Mississippi Hurricane Insurance Dispute Lawyers

Accomplished representation in Mississippi when hurricanes damage your property

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that form over tropical and subtropical waters. Common characteristics include high winds, heavy rains, thunder, and lightning. A tropical cyclone with winds of 74 mph or more is called a hurricane. Hurricanes are rated from 1 (least severe) to 5 (most severe). Hurricane season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30, though hurricanes can occur outside this time frame. Hurricanes can cause extensive damage, including the destruction of homes, buildings, movable structures, and unmovable structures. 

Our experienced Mississippi hurricane insurance lawyers are ready to advise you as soon as a hurricane happens about the immediate steps you need to take to prevent further damage, how to document your damages, and how to file your claim. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we’re skilled at holding insurance carriers to their duty to pay full value for all the damage loss covered by your insurance policy.

How can we help?

• How are hurricanes classified?
• What should I do after a hurricane occurs in Mississippi?
• Why are hurricanes in Mississippi so destructive?
• What types of hurricane insurance disputes do you handle in Mississippi?
• Do you have a Mississippi hurricane claim lawyer near me?

How are hurricanes classified?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hurricanes are classified according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Hurricanes can cause fatal storms, floods, and tornadoes. Hurricanes are categorized as follows:

1. Category 1. Sustained winds of 74-95 mph. 

“Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding, and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap, and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.”

1. Category 2. Sustained winds of 96-110 mph. 

“Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.”

1. Category 3. Sustained winds of 111-129 mph. 

“Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.”

1. Category 4. Sustained winds of 130-156 mph. 

“Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted, and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”

1. Category 5. Sustained winds of 157 mph or higher. 

“Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.”

What should I do after a hurricane occurs in Mississippi?

Our Mississippi hurricane insurance claim lawyers begin our representation by advising you about the initial steps you need to take. We’ll help you with these steps, including recommending professionals who are experienced in hurricane damage safety precautions, damage identification and valuation, and documentation.

Some of the steps that McWherter Scott & Bobbitt recommends include:

• You should take photos and videos of your home, building, and personal possessions – before the hurricane strikes. These images should be stored in the cloud or away from home so they’re not destroyed by the hurricane.
• You should take new pictures and videos after the hurricane. These images should show the visible damage that occurred.
• You should also have an inventory of all your possessions before the hurricane that can be compared to your post-hurricane inventory.
• Evaluating the damage. We work with building and other property damage experts who can analyze:
  • What damage occurred, including hidden and structural damage.
  • Whether the damage can be repaired or whether your damaged property should be replaced. Replacement means building your home from the ground up.
  • The time necessary for the rebuild or the replacement.
  • The materials that will be used for the restoration.
  • All other costs and out-of-pocket expenses to restore your property and possessions to their pre-hurricane condition.

If your home can’t be repaired or rebuilt, we work with appraisers who can place a value on the cost of buying a new home. We also explain whether you’re entitled to the value of your home/possessions or the cost to replace them. Replacement costs may be much higher than the actual value cost.

What types of hurricane insurance disputes do you handle in Mississippi?

At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our Mississippi insurance lawyers understand the damage hurricanes can cause. We’ve seen the devastation that Hurricanes Katrina, Barry, Nate, Zeta, and many others caused.

Our Mississippi hurricane claims lawyers guide you through each phase of your insurance claim. Some of the many issues we help you with include:

• Contesting unwarranted defenses. We fight attempts by your insurance company to improperly or incorrectly assert that an exclusion applies to deny or limit your claim in any way.

• Obtaining benefits for temporary housing, additional living expenses, and/or business interruption. Many hurricane victims need to move to a new residence or place of work until the repairs on their property can be finished, the property can be rebuilt, or the victims can find a new place to live. You should keep receipts and records of all your expenses. Businesses might be able to claim reimbursement or advance costs to notify clients, customers, and the people they work with, rent or buy new technology, and other essential business costs.
• Placing a proper value on your claim. A key part of our representation is identifying all your property that is damaged, working with experts to assess what steps need to be taken to restore your property and possessions to their pre-hurricane condition, and what compensation you should be paid to ensure your property and possessions are properly repaired, rebuilt, or replaced. 

