If you need a New Orleans lawyer for commercial insurance claims, Daly & Black is prepared to fight for you. Our experienced attorneys understand the complexities of insurance disputes and will aggressively pursue the compensation your business needs.
Insurance Companies Must Honor Their Obligations—We Make Sure They Do
Insurance providers are legally obligated to uphold the terms of their policies and compensate policyholders for covered losses. However, many insurers prioritize profits over their contractual duties, often delaying, underpaying, or outright denying valid claims to protect their bottom line.
Understanding Commercial Insurance Claims
Commercial insurance claims arise when businesses file claims with their insurers to recover losses covered under their policies. These policies typically cover property damage, business interruption, general liability, workers’ compensation, and equipment breakdowns.
Hurricane & Storm Damage
Hurricanes and severe storms are common in Louisiana, causing devastating damage to commercial properties. Insurance companies may undervalue damage or claim exclusions to avoid full payouts.
Fire & Smoke Damage
Businesses affected by fire damage often face insurance disputes regarding depreciation, replacement costs, or policy exclusions.
Business Interruption Claims
When businesses are forced to close due to disasters, insurers may challenge revenue loss calculations, significantly reducing payouts.
Commercial Liability Claims
If a third party files a lawsuit against your business, your insurer should cover legal fees and settlements. However, insurers often attempt to minimize or deny coverage.
The Commercial Insurance Claims Process
Filing a commercial insurance claim follows a structured process but often involves additional complexities due to the scale of losses, policy intricacies, and business continuity concerns. At Daly & Black, P.C., we help businesses navigate these challenges, ensuring their claims are handled efficiently and fairly.
Filing the Claim
The business submits a formal claim to the insurance company, detailing the scope of the loss and providing supporting documentation such as financial records, inventory reports, repair estimates, and operational impact statements. Because commercial policies often cover multiple aspects—property damage, business interruption, and liability—thorough documentation is critical.
Claim Evaluation
The insurer reviews the claim, assesses the damages, and determines the amount payable under the policy terms. This stage often involves adjusters, forensic accountants, and third-party experts, particularly for business interruption and revenue loss claims. Daly & Black’s team ensures that insurers conduct a fair and accurate assessment, holding them accountable for unreasonable delays or undervaluations.
Negotiation & Disputes
Commercial insurers frequently dispute the extent of business losses, argue over depreciation values, or cite ambiguous policy exclusions. Businesses often need strategic legal support to clarify policy language, counteract low settlement offers, and push back against bad faith tactics. Daly & Black excels in negotiating high-stakes claims, ensuring that businesses aren’t forced into accepting less than they’re owed.
Appeals & Litigation
If the claim is denied, undervalued, or delayed, businesses have the right to challenge the decision. Our firm represents businesses in appeals and litigation, holding insurers accountable to uphold their obligations and pay what is rightfully owed. When insurers refuse to act in good faith, we take the fight to them in court.
Key Considerations for Commercial Claims:
- Business Interruption Coverage – Unlike personal claims, commercial claims often include coverage for lost revenue, extra operational costs, and supply chain disruptions—areas where insurers frequently underpay.
- Multiple Stakeholders – Landlords, tenants, vendors, and business partners may all be involved in a claim, making legal guidance essential to ensure a coordinated approach.
- Policy Exclusions & Endorsements – Many commercial policies contain complex endorsements and exclusions that insurers use to justify claim denials. Understanding these nuances is critical to ensuring a full payout.
At Daly & Black, we take a proactive approach to documenting losses, tracking ongoing expenses, and responding to insurer tactics. If your business is facing resistance from an insurance company, we step in to fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Litigation & Settlements: Holding Insurers Accountable
If negotiations fail, Daly & Black is prepared to take your case to court. We have an aggressive litigation strategy to hold insurers to their obligations. We fight for:
- Full coverage payouts.
- Compensation for delays and bad faith practices.
- Punitive damages should they apply.
Louisiana Law Protects Policyholders from Wrongful Claim Denials
Louisiana has strong protections in place to hold insurers accountable, ensuring that businesses and property owners receive fair treatment.
New Louisiana Laws: Stronger Protections for Policyholders
Recent updates to Louisiana’s insurance statutes have reinforced policyholder rights, making it even tougher for insurers to drag their feet or deny legitimate claims without cause. Under Louisiana Revised Statutes §22:1892 and §22:1892.2, insurance companies must handle claims promptly—or face steep penalties.
