Posted On: June 18, 2007, 2:55 pm CDT

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Insurance companies are required to handle your claim with good faith and fair dealing. Most states, including Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, have laws governing how insurers deal with claimants. Louisiana requires insurers to make a written offer to settle a property damage claim within 30 days after receipt of a "satisfactory proof of loss" for the claim. If the insurance company fails to do this and it has no reason for failing to do so, the company may owe penalties of up to 25% on the amount due.