Jackson Flood Damage Insurance Dispute Lawyers
Fighting for home and business owners when flood waters damage building structures and personal property
Over $250 million recovered for policyholders
Floods often bring water and mildew into basements, floors, the soil, and foundations of every building structure. The damage can extend to landscaping, electrical wires, computer cables, and plumbing. When constant or heavy rain causes too much destruction, victims need experienced Jackson flood insurance dispute lawyers who understand who’s covered, what damage is covered, and the cost of repairs. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we help ensure that policyholders who have flood insurance receive all the benefits they deserve in a prompt manner. Call our insurance dispute lawyers when floods damage your property.
How can we help?
- What immediate steps should I take after a flood?
- How does the National Flood Insurance Program work?
- What does flood insurance coverage pay for?
- Can I receive temporary insurance payments for flood damage in Jackson, Mississippi?
- How do you hold insurance companies liable for all of my covered damages?
- Do you have a Jackson flood insurance dispute lawyer near me?
What immediate steps should I take after a flood?
You may need to call your flood insurance carrier and let them know that you have a claim. They have the right to notice. They should arrange for someone to examine the flood damage when it’s safe to do so.
You should also call our experienced flood insurance claim lawyers. We can explain all the steps you need to take and are prepared to work with your flood insurance carrier to obtain the emergency funds you need to protect your property from further damage, and protect yourself and your family by moving to a new location until the flood damage repairs can be made. Emergency funds should also help with any health issues you or your family members have, and with daily living expenses.
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we can work with FEMA, MEMA, and local Jackson officials to help you understand what other steps you need to take. Both FEMA and MEMA should be able to help you with emergency resources.
FEMA’s advice for residents and businesses after a flood includes the following:
- Wait to return home (if you had to leave) until when local Mississippi and Jackson officials confirm that you can return home safely.
- Do not drive through flooded roads. Just a few inches of water can cause drivers to have an accident.
- Don’t walk in floodwater. Power line damage may electrically charge the water, and the water may have contaminants.
- Don’t use a match or anything that could ignite because your structure may have gas that is trapped. Use a flashlight instead.
- FEMA recommends turning off the electricity if it’s safe to do so. Don’t stand in water to turn the electricity on or off.
- Use bottled, treated, or boiled water. Speak with local Jackson officials about what’s safe to use for drinking and bathing.
- Take photos/videos before and after the water recedes – if it’s safe to do so.
- If you have a respiratory condition, don’t enter your home until it’s safe.
- Tend to your pets.
- Take measures to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
How does the National Flood Insurance Program work?
Generally, your homeowner’s policy, commercial property, or renter’s insurance does not cover flood damage. You need separate flood insurance through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This federal program protects property in “participating communities” by providing flood insurance to community residents. FEMA’s flood damage requirements include “enforcing floodplain management ordinances that aim to reduce flood damage.”
Your home’s location and the amount of coverage you need determine your premium, provided that your property is located in a “participating community.” Our Jackson flood insurance lawyers can explain if you qualify for flood insurance.
Generally, flood insurance covers your home, the foundation, the electrical and plumbing systems, water heaters, and the contents (furniture, appliances, clothes, and other personal possessions).
What does flood insurance coverage pay for?
According to Consumer Reports, flood insurance policies should compensate you for the following damage:
- The foundation, foundation walls, anchorage systems, and the staircases (attached to the building)
- Utilities – electricity, water, and plumbing
- Heating tanks and fuel tanks
- Permanently installed items- including, paneling, carpeting, cabinets, wallboard, and bookcases
- Built-in appliances
- Window blinds
- Sump pumps
- Solar energy equipment
- Debris removal
- Water removal
Can I receive temporary insurance payments for flood damage in Jackson, Mississippi?
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we work with the contractors for the flood insurance company and our network of contractors to verify that you need to relocate until the necessary repairs to your home or business can be completed. The flood insurance carrier should then pay for the cost to move, the cost to rent or pay for a new location comparable to your current property, clothes and other items if you can’t use what you have, the cost of food, and other living expenses.
How do you hold insurance companies liable for all of my covered damages?
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we work to obtain relocation funds (as described above). Our Jackson, Mississippi, flood insurance dispute lawyers also have the experience and working relations to help you obtain all the coverage benefits you deserve. Our services include:
- Helping to protect your property. We work with FEMA, MEMA, and our experts to help protect your home or business from further water damage and to remove mold damage.
- Assessing the property damage. Our team works with building experts, plumbing professionals, electricians, HVAC experts, engineers, water removal experts, mold and removal experts, garbage and sewer professionals, and other professionals to fully determine the damage to your property (including hidden damage). This assessment includes the time the contractors will need to complete your work – and for the work to pass local inspection requirements.
- Placing a value on the cost to fix, rebuild, or obtain comparable property. We work with these experts to determine what property can be repaired, when you need to rebuild, and when you need to move permanently. Our lawyers consult with these experts to determine the full cost to restore your property or, if necessary, obtain a similar property.
- Business interruption losses. For businesses that have to relocate and/or lose profits while the water and mold damage repairs are completed, we seek advancements so you can run your business and recover lost profits.
We negotiate with the flood insurance carriers, who often employ their own damage assessment experts. If the insurance company doesn’t make a fair settlement offer, we’re ready to argue your flood insurance claim in court.
At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we represent homeowners, apartment complex owners, condominium owners, commercial property owners, churches, and all other types of property owners.
Do you have a Jackson flood insurance dispute lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet flood insurance victims at our Jackson, Mississippi, office located at 4780 I-55 N, Suite 100. Our insurance dispute lawyers also consult with clients by phone and through video consultation. When necessary, we review the flood damage in person. Our investigators and the contractors we recommend will also review your damage personally.
Our lawyers guide you calmly and clearly through the flood insurance claims process.
Speak with our respected Jackson flood insurance lawyers today
We understand how upset you are. The water seems to have come in from everywhere – the doors, windows, plumbing systems, the roof, and the ground. Everything is wet. The structural damage is quickly escalating. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our lawyers arrange for experts to immediately assess the damage, what repairs are necessary, and whether you need to move. We work to obtain advance payments and permanent payments so you can resume your life as it was before the flood. Call us or use our contact form to schedule a consultation.
Our flood insurance dispute lawyers also represent policyholders across Mississippi and in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri, and Tennessee.