Memphis Tornado Damage Insurance Lawyers
Strong advocacy when tornadoes destroy homes and commercial property in Tennessee
When tornados strike Tennessee communities, they leave homes, business structures, and any other property in their path completely destroyed or in need of significant repairs.
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we help policyholders obtain the temporary benefits they need after a disaster and the permanent benefits they need to rebuild or repair their property. Our Memphis tornado damage lawyers also help businesses recoup their business interruption damages.
Our record of insurance dispute success includes obtaining more than $800,000 for a couple after their insurance company denied their claim for commercial property damage due to a tornado.
How can we help?
How common are tornadoes in Tennessee?
According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes are quite common in Tennessee.
- In 2024, there were 19 tornadoes in Tennessee, two of which were in Western Tennessee.
- In 2023, there were 40 tornadoes in Tennessee, 11 of which were in Western Tennessee.
- In 2022, there were 5 tornadoes in Tennessee, four of which were in Western Tennessee.
- In 2021, there were 66 tornadoes in Tennessee, 18 of which were in Western Tennessee.
- In 2020, there were 35 tornadoes in Tennessee, nine of which were in Western Tennessee.
Between 1950-2024, the average number of tornadoes in Tennessee was 19 per year. More recently, between 1995-2024, the average number of tornadoes in Tennessee was 31 per year.
In 2023, 17 people died in Tornadoes in Tennessee, and ten died in Western Tennessee.
What is a tornado?
According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, a tornado is “a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. It can be difficult to see a tornado unless the tornado forms a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust, and debris.” Tornadoes are violent atmospheric storms. Tornadoes can last a few seconds or up to about an hour.
The National Weather Service classifies tornadoes based on the “Enhanced Fujita Scale,” as follows, depending on the level of wind gusts over 3 seconds:
- 65-85 mph.
- 86-110 mph.
- 111-135 mph.
- 136-165 mph.
- 166-200 mph.
- Over 200 mph.
According to the American Red Cross:
- A tornado WATCH means tornadoes are possible in and near your area. Be ready to act fast!
- A tornado WARNING means Take Action! A tornado is near. There is danger. Move to a safe location right away.
What types of damage do tornadoes cause in Memphis?
Tornadoes can damage or destroy all types of business structures and personal property, including homes, apartment complexes, offices, churches, warehouses, and any other structures. They can destroy inventory, vehicles, landscaping, and anything in their path. Tornadoes can also be deadly and may destroy entire communities.
In many cases of tornado damage, policyholders will need to move to new places to live and work while inspections of their homes and businesses are completed. Our Memphis insurance dispute attorneys will work to determine whether your property can be repaired, rebuilt, or whether you’ll need to move permanently.
Tornado damage includes the following:
- Damage to structures. Building inspectors and contractors will need to examine the structure’s foundation. They’ll need to review every part of the outside of the structure, including the roof, siding, chimneys, and shingles. Inspectors also need to examine every part of the inside of the structure, including the floors, walls, rooms, doors, windows, basements, and attics. Professionals must look at the electrical features, plumbing, telecommunications, and HVAC components. Other related damages include landscaping, garages, driveways, sheds, and pools.
- Damage to personal property. Ideally, home and business owners have a securely placed inventory of all their personal possessions, including furniture, appliances, jewelry, clothing, business inventory, equipment, machines, and everything of value. If not, we can help you create a complete list so you can demand compensation for the damage to your possessions.
- Business interruption damages. While offices or other business structures are being repaired or rebuilt, businesses will have the right, if covered in their commercial insurance policies, to compensation for their relocation expenses, operating expenses, fixed expenses, lost profit, and any other damages because they need to relocate. For many businesses, like restaurants and apartment complexes, there’s no practical way to start over until the insurance proceeds are paid and the repair/rebuild work is completed.
Which insurance policies cover tornado damage in Memphis?
Generally, a homeowner’s insurance policy should cover tornado damage to the policyholder’s home while a commercial insurance policy should cover tornado damage to the policyholder's property. Both types of policies should also cover relocation and mitigation efforts to prevent further destruction to your real and personal property. Businesses should also ensure that their commercial property insurance includes coverage for business interruption losses.
The specific terms and language of your policy determine what’s covered, whether there are any exclusions, the amount of coverage, the amount of any deductibles, and many other issues such as whether policyholders can make repairs, when a rebuild is necessary, and when policyholders need to start over at a new location. There may, however, be possible exclusions that have to be analyzed.
How do your insurance lawyers help Memphis tornado policyholders?
Our respected Memphis tornado insurance lawyers help policyholders in many ways, including the following:
- Review your policies and explain what’s covered and what’s not covered.
- Explain the immediate actions you need to take. These include reporting your claim to your insurance carrier, taking steps (to the extent you can safely do so) to prevent further damage, and taking photos and videos of the damage (if safe to do so).
- Promptly file your claim.
- Hire professionals to evaluate the damage (including hidden damage) to your home, business structures, and all other property damage.
- Help with claiming Additional Living Expenses (ALE) for homeowners or Extra Expense coverage for businesses.
- Contest any efforts by your carrier to deny coverage.
- Determine whether you can repair your damage, whether you can rebuild, or whether you need to move permanently.
- Hire appraisers to place a value on the damage to all your structures and personal property, including determining whether you can receive the value to purchase equivalent items or actual cash value depending on the policy terms.
- Work with financial experts to assess your business interruption damages.
- Determine the timeline for repairs, rebuilding, or moving permanently.
- Hold your insurance company accountable if they negotiate in bad faith.
We can be your advocate with the insurance companies. Our firm represents clients in court and arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution methods.
Do you have a Memphis, Tennessee, tornado insurance claim lawyer near me?
We meet Memphis tornado victims at our office located at 6000 Poplar Ave, in Memphis, Tennessee. We also consult with clients through phone and online video consultations. When necessary, we can come to your property in person to review the damage and discuss your rights.
Get help from our accomplished Memphis tornado insurance lawyers now
Tornadoes are scary. They arrive so quickly that there’s little you can do to protect your property in advance. Everything you own may be destroyed. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we understand which federal, state, and Memphis agencies can help you. Our lawyers know how to assess and value all your damage so you can start over again. We work with a broad range of natural disaster, building, and personal property experts. Please call us or fill out our contact form today to schedule a consultation.
Our lawyers also represent policyholders throughout Tennessee and in Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and Missouri.