Questions about Louisiana Insurance Claims and Public Adjusters

A public adjuster is a licensed insurance professional who works exclusively for you — the policyholder — not the insurance company. When your Louisiana home or business suffers hurricane, flood, wind, or other property damage, your insurer sends their own adjuster whose job is to protect the company's bottom line.

A public adjuster levels the playing field. They document every aspect of your loss, review your policy for all available coverage, prepare a detailed claim on your behalf, and negotiate with your insurer to ensure you receive the maximum settlement you are entitled to. At Global Patriot Adjusters, we have helped Louisiana clients recover settlements far exceeding what the insurer initially offered.

The key difference is who they represent. An insurance company adjuster is paid by and works for the insurer — their goal is to minimize payout while remaining defensible under your policy.

A public adjuster works solely for you and is paid a percentage of your final settlement, meaning they are financially motivated to maximize your recovery. After major Louisiana storms, insurers process thousands of claims simultaneously, often resulting in rushed assessments. We ensure your specific loss receives the thorough review it deserves.

For most moderate to large hurricane and storm claims in Louisiana, yes — absolutely. Louisiana has faced some of the most catastrophic hurricane seasons in modern US history, and Louisiana's insurance market reflects that stress. Insurers routinely underpay, dispute, or deny claims in the aftermath of major storms.

An experienced public adjuster knows Louisiana's specific insurance laws, knows how to document hurricane and flood damage thoroughly, and knows how to negotiate effectively with carriers who are processing thousands of claims at once. We offer a free consultation with no obligation.

Public adjusters work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront. The fee is a percentage of the final insurance settlement, so there is no out-of-pocket cost and no fee if there is no recovery.

Because we typically recover significantly more than clients would receive on their own, most Louisiana policyholders come out well ahead even after our fee. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.

Yes. You can bring in a public adjuster at any stage of the claims process — including after the insurance company has made a settlement offer you believe is too low. If your Louisiana hurricane claim has been underpaid, denied, or is still open, we can step in and advocate on your behalf.

In many cases we can also help reopen a closed claim if additional damage was discovered or the original settlement was clearly inadequate. The sooner you involve a public adjuster the better, but it is rarely too late.

Yes. Public adjusters in Louisiana must be licensed by the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI). Always verify that any public adjuster you hire holds a valid Louisiana license before signing any contract.

Global Patriot Adjusters holds Louisiana Public Adjuster License # 573778. You can verify any adjuster's license through the Louisiana Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-259-5300.

A standard Louisiana homeowners insurance policy typically covers wind damage from hurricanes — roof damage, structural damage, broken windows and doors, and interior damage from wind-driven rain entering through a wind-created opening.

However, flood damage from storm surge is generally not covered under a standard homeowners policy. Louisiana's geography — much of it below sea level — makes storm surge a catastrophic and common threat. Flood coverage requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy. A public adjuster can carefully analyze your specific policy to identify every possible coverage avenue after a storm.

1. Ensure safety first — Do not re-enter until officials confirm it is safe, especially in flood-affected areas. 2. Document before cleanup — Take extensive photos and video of all damage before any debris removal or temporary repairs. 3. Mitigate further damage — Tarp damaged roofs, but keep all receipts for mitigation expenses. 4. Report your claim promptly. 5. Call a public adjuster first — Before giving a recorded statement or accepting any settlement offer. Louisiana hurricane claims are routinely contested — early professional involvement makes a dramatic difference in outcomes.

Louisiana insurance claims have specific deadlines that must be taken seriously. Under Louisiana law, policyholders generally must file a claim within one year of the date of loss, and any legal action against an insurer must be filed within three years. However, your specific policy may contain shorter contractual deadlines.

If you believe your claim has been underpaid or denied, contact Global Patriot Adjusters as soon as possible. Delayed action can forfeit your right to additional recovery.

A claim denial in Louisiana is not always final. Common grounds for denial include wind vs. water causation disputes, maintenance neglect allegations, pre-existing condition exclusions, and documentation gaps — each of which can often be challenged with proper evidence and policy analysis.

A public adjuster can review your denial, assess whether it was justified under your specific policy language, and help build a documented case to dispute it. File a complaint with the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300 if you believe your insurer is acting improperly. Call us before accepting any denial — the consultation is free.

Mold coverage in Louisiana homeowners policies is typically limited. Most standard policies cover mold only when it is the direct result of a covered water loss — such as wind-driven rain entering through a wind-damaged opening. Mold resulting from flood water or long-term moisture is generally excluded.

Louisiana's heat and humidity mean mold can develop within 24–48 hours of hurricane-related water intrusion. It is critical to document mold thoroughly as part of your claim. Our adjusters are experienced at identifying and documenting post-hurricane mold damage across all Louisiana property types.

Standard Louisiana homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage — including the storm surge that is responsible for the majority of hurricane property damage in Louisiana. Flood coverage requires a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer.

Louisiana's unique topography — much of the state at or below sea level — makes storm surge a catastrophic risk. If you have NFIP or private flood coverage, a public adjuster experienced with NFIP claims can help you navigate the specific documentation requirements and maximize your recovery under that policy.

Absolutely. Commercial hurricane claims in Louisiana are among the most complex insurance claims in the country, involving wind damage, flood losses, business interruption, inventory damage, and multiple coverage layers. Louisiana commercial policies require expert analysis to ensure every available coverage is pursued.

Global Patriot Adjusters has extensive experience with Louisiana commercial hurricane claims including hotels, restaurants, retail, warehouse, agricultural, and office properties across the state. We ensure every covered loss — including business income interruption — is fully accounted for.

Louisiana has experienced multiple back-to-back hurricane seasons, and many properties have suffered damage from more than one storm — often before completing repairs from the previous one. Claims involving multiple storms are among the most complex in Louisiana, as insurers may dispute which storm caused which damage.

A public adjuster experienced with Louisiana's multi-storm claim environment is essential in these situations. We document damage carefully to establish causation for each covered event and ensure you receive appropriate settlement for each storm's losses.

Louisiana insurance regulations require insurers to acknowledge receipt of a claim within 30 days, and to accept or deny the claim within 30 days after receiving proof of loss. Insurers must pay undisputed amounts within 30 days of accepting a claim.

If your Louisiana insurer is not meeting these deadlines, a public adjuster can apply appropriate pressure and help you file a complaint with the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300.