Property insurer accused of purposefully underpricing hailstorm insurance claim, faces lawsuit from homeowner

GRETNA – A Marrero homeowner is using her insurer that she claims failed to properly provide her with a claim she was owed due to severe damages her property allegedly sustained in a hailstorm.

Shelita Scott filed suit against Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation in the 24th Judicial District Court.

Scott claims she contracted with Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation to provide property insurance coverage for her home located at 1565 Silver Lily Lane in Marrero. The plaintiff alleges the contract with the defendant was in place when a hailstorm struck the area on Feb. 24, 2013 and severely damaged her home. Scott contends her home suffered water damage due to a leaking roof that allowed water intrusion to damage her home’s structure and contents.

However, the plaintiff contends when she submitted a claim to Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation to cover the costs of repairs they sent out an insurance adjuster who failed to spend enough time on the property to fully assess its damages and subsequently offered an underpriced damage award.

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

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for decrease in property value, repair expenses, amount due under policy, cost to hire professional firms, consequential damages, structural damages, loss of use, litigation costs and attorney’s fees.

Scott 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. 747-031.