New Orleans Hurricane Damage Attorney

Review Your Coverage & Take Prompt Action

It is also important for you to review and understand the different types of coverages offered under your particular homeowners insurance policy. Depending on your policy, you may be entitled to reimbursement for your additional living expenses (ALE coverage) and/or any monies expended as a result of your loss of use of the property caused by the hurricane or other storm damage. In addition, you may be entitled to full replacement value for your damaged property with no depreciation cost assessed, depending on the terms of your particular homeowners policy.

If your business is shut down or closed because of damage caused by a hurricane, you may also be entitled to damages under your policy’s business interruption coverage. Business interruption insurance typically covers the business losses sustained by an insured over the period of restoration. The restoration period is defined under the terms of the particular insurance policy at issue but usually is defined as the time in which it takes or should take an insured to repair his business back to pre-storm condition.

Finally, with regard to hurricane damage and other property damage claims, there is a limited amount of time to act. In most cases, Louisiana hurricane property damage claims must be brought within two years of the date of the event; but it is important that you consult an attorney about your specific claim and that you do not rely exclusively on this information, as it may vary on a case-by-case basis.

The Voorhies Law Firm has handled hurricane cases for families and businesses located throughout Louisiana. Whether your property damage claim occurs in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Houma, Rayne, Crowley, or any other area in Louisiana, the Voorhies Law Firm can help.

Hurricane Damage Checklist

• Obtain a copy of your homeowners insurance policy and review it in detail. In particular, review your declaration page and understand both the types of coverage and the coverage limits that are associated with your respective insurance policy. For example, check to see if you have business interruption, additional living expenses coverage, etc.
• Document all property damage by taking pictures, notes, and any other means by which you can produce information to the insurance carrier, showing the extent of property damage sustained.
• Keep a timeline of pertinent events. Write down 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, and also note any other potentially relevant dates concerning your property damage claim.
• Save all receipts, estimates, invoices, and bids related to the repair work or replacement costs expended as a result of your property damage claim. Depending on your particular insurance policy, you may be entitled to compensation for additional living expenses that you incurred as a result of the property damage claim, so save all receipts relating to any expenses you incur as a result of the loss.
• Contact an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who handles insurance disputes arising out of property damage claims. Under Louisiana law, your insurance company is obligated to properly adjust your property damage claim in a timely manner; do not accept anything less.

How Can a Hurricane Damage Attorney Help Me?

After experiencing a hurricane that was catastrophic, you may not know where to begin. Reaching out to an attorney early on in the process can help put you on the right path.

A qualified hurricane damage attorney can help you in the following ways:

• Prepare and organize documentation for your claim
• Negotiate and communicate with insurance companies and adjusters
• Review your policy to maximize the amount of recovery you obtain
• Pursue the necessary legal action if your case is denied or unduly delayed