FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 1, 2023

Round Two of Insurer Application Period Now Open
for Insure Louisiana Incentive Program

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon announced that the second 30-day application period for insurance companies to apply for Insure Louisiana Incentive Program funding will open September 1 and close September 30. The program is designed to offer grants to insurers that write new policies in Louisiana. Insurance companies that are interested in participating can learn more and apply at ldi.la.gov/insurela.

“This program is designed to bring immediate relief to residents who can’t find a policy or are experiencing unaffordable rates, especially those in Louisiana Citizens,” Commissioner Donelon said. “Getting policyholders out of Citizens is vital to Louisiana’s economic recovery, and I strongly encourage all Citizens policyholders to contact their agents and request to be notified if they have an opportunity to find another insurer in the private market at a lower premium.”

The total amount of grant funds available during this application period is $13.1 million. Nearly $42 million of the available $45 million was awarded to eight insurers following the first round of applications. The remaining $3 million plus the $10 million added to the program during the recent Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature make up the funding for Round Two.

The Incentive Program offers matching grants to incentivize new and existing insurance companies to write residential and commercial policies in coastal areas, including writing policies out of Citizens.

Approximately 28,600 policies have been written through the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program as of July 31. The top five parishes for new policies are Jefferson, Orleans, Terrebonne, St. Tammany and Lafayette. SafePoint Insurance has also been approved to take over 19,000 policies out of Louisiana Citizens during the upcoming round of depopulation. The assumption date for those policies eventually authorized by policyholders’ agents is October 1.

The participating insurance companies must meet solvency standards that are in line with those required by the federally backed mortgage companies. The insurers will also be subject to enhanced solvency monitoring including, but not limited to, newly increased capital and surplus requirements, monthly reporting and in-depth reinsurance program reviews.

The original Insure Louisiana Incentive Program was vital to the successful recovery of our property insurance market after hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. The program was recreated during the 2022 Legislative Session, and the legislature overwhelmingly passed $45 million in funding for the program during a Special Session earlier this year. 

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.