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Hurricane claims are the result of a rotating, low-pressure weather system. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hurricanes are tropical cyclones with sustained winds of 74 mph or greater. Hurricanes are “rated” from one to five based on the hurricane’s intensity at the time of landfall. Katrina was the costliest hurricane on record, causing $65 billion in insured losses in 2005, or $98.7 billion in 2022 dollars. A hurricane can cause wind and flood damage to your home. While the wind damage is generally covered, if you have not purchased additional flood insurance, the water damage to your home may not be covered. Because of this, it is important that you know exactly what your homeowner’s insurance covers.

Homeowner claims are the same as first-party insurance claims. When your home is damaged by water, hail, wind, fire, theft, or vandalism, your insurance company has an obligation to pay you a fair amount for your damages.

Tornado claims can encompass devastating damage to your home. A tornado is a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that begins with a thunderstorm and gathers wind speed, up to 300 miles per hour. In the past, the path of a tornado has reached in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. A tornado can develop so rapidly that there is little advance warning which can lead to loss of human life. According to Storm Aware, tornadoes cause as many as 70 fatalities each year in the United States, along with 1,500 injuries.

Fire claims cover damage to homes as a result of a house fire that begins inside the house or as the result of a wildfire. Insurance companies will often investigate a fire claim to ensure it was not started intentionally. According to thezebra.com, the top three causes of residential fires are cooking (50 percent), heaters (12.5 percent), and electrical malfunctions (6.3 percent). A home fire occurs across the United States every 87 seconds, and Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking fires—often due to “frying” a turkey or leaving the turkey in the oven too long. In less than five minutes, the heat from a house fire can reach more than 1100 degrees, with home fires being most common in the fall months.

Bad faith claims occur when an insurance company deliberately attempts to avoid payment on a legitimate claim. Any tactics employed by an insurance company with the specific goal of avoiding a contractual obligation is considered an act of bad faith. Misrepresentation of contract terms or language, denial of a claim without a reasonable basis, or an unreasonable delay of a claim are all forms of bad faith. If your insurance company is engaging in bad-faith tactics, it can be extremely beneficial to have an experienced Louisiana insurance claim lawyer from Gulf Coast Insurance Attorneys to advocate for your rights.

First-party insurance claims are those between you, the policyholder, and your insurance company. You have a contract in the form of your policy—you pay your monthly premiums, and your insurer has the obligation to pay legitimate claims. Therefore, if a fire damages much of your home, your insurance company should pay for your damages, both those to your home as well as damages to the contents of your home. You should be compensated according to your policy, although many insurance companies may attempt to delay, deny, and devalue your claim.

Other Types of Claims may include windstorm damage, vandalism, damage from trees falling, and flood damage. Flood damage is rarely covered under a standard homeowner’s insurance policy, so you will need to purchase separate flood insurance, sometimes through FEMA. Even when your insurance policy includes flood insurance, you may be required to pay a separate deductible.