Montiel Hodge

If you have received a low offer for your hurricane damages, here are some tips to help you fight an unfair settlement offer: 1. Be sure what your claim is really worth. Make sure you have thorough assessments done of all your hurricane damage, keeping in mind that your coverage may not be limited to just the costs of structural damage. 2. Don’t accept the first offer your insurance company gives you. You don’t have to accept the first settlement offer you receive from your insurance company. Oftentimes, their first offer is lower than it should be. 3. Don’t accept any offer you don’t agree with. If you receive a settlement offer or check in the mail and you don’t agree it’s accurate, do not accept it or cash the check. Take the offer to a qualified attorney and review why you disagree. 4. Consult with a qualified attorney as soon as possible. In order to get a favorable outcome, you’ll likely have to work with an attorney knowledgeable in insurance litigation.

With insurance claims, it’s always best to contact an attorney sooner than later so you can prevent potential mistakes, but clients usually reach out after one of the following: 1. Soon after the hurricane passes. Contact us as soon as possible after the storm has passed so we can help you assess the damage and prepare a recovery plan. 2. After your claim has been denied by your insurance company. Oftentimes, insurance denials can be fought with the help of a qualified insurance claim attorney. 3. When you need to repair your home or business but can’t afford to do it. Sometimes home and business owners do not realize they can’t afford necessary repairs until they begin the process. An attorney may be able to help you speed up the repair process. 4. When your insurance company delays judgment on your claim. The claim process is sometimes frustrating, overly complicated, and slow. If you are running into problems with your insurance company, call Montiel Hodge.

Insurance companies use very specific tactics that can leave home, business, and property owners in a challenging position.Some of these tactics include: 1. Citing preexisting damage, prior to the hurricane, to avoid the payment of outstanding claims. 2. Delaying claims unnecessarily close to the filing deadline. 3. Outright denial of payment for repairs they deem unnecessary, for whatever the reason. 4. Insisting that policyholders provide cumbersome paperwork and difficult to obtain documentation for recovery. 5. Claiming that the property damage sustained was not included in the policy terms. 6. Underpaying the value of submitted claims. Whether your claim has been delayed, underpaid, or denied, the lawyers at Montiel Hodge can help you get the best outcome possible by holding the insurance company responsible for the policy they supplied to the policyholder. Call us today! (504) 323-5885

If your home or business suffers any damage in a hurricane, your insurance company might say that it is “pre-existing damage” and deny your claim. Sometimes this denial is justified and sometimes is it not. The first thing you should do is to talk with a qualified and experienced insurance litigation lawyer. Montiel Hodge will look at your policy, review the denial, have an expert look at your home, and build a case for you to get you the compensation you and your family rightfully deserve.

Here are some acceptable methods to demonstrate evidence of your personal belongings after they’ve been lost in a hurricane: 1. Collect bank account and credit card statements. Most major purchases are made by check, bank card, or credit card. You can request paper or digital copies of your archived statements for proof of these purchases. However, note that sometimes these requests can take a few weeks to process depending on the institution and might require a processing fee. 2. Pull together photos. Where possible, look through family and phone photos to see if you have any with the items that were lost in the hurricane. This can include items both in the home as well as the exterior structure. These can be submitted as evidence for your claim. 3. Review videos. Video footage might be another helpful tool you can use to catalog your personal and business belongings. Review phones and other digital devices, especially those taken during the holidays.

There is no limit to the amount of damage a hurricane can cause to your home or property. However, common types of hurricane damage can include the following: 1. Broken windows and damage from projectiles 2. Inoperable or destroyed doors on homes, garages, barns, and other structures 3. Destruction of personal items and home goods including furniture or appliances 4. Fire damage from downed wires 5. Flooding and moisture damage 6. Damage to boats, cars, and other personal and business vehicles 7. Damage to pools, sheds, and landscaping 8. Roof lifting, destruction of shingles, gutters, and siding 9. Structural damage to walls and porches

1. Report the claim immediately to your insurance company. 2. Take any steps you can to prevent further damage to your property. 3. Document existing damage with visual aids like photographs and videos. 4. Keep detailed records of all losses to the property. 5. Save receipts for expenses related to repairs or damage of your property. Give us a call today! (504) 323-5885