Hurricane Ike Claims: Lawyers Help Business Owners with Insurance Claims

In recent weeks, Hurricane Ike claims have skyrocketed as business owners file claims to rebuild their organizations. There are so many steps that these owners need to take in order to regain their footing, but filing insurance claims ranks among the first. Most business owners have carefully planned for the tragedy of a hurricane, and may therefore believe that they will not need the help of hurricane lawyers; but the reality is that these legal professionals can help your business immensely as you work to navigate the paperwork and hassle of filing claims after a hurricane.

Business Interruption Coverage: The Insurance you May not Know about
Business Interruption coverage, or “B.I.” insurance as it is commonly known, is sometimes sold as part of an overall business property insurance package. BI insurance is intended to cover the losses in income a business might sustain as a result of its insured property damage. Other types of expenses, such as evacuation, employee repopulation and restoration operations are also generally covered. Many Hurricane Ike claims obviously will fall under these types of expenses.

Wear a life jacket: The number one thing you can do to protect yourself when boating is to wear a life jacket. Like wearing BI business owners claims also usually cover business interruption that arises as a result of a civil authority mandate that prohibits the use of business premises after a weather event. Hurricane lawyers bring these claims after mandatory evacuation orders, which keep business owners from returning to their place of business after a storm. Every BI policy is different, which means that business hurricane claims are all unique. Your attorney will advise you to examine, photograph and properly document the physical damage to your premise that will eventually result in business interruption. Independent experts may also be necessary to prove the business owners claims, and these experts will be found and hired by your hurricane lawyer.

There are a few steps you can take by yourself, immediately, to protect your business operations after Hurricane Ike:

• Practice mitigation: cover roof damage using tarps and cover window damage using plastic
• Take photographs immediately, and take before and after repairs photographs
• Prepare a detailed inventory of damaged or destroyed property
• Be prepared to show receipts and sales for months prior to Hurricane Ike in order to prove your case for business interruption
• Call your insurer immediately to file insurance claims

The Houston law firm of Walker & Crawford, P.C. has successfully handled thousands of insurance disputes, and we are firmly committed to fighting for our clients’ Hurricane Ike claims. We get to know each of our clients personally, which means we will know how to best approach your business hurricane claims. For Houston hurricane lawyers that will work for you, contact us today at 832-369-8270.

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