To file an insurance claim after a hurricane in Louisiana, contact your insurance company as soon as possible, document all damage with photos and video, prevent further damage with temporary repairs, and keep all receipts. Specifically, you may need to file separate claims for wind damage (homeowners policy) and flood damage (flood policy) since these are covered by different insurers. Additionally, Louisiana law requires insurers to acknowledge claims within 14 days and make a decision within 30 days of receiving proof of loss.
Step 1: Ensure Safety and Document Damage
Before beginning the claims process, ensure your family's safety and do not enter severely damaged structures. Once it's safe, thoroughly document all damage with photographs and video from multiple angles — including the exterior, interior, and any personal property damage. Furthermore, make a written inventory of damaged or destroyed items with estimated values and purchase dates. In practice, this documentation is the foundation of your entire claim.
What to Document
Specifically, photograph roof damage, water lines on walls (distinguishing between wind-driven rain entry points and flood water levels), structural damage, damaged appliances and personal property, and the overall condition of your property. Additionally, save any weather reports or news coverage confirming the hurricane's impact on your specific area — this helps establish the cause and timeline of damage.
Step 2: Contact Your Insurance Company
File your claim as soon as possible — do not wait for the storm season to end. Importantly, if you have both homeowners and flood insurance, you may need to file two separate claims with different companies. Furthermore, under Louisiana Revised Statute 22:1892, your insurer must acknowledge receipt of your claim within 14 days and approve or deny it within 30 days after receiving satisfactory proof of loss.
Filing Multiple Claims
In Louisiana, hurricane damage often involves both wind and water, requiring claims under multiple policies. Specifically, file with your homeowners insurer for wind and wind-driven rain damage, and file with your flood insurer (NFIP or private) for any damage caused by rising water or storm surge. Additionally, if you have separate windstorm coverage through the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, file with them for wind-specific damage.
Step 3: Prevent Further Damage
Louisiana law requires policyholders to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a covered loss. In practice, this means tarping your roof, boarding broken windows, removing standing water, and moving undamaged property away from exposed areas. Importantly, keep all receipts for emergency repairs and materials — these costs are typically reimbursable under your policy. However, do not make permanent repairs until an adjuster has inspected the damage.
Step 4: Work With Your Adjuster
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to inspect your property and assess the damage. Notably, after major hurricanes in Louisiana, adjusters may be overwhelmed with claims — during Hurricane Ida, some homeowners waited weeks for their initial inspection. As a result, having thorough documentation ready when the adjuster arrives helps expedite your claim. Furthermore, you have the right to be present during the inspection and to point out all areas of damage.
Your Rights Under Louisiana Law
If your insurer fails to meet the 30-day decision deadline, Louisiana law (R.S. 22:1892) allows you to recover penalties of up to 50% of the amount owed plus reasonable attorney fees. Additionally, if your insurer's settlement offer seems unfairly low, you can hire a public adjuster or attorney to negotiate on your behalf. Consequently, understanding your rights is essential when dealing with post-hurricane claims in Louisiana.
For help with your hurricane insurance claim or to ensure you have adequate coverage before the next storm, contact Bridgeway Insurance or call 601-264-0541.
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