June 1 came and went the way it always does in South Louisiana — quietly, with everybody half-watching the Gulf. Three days later, the state made a different kind of hurricane news: Louisiana Citizens retired the last of the bonds from Katrina and Rita. Twenty years to pay off two storms. Almost a billion dollars in bonds against $1.9 billion in losses.

Twenty years of paying for 2005. That is what an uncovered storm actually costs.

Where the market stands

The honest version: it is still hard out there, and it is getting slightly better. The average Louisiana homeowners premium runs about $4,644 a year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage — on the coast, $5,000 to $13,000. The insurance commissioner still calls it a crisis. But 2025 brought the first rate decreases in five years, and more than a dozen new companies have filed to write homeowners business here since 2023. There are options now that did not exist two renewals ago.

The three things that ambush people after a storm

The named-storm deductible. Most Louisiana policies carry a separate hurricane or named-storm deductible of 2 to 5 percent of your dwelling coverage — not of the damage. On a $300,000 home, that is $6,000 to $15,000 out of your pocket before the policy pays a dollar. People find this out at the worst possible moment.

Flood is not covered. At all. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood — and in Louisiana, water is usually the thing that gets you. Flood coverage is a separate policy, and the federal program makes you wait 30 days before it kicks in. A policy bought when the cone shows up on the news covers nothing.

Replacement value drift. Construction costs have moved hard since your policy was written. If your dwelling limit still reflects 2021 numbers, you could be underinsured on a total loss without ever missing a payment.

What to do this week

Pull your policy. Find the named-storm deductible and turn it into a dollar figure. Ask whether your dwelling limit would actually rebuild your house at 2026 prices. And if you do not carry flood — decide now, while the 30-day clock still works in your favor.

This is a 20-minute review with an agent who knows Louisiana roofs, Louisiana adjusters, and Louisiana storms. Donald Cravins Insurance Agency Incorporated has been doing exactly that for Lafayette and Acadiana families for 45 years.

The season is open until November 30. Review it now, while the Gulf is quiet. Call (337) 234-9834.