Marrero man sues property insurer for allegedly not fully covering hail damage to home

GRETNA – A homeowner is suing his property insurer claiming it failed to properly reimburse him for damages his home allegedly suffered during a hailstorm.

Michael Aaron filed suit against Geovera Specialty Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court on Feb. 23.

Aaron contends that he purchased a homeowner’s property insurance policy from Geovera Specialty Insurance Company to cover his home located at 2037 Mather Drive in Marrero. The plaintiff claims that on Feb. 24, 2013 his home was struck by a hailstorm and suffered serious damages to its roof and subsequent water damage to the interior and exterior as well as damage to its contents.

Aaron alleges Geovera Specialty Insurance Company sent an adjuster to his home to investigate the damages, but he did not spend enough time to properly evaluate the extent of property damage and in turn provided an insurance claim far below what the actual damages were worth.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract, bad faith claims handling, negligent claims handling, breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing, non-prompt payment, negligent misrepresentation and violation of state law.

Damages in excess of $50,000 is sought for diminution in value of the property, repair and remediation expenses, amount due oner the insurance policy, costs to hire investigation and engineering firms, consequential damages, loss of use, property damage and attorney’s fees.

Aaron is represented by David A. Binegar of New Orleans-based Binegar Christian.

The case has been assigned to Division F Judge Michael P. Mentz.

Case no. 747-048.