Several hurricanes have caused widespread damage to communities throughout Louisiana in recent years. In the wake of the devastation caused by these storms, many residents have been navigating the insurance claims processes while rebuilding their homes and businesses.
In doing so, a crucial deadline is now approaching for anyone who has sustained damage during Hurricane Ida in particular.
What is the Hurricane Ida Insurance Claim Deadline?
Residents who sustained property damage during Hurricane Ida have until August 29, 2023, to file a lawsuit for improperly denied or underpaid insurance claims. This date marks two years after Hurricane Ida first made landfall in Southeast Louisiana.
In most cases, hurricane related insurance claims will carry a prescriptive period of exactly two years from the date of storm landfall. However, individual policies may have deadlines for filing claims as well.
What should I do if I haven’t filed Hurricane Ida damages yet?
The first step any home or business owner should make when filing a hurricane insurance claim is to review their policy and begin the claims process by contacting the insurance company. If that carrier has gone bankrupt or insolvent, the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (LIGA) will need to be contacted instead.
While understanding a policy and navigating the claims process can be a little tricky, lawyers experienced with hurricane insurance claims at Morris Bart offer free policy reviews and can provide legal guidance on what options may be available to you.
Can I amend a previously filed claim for Hurricane Ida damages?
In many cases, the answer is yes. Oftentimes, things can change throughout the life of an insurance claim. For instance, property damage may worsen because the property owner was underpaid and was not able to make proper repairs. Any subsequent damage can be claimed under an amended Hurricane Ida insurance claim, as these issues stem from the storm. It is rare to be locked into a settlement solely based on how a property looked in the immediate aftermath of a storm.
What are the most common Hurricane Insurance Claim mistakes?
It is most important to always do a full assessment of the damages sustained in a storm. Someone inexperienced in storm damage could easily not consider the full extent of damage to their property. For instance, if water gets into a home or business and causes mold damage, that cost can be much more significant than they are anticipating.
Another common mistake made by home and business owners is sitting on funds sent from insurance companies to avoid a claim being ended. You can always ask your insurance company to provide written confirmation that depositing the check is not the end of the claim, at which time you can begin to use the funds provided for repairs.
What do I do if my Hurricane Insurance company has gone bankrupt?
If your home or business insurance company has gone bankrupt since 2021, you will need to contact the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (LIGA). However, working with LIGA is often a more nuanced and intensive process as compared to working directly with an insurance company. For this reason, many home or business owners choose to consult an experienced insurance claim attorney.
Should I hire an attorney to assist with my Hurricane Damage Claim?
Attorneys who are experienced in hurricane related insurance claims will know the best ways to work with insurance companies to recover the necessary compensation for repairs and know the most common methods adjusters might use to avoid paying a claim. They will also have access to the resources and expertise required to maximize a settlement.
Although it is often possible to avoid litigation, even when working with an attorney, many courts have improved the speed with which they are able to handle cases like these. Filing a lawsuit related to hurricane damage does not necessarily mean the same length of litigation as it has in the past when you work with a lawyer experienced with hurricane insurance suits.
Additionally, most insurance claim attorneys work on contingency contracts, meaning there is never out of pocket cost for hiring them and you won’t owe any fees if they are unable to recover compensation.