Insurance Companies Must Pay on Time—Or Pay the Price
- Non-Catastrophic Claims: Insurers must issue payment within 30 days after receiving satisfactory proof of loss. If they fail to do so without a valid reason, they can be penalized.
- Catastrophic Loss Claims: Payment is required within 90 days of proof of loss.
Insurance companies that fail to meet these deadlines may face penalties of up to 50% of the claim amount, plus additional economic damages.
Legal Penalties for Bad Faith Insurance Practices
If your insurer wrongfully denies or delays your claim, Louisiana law allows you to seek penalties, attorney’s fees, and additional damages. When an insurance company acts in bad faith, they can be held financially accountable for their misconduct.
Notice Requirement for Catastrophic Claims
For catastrophic loss claims, policyholders must provide the insurer with a 60-day written notice before taking legal action. This ensures that the insurer has an opportunity to resolve the issue before facing penalties.
When to Hire a New Orleans Commercial Insurance Claims Lawyer
You should contact an attorney if:
- Your commercial insurance claim has been delayed, denied, or underpaid
- The insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly
- Your business faces significant financial losses due to the dispute
The Daly & Black Difference
At Daly & Black, P.C., we understand that your business is not just a livelihood but a legacy. When facing disputes over commercial insurance claims, having a dedicated New Orleans commercial insurance claims lawyer by your side is not just an option—it’s a necessity.
Our team is committed to protecting businesses from the unfair practices of insurance companies that act in bad faith.
A History of Success in Commercial Insurance Litigation
Daly & Black has built a formidable reputation for securing substantial settlements and verdicts that compensate for both immediate financial losses and long-term business needs.
We’ve mastered the strategies insurers use to minimize payouts and developed effective countermeasures that ensure our clients receive every dollar they’re owed.
Aggressive Legal Representation
Our legal team doesn’t hesitate to take robust action against insurance companies. We are known for our fearless approach to litigation, taking cases to trial when necessary to secure a fair outcome.
Insurance companies know and respect our firm for our readiness to challenge them in court, which often leads to more favorable settlement offers for our clients.
No Upfront Fees – You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
Understanding the financial strain that insurance disputes can place on a business, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement ensures that all businesses, regardless of size or financial standing, can access top-tier legal representation without upfront costs. You only pay if we successfully recover compensation for your claim.
Client-Centered Approach
At Daly & Black, every client is treated with the utmost respect and receives personalized legal services. We ensure you are well-informed throughout the claims process, from policy analysis to claim resolution. Our attorneys are always accessible to answer your questions and provide updates, making you feel supported every step of the way.
If your business has been impacted by an unjust commercial insurance claim denial or underpayment, don’t settle for less than what you deserve. Reach out to Daly & Black, P.C. today to schedule your free consultation.
If you need a New Orleans lawyer for commercial insurance claims, we have the experience and determination to take on insurance companies and secure the compensation your business deserves. Let us show you how we can make a significant difference in the outcome of your dispute, ensuring your business’s stability and continued success.
FAQs
Q: How can a New Orleans lawyer help with commercial insurance claims?
A: A lawyer fights against delays, underpayments, and denials to ensure your business gets the compensation it deserves.
Q: What should I do if my commercial insurance claim is denied in New Orleans?
A: Gather all claim-related documents and contact an attorney to evaluate your options for appeal or litigation.
Q: How long does it take for a commercial insurance claim to be resolved in New Orleans?
A: It depends on the complexity of the claim, the insurer’s response, and whether legal action is required. Some claims settle in weeks, while others take months.
Fight Back with a New Orleans Commercial Insurance Claims Lawyer
Commercial insurance disputes require aggressive legal representation and an unwavering commitment to securing rightful compensation. As your New Orleans commercial insurance claims lawyers, Daly & Black, P.C. is ready to challenge insurers who refuse to honor their obligations.
We understand the financial and operational impact that insurance disputes can have on businesses, and we are relentless in our pursuit of justice.
If your claim has been delayed, underpaid, or wrongfully denied, don’t navigate the battle alone. Contact Daly & Black, P.C. today for a FREE consultation and let us fight for the compensation your business is owed.