Galveston Bay Personal Injury Lawyer - Hurricane Claims

NOAA Predicts a Less Active 2009 Hurricane Season

Scott Kappes — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:00:22 GMT

With hurricane season fast approaching the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have released their annual hurricane season forecast and things look a little better than last year.

Last year there were 16 named storms, while this year NOAA is predicting only 14 named storms. Of the suspected 14 named storms NOAA is estimating that as many as 7 could become hurricanes, meaning having sustained winds of 76 mph or more. Of these suspected hurricanes NOAA is predicting that somewhere between 1 and 3 will become major hurricanes, or have sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.

Last year there were 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes so even if the high end predictions of this year’s forecast are accurate it looks to be a less active season than a year ago.

The administration gave a this hurricane season 50% chance or being “near-normal” and an equal 50% probability of being “below normal.” All of us located in coastal areas and are keeping our fingers crossed that NOAA’s estimated 25% chance of an “above-normal” season drops even lower as the season progresses.

If you have not yet done so this is the time prepare for the hurricane season and do everything that you can to ensure that your family and property remain safe in the unfortunate event that a hurricane strikes your area. I can tell you from first-hand experience in dealing with the damage left behind from Hurricane Ike, you can never be too prepared for hurricane.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Some Victims of Hurricane Ike to Get a Tax Break

Scott Kappes — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:16:41 GMT

When you think about government help for disaster relief you probably think about FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the IRS. Wait the IRS? Yep, that’s right the IRS.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering some victims of Hurricane Ike some much needed relief. The government will deduct uninsured losses from a taxpayer’s income, reducing the amount of taxes that are owed.

These losses can be claimed on this year’s tax return, due April 15, 2009; however, the government’s tax collection agency is also allowing residents of federally declared disaster zones to claim losses immediately by amending their 2007 tax returns.

Losses are calculated using the value of the property before the storm minus insurance payments and any assistance provided by the federal government to repair the property.

For example, a property owner with $50,000 in damage who received only a $40,000 insurance payment could claim the remaining $10,000 as a loss.

The loss must be further reduced by $100 and then by 10 percent of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income before it can be claimed.

Property owners who get more money from their insurance policies than their property is worth are required to pay taxes on these gains or unless the money is used to purchase new property that is at least equal in value to the damaged property.

Taxpayers have up to four years to spend this difference before they are required to pay taxes on it.

To deduct these losses you will need to download and fill out the following froms.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

PartnerRe Increases Hurricane Ike Damage Estimates

Scott Kappes — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:12:18 GMT

Last week reinsurance provider, PartnerRe, announced that they were increasing their original estimate of Hurricane Ike damage claims by 61 percent, from $115 million to $305 million. The increased estimate is based on new information from their clients in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

Patrick Thiele, PartnerRe's chief executive, said in a statement. "[Hurricane Ike] has proved to be more destructive to offshore energy installations and had a much larger and more damaging footprint on land than was originally estimated."

In the end, most experts believe that the damages resulting from Hurricane Ike will make it the third most costly hurricane to ever hit the United States.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

How Public Adjusters Can Help Hurricane Victims

Scott Kappes — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:13:35 GMT

There have been over 70,000 Houston and Galveston area insurance claims filed related to property damage as a result of Hurricane Ike. These claims vary in degree; from some who may need a new roof, and others who may have more catastrophic damages to their property. Unfortunately, many of these individuals will not receive the money that they are entitled to from their insurance provider. If your claim has been denied or you feel that your insurance company has underpaid your claim, there is help available.

Public adjusters and attorneys may be able to help you recover money for losses that were originally denied or underpaid by your insurer.

The difference between a public adjuster and the insurance adjuster that is sent out by the insurance company to estimate the damages to your property, is that the public adjuster works for you. The role of a public adjuster is to represent you in your property insurance claim. Public adjusters offer policyholders the same resources that an insurance company has at their disposal.

You have the right to hire a public adjuster to come in, assess the damage and sort through the paperwork and red tape to help you file your claim. An insurance policy can be a difficult legal document to decipher. A public adjuster knows how to sort through the countless lines of confusing jargon and industry terminology to maximize your settlement.

Often time’s local law firms work closely with public adjusters to provide comprehensive representation for victims of “bad faith” insurance claims.

You can learn more about the use of public adjusters by visiting the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters website.

Insurance companies have adjusters and attorneys working on their side why shouldn't you. By filling out the form on this page you can contact a local attorney that may be able help you with your insurance claim.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes

Ike's Aftermath: Remember to Photograph Everything

Scott Kappes — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:46:14 GMT

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike as Galveston officials begin to allow people to start returning to their homes, one simple but important thing to remember is to take pictures of everything that has to be thrown out. When I say everything, I mean everything. This includes the food that had to be thrown out from the refrigerators that have been without power for 2 weeks, any appliances that may have been damaged, furniture, clothing, children’s toys, and anything else that was damaged as a result of Ike’s relentless assault on the Texas coast. Making a claim to your insurance company for 100 pairs of shoes tends to seems to be exorbitant to most insurance adjusters, but judging from my girlfriend’s closet does not seem to be any stretch of imagination.

This simple step will save you countless hours down the road when negotiating your insurance claims. Anything that has to be thrown out or that has to be replaced can be claimed on your insurance; however, without documentation it can often be difficult to recover damages for some items.

The old cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words has never been more appropriate than it is right now.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Scott Kappes