We work with building experts, appraisers, engineers, architects, experts skilled with specific types of damage (such as roof damage, mold, flooding, and other damage), and other professionals. Many insurance disputes revolve around the reports and testimony of our experts compared to the experts the insurance companies employ.

We handle any other damage claim that is hurricane-related, such as property damage caused by falling trees. 

Do you have a Mississippi hurricane claim lawyer near me?

Our Mississippi insurance loss claims lawyers meet hurricane victims at our offices located at 600 Main St., Suite 301 in Tupelo and 4780 I-55 N, Suite 100 in Jackson. We also conduct consultations by phone and video. Our lawyers have helped many insurance loss victims just like you. We’ve obtained more than $100 million for our insurance claim clients.

Did a Gulf Coast hurricane damage your property? Contact our experienced Mississippi insurance claim lawyers now

At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we understand how anxious you are. We’ll answer all your questions, help you obtain the temporary benefits you deserve, and help you properly document and verify your damages. We’re skilled insurance claim negotiators and trial lawyers. We’ve helped many environmental disaster claimants like you obtain the full compensation they deserved. To assert your rights under your insurance policies, call us or use our contact form to schedule an appointment. We represent hurricane victims throughout Mississippi, including Jackson and Tupelo.

Mississippi Insurance Dispute Lawyers Handling Tornado Damage Claims

Fighting for Mississippi property owners when tornadoes destroy their homes and businesses

Tornadoes are frightening. They rise up into funnel-shaped vortexes that destroy everything in their path, including homes and commercial buildings. While tornadoes are devastating, one way to prepare for them is to have the appropriate insurance coverage. The Southeast has more than its fair share of tornadoes each year; some are quite deadly and destructive. Our Mississippi tornado damage lawyers have the experience and resources to verify the full extent of your damages, the scope of the repair work that can be done, when you need to rebuild or replace your property, and obtain full compensation under the terms of your policy. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we’ve helped insured policyholders obtain more than $100 million in recoveries.

How can we help?

• How are tornadoes formed?
• How are tornadoes classified?
• What kinds of damage do Mississippi tornadoes cause?
• How do your Mississippi tornado insurance lawyers fight to ensure tornado damage claims are paid in full?
• Do you have a Mississippi tornado damage claim lawyer near me?

How are tornadoes formed?

According to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Center for Science Education, 

Tornadoes only form when a thunderstorm has a particular combination of winds…For a tornado to form, there also needs to be spinning air near the ground. This happens when air in the storm sinks to the ground and spreads out across it in gusts. Gusts of warmer air rise and gusts of cooler air sink as they blow across the land. If there are enough rising and sinking gusts, the air near the ground starts spinning…The rotating air moves horizontally across the ground and can be tilted vertically by the force of the rising, rotating air. This allows a tornado to form.

At the end of March 2023, at least 25 people died in Mississippi due to a tornado that ripped across the state. “The tornado lofted debris 30,000 feet high, said Samuel Emmerson, a member of the radar research group at the University of Oklahoma.”

How are tornadoes classified?

According to National Geographic, tornadoes are classified based on an “Enhanced Fujita Scale.” This scale uses the wreckage to determine the severity of the tornado.

• EF-0. Wind gusts are estimated to be between 65 and 85 miles per hour. “The environment sustained minor damage: tree branches are broken, some shallow-rooted trees are uprooted, and some chimneys are damaged.”
• EF-1. Wind gusts are estimated between 86 and 110 miles per hour. “The environment sustained moderate damage: mobile homes are tipped over, windows are broken, roof tiles may be blown off, and some tree trunks have snapped.”
• EF-2. Wind gusts are estimated between 111 and 135 miles per hour. “The environment sustained considerable damage: mobile homes are destroyed, roofs are damaged, debris flies in the air, and large trees are snapped or uprooted.”
• EF-3. Wind gusts are estimated between 136 and 165 miles per hour. “The environment sustained severe damage: roofs and walls are ripped off buildings, small buildings are destroyed, and most trees are uprooted.”
• EF-4. Wind gusts are estimated between 166 and 200 miles per hour. “The environment sustained devastating damage: well-built homes are destroyed, buildings are lifted off their foundations, cars are blown away, and large debris flies in the air.”
• EF-5. Winds of over 200 miles per hour are present. “The environment sustained incredible damage: well-built homes are lifted from their foundations, reinforced concrete buildings are damaged, the bark is stripped from trees, and car-sized debris flies through the air.”

