FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 9, 2020

Louisiana Policyholders Have Extended Deadlines to File Proof of Loss for Hurricane Claims

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon wants Louisiana policyholders who need to file hurricane damage claims to know that they still have time to do so under Louisiana law.

Louisiana law (R.S. 22:1264) states that when a catastrophic event occurs and civil officials declare a state of disaster or emergency pursuant to law, owners of property within the declaration area shall have not less than 180 days from the date of the event to submit a proof of loss with their insurer.

Approximate proof of loss filing deadlines are as follows:

“Although I encourage policyholders to file their claims with their insurers as soon as possible to begin the recovery process, I know the level of damage caused by the 2020 hurricanes makes it very difficult for people to gather all of the information and documentation they need to file a detailed proof of loss to support their claim,” said Commissioner Donelon.

Those needing to file a claim should review their policy and contact their agent for guidance on the exact proof of loss deadline per their policy and what is required in filing their proof of loss. The same Louisiana law extends the 180-day deadline when policyholders are denied access to their properties by civil authorities during a state of disaster or emergency.

Filing a sufficient proof of loss with an insurer can include not only filing the initial damage claim, but also documentation such as photos, contractor estimates, receipts for temporary repairs and any other documentation required by the company.

Anyone with questions or concerns about the claim filing process or how their specific claim is being handled by their insurer can contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300 or submit a formal complaint at ldi.la.gov/complaints.

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. To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected]. 

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.