Louisiana is known for its share of hurricanes every year, including Laura, Delta and Zeta. Most homeowners purchase hurricane insurance to help cover the cost of any damages that they incur from the storms, but insurers don’t pay out on every claim. When filing a claim with your insurance company, you may run into some problems.
The most common complaints about insurance companies
Hurricane claims can be astronomical when multiple storms hit. One of the biggest complaints that many homeowners have when multiple hurricanes hit is the speed of their claim. Many homeowners have reported that their insurance company takes an extremely long time to pay out on their claim. Another major issue that people tend to face is the insurance company refusing to pay the claim at all.
What are your options when you’re having trouble?
In 2015, the state created an entirely new division at the Louisiana Department of Insurance to handle consumer complaints. Those who are having issues with their insurance company paying their claim should contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance for help. This can be done via an online complaint form or by calling the department’s phone number.
The Louisiana Department of Insurance has a team of complaint specialists who are specifically trained to handle hurricane-related issues. These complaint specialists will listen to your account of the problem, contact the insurance company on your behalf, investigate the entire situation and determine if the insurance company has violated any Louisiana laws regarding insurance. Most complaints filed with the Louisiana Department of Insurance are resolved within a 30-day period.
Having your property destroyed by a hurricane can be life-changing. While you did the right thing by purchasing hurricane insurance, you may find that your insurance company is not agreeing to the contract you signed. In this event, the Louisiana Department of Insurance may intervene. You may also want to consult an attorney to fight on your behalf and help you get what you deserve out of your insurance contract.