Hurricane Helene Insurance Denial and Business Interruption Attorney in North Carolina

Helping Victims Recover and Secure the Compensation They Deserve

Hurricane Helene left a devastating path of destruction in its wake across Western North Carolina, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and property. As the recovery process unfolds, many business owners and homeowners may find themselves in a frustrating battle with their insurance companies — facing denied, significantly minimized, or delayed claims when they need help the most.

At Riddle & Riddle, we understand how devastating it can be to suffer property damage or business interruptions after a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene, only to face pushback from insurance companies. Led by Dean Riddle, a licensed attorney in North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas, our experienced insurance denial lawyers and business interruption attorneys are committed to helping you understand your rights and remedies concerning your damaged or destroyed property or business. If your claim has been denied, undervalued, or delayed, you don’t have to fight alone — our team is here to offer resources to help guide you through what could be a lengthy and difficult process.

We are proud to serve clients across Western North Carolina, including some of the communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene:

Contact us today for a free case review or evaluation. There are no upfront costs, and we don't get paid unless you do. Call 1-800-525-7111 today and let's see how we can help.

IMPORTANT: Need help, or want to assist in the recovery? Visit our Hurricane Helene Support & Resources page for more information — for both victims and volunteers.

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Table of Contents

• Why Choose Riddle & Riddle?
• Property Insurance Claim Denials After Hurricane Helene
• Business Interruption Claim Denials After Hurricane Helen
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• How We Can Help
• Get a Free Case Review

Why Choose Riddle & Riddle?

Dean Riddle, the award-winning attorney and brother of Riddle & Riddle’s founding partner, Gene Riddle, leads our Hurricane Helene insurance claims team. With decades of experience and a proven track record of success, Dean has secured millions of dollars in settlements for clients facing property insurance disputes (see disclaimer below).

Our team handles a range of claims related to hurricane damage, including:

• Insurance claim denials: If your claim has been denied unjustly, we may be able to help you reverse the denial.
• Undervalued claims: We also want you to receive the full value for your losses and not just accept a lowball offer that doesn't compensate you for your full damages.
• Business interruption claims: We may be able to help business owners recover lost income and other covered expenses due to closures or operational disruptions caused by the hurricane.

Call Riddle & Riddle today at 1-800-525-7111 for a free consultation and learn how we can help you navigate the complex insurance claim process.

Property Insurance Claim Denials After Hurricane Helene

Insurance companies often deny or underpay claims for various reasons, especially after large-scale disasters like Hurricane Helene. Unfortunately, these denials can prevent victims from receiving the financial support they need to recover. Some common reasons for insurance claim denials include:

• Wind vs. flood damage disputes: Insurers may claim that your damage was caused by flooding (which is typically not covered under standard policies) rather than wind, even if the wind caused much of the damage. This distinction can dramatically affect your coverage, especially if you do not have flood insurance. Even if you are one of the very few fortunate property or business owners that have flood coverage, you know that this coverage is capped for both structure and contents damage.
• Insufficient documentation: Claims may be denied if you have not provided sufficient evidence of your losses. You must be able to present the necessary documentation to support your claims for damages. Photos of your property and contents can sometimes support this necessary requirement.
• Late filing: Many insurance policies have strict deadlines for filing claims after a disaster. Missing these deadlines can result in a denied claim, so review your policy language now without delay.
• Pre-existing damage: If the insurance company determines that the damage was due to pre-existing conditions, they may deny or undervalue the claim, arguing that the storm did not cause the damage.

If you believe your Hurricane Helene insurance claim has been wrongfully denied, we encourage you to contact our office for a free case review. We can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options. Call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the fast and easy form below.

NOTE: If you did not have flood insurance during Hurricane Helene, in certain cases, FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program can buy out severely flood-damaged homes. For more information, please visit the program website. Please note that we are providing this information as a potential resource only; homeowners should review all their options and select the one that best fits their unique circumstances.

Business Interruption Claim Denials After Hurricane Helene

Many businesses in Western North Carolina have been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. Whether it’s damage to your building or disruption in operations due to power outages or mandatory evacuations, the financial losses can be devastating. Business interruption insurance is designed to cover these losses, but insurers often deny or delay claims.

At Riddle & Riddle, with the addition of Dean Riddle and his team, we have extensive experience handling business interruption claim denials in the aftermath of hurricanes impacting North Carolina like Helene. Our team can help you recover compensation for:

• Lost income: If your business was forced to close temporarily or could not operate at full capacity due to the storm, business interruption insurance may compensate for lost revenue during this period.
• Ongoing expenses: Even when your business is closed, you may still have expenses such as rent, employee wages, and utility bills. Business interruption insurance may cover these expenses, as well.