What kinds of damage do Mississippi tornadoes cause?

Even mild tornadoes can quickly destroy homes, condominiums, apartment complexes, churches, commercial property, and other structures. Many homes and structures are total losses, meaning that the only real way to repair them is to rebuild them. 

Property that can be repaired due to tornado damage often requires extensive repairs, including repairing:

• The building’s foundation
• Roofs, siding, shingles, and chimneys
• The walls, ceilings, and floors
• The windows, doors, screens, and shutters
• The plumbing, HVAC, electricity, and telecommunications
• The driveways, exterior, landscaping, garages, pools, and unattached structures

Basically, every part of the building may require repairs – inside and outside.

How do your Mississippi tornado insurance lawyers fight to ensure tornado damage claims are paid in full?

Our respected Mississippi tornado insurance claims lawyers help policyholders at every stage of the claims process, including:

• The immediate emergency requirements. We can: 
  • Explain what steps your insurance policy requires that you take to secure your property and protect it from further damage
  • Help you report your storm claim to your insurance company
  • Explain what photos, videos, and other documentation of the damage you should take and record
  • If provided for in your policy, arrange for advances for temporary lodging, moving costs, and necessities. If you have a business, we’ll help you obtain temporary payments for relocation costs and costs to keep your business running if your policy allows it.
• Valuation. 
  • Property damage. Much of the dispute in tornado insurance claims revolves around identifying the damage, determining whether repairs are advisable or you need to rebuild, determining how the repairs or rebuild should be done (and the timeline for the repairs or reconstruction), and the cost for the repairs or rebuild. We fight to be certain that the insurance company is paying the proper amount depending on the circumstances of your loss.
  • Business interruption damage. We work with you, experts and other business professionals to properly value all your financial losses until you can get your business running again.
• The claims process. We help prepare and document your claim. Our Mississippi tornado insurance claim lawyers anticipate the defenses and strategies insurance adjusters use to try to deny, reduce, or delay your claim. We hold insurance companies accountable if they bargain in bad faith.

• We’re skilled at negotiating insurance claims with insurance adjusters and trying your case before arbitration panels, mediators, and in court.

In one illustrative case, we obtained $800,000 for a couple after their insurance company denied their commercial insurance claim based on tornado damage.

Do you have a Mississippi tornado damage claim lawyer near me?

At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our Mississippi tornado damage lawyers meet policyholders at our offices located at 600 Main St., Suite 301 in Tupelo and 4780 I-55 N, Suite 100 in Jackson. We also conduct consultations by phone and video conferences. We understand how devastating tornadoes are. We’ll fight for all the compensation you deserve.

Get help now. Talk with our experienced Mississippi tornado insurance claim lawyers today.

We understand how anxious you are. Tornadoes cause extensive damage. You have a right to expect that your insurance carrier will promptly advance the costs for your temporary lodging, fairly evaluate the extent of the damage, and honestly determine whether repairs are possible for you or whether you should rebuild your property (or buy a new place) and pay the damages you deserve. To schedule an appointment with our seasoned Mississippi insurance claim lawyers, please call us or fill out our contact form. We represent policyholders in Tupelo, Jackson, and across the state of Mississippi.

Mississippi Insurance Dispute Lawyers Handling Vandalism Claims

Strong insurance claim advocacy for victims of vandalism in Mississippi

Vandalism is often described as the intentional destruction of real or personal property. If you have the appropriate insurance coverage, you deserve to be compensated for the damage caused to your property by acts of vandalism. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our lawyers understand that vandalism is often quite damaging to your valuable property. If you have adequate insurance coverage, the insurance company should pay you for the cost of repairing any property that can be fixed and pay you for the replacement value of your property if the property needs replacing. Our Mississippi vandalism lawyers work with skilled professionals and appraisers who can determine the true value of the damage to your home, commercial property, business, and possessions.

