Disaster Risk Management

• Post-Disaster Insurance Guide.  Provides important insurance information to Louisiana citizens who have had to evacuate their homes due to a disaster.
• Weathering the Storm.  Provides advice on how to handle your insurance needs before, during and after a storm.
• Cleaning up after the storm. What to do and not do after your home has suffered storm damage.
• Storm Damage Resource Center. Actions consumers should take immediately following a storm that inflicts property damage.
• Storm Mitigation Incentives.  Homeowners in Louisiana may be eligible for a state tax deduction or insurance premium discount for voluntarily strengthening their homes against storms and hurricanes.
• Storm Mitigation FAQs.  Common questions and answers about the storm mitigation program and how to qualify for it and receive incentives.
• Residential Property Storm Mitigation Incentives brochure.  Brochure for consumers on the tax and premium breaks they are eligible for should they take steps to fortify their home against storms.

  Flood

• Flood Insurance.  Information about purchasing a flood policy from the NFIP.  Includes a video featuring Commissioner Donelon discussing the importance of having a flood policy.
• What to do After a Flood.  A step-by-step reference page for use after a flood.
• Next Steps After Flooding.  A one-page information sheet for homeowners, renters, and automobile owners on actions to take right after a flood has damaged property.
• Frequently Asked Questions about Flood Insurance.  Commonly asked questions (and answers) about flood insurance.
• Important Information about Flooding.  Information for consumers on what is typically covered in a flood policy and how to start a claim.

Hurricane

•  Hurricane Tracking Map and Preparedness Guide.  Brochure on preparing for a hurricane, what to do after a hurricane hits, and an items to include on an emergency supply list. Also includes a map detailing storm categories/wind speeds.
• Hurricane Resource Center.  Tips on preparing for hurricane season, along with information on deductibles and flood insurance.
• Hurricane Health Insurance Preparedness.  Tips on reviewing health insurance policies if injuries occur during a storm and readying prescriptions for potential evacuation.
• Six Things You Should Do Now to Prepare for Hurricane Season.  Preparedness tips for consumers ahead of hurricane season.

 Regulation (in 2007)

• HB 558.  Insurers must provide a discount, credit, rate differential, adjustment in deductible, or other adjustment to reduce the insurance premium to insureds who comply with building codes or provide for damage mitigation. 
• SB 37 (Act 462).  Provides an exclusion from state sales and use tax for shutter devices. A storm shutter device is defined as materials and products manufactured, rated, and marketed specifically for the purpose of preventing window damage from storms.
• SB 182 (Act 467).  Provides a “construction code retrofitting deduction” against individual income tax equal to 50 percent of the cost paid or incurred on or after January 1, 2007, less any other state, municipal or federal-sponsored incentives, for voluntarily retrofitting an existing residential structure for which the taxpayer claims the homestead exemption. 

These external agencies are mentioned on the Louisiana Department of Insurance website and provide further information on catastrophe planning and preparedness.

Federal

• National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Department of Homeland Security:  DisasterAssistance.gov