REMEMBER: As a business owner, you may also have property damage to your structure which is covered under your general liability insurance coverage. Review your policy to understand all of your coverages.

The process for filing a business interruption claim can be complicated, and insurers may challenge the extent of your losses or deny the claim altogether. Our experienced North Carolina business interruption attorneys may be able to help document your financial losses and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive the compensation you’re owed under the terms of your policy. Call 1-800-525-7111 today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why should I hire an attorney for my hurricane Helene insurance claim?

Hiring an attorney can significantly improve your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve, especially if your claim has been denied or undervalued. Insurance companies often look for ways to minimize payouts, and without legal representation, you may be at a disadvantage. An experienced attorney like Dean Riddle can help you understand your policy, gather the necessary documentation, and negotiate with the insurer to maximize your settlement. If we are able to accept your case, our attorneys will thoroughly review your policy language so no compensable damages are missed.

Remember, we work on a contingency basis, which means you won't pay any upfront costs, and you only pay attorney fees if we win your case — and you receive financial compensation.

2. What is the difference between wind damage and flood damage, and how does it affect my claim?

• Wind damage refers to damage caused by hurricane winds, such as broken windows, roof damage, or debris impacts. This is typically covered by standard homeowner’s insurance.
• Flood damage (rising water damage), on the other hand, is usually not covered by standard policies unless you have separate flood insurance. If your property was damaged by a storm surge or rising water, you may need to file a separate flood insurance claim.

Insurers may try to classify damage as flood-related to avoid paying out under your standard policy. An attorney may be able to help you fight unfair classifications and recover the compensation you deserve.

3. What should I do if my insurance claim is denied?

If your claim is denied, the first step is to request a written explanation from your insurance company. Once you understand the reason for the denial, you can contact an insurance denial attorney to help you file an appeal. At Riddle & Riddle, if we determine that we can help you, we will thoroughly review your insurance policy, investigate the damage, and work to overturn the denial through negotiations or legal action if necessary.

4. How can I prove my business interruption claim after Hurricane Helene?

To successfully prove a business interruption claim, you will need to provide documentation of your financial losses, such as:

• Financial statements showing lost revenue, including tax returns and business profit and loss statements prepared by your accountant
• Proof of ongoing business expenses, such as rent or wages
• Invoices for repairs or replacement of damaged equipment (sometimes more than one estimate is helpful if your estimates are higher than the one offered by your insurance company)

Our team can help you gather this documentation and ensure that it is presented in a way that maximizes your claim. Call us today for a FREE case review and let us see if we can help you secure the compensation your business is entitled to. The consultation is free, there are no upfront costs, and we don't get paid any attorney fees unless you receive compensation.

5. How do I know if my policy covers hurricane-related damage?

Most standard homeowner’s policies cover wind damage caused by hurricanes, but they do not cover flood damage unless you have purchased separate flood insurance. Estimates show that in Asheville and surrounding Western North Carolina, as few as 1-2% of homes had active flood insurance when Hurricane Helene hit.

Business interruption insurance typically covers lost income and expenses caused by physical damage from hurricanes, but you’ll need to review your policy to confirm the specifics.

At Riddle & Riddle, we may be able to help you understand your coverage and ensure your claim is filed correctly. If your claim has been denied, we may be able to fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

How We Can Help

At Riddle & Riddle, we take pride in helping individuals and businesses across Western North Carolina recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene. Our team is committed to ensuring that insurance companies honor their policies and provide fair compensation for your losses.

Our commitment to the people of western North Carolina is personal; attorneys Gene Riddle and Dean Riddle grew up spending part of their summers at Lake Junaluska in Haywood County. They spent a few weeks every summer roaming the Waynesville-Maggie Valley area, enjoying the wonderful summer weather, crisp Smoky Mountain mornings, hiking, and swimming in the cold streams hiding in the hills.

Dean Riddle and his experienced team have a history of working tirelessly to hold insurers accountable and make sure clients receive the financial compensation to rebuild. We have a track record of success in securing million and multi-million dollar settlements for our clients, and we are ready to fight for you (see disclaimer below).

In one recent case, attorney Riddle recovered over $1,000,000 for victims of a condominium fire after the claim was initially denied (see disclaimer below).

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review, and let us help you recover what you are owed.

Get a Free Case Review

If you are struggling with an insurance denial, undervalued claim, or business interruption loss after Hurricane Helene, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. Call Riddle & Riddle today at 1-800-525-7111 or fill out our online form for a free, no-obligation case review. We will review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand the best path forward.

Let us handle the legal process so you can focus on what's most important — your family, your health, and your recovery.