Your hurricane deductible in Louisiana depends on your insurance policy’s details. Yet, according to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, deductibles usually range between two to five percent of your home’s insured value. So, if your home is insured for $200,000, you can expect to pay $4,000 to $10,000 first before your insurance pays for anything.
Yet, your hurricane deductible depends on many factors. For instance, if you live close to Louisiana’s shoreline, your hurricane deductible might be more than someone’s who lives in Central Louisiana.
What Is a Deductible?
A deductible is a set amount of money that the policyholder must pay before their insurance company pays out any compensation.
In the case of a hurricane deductible, this is a special deductible that you must pay following a hurricane to receive insurance money. A hurricane deductible will likely be far higher than a standard home deductible.
When does My Hurricane Deductible Kick In?
Your hurricane deductible comes into play when a windstorm, tropical storm, or hurricane is officially named by the National Hurricane Center, per RS § 22:1337. After the hurricane damages your home or property, you can generally file a claim to recover what you need.
Your homeowners insurance policy will likely be separate from your hurricane or flood insurance policy. If possible, if you live in a high-risk hurricane area, you should explore your insurance coverage options as soon as possible.
What Happens If I Suffer Multiple Hurricanes in One Year?
RS § 22:1337 notes that you only have to pay one hurricane deductible a year. So, for instance, suppose your home suffers damage because of Hurricane A. You pay the deductible, file your claim, and get your losses covered. Then, Hurricane B comes around and damages your home again. In that instance, you would not have to pay the deductible a second time.
This can admittedly get confusing. After all, insurance companies want to make money by selling policie – not paying claimants’ damages. When you file a hurricane insurance claim, if you have problems getting the money you need, you can partner with an attorney on your case.
Recommendations When Filing Your Hurricane Insurance Claim
If you’re hoping to recover compensation from an insurance company, you should:
Notify the Insurer of Your Home’s Damage Promptly
Some insurance companies give you a limited time to file a hurricane damage claim. You want to file your claim as soon as possible to prevent the insurer from disputing your case. For instance, if you wait too long after the hurricane to file your claim, the insurer could argue that your home’s damage came from something else.
Prevent Further Damage from Harming Your Home
The insurance company will not pay claims due to negligence. Suppose that a hurricane shattered one of your home’s windows. To prevent water damage, rodents, and bug infestations from exacerbating the damage, you should board up the window. If you don’t, the insurance company could say that another situation caused your home’s damage – and not the hurricane.
Refrain from Hiring Out-of-Network Contractors
If your home needs emergency repairs to make it habitable, you could call a contractor of your choosing. Yet, keep in mind that the insurance company may not cover these costs. Before hiring a contractor to make repairs, check with your insurance company first to see if those costs are included in your insurance policy.
What Happens If the Insurance Company doesn’t Cooperate?
Insurance companies love to collect premiums. However, they don’t like paying claims. If the insurance company undervalues or denies your claim, you have the right to partner with a lawyer. Our team can gather evidence to support your claim, calculate your losses, and negotiate a fair settlement offer.
We can also protect you from bad faith insurance practices, which may include:
- The insurance company refuses to acknowledge your claim.
- You’re offered much less than your policy entitles you to receive.
- The claims adjuster insists that you give a recorded statement.
- Your claim is denied without a valid reason why.
- You face unnecessary delays in getting what you deserve.
You have rights as a policyholder under the law. Our team can help you uphold them.
Connect with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
Knowing your hurricane deductible in Louisiana is just one part of filing a claim. If you have property damage due to a hurricane, and your insurance company is denying, delaying, or pressuring you into accepting a low offer, consider partnering with our firm.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine understands how insurance companies work and what goes into building a successful claim. Don’t let your insurance company get away with wearing you down. You bought hurricane insurance coverage to protect your home, and we want to get your losses covered.
Call our team at 1-800-747-3733 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
We Can Help.
