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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Hurricane Ike trial: National Lloyds does not pay for damages twice

Although her roof was ravaged by three different hurricanes, National Lloyds Insurance does not pay for repair damages more than once, according to testimony in a local trial.

For the last two weeks, a dozen area residents have heard testimony on whether National Lloyds Insurance and Compass Adjusting Services failed to fully compensate Latosha Lewis following Hurricane Ike. 

Lewis filed suit against the two companies on Sept. 9, 2010, in Jefferson County District Court. The case went to trial on April 29.

According to testimony, Lewis’ roof was damaged during Hurricane Rita. Her insurer compensated her and recommended she replace the roof. However, she used the money to repair the roof instead.

On Wednesday, May 8 jurors heard testimony from one of the defendants’ adjusters, who testified Lewis would have had to replace her roof after Hurricane Rita to compensate for roof damages following Hurricane Ike, since the insurer does not pay for damages twice.

According to the lawsuit, on Sept. 13, 2008, Ike struck, causing serious damage to Lewis’ property. Following the hurricane, she filed a claim with Lloyds, needing compensation to repair her Beaumont home.

“The claim was not properly investigated or paid,” the suit states. “Lloyds hired Compass to adjust the claim. The adjuster assigned to the claim failed to conduct a thorough and complete inspection of the property.”

The suit accuses Lloyds of breaching its contract by failing to perform its contractual obligations.

Lewis further alleges the insurance company is guilty of deceptive trade practices and insurance code violations.

She will ask jurors to award her economic damages.

Beaumont attorney Clint Brasher represents her.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 6oth District Court, is presiding over the trial.

Case No. B194-017

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