FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 27, 2021

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon Launches Radio Campaign About Insurance Coverage for Evacuation Costs

Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon has begun airing a radio message in the areas affected by Hurricane Ida advising policyholders of their right to recover food, lodging and other expenses resulting from their evacuation. 

On Sept. 7, Commissioner Donelon issued Directive 218, which requires insurers to pay claims for loss of use to policyholders who evacuated or were prohibited from using their premises because of the storm.  In the radio commercial Commissioner Donelon states, “I have instructed insurers to pay evacuation expenses including food and lodging. There were enough advance warnings from elected officials to justify your decision to evacuate. Getting out of danger’s way was the right decision, and now our insurance companies must live up to their agreement to cover your evacuation expenses.”

Commissioner Donelon’s mandate for insurers to provide coverage applies to policies in the 25 parishes listed in Emergency Rule 47, a measure issued previously by Commissioner Donelon to protect policyholders from cancellations and non-renewals after Hurricane Ida. President Joe Biden also urged insurance companies to pay people’s evacuation expenses during his visit to St. John the Baptist Parish. The commissioner urged policyholders to retain all receipts for any expenses they incurred due to the hurricane.

Said the commissioner, “Most homeowners have policies that include coverage for loss of use. That clause generally covers extra expenses for up to two weeks when an evacuation order prohibits policyholders from living in their homes. The coverage pays the expenses beyond a policyholder’s normal expenses for housing and food, such as the cost of a hotel room and reasonable restaurant meals when someone is unable to cook.”

It is recommended that uninsured evacuees apply for Individual Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual

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.