Flood Damage Claims Attorneys in Metairie, Louisiana

Even relatively minor floods can cause devastating damage and be significantly costly to recover from. When this happens, you expect your flood insurance provider to cover your expenses and costs. Understandably, you want to repair your property to its pre-food condition as soon as possible to get your life back on track, but the insurer may deny your flood claim or otherwise give you a hard time while processing your claim. 

Our flood claims attorneys at the Law Office of Bruce C. Betzer in Metairie, Louisiana, can assist you throughout the flood insurance claims process. We are committed to helping clients maximize their claims and resolve insurance claim disputes when they arise. From our office in Metairie, we also serve clients in New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, Chalmette, and St. Tammany Parish. 

Steps to Take After a Flood

The steps you take after a flood can affect your chances of obtaining compensation through a flood claim. In order to increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve, you might want to do the following: 

1. Document the damage. Take your time to make a list of items on your property that have been damaged, destroyed, or lost as a result of the flood. Take photos and videos to document the damage done to your property.  

2. Contact your insurance company. You need to notify the insurance company promptly. However, before you reach out to the insurer, you may want to have an attorney review your insurance policy to determine what is and isn’t covered under the policy.  

3. File a claim for compensation. After a consultation with an attorney, you will know whether your policy covers flood-related damage. If so, your attorney can assist you with filing a claim for compensation to ensure that you get the compensation you need. When filing a claim, an attorney will help you prepare a proof of loss, which is a crucial component of a successful flood claim.  

If you do not document the damage properly, do not notify the insurance company promptly, or fail to file your claim within the applicable timeline, your flood claim can be denied or undervalued by the insurance company. Our flood claims attorneys in Metairie, Louisiana, are here to help you navigate the legal system and ensure that you get the results you are looking for. 

What Is Flood Insurance?

Generally, flood insurance is purchased separately from a homeowner’s insurance policy. As the name implies, this type of insurance is designed to cover water-related damage caused by flooding. Flood insurance can protect both your home and your belongings inside it. The flood insurance provider will typically cover the costs necessary to rebuild/repair your home and compensate you the cash value of your personal items that are damaged, destroyed, or lost due to flooding.  

Depending on the policy, flood insurance may cover the structure of your home and the contents in it. According to the official website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides flood insurance to property owners and businesses, offers up to $250,000 in coverage for the structure and up to $100,000 for the belongings.  

How Legal Assistance Can Help

Filing a flood claim to recover compensation can be a stressful and daunting task. However, by hiring a flood claims attorney, you can remove the stress from pursuing your claim and increase your chances of getting a higher payout. Below are some of the ways a skilled attorney can help: 

1. Understand the Terms of Your Flood Insurance Policy

Every flood insurance policy is different, which is why the terms may vary from one policy to another. Some policies may offer greater protection, while other policies may provide limited coverage. The attorney can review your policy and explain its terms in plain language so that you know what’s covered and what’s not.  

2. Navigate the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

The NFIP is a program designed to protect people at higher risk of flood damage and help them recover from flooding. However, you may need legal assistance when trying to navigate this program. The attorney will explain the requirements and deadlines for filing a claim through the program to help you get the coverage you are owed.  

3. Gather, Organize, and Analyze Evidence

The success of your flood claim depends on the availability of evidence in your case. The more evidence you can gather to prove your losses and damages, the better. A skilled flood claims attorney is trained and experienced in gathering, organizing, and analyzing evidence to ensure that you will secure fair compensation. Evidence that may be helpful in strengthening your flood claim includes but is not limited to photos and videos of the damage as well as receipts, bills, and invoices for repairs/replacements resulting from the flood damage.  

4. Meet Deadlines and Prepare the Paperwork

Filing a flood claim involves preparing and submitting tons of paperwork while following strict deadlines at each stage of the claims process. If you do not meet deadlines, fail to submit all the necessary paperwork, or make other mistakes when filing your claim, the insurance company will most likely have grounds to deny your claim.