Harvey homeowner sues property insurer for allegedly undervaluing hailstorm damage

GRETNA – A property insurer is being sued by a Harvey homeowner who claims it undervalued the cost to repair damages to her home that occurred in a hailstorm.

Elnora Warren filed suit against Maison Home Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court.

Warren claims she owns a home located at 2008 Estate Ave. in Harvey that was covered by an insurance policy provided by Maison Home Insurance Company. The plaintiff alleges the defendants were contracted to provide a property insurance contract on her home on Feb. 24, 2013 when a hailstorm stuck the area and damaged several structures, including her home. Warren contends her home’s roof was damaged in the storm and as a result water intrusion further caused damages to the home’s interior and exterior structure and contents.

The plaintiff asserts that when she contacted Maison Home Insurance Company to make a claim on the damage the adjuster did not spend enough time assessing the home’s damages to provide a proper estimate. Subsequently, Warren alleges the defendant underpriced the repairs for her home and provided an insurance claim far below than her damages. The plaintiff contends she has thus been unable to fully repair her home which is still being damaged as as result.

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

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for diminution in property value, repair expenses, remediation expenses, amount due not previously paid, cost to hire engineering and investigative firms, damages to the structure, loss of use, attorney’s fees, prejudgement interest and litigation costs.

Warren is represented by Tiffany R. Christian of Binegar Christian of New Orleans.

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

Case no. 747-027.