Many communities in Louisiana understand the catastrophic losses that follow a hurricane. Survivors face not only the hurricane’s initial destruction but the long road of rebuilding homes, businesses, and neighborhoods. On top of it all, many home and property owners may even be dealing with insurance companies on their own during the process – but you don’t have to.
Our attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine have deep roots in Louisiana, and we are ready to fight for people across Louisiana who are rebuilding their lives. Our Louisiana hurricane insurance lawyers are prepared to answer all your questions about the claims process. Then, we will get to work holding the insurance companies responsible for the compensation you deserve.
Helping Louisiana With Hurricane Insurance Claims
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, our team is proud of our roots in Louisiana.
Founding partner, Attorney Glen B. Levine, graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, receiving his B.A. before going on to law school. Mr. Levine is Board Certified in civil trial and also recognized for his skills in negotiation and counseling.
Attorney Nicholas P. Basco, part of our litigation team, also called Louisiana home. He received his B.A. from Loyola University in New Orleans before graduating from law school.
With over 800 five-star reviews, we take client service seriously. Our team knows that getting legal help is about more than just moving forward with your financial recovery – it’s about getting caring support through the process of rebuilding your life.
The Cost of Damage From Hurricane Ida and Other Hurricanes in Louisiana
Our legal team understands the devastation faced by Louisiana residents in the wake of Hurricane Ida and other recent hurricanes. Homeowners and residents of Louisiana have faced the challenges of many powerful storms, such as:
Hurricane Ida
In late August of 2021, 16 years after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, Hurricane Ida brought the force of a Category 4 storm to Louisiana. These facts illustrate the extent of the damage:
- While several Gulf states were affected by the damage, more than 90% of losses from Hurricane Ida are estimated to be within Louisiana (CoreLogic).
- Total property losses for Ida are valued between $27 billion and $40 billion.
- Nearly $1 billion in grants and funds were issued to more than 550,000 households and individuals by state and federal agencies to assist with recovery, including funds for property loss and repairs, among other damages.
Many homeowners and property owners are still dealing with the impacts of Ida’s storm damage – and may still be waiting for compensation from a property damage claim.
Hurricane Katrina
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 flooded 80% of the city, killed more than 1,800 people, and left hundreds of thousands of residents displaced from their homes. The Insurance Information Institute (III) notes that Katrina led to:
- $41.1 billion in insurance claims from a total of 1.7 billion claims
- $16.1 billion in flood-related claims in addition to the above figure
Katrina was the biggest catastrophic loss event ever experienced in the global insurance industry.
Hurricane Camille
One of only four Category 5 hurricanes to strike the U.S., Camille tore across the Gulf States and led to 256 deaths (National Weather Service). Known as the second strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States, Louisianans and other affected communities across the region faced $1.42 billion in damage in 1969. At the time, it was the costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
Types of Losses You May Recover After a Hurricane
Hurricanes can reach speeds of over 160 miles per hour, cause storm surges, lead to major flooding, and even bring tornadoes in their path. These forces of nature can leave home and property owners with severe losses, such as:
- Basement flooding
- Water damage to floors, walls, and more
- Broken windows
- Roof damage
- Electrical failures
- Structural collapses from fallen trees
- Impacted garages and other ancillary buildings
- Crushed landscaping or uprooted trees
- Fires caused by lightning or downed power lines
- Losses to personal items in the home
After a hurricane causes these and other losses to your home or property in Louisiana, you may be able to seek compensation through your homeowners insurance policy.
However, because there is no specific form of coverage that applies to hurricane storm loss, getting the full financial recovery you need for all your necessary repairs can be complicated.
What to Know About Your Insurance Coverage After a Hurricane in Louisiana
Our attorneys can review the terms of your policy and help you get answers to all your questions about your coverage.
Here are some of the most important things to know about storm insurance coverage in Louisiana:
Wind Losses May Be Covered By Your Homeowners Policy
Losses caused by wind could be covered by a homeowners policy. This may include wind impacts to roofs, shattered windows, and other structures.
However, every policy is different. Be sure to review the terms of your policy to understand if you have full or partial coverage for wind impacts.
Flood and Water Impacts Are Often Covered By Flood Insurance
If your home was flooded during the storm, you should turn to any flood insurance coverage you may have.
Generally, homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding, as the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) notes. In Louisiana, you may have purchased an additional policy from the National Flood Insurance Program, for example.
Flood maps are a tool that insurance providers use to assess a homeowners’ risk for flooding. The FEMA Flood Map Center (FMC) offers online tools that can help Louisianans understand their own potential risk.
You May Have a Storm Deductible
Depending on your location in Louisiana and your policy, you may have a storm deductible for hurricane and windstorm losses.
According to LDI, your deductible could range between 2-5% of your home’s insured value. For example, if your home is valued at $220,000 through your policy and you have a 2% deductible, you would need to pay $4,400 before your insurance coverage applies.
If You Face Insurance Claim Challenges, Our Attorneys Can Advocate for You
If your home is destroyed by a hurricane, you likely have many questions. Our attorneys can help you clarify your options. We can represent your interests throughout a Louisiana hurricane loss claim, working for an efficient resolution. Our attorneys can:
- Review your insurance policy and explain what’s covered in clear terms
- Gather evidence that could be crucial to your case
- Handle all the conversations with the insurance company for you
- Negotiate a fair award to settle your claim
- File a lawsuit against the insurance company, if necessary
- Support and advise you through every step
- Protect your rights under Louisiana law and under the terms of your policy
Keep in mind that you can get legal help no matter where you are in the claims process. Whether you’re just beginning to survey your damage or waiting on a stalled claim, you can contact us at any time. Consider reaching out to us if:
- You filed your claim, but the insurer did not send out an adjuster within 30 days.
- You’re having communications problems with an adjuster.
- You’ve initiated a claim but are unsure of what to include in an inventory list of damage or other supporting paperwork.
- The insurance company is delaying your claim.
- Your claim has been denied.
- You have not received payment for a claim that was approved.
You could be facing many other problems with the storm damage claim process. Our hurricane insurance lawyers serving Louisiana can deal with these complications for you.
Get a Free Case Review from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine
You don’t have to handle the challenges of the property claims process alone. Our Louisiana hurricane insurance lawyers can work with the insurance companies for you while you focus on what matters most. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about paying legal fees up front – we only receive payment if you get the funds you need.
Get a free case review to get your questions answered about storm insurance coverage and how our attorneys can help. Contact us today at 1-800-747-3733.
