FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2020

Insurance Commissioner Announces an Additional Company Limiting Deductibles for Hurricanes Laura and Delta Victims

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is announcing that Americas Insurance Company will be waiving a separate deductible for Hurricane Delta for insureds that were impacted by both hurricanes Laura and Delta, provided they have satisfied their full named-storm deductible. For policyholders who were under their deductible for Hurricane Laura, the remaining balance will be charged for Hurricane Delta, a large savings for those policyholders.

“I applaud our homeowners insurers for supporting their Louisiana policyholders during these difficult times,” said Commissioner Donelon. “The financial cost of two hurricanes in less than two months to the same community is a massive burden to bear. I urge other insurers to recognize the seriousness as Americas and USAA have done and to commit to waiving any additional deductibles for those unfortunate enough to be affected by both storms.”

Louisiana’s single-season named-storm/hurricane deductible law prevents admitted insurance companies regulated by the Louisiana Department of Insurance from charging more than one named-storm/hurricane deductible per year. But the law leaves companies free to charge the normal policy deductible on subsequent claims once the named-storm/hurricane deductible has been exhausted during a calendar year. The Louisiana Legislature created the single-season deductible law in 2009 after hurricanes Gustav and Ike hit Louisiana and Texas two weeks apart in 2008, illustrating the potential for two hurricane deductibles in the same season.

Named-storm/hurricane deductibles are typically 2% to 5% of the insured value of a home. Americas Insurance Company’s regular policy deductibles are typically $500 to $2,500 per claim.

In 2019, the Americas Insurance Company group covered 1.1% of the homeowners insurance market in Louisiana.

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.