On the afternoon of March 14th, an EF2 tornado hit the Ohio, Indiana, and northern Kentucky regions. The tornado followed the path of the Ohio river, crossing it three times, causing damage to Milton, KY. (NWS Louisville)
“Tornado-warned storms ripped through the southeast Indiana and northern Kentucky regions Thursday afternoon, leaving behind heavy damage.”– Burniston, WLWT News 5
Governor Beshear toured Milton on Saturday to assess the damage. “Roofs were blown off most businesses and many homes” (WHAS), and some Kentucky properties experienced total loss.
Given the uncharacteristically warm weather in our area the week prior, several meteorologists are theorizing a potential connection between the warm conditions and the recent tornado outbreak. In Kentucky, tornado season tends to fall in April and May, but this year, it seems to have started early.
During significant weather events leading to widespread losses, insurance companies may resort to underpaying, delaying, or even denying claims. It’s important to keep in mind that insurance companies operate with profit motives and prioritize cost-saving measures.
During tornado and severe weather seasons, it’s crucial to note any changes to your insurance policy. John Schneyer of CoreLogic, as quoted by Insurance Journal, emphasized, ‘It is imperative that insurers understand and quantify their portfolio’s severe convective storm risk in order to avoid high catastrophe losses by year-end in 2024.’ Schneyer is urging insurance companies to adjust policies to minimize potential financial loss if severe storms persist; again, insurance companies prioritize their bottom line.
To safeguard yourself against potential bad faith tactics from insurance companies, keep these steps in mind:
- Keep an eye out for any changes in your insurance policy if your area is prone to severe weather.
- Don’t let unclear underwriting and policy alterations leave you underinsured in disaster. Seek guidance from legal professionals, such as insurance attorneys, to clarify ambiguities in your policy or to represent you if your insurance company fails to compensate you.
- Ensure your policy adequately protects you and take steps to reinforce your property, such as roofs, to prevent insurance companies from attributing damage to ‘wear and tear over time’ or lack of maintenance.
Don’t wait until it’s too late; tornado season is among us. Ensure you have an experienced attorney by your side in case of property loss due to weather. Our firm has plenty of experience successfully representing clients to help them recover after tornado damage. Contact us today by calling (859) 900-BART, filling out our contact form on our website, or by emailing contact@denham.law.