Katrina

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GULFPORT, Miss. - A federal judge ruled Tuesday that an insurance company?s policies do not cover damage from flood waters or storm surge in a decision that could affect hundreds of upcoming cases related to property damage from Hurricane Katrina.

U.S. District Judge L.T. Senter Jr. ruled that a Mississippi Gulf Coast couple cannot collect damages from storm surge caused by Katrina because Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co.?s policies do not cover wind-driven water damage.

Senter Jr. said Paul and Julie Leonard of Pascagoula could be compensated for damage that they could prove was caused by high winds, however.

The Leonards had estimated the total damage to their home at $130,253. They said $47,365 in damage was caused by wind. Nationwide paid only $1,661, blaming the remainder on the storm surge.

Senter presided over an eight-day trial without a jury last month. He is hearing virtually all the Katrina insurance cases in Mississippi, so his ruling will be scrutinized by thousands of Gulf Coast homeowners as well as the nation?s top insurers.


I say good for judge Senter, If the policy had water damage then the insurence company should pay, if the policy had no water damage coverage then why should the insurence company have to pay? .

[Robert Ryan]

Yup, insurance companies try to find every way possible to get out of paying claims, just continue to pay your premiums please.

[Jerry D]

Yep, Just watch the Movie the Incredibles and the Insurance Company depicted in it for the profit motive of the Insurance Industry! I like this movie because its one of the few Politically Uncorrect Movies of this Decade that is aimed at Kids to open their eyes if they watch it a few times sort of like the old Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoons.

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RR
Home owners insurence policy don't cover flood and water damage unless you buy Flood and water damage coverage.
They were trying to get the insurence company to pay for something that was not in the policy.
Good for the judge.
You know, If you live 12 feet below sea leavel and don't but flood and water damage, its your fault. Now go loot somewhere.

[Robert Ryan]

If they lived in a flood plane the mortage company should have made sure the buyer of the home had flood insurance. I know I sold insuracne for 10 years. Homeowner Ins, Auto Ins, Renters Ins, Earthquake Ins, and Flood Ins. So the judge is right.