Louisiana Flood Damage: Advice From Flood Damage Attorneys in New Orleans
When temperatures warm up through the spring and summer, the weather brings more than just sunshine. It can also bring tropical storms, hurricanes, and floods.
Louisiana residents know that the ebb and flow of floodwaters are a way of life, so they try to protect themselves from destructive flooding. Many residents buy flood insurance to cover property repairs, should flooding occur.
However, flood insurance policyholders are sometimes dismayed when insurance companies deny their claim. When you’re dealing with flood cleanup and repair, you don’t need to struggle with an unfair insurance company.
A flood insurance attorney can often get the insurance company to pay your claim. At The MIC Law Firm, our experienced flood insurance attorneys help flood victims get insurance reimbursement. If you would like to speak to one of our skilled attorneys, call us for a free consultation.
For more information on Louisiana flood damage insurance claims, keep reading.
Water vs. Flood Damage
When your home experiences flooding, the source of the water can have a significant impact on your insurance claim.
Water damage in New Orleans can result from broken plumbing, an overflowing toilet, a burst water heater, or other appliance issues. This damage is usually covered under your homeowners insurance policy.
On the other hand, New Orleans, LA, flooding caused by natural disasters such as tropical storms and hurricanes is not covered under a typical homeowners insurance policy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines a flood as “a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from”:
This definition means that a flood has to stem from a body of water and impact a general area. A plumbing mishap that damages your house is not a flood. While you may be able to file a claim on your homeowners insurance policy for water damage, you need flood insurance to cover flood damage.
What Is Flood Insurance?
Homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. For Louisiana flood damage insurance, you have to buy a separate policy. Flood insurance policies are regulated by the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which aims to provide affordable flood insurance. Flood insurance rates are locked by the federal government and do not vary between insurance companies.
NFIP partners with agents in Louisiana to sell flood insurance. NFIP offers these types of flood insurance:
You purchase flood insurance policies for the structure and the contents of a building separately. You must meet separate deductibles for these types of damage as well.
In addition to NFIP policies, you can buy private flood insurance. Private policies may not be offered in all areas, but where available, they provide some advantages. For instance, many private flood policies cover temporary housing while you repair your home. You can obtain standalone or excess private flood insurance. Excess insurance provides additional coverage to an NFIP policy.
What If Your Flood Insurance Denies Your Claim?
Louisiana insurance companies are known for denying flood insurance claims. Sometimes insurance companies seek to avoid paying valid claims to increase their profits. Here are some reasons an insurance company may deny your claim:
If your flood insurance company denied your claim, you should contact a flood insurance lawyer for assistance. An insurance lawyer knows how flood insurance companies work. An attorney will investigate the reasons behind your denied claim, advise you to appeal the denial to FEMA, or file suit against your insurance company. You must file suit within one year of a denied claim.
Call a New Orleans Flood Insurance Attorney Today
Experiencing a flood is a stressful event, and you need prompt insurance payment to repair your home. For aggressive flood insurance attorneys who will fight with your insurance company for the money you deserve, call The MIC Law Firm.
Our experienced flood insurance attorneys regularly challenge big insurance companies for our clients. Contact us today for a free case review. We’ll listen to your Louisiana flood damage experience, advise you of legal options, and let you know if we can help. Then we’ll skillfully negotiate with your insurance company to try to get a maximum settlement.