FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2021
Insurance Commissioner Urges Preparation Ahead of Hurricane Ida
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon urges all Louisiana families to get ready for a hurricane landfall Sunday by preparing their homes for wind and water and taking the steps necessary to stay safe. The hurricane is forecasted to be near Category 4 strength.
“The National Hurricane Center predicts that Hurricane Ida will make landfall somewhere in Louisiana,” said Commissioner Donelon. “Now is the time to fill your car’s gas tank, buy groceries, charge your cell phone, test your generator and have plenty of fuel ready in case of power outages. You should also make sure your insurance paperwork is available and ready to go in case of emergency.”
The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) reminds citizens that homeowners, business and flood insurance policies are the most important ways to safeguard your property from hurricanes. These products must be purchased in advance. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies won’t take effect until 30 days after you apply, and most property insurers stop writing policies when a storm enters the Gulf of Mexico.
If your NFIP flood insurance policy has recently expired, contact your insurance company immediately to renew your policy. According to FEMA, claims for losses that occur in a 30-day grace period will be honored, provided that the full renewal premium is paid within 30 days of the policy expiration date. Lapsed policies (expired policies after the grace period) may cause you to lose any discounted rates you have been receiving and you may be subject to a new 30-day waiting period for coverage to go into effect.
The Louisiana Department of Insurance offers the following additional tips for preparing for an imminent hurricane landfall:
- Limit the risk of damage to your home by preparing for the storm. Trim large trees and shrubs and bring all outside patio furniture, potted plants, bikes and toys indoors. If necessary, secure outdoor sculptures with burlap or blankets tied with rope.
- File a claim for your loss as soon as possible. File a claim for your loss as soon as possible without concern for it increasing your premium or reducing your coverage. Act of God damage (hurricane, hail storm or tornado) for which you file a claim cannot be used to cancel your policy, increase your premium or reduce your coverage. You do have an obligation to minimize your damage to the extent reasonable and you should keep copies of receipts for any supplies and/or assistance needed in order to fulfill that responsibility.
- Store copies of your important documents off site. In case of an emergency evacuation, you’ll want to have copies of your family’s essential documents and copies of your insurance policies readily available or backed up to cloud-based storage or a removeable drive.
- Update your home inventory. You can use your phone to create a video, use an app, or plain old pen and paper, but make sure to take an inventory of your possessions. A home inventory will make the claims process easier in the event of property damage or loss. You should include identifying information such as brand names and serial numbers and take photos of your valuables and other contents in your inventory of your belongings. One such app is the new NAIC Home Inventory app.
Policyholders who have questions about their coverage or filing a claim can contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance. For additional consumer tips on preparing for hurricane season, please view our comprehensive guides or visit www.ldi.la.gov/hurricanes or just call at 800-259-5300.
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.