Hurricane property damage and insurance relief claim investigation

Hurricanes Ida, Laura, Delta or Zeta insurance claims: who’s affected?

Did your home, property, or business suffer damage after Hurricane Ida, Laura, Delta or Zeta? A lawyer can help make sure your insurance company compensates you fairly.

Hurricanes have done more than $100 billion in damages to the gulf states in the last handful of years. Hurricane Ida did approximately $95 billion in damages in 2021. Hurricane Laura was responsible for roughly $19 million in 2020 followed by Hurricane Delta ($2.9 billion); and Hurricane Zeta ($4 billion).

Filing an issuance claim for hurricane damage can be confusing. Some people may not know that their insurance may cover damages to homes, cars, and businesses.

​​Legal help for natural disaster insurance claims is available at no cost to property owners. Residents and business owners who suffered property damage in the aftermath of hurricanes to help them ensure they get the maximum benefit possible. A deadline for Hurricane Laura is approaching in August, so timing is essential.

Insurance companies motivated by profit

While insurance companies market themselves as being there in times of need for their customers, it’s been reported repeatedly that insurance companies often do not operate in good faith when it comes to compensating victims of natural disasters. The insurance industry is often driven more by profit than customer satisfaction. Those affected by Ida say they often received “radio silence” from their insurance companies when trying to put their lives back together.

Lawmakers in Louisiana complained that even four months after Hurricane Laura hit, insurance customers were still living without roofs over their houses. The lawmakers criticized the insurance industry for slow responses, low-ball damage estimates, and using drones rather than people to assess the damage. Rep. Phillip Tarver, a Republican from storm-ravaged Lake Charles, told an insurance industry representative during a meeting of the House and Senate insurance committees: “We don’t want something for nothing, but we do feel like we’re not getting all that we paid for.”

Insurance companies slip in ‘draconian’ limitations

According to the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), among the strategies invoked by some insurance companies is to slip new limitations into the policy, but not adequately informing customers. The CFA recommends contacting an attorney if claimants feel they have been misled in that regard. 

“Almost all wind-damaged homes have homeowners policies covering wind but insurers have been steadily increasing hurricane wind coverage deductibles and imposing other, sometimes draconian, homeowners insurance policy limitations, said J. Robert Hunter, CFA’s Director of Insurance. 

“This shift of costs to consumers under homeowners insurance policies may take some by surprise since disclosures of coverage changes are often buried in renewal paperwork that consumers may not understand or even read. Because so many consumers in Louisiana experienced severe claims problems in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, we urge homeowners dealing with losses caused by Hurricane Ida to be vigilant with their insurance companies, including the insurers settling National Flood Insurance claims, to ensure that that they receive a full and fair settlement.”

Many variables

The amount you will receive to cover your damage through your hurricane insurance claim depends on several variables including:

• the type of policy you have
• the policy limits
• temporary living expenses
• the cost to rebuild or repair
• other factors

Auto insurance companies may also compensate vehicle owners for damage done during disasters. Even if you already cashed your insurance check, you still may be eligible to claim and receive additional money if you were not paid in full.

Join a hurricane insurance relief lawsuit investigation

Even though you pay for insurance coverage to protect you against losses sustained in hurricanes and natural disasters, companies frequently put their interests over yours. An attorney can help you make sure you’re getting all you are owed in the event your property was damaged by a hurricane.

If you qualify, an attorney will contact you to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you. 

Fill out the form on this page for a FREE case evaluation.