If you have suffered property damage from a tornado, you may be able to file a claim through your homeowner’s insurance. If your policy provides coverage for tornado damage, you want your claim paid quickly and without having to fight for it.
However, sometimes insurance companies deny, devalue, or delay claims. When this happens, you need an aggressive tornado damage lawyer to help you recover the insurance payment you are entitled to.
The Babcock Injury Lawyers have been fighting for the rights of Baton Rouge residents for over 30 years. We know the tactics insurance companies may use and how to beat them at their own game.
If you need help collecting the money you are owed for tornado damage, we want to help you. Call us today at (225) 500-5000 or complete the brief form on our contact page to schedule a free case review.
Louisiana Tornado Damage
Louisiana ranks number 11 in terms of tornado frequency compared to other states. November is the peak month for Louisiana tornadoes, but a tornado can happen anytime and usually occurs with little warning.
Tornadoes can have wind speeds of up to 300 miles per hour and leave paths of destruction over one mile wide and 50 miles long. They pose serious threats to life and property.
The strong winds of a tornado can destroy a home or business in seconds. Some of the most common tornado damage includes:
- Total destruction of homes and other structures
- Roof damage
- Broken windows
- Fallen trees
- Overturned vehicles
- Damages to the sides of a home or business from flying debris
- Gas and electrical fires
Tornadoes can strike quickly and are often transparent until they pick up enough debris to form a visible funnel. They may accompany a hurricane, but they can happen at any time. They can move in any direction and some move across the land at 70 miles per hour.
Types of Recovery for Tornado Damage in Baton Rouge
The type and amount of recovery you may receive for tornado damage depends heavily upon what your policy covers. If you have questions or experience any delay or resistance from your insurance company, you should seek an experienced tornado damage lawyer.
Your policy may cover tornado damage such as:
- The value of your home or business property if it cannot be repaired
- The cost of repairing your home or business property if it can be repaired
- The cost of replacing or repairing furniture and appliances
- The cost of repairing or replacing detached sheds or other structures
- Loss of use if you cannot live in your home while repairs are made
- Some policies may cover business interruption costs if the damage impacts your sales or operations
- The cost of inspections necessary to determine your damages and necessary repairs
Review your homeowner’s insurance policy to determine the extent of its coverage. If you have questions or find gaps in coverage, speak to your agent immediately. If your insurance company delays, denies, or devalues your claim, promptly consult with an experienced tornado damages attorney. These same severe storms often produce destructive hail damage, which can compound the losses homeowners face.
How Insurance Companies Dispute or Delay Claims
When a tornado has damaged your property, the last thing you want to deal with is a struggle with your insurance company. However, insurance companies are in business to make a profit and will try to avoid or minimize paying claims when they can.
Some ways insurance companies do this include:
- Refusing to pay a valid claim
- Delaying the inspection of your property
- Delaying answering your call, emails, or other communications
- Misrepresenting the policy language or the law
- Offering a low-ball settlement
- Arguing that the damage was pre-existing
- Retroactively canceling your policy
- Denying your claim without a valid reason
At Babcock Injury Lawyers, our tornado damage attorneys know how to deal with insurance companies and will hold them responsible for paying you every dollar they owe you.
Contact Babcock Injury Lawyers Today
Our attorneys are experienced in helping victims of tornados and other natural disasters. We work hard to get you the maximum compensation you deserve for your damages.
Don’t fight the insurance company alone, let Babcock Injury Lawyers help you. We know all the tactics they use to drag out your claim, and we know how to combat them successfully. They don’t have to play fair for us to beat them at their game.
Call us at (225) 500-5000 or visit our contact page to schedule a free case review. We look forward to meeting you and helping you get the compensation you are owed.