· Preparedness
Louisiana hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Whether it’s your first season or your thirtieth, preparation protects both your property and your insurance claim.
Before the Storm
Document your property now — while it’s undamaged.
- Walk through every room and take photos/video of walls, ceilings, floors, and contents
- Photograph the exterior — roof (from ground level is fine), siding, windows, fences, outbuildings
- Save photos with timestamps in cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox)
- This “before” documentation is invaluable if you need to prove damage was caused by the storm
Review your insurance policy.
- Confirm your dwelling coverage amount — is it enough to rebuild at current costs?
- Check your hurricane/named storm deductible — it’s usually a percentage (2-5%) of Coverage A, not a flat amount
- Verify you have Ordinance & Law coverage — this pays for code upgrades during repair
- Confirm your flood insurance is current and adequate (separate policy from homeowner’s)
- Know your Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage limits
Prepare your property.
- Trim trees away from the house and roof
- Secure or store outdoor furniture, grills, and decorations
- Check that hurricane shutters or plywood are ready
- Clear gutters and downspouts
- Know your utility shutoffs (gas, water, electric)
During the Storm
- Stay safe — follow evacuation orders
- If sheltering in place, stay away from windows
- Don’t go outside during the eye — the storm isn’t over
After the Storm
This is when claim protection matters most.
Immediate steps:
- Ensure safety — don’t enter damaged structures until they’re assessed for stability
- Document ALL damage with photos and video before any cleanup
- Make emergency repairs to prevent further damage — tarp roofs, board windows, extract water
- Keep every receipt for emergency repairs, hotel stays, meals, and supplies
- Contact your insurance company to report the claim — get a claim number
Protecting your claim:
- Don’t throw away damaged materials until the adjuster has inspected
- Don’t make permanent repairs until the carrier’s adjuster has seen the damage
- Keep a written log of every interaction with your insurance company
- If the carrier sends an adjuster, you have the right to be present during inspection
- Consider engaging a public adjuster early — before the carrier’s adjuster inspects
Know your rights:
Under Louisiana law, your carrier must acknowledge your claim within 14 days of notice and make a coverage decision within 30 days of satisfactory proof of loss. If they miss these deadlines, they face penalties.