Louisiana home insurance nonrenewal: what to do

Louisiana's notice rules

Louisiana's homeowners cancellation and nonrenewal rules are in Title 22 of the Revised Statutes. Under La. R.S. 22:1335, as amended by Act 182 of 2025 and effective July 1, 2026, an insurer must mail or deliver written notice at least 60 days before a homeowners policy expires, and the notice must include the cause. If the notice comes late, coverage stays in effect until 60 days after it is mailed or delivered.

Under La. R.S. 22:1265, you can also ask in writing, within six months, for the reasons your policy was canceled or not renewed, and the insurer must answer in writing. The same section contains the older three-year rule, which limited nonrenewal of policies renewed for more than three years. That rule has been changed, so ask LDI whether it still applies to your policy before you rely on it.

Weather claims and the Act of God rule

Under La. R.S. 22:1336, an insurer cannot cancel, nonrenew, or raise the premium on a homeowners policy based solely on a loss caused by an act of God, meaning an incident due directly to natural causes without human intervention. The exception is an area-wide rate change at the start of a new policy period. Other reasons, like roof condition or a change in the insurer's business, can still apply. If your notice cites only storm claims, ask the insurer in writing which rule it relies on and call LDI if the answer does not add up.

Louisiana Citizens

Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is the state's insurer of last resort. It runs two plans:

• FAIR Plan for most of the state.
• Coastal Plan for designated coastal areas, including wind coverage.

You apply through a licensed agent. Citizens is meant as a backstop, so its rates are set to avoid competing with the private market. Have your agent compare any Citizens quote with private and surplus-lines offers.

FORTIFIED roofs and Fortify Homes grants

Roofs are central to Louisiana underwriting. A roof built to the IBHS FORTIFIED Home standard uses sealed roof decks, stronger nailing and better edge details to resist wind. Louisiana insurers offer premium discounts for FORTIFIED roofs.

The state's Louisiana Fortify Homes Program has awarded grants of up to $10,000 toward a FORTIFIED roof for eligible homeowners, in rounds when funding is available. Check the program site for open rounds and eligibility. If you are replacing a roof anyway, ask your roofer whether they are FORTIFIED-certified.

A sensible order of steps

1. Read the reason. Weather claims, roof condition and an insurer leaving the state each need a different response.
2. Get a roof inspection. A written report gives the next insurer something to work with.
3. Shop through independent agents. Several companies have entered or expanded in Louisiana in recent years. One call can cover many.
4. Compare Citizens and surplus lines. Look at price, deductibles, named storm deductibles and exclusions.
5. Bind before storm season peaks. Binding can be suspended when a storm threatens.
6. Tell your lender. Let your mortgage servicer know before the policy lapses.

Know your hurricane deductible

Many Louisiana policies have a separate named storm or hurricane deductible, often a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. A 2 or 5 percent deductible on a high dwelling limit can be several thousand dollars. Compare deductibles, not just premiums, when you shop.

Flood is separate

Louisiana homeowners policies do not cover flood. Check your zone on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and get a flood quote. Your lender may require flood coverage.

Questions to ask every Louisiana agent

• What is the named storm or hurricane deductible, in dollars?
• Does the company give a FORTIFIED roof discount, and what certificate does it need?
• Is wind covered, or will I need a separate policy?
• Does the policy pay replacement cost or actual cash value on the roof?
• Does my lender require flood coverage at this address?

Get the answers in writing and compare quotes side by side.

Keep your mortgage current

If your policy lapses, your lender can buy force-placed coverage and add it to your payment. It usually costs more and covers less for you. Send your new declarations page to your servicer as soon as you bind.

If your insurer is leaving Louisiana

When a company exits the state or stops writing homeowners policies, the nonrenewal is about the company, not your home. Shop right away, and ask your agent whether any insurer has agreed to offer coverage to that company's former policyholders. Keep your notice. It may help show eligibility for Citizens if private insurers decline.

Louisiana paperwork that speeds up quotes

Have your roof's installation date and material, any FORTIFIED certificate, your flood zone and flood policy, and your claims from the past five years. Note which claims were for hurricane or other storm damage, since Louisiana treats act-of-God losses differently. Bring your nonrenewal notice too.

When to call LDI

Call the Louisiana Department of Insurance at (800) 259-5300 if your notice gives less than 60 days, cites only act-of-God claims, or you cannot find coverage. To talk through replacement options, call us.

Not sure what your letter says? Use the notice decoder. Roof the problem? Read roof-age rules. Other states: all state guides.

Sources

• La. R.S. 22:1335, Homeowners nonrenewal notice
• La. R.S. 22:1336, Acts of God
• La. R.S. 22:1265, Cancellation and nonrenewal provisions
• Louisiana Department of Insurance
• Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
• Louisiana Fortify Homes Program
• IBHS FORTIFIED Home