Hurricane insurance in Louisiana

What does hurricane insurance cover in Louisiana?

Hurricane insurance in Louisiana is made up of two separate policies: a homeowners policy covering wind damage and a flood insurance policy covering flood damage. Together, they protect your home, property and personal belongings from the full range of hurricane damage caused by wind, heavy rain and flooding. A homeowners policy covers wind-related damage such as ripped siding, roof damage, broken windows and downed structures. A separate flood policy, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers, covers overland flooding caused by storm surges or heavy rain.

“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 high-risk coastal parishes, Louisiana homeowners policies require a separate windstorm coverage endorsement. Most Louisiana policies also include a hurricane deductible, which is calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value or as a flat dollar amount, and applies separately from your standard deductible.

A hurricane deductible in Louisiana is a separate, often larger deductible that applies specifically when a named storm causes damage. It is calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value or as a flat dollar amount, and it is triggered independently of your standard homeowners deductible.

“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, including rain-related water damage, such as rain entering through broken windows, but does not cover flooding. Flood damage requires a separate flood insurance policy, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. Flooding is defined as overflowing rivers, creeks, and storm surges that cover two or more acres or affect two or more properties.

“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.

Does Louisiana homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?

A standard Louisiana homeowners policy covers most hurricane damage, including the following:

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 flood damage. You should be covered if you have both a homeowners insurance policy and a flood policy in place well before hurricane season. Flood risk in Louisiana is expanding beyond historically mapped flood zones. The FEMA flood map may not reflect current flood exposure, and homeowners outside designated flood zones have experienced significant flood damage. Purchase a flood insurance policy regardless of whether your property falls within a designated flood zone.

“Some areas are flooding that have never flooded before,” Ferguson said. He highly recommends having a solid flood policy in place as well as homeowners insurance.

People ask

Are there any incentives for Louisiana homeowners to strengthen their homes against hurricanes?

Yes, homeowners in Louisiana can qualify for tax breaks and insurance discounts through the Louisiana Department of Insurance's wind mitigation program.

How much is hurricane insurance in Louisiana?

The total cost of Louisiana hurricane insurance, including homeowners and flood insurance, averages $7,156 a year.

Policy	Average annual cost
Louisiana homeowners insurance	$5,986 a year
NFIP flood insurance (Louisiana)	$1,170 a year
Total cost of hurricane coverage	$7,156 a year

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Louisiana is $5,986 per year, according to Insurance.com data, for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage, a $1,000 standard deductible and a 2% hurricane deductible. The average cost of an NFIP flood insurance policy in Louisiana is $1,170 annually, according to FEMA.

Your hurricane insurance cost in Louisiana depends on three main factors: the coverage amount you choose, your deductible level, and whether your property is in a high-risk flood zone. Homes in designated flood zones pay significantly higher NFIP premiums than homes outside those zones.

Flood insurance is cost-effective relative to potential losses. A few inches of floodwater can cause thousands of dollars in damage to floors, walls, appliances and personal belongings, making the $1,170 average annual NFIP premium a low cost relative to exposure.

“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 said.

When is hurricane season in Louisiana?

Hurricane season in Louisiana runs from June 1st through November 30, according to the National Weather Service. If you purchase NFIP flood insurance after June 1, your policy will not cover hurricane damage until 30 days after the purchase date. Buy or renew flood insurance by May 1 to ensure coverage is active for the full hurricane season.

How to get hurricane insurance in Louisiana

To get hurricane insurance in Louisiana, buy a homeowners policy and a separate flood insurance policy before May 1, and ensure that both policies renew on time. You can obtain both through the following channels

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.

Louisiana is facing a homeowners insurance availability crisis, with multiple insurers exiting the state in recent years, leaving many homeowners with fewer coverage options and higher premiums. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the most effective way to find coverage at the lowest available rate.

How to prepare for hurricane season in Louisiana

To prepare for hurricane season in Louisiana, complete the following steps before June 1 each year:

Check your insurance to make sure you have the right coverage and know what to do if a hurricane damages your home.
Create or review a disaster plan with all of your family members, including where to take shelter and a safe meeting place.
Prepare an emergency kit containing a first aid kit, clean water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, necessary medications and important documents.
Be prepared to secure your home with plywood to cover windows and sandbags to block floodwaters.
Be prepared to place anything that might become a projectile, like patio furniture, in a garage, shed or other safe location.

How to file a hurricane insurance claim in Louisiana

Filing a hurricane insurance claim in Louisiana requires contacting each insurer separately for homeowners and flood damage, documenting all damage with photographs and completing a proof of loss form.

Contact your insurance company. Note that if you need to file a flood insurance claim in addition to a homeowners insurance claim, you may need to file two separate claims with two insurance companies.
Provide details and photographs of the damage. Take as many detailed photos of the damage as you safely can to provide to your insurer.
Complete any required forms. Your insurance company may ask you to fill out forms, including a proof of loss form.
Work with your adjuster. An insurance adjuster will be assigned to you and will inspect the damage, review your coverage and make a decision about your claim.

Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance: Coverage, eligibility and limitations

Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation provides homeowners insurance to Louisiana residents who cannot obtain coverage through the private market. Eligibility requires proof that coverage was declined by or is unavailable from private insurers in your area.

Key limitations of Louisiana Citizens coverage include:

Coverage limits may be lower than comparable private policies
Premiums are often higher than the private market average
Citizens is designed as a temporary solution; policyholders are encouraged to return to the private market when it becomes available

To obtain a Citizens policy, contact a licensed Louisiana insurance agent, who must certify that private coverage was unavailable before placing you with Citizens.

Sources

The Weather Channel. “Louisiana hurricane history.” Accessed July 2026.
FEMA. “Louisiana.” Accessed July 2026.
NOAA. “Historical hurricane tracks.” Accessed July 2026.

FAQ: Hurricane insurance in Louisiana

How often does Louisiana get hurricanes?

Louisiana experiences a major hurricane approximately every three years, according to NOAA. The frequency and severity of these storms have increased steadily over time. Since the mid-1800s, 57 hurricanes have been recorded in Louisiana.

Do you have to have hurricane insurance in Louisiana?

Neither homeowners nor flood insurance is required by Louisiana law, but most mortgage lenders require both as a condition of the loan, since the home serves as collateral.

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