A New Orleans storm damage attorney at Daly & Black, P.C. helps property owners handle insurance claims and recover losses after severe weather events.
Storm damage can wreck your property—and your finances. When insurance companies delay, deny, or underpay valid claims, you need a New Orleans storm damage attorney who won’t back down. At Daly & Black, P.C., we’re ALL IN. ALL THE TIME. for policyholders across Louisiana. We fight for homeowners, business owners, and HOAs to secure the full compensation they’re owed after severe weather.
Schedule your FREE storm damage case review with Daly & Black today
Does Insurance Cover All Types of Storm Damage?
Most standard property insurance policies cover wind, hail, and storm-driven rain, but that doesn’t mean the claims process is straightforward. Insurers often dispute the cause of damage to avoid paying full compensation.
Storms can cause a variety of property losses, each with different insurance considerations:
Wind Damage:
Wind damage is often covered, but insurers may push for partial repairs rather than full replacements. In high-risk coastal areas along the Gulf, however, many standard policies exclude windstorm coverage entirely. In these cases, property owners must often seek last-resort insurance through the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
Hail Damage:
Damage caused by hail is typically covered under most policies, but insurers may minimize payouts by claiming only cosmetic damage.
Hurricane Damage:
Hurricane damage is generally covered under most property insurance policies. However, exceptions may occur in the case of named storms, depending on the specific terms of your policy. Some insurers apply higher deductibles or invoke coverage limitations during named storm events.
Hurricane-related claims are also prone to complex disputes involving wind, flood, and business interruption losses.
Additionally, insurers often invoke anti-concurrent causation clauses in these situations to minimize payouts, arguing that the presence of both covered (wind) and non-covered (flood) events limits or voids coverage.
Flood Damage:
Flooding is typically excluded from standard homeowners and commercial property insurance policies. To cover these types of losses, property owners must secure a separate National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy. The NFIP provides federally backed coverage for flood-related damages, including losses from rising water, storm surge, and floodplain overflow—risks that private insurers generally will not cover.
Tornado Damage:
Most homeowners policies cover tornado-related damage, but storm damage insurance claims involving tornadoes are often contested, and disputes commonly arise over tree-related damage. Insurers may categorize downed trees or fallen limbs as maintenance issues rather than direct tornado impacts.
Tree Damage:
Typically, policies cover tree removal and repairs if a fallen tree causes structural damage to your home, fence, or outbuilding. However, storm damage to trees themselves is usually not covered. Landscaping and debris cleanup, excluding related structural loss, are also commonly excluded.
If you’re unsure about what your policy covers, contact Daly & Black for a free case review. We’ll tell you exactly where you stand.
Common Reasons for Storm Damage Claim Disputes in New Orleans
Insurance companies have a profit motive to minimize payouts. It’s not personal, but at Daly & Black, we make it personal when they wrongfully deny claims. Here are common reasons insurers use to delay, deny, or underpay storm damage claims:
- They claim your damage is pre-existing or maintenance-related, not storm-related.
- They lowball roof claims, pushing for patchwork repairs instead of full replacement.
- They blame flooding instead of wind to avoid liability for damages.
- They invoke anti-concurrent causation clauses, which reduce payouts when covered and non-covered events happen simultaneously.
We don’t let insurers play these games. When they do, we take them to court.
How to File an Insurance Claim for Storm Damage
Filing a storm damage insurance claim in Louisiana can be complex, especially when insurance companies exploit policy loopholes. Here’s how to protect yourself:
Document Everything
Take photos and videos of all damage as soon as possible after the storm. Keep receipts for emergency repairs, boarding up windows, or temporary lodging.
Notify Your Insurance Company Promptly
Most policies require prompt notice of a claim. Delaying could hurt your chances of recovery.
Get a Copy of the Adjuster’s Report
Don’t settle for a summary. Demand the full report so you can verify the insurer’s findings.
Contact an Attorney Before Accepting a Settlement
Insurance companies often pressure property owners into early settlements that undervalue the claim. Don’t sign anything without a legal review.
Why Hire Daly & Black for Your Storm Damage Claim?
We don’t just process claims, we fight for maximum recovery. Daly & Black, P.C. has a national reputation for taking on the largest insurance companies and winning.
Detailed Policy Review
We begin by thoroughly reviewing your insurance policy. Our team identifies all available coverages, potential exclusions, and ambiguous terms that insurers might exploit. We help you understand exactly what your policy says—and, more importantly, what it doesn’t say.
This proactive approach enables us to anticipate insurer tactics and develop a comprehensive case for the full value of your claim.
Independent Damage Assessments
Relying solely on the insurance company’s adjuster is a mistake. We work with trusted independent adjusters, engineers, and damage experts to conduct our own thorough assessments.
These evaluations often reveal losses or repair costs that insurers conveniently overlook. Our independent reports become powerful leverage in negotiations and court proceedings.
Aggressive Negotiations
Once we understand your policy and the full extent of the damage, we negotiate directly with the insurance company. Daly & Black doesn’t accept lowball offers.
We present solid evidence, expert reports, and a clear demand for the compensation you deserve. If the insurer refuses to play fair, we move to litigation without hesitation.
Litigation if the Insurer Delays or Denies in Bad Faith
If the insurance company delays payment, denies your valid claim, or violates Louisiana’s bad faith laws, we take immediate legal action. Under Louisiana law, insurers face significant penalties for failing to pay valid claims promptly.
Our firm is ready to file suit to enforce your rights and pursue additional damages when bad faith conduct is involved.
Know Your Rights Under Louisiana Law
Louisiana law protects policyholders from insurance company abuse by requiring insurers to pay valid non-catastrophic claims within 30 days of receiving satisfactory proof of loss.
Under La. R.S. § 22:1892 states that if an insurer fails to meet this deadline, they may face significant penalties. Specifically, they may be liable for 50% of the unpaid amount, plus the policyholder’s reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs, if their refusal to pay is determined to be “arbitrary, capricious, or without probable cause.”
This statute is designed to prevent insurers from stalling or denying straightforward claims for everyday property losses. At Daly & Black, we leverage this statute to hold insurance companies accountable when they act in bad faith.
Our mission is to ensure you not only receive the full compensation you’re entitled to, but also any additional penalties the law permits when insurers put profits over policyholders.
FAQ
Does homeowners insurance in New Orleans cover storm damage?
Most policies cover wind, hail, and rain damage—but flooding and sewer backup are usually excluded unless you have a separate policy. Tree removal is covered only if the tree hits your home, fence, or outbuilding.
What steps should I take after my property is damaged by a storm in New Orleans?
Secure your property to prevent further damage, document all losses, contact your insurer, and reach out to a storm damage attorney before accepting any settlement.
How can a New Orleans storm damage lawyer help if my claim is denied or delayed?
We challenge denials, gather independent damage assessments, and take insurers to court if needed to enforce your rights under Louisiana law.
Get the Legal Help You Need After Storm Damage in New Orleans
If a storm has damaged your property, you may already be dealing with the stress of repairs, financial uncertainty, and insurance red tape. You shouldn’t have to fight the insurance company alone. A New Orleans storm damage attorney at Daly & Black, P.C. will stand by your side and go ALL IN to help you pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to under Louisiana law.
Whether your claim involves wind, hail, hurricane losses, or disputes over tree or flood damage, we have the resources, experience, and relentless commitment to see your case through.Contact Daly & Black today and let us help you fight back.