Hurricane Insurance in Louisiana

What is hurricane insurance in Louisiana?

Hurricane insurance is not a separate insurance policy that covers hurricane damage; rather, your homeowners insurance likely covers the damage hurricane winds cause. 

Your homeowners policy most likely also includes a hurricane deductible. This deductible is separate from your primary home insurance deductible. Only 19 states allow hurricane deductibles, and Louisiana is one of them.

Hurricane deductibles in Louisiana apply when you have wind damage due to a hurricane or tropical storm (see more about hurricane deductible triggers below). But keep in mind that standard home insurance doesn't cover flooding caused by a hurricane. You’ll need a flood insurance endorsement or a separate flood policy in Louisiana to be better protected against storm surge during a hurricane or tropical storm.

Common hurricane coverage in Louisiana

When home insurance includes hurricane coverage, it typically protects:

• Your dwelling.

• Other structures on your property (e.g., your garage, fence, greenhouse, shed).

• Your personal belongings (e.g., clothing, furniture, electronic devices).

• Temporary relocation costs if covered wind damage makes your home uninhabitable.

You may also be able to get a hurricane screened enclosure endorsement that can be added to pay for wind damage to: 

• Screened enclosures.

• Aluminum‐framed carports.

• Awnings. 

This protection is usually available in increments of $5,000, up to a $50,000 maximum.

What's not covered by hurricane insurance in Louisiana?

Storm surge damage that accompanies hurricanes. Home insurance seldom includes flood damage, but it may sometimes help to repair water damage that occurs because of wind damage. For instance, your policy may kick in if rain damages your possessions because the wind blew off a portion of your roof. 

How much does hurricane insurance cost in Louisiana?

Hurricane coverage is not separate from your home insurance, so your insurance premium includes this protection. But the risk of hurricanes is one of the reasons for increasing home insurance rates in Louisiana.

Home insurance in Louisiana is some of the most expensive in the country. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute ranks Louisiana as third in the nation for home insurance costs, at an average of about $2,038 per year. 

Your home and hurricane coverage premium is also dependent on a host of other factors, including:

• Your home’s construction.

• The windstorm mitigation measures you take.

• The age of your home.

One way our carrier partners help homeowners save money is by taking a close look at each property’s unique risks. That way, they’re able to accurately price our policies. But the best way to see how much your coverage costs is to get a quote.

What windstorm deductibles are available in Louisiana? 

Louisiana home insurance can have as many as three wind-related deductibles in Louisiana: the hurricane deductible, the named storm deductible, and the windstorm and hail deductible. Each of these is subject to a “coverage trigger,” which means that the deductibles only apply under the following conditions:

• Named storm deductibles are activated when the National Hurricane Center reports a storm’s winds have reached 39 mph.

• Hurricane deductibles in Louisiana are activated when the National Hurricane Center reports that a tropical storm’s winds have reached hurricane strength, or 74 mph.

• Windstorm and hail deductibles apply when homes sustain damage from winds from any source, including hurricanes and tropical storms, tornadoes, or other storms.

Hurricane deductibles

In Louisiana, our carrier partners offer home insurance with both standard and hurricane deductibles. Hurricane deductible are:

• A flat rate. Options include deductibles of $500; $1,000; $2,500; $5,000; $7,500; $10,000.

• A percentage of your Coverage A limits. Available percentage deductibles are 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%.

Hurricane FAQs for Louisianans

In what months do hurricanes occur in Louisiana?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Hurricanes and tropical storms in Louisiana can happen at any time during this period, but they’re most common in August, September, and October.Take a look at the dates some of the most intense storms  in recent years made landfall in Louisiana:

• Hurricane Laura, August 27, 2020

• Hurricane Delta, October 9, 2020

• Hurricane Zeta, October 28, 2020

• Hurricane Ida, August 29, 2021

Hurricane Katrina, the costliest hurricane to ever hit the US, hit Louisiana and its neighbors on August 23, 2005.

Having the right homeowners insurance in place before hurricane season is key to protecting your home and your loved one. If you wait until a storm has been named or reaches a similar coverage trigger, you’ll likely be subject to an insurance moratorium. That’s when an insurance company stops issuing new policies or changing coverage for existing policies in response to an approaching storm.

What if a hurricane damages my Louisiana home?

Louisiana residents know that hurricanes can cause a lot of damage. What should you do if a hurricane or tropical storm damages your house?

• After the water recedes, clean and repair damage as much as possible to reduce mold.

• Be sure to wear protective equipment when cleaning mold and other contaminants.

• Throw out any spoiled or contaminated food.

• Turn on your utilities after it is safe to do so.

• Take photos of any damage before doing any cleanup or repairs.

• Perform necessary temporary repairs to prevent further damage (e.g., pump and dry water out of your basement or any flooded area).

• Call a professional cleaning service to help clean water and mold damage.

You’ll need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. You’ll work with a claim representative on getting repairs made and coordinating any other coverage you have.

Want to learn more about the available coverage? Contact us or enter your address for a quote.