What does hurricane insurance cover in Louisiana?

If you have both homeowners and flood insurance in Louisiana, your home, property and personal belongings will be protected from most hurricane damage caused by wind, heavy rains and flooding. 

“Homeowners should be looking for coverage to protect them from wind-related damage, whether that’s a hurricane or any other named storm,” Ferguson says. “That’s a solid homeowners insurance policy.” 

Heavy winds can rip off siding and shingles, damage roofs, and take down detached buildings like sheds and garages on your property, all of which are covered by a homeowners policy. 

In some areas of the state, you may need to add windstorm coverage as an endorsement, and you may also have a hurricane deductible on your policy. 

“Be aware of named storm deductibles,” Ferguson says. “This could be a percentage of your home value or a flat dollar amount. This is different from the regular deductible on your home policy.”

Louisiana home insurance covers some types of water damage caused by hurricanes. 

“Rain coming in the windows is covered by the home insurance,” Ferguson says. But other types of water damage, including flooding, are not. For that, you need to buy flood insurance.

“Regular home insurance doesn’t cover floods,” Ferguson says, “So, you must purchase a separate flood policy, which covers flooding from the ground up.” 

Flooding is technically defined as overflowing rivers, creeks, mudslides and storm surges that cover two or more acres.
Flood insurance is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and through private insurance companies.

Does Louisiana homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?

A standard Louisiana homeowners policy covers most hurricane damage. 

Here are a few examples of all the things that would be covered by home insurance:

  • Wind rips off siding and rain gets in and ruins your drywall
  • A tree falls and crushes your roof
  • Flying debris breaks windows
  • Heavy winds bring down your fence and gazebo

Remember, you must also have a flood insurance policy to cover any damage caused by flooding. You should be covered if you have both a homeowners insurance policy and a flood policy in place well before hurricane season.

“Some areas are flooding that have never flooded before,” Ferguson says. 

He highly recommends having a solid flood policy in place as well as homeowners insurance.

How much is hurricane insurance in Louisiana?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Louisiana is $1,439 per year. The average cost of an NFIP flood insurance policy in Louisiana is $777 annually. That means you will pay about $2,216 in insurance to cover your home and personal belongings from all possible damage caused by hurricanes, including floods. 

The amount of coverage you choose will affect what you pay, as will the deductible. Rates may also vary depending on whether you are in a high-risk flood zone. If you are in an area prone to flooding, you’ll pay much more.

Ferguson cautions against not buying flood insurance just because of the expense. 

“Flood insurance is very cost-effective because the pay-off is stunning. Just a few inches of water can cause thousands in damage and can be extensive,” he says. 

He also warns that even if you aren’t technically in a flood zone, you may experience flooding, which can be significant.

“You can’t always rely on the FEMA flood map,” Ferguson says. “It might not be updated. Some areas are flooding that have never flooded before.”

When is hurricane season in Louisiana?

According to the National Weather Service, hurricane season starts June 1st and extends through November. You should have your insurance updated and ready to go by May. This is particularly important regarding flood insurance since there is a 30-day waiting period for flood coverage to kick in. It’s imperative to plan carefully, or your claim could be denied.

Ferguson notes that not only hurricanes cause devastation; any severe storm can bring heavy winds and excessive rains that can damage your home. It’s best to have insurance coverage in place for such weather events.

How to get hurricane insurance in Louisiana

There are a few different ways to buy hurricane insurance in Louisiana. Consider each of these options:

  • Work with a local agent who knows the area and can help you buy both flood and homeowners insurance.
  • Shop around and compare quotes online.
  • Talk to your current home insurance company about any endorsements you may need.
  • You can buy flood insurance directly through the NFIP or request quotes from private insurers.

With the increase in frequency and severity of storms across the country, insurance costs are sharply rising, especially in hurricane-prone states like Louisiana, which is facing a homeowners insurance crisis. That’s why shopping around and comparing quotes is your best bet.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How often does Louisiana get hurricanes?

According to NOAA, Louisiana experiences a major hurricane every three years. The frequency and severity of these storms are steadily increasing. There have been 57 hurricanes recorded in Louisiana since the mid-1800s.

Do you have to have hurricane insurance in Louisiana?

Neither homeowners nor flood insurance are required by law in Louisiana, but your mortgage company likely requires both. 

“Mortgage lenders want you to have coverage, especially flood, because your house is collateral for your loan,” Ferguson says. 

Homeowners and flood insurance are the only ways to protect your biggest asset from storm-related damage.

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