Hurricane Ida Ravages Southeast Louisiana
Our thoughts are with our clients and community during the aftermath of Ida. Our office location will be closed temporarily during the power outage, but we will be working remotely. Please contact us by email for assistance if you cannot get through by phone. Thanks!
Sixteen years to the day from Katrina, thirteen years after Gustav, nine years after Isaac, and one year after Laura, Delta and Zeta, Hurricane Ida hit Southeastern Louisiana. We are all dealing with a natural disaster in the middle of a pandemic. Our team wants you to know that we are here for you.
Download Our Free Guide To Hurricane Damage Claims
To ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, it’s essential to avoid common mistakes that could hinder your claim’s success. In this free guide, we discuss five common mistakes you should avoid when filing a hurricane property damage claim. You can download your free guide here.
If you need help now here’s some good info:
FEMA – Disaster Assistance can be applied for three (3) ways:
- Online – https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
- Telephone – 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
- Through downloading the FEMA App:
- Download on the Apple App Store. You can also download the app via text messaging on an Apple Device: Text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA)
- Get it on Google Play. You can also download the app via text messaging on an Android device: Text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA)
- For safety tips: Text PREPARE to 43362
- More info on how to apply here: https://youtu.be/gauX2A0P8GU
- Multilingual support here: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/languages
Entergy Outage Map here: https://www.etrviewoutage.com/map?state=NOLA
Things to do:
- Look for damage – roof, ceiling, windows, structural, contents, flooring, etc.
- Document – one of the best ways to help your claim is to document, document, document. Photograph and/or video anything damaged by the storm both inside and out – if in doubt, take a photo. There is no such thing as too many pictures. Don’t be shy – snap away.Make sure to include the following:
- Floor damage from leakage
- Include any recent cracking in the wall and ceilings (could be signs of possible structural damage)
- Photos of contents of home/business
- If possible, make a list and include when/where purchased and how much paid
- Mitigate – Try to prevent further damage to your home. We are all required to make sure the damage does not get worse (meaning if there are safe steps we can take to stop additional damage from happening we must do so). An example would be having a tarp placed on the roof to make sure more rain doesn’t damage the inside of the home/business or boarding up windows.
- Keep receipts – Make a list of any alternative living expenses – money you spent while living outside of your home due to hurricane damage. Be sure to save receipts! You may be eligible for reimbursement for the living expenses you incur while your home is being cleaned up and repaired
- File a timely claim – Take a look at your homeowner’s insurance policy to see what’s covered. Call your insurance provider immediately to get specific instructions for filing a claim. Know that:
- once you file your claim the insurance company has 30 days to adjust your claim
- once satisfactory proof of loss is received, the insurance company must submit payment to the policyholder within 30 days
- Business claims – If you own a business and the building sustained damage, check to see if you have business interruption coverage
- Rental property – If you own rental property that was damaged, do the same as above, and make sure you have a copy of your current lease agreement. You can only recover damage to the contents that you own. Any other contents that belong to the renter must be claimed under their own renter’s policy.
- Wait – to start any major repairs until an insurance inspector has been to your home to evaluate the damage
If you have questions, you can contact us at anytime:
Call 800-7500-LAW or 504-525-1500.
Texting available – 504-525-1500
Email: info@irpinolaw.com