Cost of Hurricane Ida Storm Damage
Hurricane Ida swept through Louisiana with some of the strongest winds ever to hit the state. According to Bloomberg, Ida is estimated to cost almost $18 billion in damages covered by insurers. This estimate does not include boats or National Flood Insurance Program losses but includes privately insured damage to vehicles, homes, and commercial and industrial properties. The personal cost to repair your hurricane damage could well hinge on whether your insurance company honors its promise to be there in your time of need.
Ida hit the state of Louisiana with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour as it made landfall near Port Fourchon. Ida took down power lines and trees, damaging schools, hospitals, and other public buildings. Unfortunately, COVID-19 shortages could come into play when the demand for materials needed to repair homes begins. Those shortages could impact not only the cost of repairs but also the time it will take to complete repairs.
Download: 10 Steps To Take After Hurricane Property Damage
If you face hurricane damage to your home or business, you may encounter some problems along the way. Insurance companies are notorious for delaying and denying claims as a means of improving their financial bottom line. When you need an advocate in your corner—someone who will go toe to toe with a big insurance company on your behalf—you need New Orleans Legal. Attorney Peter Diiorio and his team will work tirelessly to secure the settlement you need and deserve to begin rebuilding your life.
Determining the Scope of Loss and Cost of Repairs to Your Hurricane-Damaged New Orleans, LA Home
A scope of loss is a set of documents and measurements that describe both the type of damage, as well as the level of damage that has been done to your home. Included in that scope of loss is the quantity and quality of materials—along with the costs of those materials and labor—necessary to repair your home.
A scope of loss may include detailed estimates from contractors, a detailed estimate of the cost of materials, and photos and diagrams of the type of repairs needed. A scope of loss is different from an estimate purely by the level of detail provided in a scope of loss. A scope of loss can help you, the property owner, receive a fair, complete, prompt settlement for your hurricane claim. Lowballing from the insurance company is much less likely when you have provided a scope of loss.
A scope of loss is not a specific format; it can be a stack of documents, a binder of documents, or a flash drive with all the necessary documents. A full description of all the damage done to your property, along with everything it will take to restore your home or business to its pre-hurricane condition, is included in the scope of loss. Improvements required by current building codes are also included.
As the insured, you can prepare your own scope of loss or hire a claim or construction professional to prepare a scope of loss. While many claims are settled without a scope of loss, any claim that is more complex or involves significant losses should definitely have a scope of loss prepared.
To receive the full value for your loss, your scope of loss should include as much information as possible about your pre-loss property. Perhaps you have photos of your home before the hurricane, as well as plans, drawings, appraisals, other real estate documents, and videos. The more information you have, the more likely you will receive a full settlement for your loss.
The insurance company will make a settlement offer based on its own estimates, loss evaluation, or scope of loss. Because insurance companies are famous for offering policyholders far less than the claim is worth, you need to be as proactive as possible to present the insurance company with the true cost of returning your home to its pre-loss condition.
What is the Average Cost to Repair Hurricane Damage?
Of course, the average cost to repair hurricane damage can vary significantly, based on the level of damage, the size of your home, and where you live. According to homeadvisor.com, homeowners recovering after a flood or heavy rains will pay a minimum of $4,000 to clean up water damage, not including mold removal. Wind damage from a hurricane, including damage to a roof, siding, windows, or porches, averages about $10,000 for “moderate” damage.
Of course, if you are replacing an entire roof, you could be looking at $8,000 and up just for the roof. If your house has more extensive damage from the hurricane, the price will go up substantially. If you have a separate policy for flood damage, you will be filing under your homeowner’s insurance as well as your flood policy. If the hurricane destroyed your home, then the cost to rebuild will be much, much higher than for a damaged home.
Let New Orleans Legal, LLC, Deal with Your Insurance Company Following Hurricane Damage
If the hurricane damage to your home was extensive, you might be living with friends or relatives or in a hotel. Putting your life back together following a hurricane is not easy or quick. Once you begin dealing with your insurance company, your life can get even more complicated. At New Orleans Legal, LLC, our highly experienced team wants to take this one burden from your shoulders. We will ensure your insurance company does not delay or deny your claim for no good reason. We want to be the advocate in your corner that will work tirelessly for your future and your rights. Contact New Orleans Legal, LLC today!
