Home / Insurance Disputes Alabama / Floods

Flood Claims Insurance Dispute Attorneys in Alabama

Aggressive representation for flood victims in Mobile and beyond

Flooding can happen for many reasons. It can be due to a tropical storm, a hurricane, or a dam or levee that breaks. A water main may burst. Poor drainage systems can also cause flooding. Whatever the reason, all you know is you need help now. You want local officials and professionals to stop the flood from rising. Once the damage is done, you need to work hard to salvage your home, your property, and your possessions.

At Warhurst Law, we demand that insurance companies pay all the damages that you are owed. Attorney Gene Warhurst has helped numerous policyholders get the compensation they need to rebuild, such as $2.568 million in additional funds to policyholders who suffered flood-related losses. He has the experience and working relationships with contractors to focus on hidden dangers in addition to analyzing the known structural damage. He’ll guide you through each stage of this trying time.

Areas of Focus

Flood insurance versus homeowners’ insurance

Most insurance covers some types of water damage such as water that enters through windows and leaks during a storm.

Flood insurance is a separate insurance policy which is supported by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP was enacted because flooding damage was largely uninsurable before its creation. The flooding along the Mississippi in the early 1960s helped to launch the program which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). Flood insurance is written by private insurance carriers.

Our Case Results

$2.4 Million Settlement in Commercial Tornado Claim

Warhurst Law secured $2.2 million in additional recovery for a lumber mill damaged in a tornado.

What’s covered in a flood insurance policy?

How the flooding happened controls which insurance coverage (flood or homeowner/property) covers which damages. For example, according to FEMA, “Damage caused by a sewer backup is only covered by flood insurance if it’s a direct result of flooding; the damage is not covered if the backup is caused by some other problem.” Flooding due to a river overflowing or due to natural disasters like hurricanes where the water enters from ground level should be covered by flood insurance.

Our skilled flood insurance lawyers seek flood insurance damage for the following types of building damage:

The foundation including the walls, staircases, and anchorage systems
Plumbing and electrical systems
Carpeting that is permanently installed over floors
Appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers
Heating devices such as water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps
Sump pumps
Window blinds
Fuel tanks and solar energy equipment

Many other items that a flood is likely to damage may also be covered.

Items that aren’t covered by flood insurance but may be covered elsewhere

Homeowners and property owners usually need separate insurance, such as a home/property owner’s policy or business interruption insurance, for:

Temporary living expenses while repairs are being made
Personal belongings
Currency and papers such as stock certificates
The building structure and foundation
Outdoor property such as decks and fences
Damages that aren’t due to the flood

Steps a skilled Mobile lawyer will take after a flood

Whether you own a single-family home or a condo, a warehouse or a commercial property, or run a non-profit or a church, you should contact a respected flood insurance lawyer as soon as possible. The attorney will work with you, local officials, and professionals to:

Determine if you are in a flood disaster area. If you are, you may be eligible for help from the federal and state government.
Coordinate claims. You’ll need to coordinate your flood insurance claim, your property insurance claim, and any other policies such as business interruption insurance.
Address emergency needs. This includes:
- Shutting off utilities that cause a safety risk.
- Boarding up the property until repairs can be made.
- Leaving the property for a hotel or other temporary living or work quarters.
- Getting rid of the water through the use of a sump pump, a wet vac, or other means.
Arrange for a full inspection of the home to determine the visible and possible hidden damage.
Document the damage to all parts of the home/property and all other possessions. This includes taking photographs and videos. It also includes identifying each item of damage.
Estimate the cost of repairs, if fixing the property is possible. Determining the value of items that are beyond repair. The damages should be itemized in a proof of loss statement.
Obtain the correct value. This includes demanding replacement value for any items that can’t be repaired.
Assess mold and mildew damage. Many floods cause mold and mildew damage for water that can’t be emptied out of the property. Professionals will need to be called in to determine if and how the mold or mildew is related to the flood. Mold can develop in as little as 24-48 hours after the flood.
Assess any smells and odors. Odors from garbage, silt, and sewage can be overwhelming. The cause of the odor and the smells themselves need to be taken care of.

Owners of businesses lose the ability to meet with customers when floods destroy their building. Business interruption insurance is the standard remedy for covering business losses due to a flood or any disaster.

Common flood insurance disputes

In addition to the issue of which policy covers which items of damages, some of the many disputes our Alabama insurance dispute lawyers anticipate include:

Obtaining an advance. If you need to move or make repairs to prevent further damage, experienced lawyers will work to obtain some funds to meet these needs. Experienced lawyers negotiate with the adjuster so that the advance is not construed as a settlement.
Deciding who should do the repairs. Only qualified professionals should be used to make the repairs.
Determining all damages. Many flood insurance disputes revolve around the extent of the damage and the cost of the repairs. In some cases, it may be difficult to know the full amount of the damages until the repairs begin.

Speak with a premier flood insurance lawyer in Alabama today

Attorney Gene Warhurst’s combination of legal and insurance experience is rare. That combination gives him insight into how the other side thinks and prepares. At Warhurst Law, we have earned the respect of many clients for our ability to help flood victims get the funds they deserve so they can make the necessary repairs and repurchases needed to move on with their lives. To talk with an experienced Mobile insurance dispute lawyer, call us at 251-694-1932 or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment. We represent businesses in Mobile and across Alabama and the Southeast.

* Warhurst Law cannot and does not guarantee an outcome to any case.