Commissioner Donelon Urges Vigilance Ahead of Tropical Storm Nate
Amy Fennell • October 6, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2017
LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE OFFERS RESOURCES FOR HOMEOWNERS
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is urging residents to be prepared and vigilant as Tropical Storm Nate continues to track towards the Gulf Coast.
“There remains some uncertainty as to the intensity of this storm when it makes landfall, but I urge residents to take steps, if they haven’t already, to prepare for its potential impact,” said Commissioner Donelon.
The Louisiana Department of Insurance offers the following insurance checklist:
Conduct a thorough home inventory. Thorough documentation of your belongings will help in the event you must file an insurance claim. You can find details on how to make an inventory at www.ldi.la.gov/inventory.
Store copies of all your insurance policies in a safe location away from your home that is easily accessible in case of disaster. You may want to store your policies and inventory in a waterproof, fireproof box or in a safe and remote location such as a bank safe deposit box. Consider leaving a copy of your inventory with relatives, friends, or your insurance provider and store digital pictures in your email or on a website for easy retrieval.
Know your coverages. Check with your agent to find out if there is a hurricane deductible written into your policy. For example, a two percent hurricane deductible would require you to pay two percent of the insured value of your home instead of the usual deductible you pay when you have other types of losses. Keep a readily available list of contact information for each of your insurance providers or agents.
In the event you experience property damage, make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. For example, a hole in the roof should be covered by a tarp or other materials. Keep the receipts for materials you buy and do not make permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the damage. Do not put yourself at risk in order to make such temporary repairs.
Quick facts about Flood Insurance
Homeowners policies DO NOT cover most flooding. You need a separate flood insurance policy to protect your home and belongings against flood damage.
Your automobile insurance policies cover flooding if you have purchased comprehensive coverage. If you only have liability coverage, your vehicle is not covered for flood damage.
You can buy flood insurance, even if your home has been flooded before. However, there may be a 30-day delay before flooding is covered. See your insurance agent for details or visit the National Flood Insurance Program website www.floodsmart.gov.
For more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance webpage on hurricane preparedness at www.ldi.la.gov/hurricanes.
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.
Many homeowners don't realize how much equity they've built—or how a REALTOR® can help them turn it into the key to their next home.
Louisiana REALTORS® successfully hosted their annual Spring Into Action Legislative Conference in Baton Rouge on May 6-7, 2025. The two-day event provided REALTORS® the latest in industry changing issues while engaging in conversations with the state’s legislators and their peers. The conference kicked off with a pre-conference Appraiser Day hosting education devoted to that specialty. That evening, the LARPAC fundraising event celebrated Cinco de Mayo with the 80s cover band The Spazmatics and both live and silent auctions. The next day, REALTOR® Day, began with a breakfast expo with tabletop one-on-one discussions with partners of the real estate industry. Attendees then took part in education sessions on fair housing, code of ethics and professionalism. After a luncheon full of legislative updates from Louisiana REALTORS®, Senate President Cameron Henry, Jr. and NAR President Kevin Sears, attendees braved the weather and headed to the Capitol to advocate to lawmakers about the key issues impacting the real estate industry. The conversations continued at the Legislative Reception later that evening. From in-depth legislative updates to face-to-face meetings with our elected officials, this event brought our community together to amplify our voices and shape the future of real estate. Other conference highlights included a reception for our YPN members, local leadership forums and governance meetings. On Wednesday, Misty Ingersoll was elected as the 2026 Secretary/Treasurer and Marsha McGraw-Barbera was elected as NAR Small Board rep by the LR Board of Directors. Additionally, the following were elected to their 2026 positions by means of acclamation: David Favret, President-Elect; Kyle Straughn, Region I RVP; Tim Castle, Region II RVP; Leslie Victory Ortego, Region III RVP; Sabrina Pierre, Region IV RVP; Cindy Dyer, NAR Medium Board; David McKey, NAR State Allocated Specialty Director. Congratulations to Eloise Gauthier on receiving the REALTOR® of the Year Award! Louisiana REALTORS® looks forward to hosting REALTORS® from around the state at the Fall Governance Meetings and Installation, October 6-8, 2025, at the Renaissance Hotel in Baton Rouge. Take a peek of a quick recap on the day in the video and below! We would like to thank our sponsors La Capitol Federal Credit Union , Guard Home Warranty , realtor.com , The CCIM Institute Louisiana Chapter , CRS and Women's Council of REALTORS® Louisiana for their generous support in helping make this conference happen!
In the aftermath of disaster, REALTORS® are thinking long-term: How do we help our neighbors rebuild not just their homes, but their lives?
