the coverage you need, contact us today and let us help you pursue fair compensation.