Louisiana Insurance Lawyer Blog

Tropical Storm Lee is expected to produce extensive rainfall. The National Weather Service National Hurricane Center advised at 1 p.m. today that

TROPICAL STORM LEE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 10 TO 15 INCHES OVER SOUTHERN LOUISIANA...SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI...AND SOUTHERN ALABAMA THROUGH SUNDAY...WITH POSSIBLE ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 20 INCHES. THESE RAINS ARE EXPECTED TO CAUSE EXTENSIVE FLOODING...ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AREAS.

Flooded Businesses and Homeowners should be advised that there are key steps to filing a National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance claim.

1. Contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim;


2. Separate damaged from undamaged property.


3. The insurance company's flood adjuster will need evidence of your structural and/or damaged content to assist in preparing his estimate. Take photograph of all damaged property (including any of the property you plan on throwing away). Take a photograph of the flood line and


4. Make an accurate list of all damaged content including date of purchase, cost and value before flood. If you have any receipts for the contents that were damaged, please save them.


5. Timely file your Proof of Loss form with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood.


6. If you are having trouble with your insurance company or have any questions about your insurance claim, contact your Louisiana Storm Insurance Lawyer.

While some longstanding State Farm policyholders may still have a fixed $500 deductible, most Gretna, LaPlace, New Orleans LaCombe, Slidell, Little Woods, Marrero and Bush Homeowners suffering structural damage due to the Spring Hail Storms and tornadoes will probably face a deductibles based upon a percentage of the structural policy limits instead of a fixed deductible of say $500.

Homeowners, be careful as you might be shortchanged when the homeowners insurance adjuster refuses to pay your loss because "the damage is less than the percentage deductible".

The adjuster may have overlooked hidden structural damage or mold or may have miscalculated the cost of repair. Or the adjuster may even go as far as to try improperly exlcude covered damage under a policy provision.

A Hale Damage Lawyer can assist you hiring professional to prove your claim, including engineers, mold and meteorological experts so that you can fully recover your damages, including your recoverable depreciation, debris removal costs and other damages.
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The Homeowners Insurer must pay the insured homeowners "a figure over which reasonable minds could not differ" within a timer period set by law or be subject to bad faith penalties.

If you have any questions or concerns about your Property Damage Claim call a Property Damage Claims Lawyer.

Louisiana Insurance Laws are found primarily in Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 22. The laws are set forth as follows:

Continue reading "Where Are Louisiana Insurance Laws Found?" »

In a recent New York Times article, Amy Bach of United Policyholders provided tips concerning words to avoid when speaking with your insurance representative about a homeowner's insurance property damage claim.

United Policyholders is a a nonprofit group focused on educating consumers about insurance.

Amy says to avoid words like "flood" and "mold" and use language like "There has been an accident at my house, on my property and my property has been damaged, and I'm filing a claim."