Hurricanes are serious natural disasters that Louisianans can pretty much count on occurring each rainy season. The devastation that these storms cause is unfathomable and can become quite costly.
Your insurance policy is supposed to help you in the event of a disaster, but not every policy covers every kind of disaster. Keep reading to learn what to do if your Hurricane Laura insurance claim was denied.
Look Over Your Insurance Policy
If your insurance company denied your claim for financial relief from Hurricane Laura, it’s a good idea to revisit your policy to make sure that you are truly eligible for this type of coverage.
It’s common for policyholders not to have a copy of their full insurance policy, and often just have the Declaration Page that provides a summary of the available insurance benefits. While this document may be helpful, it is not enough for you to know all of your rights and duties under the policy.
Carefully Record All Property Damage
If you haven’t already done so, it’s a good idea to take photos, notes, and any other means by which you can produce information supporting your claim.
You’ll want to do everything you can to show the extent of property damage you sustained.
Keep an Accurate Timeline of Pertinent Events
If you haven’t already, it’s wise to take note of the following:
- The date on which you first contacted your insurer to file a claim
- The first date that your insurance company sent an appraiser to survey your property
- The date on which payment for your loss was first tendered
- Any other potentially relevant dates concerning your property damage claim
Save All Receipts, Estimates, Invoices, and Bids
Retain all information you’ve received related to the repair work or replacement costs depleted as a result of your property damage claim.
Depending on the details of your particular insurance plan, you may be entitled to compensation for additional living expenses that you incurred as a result of the property damage claim, so be sure to save all receipts related to any expenses you incur due to the loss.
Save Swatches and Take Photos
In addition to the documents above, it may also be beneficial to retain swatches of carpet, drapes, and upholstery of unrepairable building finishes and contents while you remove debris. The type and quality of the materials may impact the amount payable on the claim.
You’ll also want to photograph all materials that you’ve removed before disposing of them. That way, you can provide proof that you owned the possessions and that they were damaged beyond repair as a result of Hurricane Laura.
You Have the Right to File Suit
Just because the insurance company denies your claim initially, that doesn’t mean you aren’t entitled to any compensation. In fact, it is a common practice in the insurance industry to deny claims right off the bat, even if they are valid.
So don’t panic if your insurance claim for Hurricane Laura relief was denied, you are likely not alone.
After your first claim is denied, you have the right to file suit in order to recover what you’re entitled to under your policy and the law. In order to recover what’s rightfully yours, it’s best to have a skilled hurricane damage attorney on your side to help guide you through the process so that you have the best chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to file a suit within 60 days of the date written on the denial letter.
If your Hurricane Laura insurance claim was wrongfully denied, we may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our team here at The Voorhies Law Firm is highly skilled in the area of hurricane property damage cases and has helped many other people in similar situations receive the compensation they needed when they needed it most. Let us see if we can help you, too. Don’t hesitate to contact our office with your case right away.
Call our office today at (504) 875-2223 to discuss the details of your case and schedule a free consultation.
