FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 12, 2024

 

Louisiana Department of Insurance Offers Policyholder Guidance Following Tornado Damage in Northwestern Louisiana

 

The tornadoes that swept through northwestern Louisiana on Monday following Hurricane Beryl’s landfall in Texas caused extensive property damage and one fatality.

“My prayers are with those who were affected by the tornadoes on Monday,” said Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. “I encourage anyone who experienced property damage to contact their insurer and file a claim as soon as possible.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) offers the following tips on filing a claim for property damage after a severe weather event:

• Contact your insurance company or agent first to file a claim. Be ready to provide your policy number and an initial damage assessment if possible. Make sure your agent and insurance company have your correct contact information.
• Take pictures or video of the damage before cleaning up. Visually document the damage before cleaning up and making temporary repairs. Attempt to separate damaged personal property from undamaged items, but do not throw them away. Keeping damaged items will give the claims adjuster a more complete inventory of property loss.
• Make temporary repairs to protect your property from additional damage. You have an obligation to mitigate further damage by taking protective measures such as putting a tarp over your roof or boarding up broken windows. Keep receipts for expenses incurred in taking these temporary measures.
• Remain alert for potential fraud and other scams. Scammers and other criminals may attempt to take advantage of storm victims as they recover and rebuild. Some of these fraudulent practices include scammers posing as contractors or inspectors, fake solicitations for disaster donations, and false offers of state or federal aid. These scam attempts can be made by phone call, text, email, postal mail or door-to-door.
• When an adjuster visits your property, ask for identification. You can call the LDI at 1-800-259-5300 or visit our website to verify his or her licensure.

Contact the LDI if you need help. Call our office at 1-800-259-5300 or contact us online  to ask a question about your policy, report suspected insurance fraud, file a complaint, and more.

About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state’s insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.