How can we help?

• What types of vandalism occur in Mississippi?
• What type of repairs are necessary when vandalism occurs in Mississippi?
• What types of insurance issues do your Mississippi vandalism claims lawyers handle?
• Do you have a Mississippi vandalism insurance claim lawyer near me?

What types of vandalism occur in Mississippi?

Homeowners, renters, and commercial property owners are encouraged to purchase property insurance to provide compensation due to acts of vandalism that:

• Destroy buildings
• Damage windows, doors, and any part of your home or business property
• Damage to trees and landscaping
• Involve spray painting or other graffiti 
• Any other intentional damage to your property, including your vehicles

If arson is involved, we’ll explain how your insurance can compensate you for that type of damage too.

Vandalism also includes the destruction of schools, churches / religious structures, and other public and private property.

What type of repairs are necessary when vandalism occurs in Mississippi?

The types of repairs necessary when vandalism occurs vary depending on what property was damaged and how the vandalism happened. Vandalism repairs may include, among many others:

• Removing graffiti
• Remedying bad smells
• Disinfecting your property
• Removing damaged items, such as windows and replacing them with new windows
• Repairing or replacing vehicles or other machinery located at the property
• Obtaining new computer equipment

When the damage is too costly to repair, our Mississippi vandalism lawyers seek payment for the value of the damaged item. Provided your insurance policy includes replacement damage, we demand that your insurance company pay for the cost of replacing your home, business property or any other damaged item.

What types of insurance issues do your Mississippi vandalism claim lawyers handle?

Our Mississippi vandalism insurance claim lawyers review every type of policy you have when vandalism occurs. Most homeowner and commercial property insurance policies cover vandalism damage. There may be some exceptions. For example, if your home is going to be vacant for a certain period of time, there may be policy provisions that limit or preclude coverage.

We can assist in reviewing your business interruption loss insurance coverage. If vandalism affects your ability to run your business, we work with financial, technical, marketing, and other professionals to determine what is required to get your business up and running again, who needs to be notified that your business operations have moved or stopped, and the full value of your income losses. We also review what expenses, such as fixed overhead and payroll, you need to continue to pay while your business is stalled.

What steps can policyholders take to combat vandalism?

There are some steps that can help reduce the odds that your property will be vandalized or to help catch the people who commit the vandalism. Some of the steps you should consider taking include:

• Installing visible video and camera security systems. They need to be visible so the person who intends to commit vandalism knows that there will be proof of his/her misconduct.
• Installing alarm systems that ring out when there is an unauthorized person on your property.
• Installing fences and using other methods to control access to your property.
• Making sure your windows and doors are locked, especially when you’re away from your property.

If your property is vandalized, you should contact your local police immediately.

Do you have a Mississippi vandalism insurance claim lawyer near me?

Our Mississippi insurance loss lawyers consult with policyholders at our offices located at 600 Main St., Suite 301 in Tupelo and 4780 I-55 N, Suite 100 in Jackson. Our lawyers also speak with clients by phone and through video. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, we’ll answer all your questions, determine the value of your damages, and work to obtain the total amount of compensation you deserve.

Speak with our respected insurance claims lawyers when acts of vandalism occur

It’s bad enough when natural disasters cause damage to your property. It’s worse when vandalism causes damage because vandalism is an intentional wrong, while natural disasters aren’t controllable. At McWherter Scott & Bobbitt, our insurance loss lawyers explain that the wrongdoer doesn’t have to be held accountable for your insurance claim to be successful. When you do your part by paying your premiums, the insurance company should do its part and pay for your vandalism damage. Our Mississippi vandalism lawyers are skilled at ensuring that insurance companies do their part. 

To schedule a free consultation when vandalism occurs, call us, or use our contact form. We represent policyholders in Tupelo, Jackson, and across Mississippi.