FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2019

Insurance Commissioner Donelon Congratulates the U.S. House on NFIP Extension and Encourages Long-term Solution

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon congratulates the U.S. House on the recent agreement to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30 and encourages leaders to continue to work toward long-term reauthorization. The proposal, which now heads to the President’s desk, will continue to provide the flood protections that are so vital to Louisiana residents.

“The short-term reauthorization of the NFIP is applauded, but I urge our national leaders to stay fortified in continuing to work on a permanent funding solution to the federal flood insurance program that is solvent and affordable,” said Commissioner Donelon. “Flood protection is so vital to the livelihood of Louisiana home and business owners because we are a working coast whose industry and resources are an integral part of the U.S. economy.”

The reauthorization comes at a critical time for Louisiana with hurricane season already underway and the recent spring-rainstorm flooding that has devastated communities across the state.

“Although our state has learned time and again the necessity and value of flood insurance, only 1 in 4 homeowners have a flood policy. I encourage all Louisiana property owners and renters to purchase flood insurance as soon as possible as we can expect the heavy rains to continue with our rivers already swollen to flood stages,” Donelon said. “I maintain that a flood policy is the most important insurance purchase any property owner can make in our state.”

Anyone looking to purchase a flood insurance policy should contact their homeowners insurance agent or find an independent agent to help secure a policy to best fit their needs. You can search for an agent on the Department of Insurance website here.

About the Louisiana Department of Insurance: The Louisiana Department of Insurance works to improve competition in the state’s insurance market while assisting individuals and businesses with the information and resources they need to be informed consumers of insurance. As a regulator, the LDI enforces the laws that provide a fair and stable marketplace and makes certain that insurers comply with the laws in place to protect policyholders. You can contact the LDI by calling 1-800-259-5300 or visiting www.ldi.la.gov.