In the early morning of August 27, 2020, historic Hurricane Laura roared ashore in Cameron Parish. Laura’s high winds left many Louisiana’s residents with significant property damage. The lives of our families, friends, and neighbors have been disrupted on a massive scale. In addition to the destruction of their homes and other properties, they now are dealing with unexpected expenses for food and shelter while crews work to restore utilities and other basic services in the storm-damaged areas.
For those impacted by Hurricane Laura, we offer the following items for you to consider while you assess your damages and deal with your insurance company:
- If you have not already, contact your insurance company to advise you have damages and notify the company you will be pursuing a claim. Be sure to write down the date of your call, the claim number you are given, and the name of the person with whom you spoke.
- Ask for a complete copy of your insurance policy if you do not have one.
- Document your property damage with photographs or a video. Be very careful not to put yourself in harms way when taking the pictures or shooting the video.
- Make temporary repairs to minimize the amount of additional damage to your property.
- Keep records and receipts for all expenses you incur to make the temporary repairs and to replace items you lost.
- Keep records of your additional living expenses, such as hotel expenses and storage fees.
- Keep a record of all your communications with your insurance company. You may have several conversations with different insurance representatives. It is a good practice to write down the date of the calls and the name of the person with whom you spoke.
- Complete all forms sent to you by your insurance company and provide the company with as much detail as possible, including receipts and invoices.
- Meet with an insurance adjuster or appraiser to allow them to assess the damage to your property.
- Get an estimate from a licensed contractor for the cost to repair your property.
- Be patient. With the size and scope of the damage caused by Hurricane Laura, and the number of people who suffered damages, the process of handling your claim may, and probably will, take some time.
If you have questions about any claims or your legal rights, call Kevin Frederick at Frederick Law Firm. (337) 269-5143. He will discuss your case and explain your rights. At Frederick Law Firm, you get the Frederick Fee Guarantee, and we strive to be Fast, Fair, and Focused on your needs.
