In the US regions that are vulnerable to hurricanes, having insurance to protect your home against the damage they leave behind is critical to protecting your family and assets.
High-speed winds can destroy windows and roofs, leaving formerly pristine homes in shambles. What’s even worse? Sometimes the full extent of the damage only reveals itself hours or days after the hurricane is over. This can be when damage from flooding —- including cracks in your walls or foundation and seeping groundwater — can further destroy your most valuable possession.
Insurance Claim HQ Founder Galen M. Hair is a New Orleans-based insurance attorney who deals exclusively in property-casualty cases. He and his team specialize in hurricane damage — and in dealing with insurance companies that try to unlawfully deny claims related to these natural disasters.
“The insurance companies are often reluctant to pay claimants all of the damages that they are due. Instead, they might resort to all kinds of tactics, from stalling to low-balling, to protect their bottom line and deny you the money you are due after years of paying premiums,” he said.
Below are some of Hair’s advice and thoughts on hurricane insurance, property insurance law, and how a combination of the two can protect your home and peace of mind.
Don’t Panic
Hurricane companies know that their clients who have been through a hurricane are likely to be in a panic about all kinds of issues. They are in a survival mindset and might not be thinking clearly. Unfortunately, they may try to take advantage of that and fast talk you into a settlement that is not in your best interest.
If you fear this might happen to you, don’t accept their first settlement offer. Instead, contact a property insurance attorney to comb through your paperwork and make sure you get all that is due to you.
How Hurricane Insurance Lawyers Help
In addition to saving you time, money, stress, and hardship in the months or years to come, a lawyer can help streamline the filing process and take the weight off your shoulders.
From the first day you contact them, they should be able to evaluate your claim and let you know if it’s valid and approximately how much money might be at stake. They can also flag any potential issues and tell you how difficult settling will be.
Once the time comes, they will file the claim and deal with the near-constant stream of communication from the insurance company after the filing. They will also represent you should the case be denied, and you need to go to trial.
You can expect an unbiased and honest opinion since this type of lawyer only gets paid if they win a settlement for you. After all, why would they spend their time on your case if they believe they won’t get paid for it?
What a Lawyer Will Ask You For
As soon as you contact them, a property insurance lawyer will begin instructing you on what kind of evidence you need to collect and how to go about it.
For example, they might tell you the best way to take photos and videos of your property’s damage, that you need to gather repair estimates and bills, and how to be sure you are reimbursed for any other costs related to your hurricane-damaged property.
They will also ask for a copy of your insurance policy. Unfortunately, insurance coverage can be hard to understand and filled with jargon and fine print.
“Insurance companies actually make your homeowners’ insurance policy complicated, at least partly, so that you can’t tell when they’re cheating you. For example, many don’t inform you that you may need a separate flood insurance policy, as hurricane insurance does not cover flood damage. An experienced attorney will help you understand your coverage,” said Hair.
Though it would be better never to need to use your hurricane insurance or hire a property insurance attorney to deal with your insurance company, professionals like Hair let us rest easy knowing we can rely on them when they are needed.
About Galen M HairGalen M Hair, Owner at Insurance Claim HQ, is a property insurance attorney who has helped over 1,200 families rebuild their homes and businesses. He has been rated a Super Lawyers Rising Star and voted one of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Click here to learn more about protecting your property from disaster: http://www.insuranceclaimhq.com
