Louisville, Kentucky Storm Damage Claim Lawyers
Helping Kentucky policyholders when storms damage properties
Severe storms can damage homes, landscaping, commercial property, and personal possessions without much warning. While less intense than tornadoes and hurricanes, storms can damage every part of your home from the foundation to the roof, destroy your landscaping, and soak your personal possessions. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our Kentucky storm damage claim lawyers help storm victims obtain the temporary advances and permanent damage compensation they need to remove excess water; strengthen or replace roofs; and repair, rebuild, or replace damaged structures and property. We are skilled negotiators, arbitration lawyers, and trial lawyers. We’ve helped numerous policyholders obtain strong recoveries including many for one million dollars and higher.
What is a storm, for the purpose of an insurance claim?
“Storm” is kind of a catch-all phrase for most people. We use it to describe thunderstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes alike. There are hailstorms and snowstorms – even dust storms. They vary in type and severity. The one thing they all have in common is they can all cause damage to property.
For insurance purposes, that is all that matters: a weather event caused damage to your property, and now you want to make a claim. Under most circumstances, your basic homeowners’ or commercial property insurance will cover damage from the following events:
One exception is flooding, which may require its own separate policy. But damage from hurricanes, tropical storms, straight-line winds, or any other storm effect should be covered.
How destructive can storms be in Kentucky?
Storms can be incredibly destructive: Superstorm Sandy caused more than $70 billion in damage across America. Tropical Storm Imelda caused $5 billion in damages and two to three feet of rain over a 3-day period. Just because a storm isn’t labeled a tornado or a hurricane doesn’t mean it can’t be dangerous. Most insurance claims for storms include damage to:
- Roofs. Heavy storms often cause torn and loose shingles that can cause leaks into every part of your home. We work with roofers to determine whether repairs are possible or if you need a full roof replacement.
- Windows. It’s common for high winds to shatter the glass in windows. Windows can also break when tree branches of other items fall or fly into your windows.
- Trees. A severe storm can cause the uprooting of trees which can then cause the tree to crash into your home, other structures, or your car.
- Water damage. With storms come the rain and wind. Rain can cause roofs and windows to leak. Water damage can lead to mold growth and contamination of your water supply.
- Contents. When storms invade your home, all the contents of your home can suffer damage including your furniture, rugs, carpets, appliances, and your personal possessions.
Our Kentucky storm insurance lawyers have the experience and network of professional relationships to help you obtain the proceeds you need to repair, rebuild, or replace any type of storm damage.
We also work to obtain insurance payments (depending on your policies) for damage to unattached structures, landscaping, and your tools. Business owners need seasoned insurance loss lawyers because storms can damage office buildings, computer equipment, inventory, and other business investments.
How can your Kentucky insurance lawyers help after a storm?
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we understand that policyholders need immediate help. Our Kentucky insurance dispute lawyers:
- Take steps to assess the damage. We recommend that when it’s safe you take photos and videos of the damage to your property, including the exterior, interior, the grounds, and your personal property.
- Notify your insurance company. Our lawyers will help you notify your insurance company that your property was damaged. We’ll explain what questions they’ll ask. We will file your claim with the appropriate insurance company.
- Take steps to protect your property from further damage. We work with contractors who will examine your property and help you dry out your property, remove excess water, board up open areas, and take other precautions.
- Obtain advance payments. Our lawyers work with your insurance company to obtain advances for temporary repairs and temporary lodging.
Once these immediate steps are taken so you are safe and secure somewhere, then we can begin negotiations for a payout from your policy for your losses. Our Kentucky storm damage lawyers are seasoned insurance loss attorneys. We’re ready to forcefully pursue your claim and respond to any arguments by your insurance company to deny or limit your claim. We will:
- Verify the cause of your damage such as storm damage and pursue the appropriate claim.
- Contest insurance efforts to say you’re not covered or that an exclusion applies.
- Have the appropriate experts (building code officials, roofers, window and door experts, water damage experts, and others) determine whether you can repair the damage or whether you need to replace your roof and other damaged property. These experts will also review the materials that you need, the timeline for the reconstruction work, and the cost of quality materials and local labor.
Our lawyers skillfully prepare your claim. We then negotiate with the insurance adjusters. If there’s no settlement, we persuasively argue your case before arbitrators or juries.
Do you have a Kentucky storm insurance claim lawyer near me?
Our office is located at 2950 Breckenridge Ln, Suite 13-200 in Louisville. We consult with policyholders by phone and through video. We’ll visit your home when necessary.
We understand your concerns. We’ll answer your questions and fight for the insurance proceeds for which you paid.
Contact our Kentucky storm insurance claim lawyers today
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we understand how much you want your life to return to normal. We’ll help you obtain the funds you need to repair what can be fixed, and rebuild or replace what can’t be fixed. Many insurance loss claims settle for the policy limits. When insurance companies are unreasonable, we skillfully argue your claim before arbitrators and juries. You paid your premiums. Insurance companies must pay your damages. To assert your right to insurance proceeds for storm damage, please call our Kentucky storm insurance claim lawyers or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We represent clients across the Southeast.