Rhino
07-10-2006, 09:38 AM
First Hurricane Katrina Homeowner's Insurance Lawsuit to Begin Monday
Monday, July 10, 2006
GULFPORT, Miss. — Paul Leonard had taken out homeowner's insurance long before Hurricane Katrina pulverized his house, but it was of little consolation when his insurance company blamed the damage on water, not wind.
Leonard sued. His lawsuit, set to go to trial Monday, was expected to be the first legal test for insurers who claim their policies don't cover floods. They contend that Katrina's storm surge was water pushed by the force of the wind.
Leonard, a police lieutenant, and his wife, Julie, claim Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. denied their claim without thoroughly investigating the damage to their house, which is several hundred yards from the Mississippi Sound.
The Leonards, who purchased their policy more than a decade ago, also claim that their insurance agent had assured them that they didn't need to buy flood insurance for their home because their policy would cover all hurricane damage.
"The goal here is to make my home whole again," said Leonard, whose house sustained an estimated $100,000 in damage. "If it helps someone else, that's great. But I'm fighting for my family's future."........http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202745,00.html
Monday, July 10, 2006
GULFPORT, Miss. — Paul Leonard had taken out homeowner's insurance long before Hurricane Katrina pulverized his house, but it was of little consolation when his insurance company blamed the damage on water, not wind.
Leonard sued. His lawsuit, set to go to trial Monday, was expected to be the first legal test for insurers who claim their policies don't cover floods. They contend that Katrina's storm surge was water pushed by the force of the wind.
Leonard, a police lieutenant, and his wife, Julie, claim Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. denied their claim without thoroughly investigating the damage to their house, which is several hundred yards from the Mississippi Sound.
The Leonards, who purchased their policy more than a decade ago, also claim that their insurance agent had assured them that they didn't need to buy flood insurance for their home because their policy would cover all hurricane damage.
"The goal here is to make my home whole again," said Leonard, whose house sustained an estimated $100,000 in damage. "If it helps someone else, that's great. But I'm fighting for my family's future."........http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,202745,00.html