The 2022 hurricane season begins in a couple of weeks, but countless Louisiana residents are still waiting for insurance companies to reimburse them for their losses from previous years. A new LSU survey found that nearly half of Louisianians who have filed a homeowners’, flood, or rental insurance claim in the last two years are dissatisfied with how insurers handled their claims. Storm victims who are upset with their insurance companies should consult a Louisiana property damage lawyer to learn more about their options.
Louisiana Insurance Fast Facts
Insurers operating in Louisiana must abide by regulations set by the Louisiana Department of Insurance and pay claims within 30 days once they receive satisfactory proof of loss. Unfortunately, not every insurance company does the right thing by providing prompt reimbursement. Insurers often delay payment or outright refuse to pay claims, leaving the storm victim in the lurch.
The LSU survey estimates that about 375,000 Louisianans aren’t happy with how insurers handled their hurricane-related claims. Other findings from the survey give more insight into the experiences that Louisianians have with their insurance companies.
- Forty percent of Louisianians have filed a property damage claim in the last two years.
- The majority of these renters and property owners say their rates have gone up over the last year.
- Nearly 50% of survey respondents said they were dissatisfied with how their insurer handled the claim.
What To Do When Unhappy With Insurance Response
During the complaint process, you’ll provide information about your insurance company and type of coverage, along with what you’ve done to solve the problem. The agency will also ask for copies of any correspondence you’ve had with your insurance company and anything else that could be relevant. The average complaint takes about 45 days for the agency to investigate.
The Department of Insurance can enforce insurance regulations, but examiners cannot offer legal advice or act as a lawyer. They cannot decide disputes based on negligence or who’s at fault. The state’s path for conflict resolution is worth exploring, but contacting a Louisiana hurricane and natural disaster attorney is still essential. Insurance companies might use tactics like telling you not to get a lawyer, saying that your storm claim isn’t eligible under your policy, or they may try to prevent you from filing additional claims as a condition of a settlement.
Herman Herman & Katz is a Louisiana property damage law firm that will fight an insurance company acting in bad faith on your behalf. We defend hurricane storm victims from insurers determined to underpay or deny legitimate claims. Call us at 844-943-7626 for a free case review, or contact us online for more information.