Homeowner claims property insurer did not provide proper payment for hailstorm damages

GRETNA – A home insurer is being sued by a local homeowner who claims the company did not provide her with sufficient payment following damage to her home from a hailstorm.

Anna Edward Collins filed suit against State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court.

Collins contends she owns a home located at 2235 S. Village Green Street in Harvey that was covered by a property insurance contract provided by State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Company when a hailstorm struck the area on Feb. 24, 2013. The plaintiff asserts her home was damaged in the storm including damages to her roof that allowed for water to seep into the property and damage the structure as well as its contents.

Collins claims that State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Company failed to properly adjust the damages to their property by not allotting enough time for the adjustor to properly assess the damages during his inspection. In addition, the plaintiff alleges they did not receive the property insurance coverage as promised and received a claim far below the price necessary to repair the property.

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

Damages in excess of $50,000 are sought for diminution in value of the property, repair and remediation expenses, amount due that remains unpaid, structural damages, loss of use, attorney’s fees and litigation costs.

Collins is represented by Tiffany R. Christian of New Orleans-based Binegar Christian.

The case has been assigned to Division P Judge Lee V. Faulkner Jr.

Case no. 747-026.