Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners Insurance Quote Form

Complete the form below to receive a FREE comprehensive Homeowners Insurance quote. If you have any questions or you would prefer to fill this form out over the phone, you can reach one of our sale team members at (504) 835-1602.

What is Homeowners insurance?

Homeowners Insurance provides financial protection against disasters. A standard policy insures the home itself and the things you keep in it.

Homeowners insurance is a package policy. This means that it covers both damage to your property and your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage you or members of your family cause to other people. This includes damage caused by household pets.

Damage caused by most disasters is covered but there are exceptions. The most significant are damage caused by floods, earthquakes and poor maintenance. You may need to buy two separate policies for flood and earthquake coverage. You can complete our Flood Insurance Quote Form here. Maintenance-related problems are the homeowners' responsibility.

  • There is quite a bit of data needed for a home insurance quote, however, for an initial quote an agent would need:

    • Address of the property

    • Age of the property

    • Age of the roof

    • Whether the home be owner-occupied or tenant-occupied

    • To better hone the quote with certain insurance companies the agent may need to run a soft credit check on you and any other owner of the property

  • No state law requires you to have homeowners insurance in Louisiana, Mississippi or Texas. However, if you're financing your property through a mortgage lender, they'll probably require you to maintain homeowners insurance as part of your loan terms.

American Bulldog on Dog Bed in Home

Things to consider and questions to ask your agent

Here are few things to discuss with your agent that will influence your decisions.

  • How much will it cost to rebuild my house and replace my belongings if they are damaged or destroyed? (Ask your agent to talk you through your home's features and the things you own so you can make an informed decision about coverage.)

  • Does the insurance company have a good reputation for customer service? Is it known for paying claims fairly and promptly?

  • What discounts are available? (Ask about multiple policy, security system and fire resistance discounts.)

  • What's the process for filing and settling a claim? (Ask who to call and what happens after you file a claim.) 

  • Generally, we will have access to insurance companies providing coverage for these needs.

  • Your homeowners insurance may cover roof damage under your policy's Dwelling Coverage A (minus your deductible), if it was caused by a covered peril, such as a windstorm or fire.

    • Windstorm & hail

    • Snow, sleet, or ice damage

    • Lightning strikes

    • Tornadoes

    • Fire

    • Falling objects

    When doesn't homeowners insurance cover roof damage?

    • Wear and tear

    • Neglect

    • Animals

    • Flooding

    • Earthquakes

  • Generally, your homeowners insurance in Louisiana will cover wildfire and smoke damage under your policy's Dwelling Coverage A (minus your deductible). However, if you live in an area where wildfires are common, you may be required to carry a separate deductible for wildfire claims.

  • That’s what Builder’s Risk coverage is for; Builders Risk insurance covers buildings under construction or renovation, protecting against damage from events like fire, wind, or theft while the project is in progress.

What does homeowners insurance cover?

  • Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A)

  • Other Structures Coverage (Coverage B)

  • Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C)

  • Loss of Use Coverage (Coverage D)

  • Personal Liability Coverage (Coverage E)

  • Medical Payments to others (Coverage F)

  • Coverage A

    • The main structure of the building

    • Attached garage

    • Attached deck

    • Verandas, screened-in porches, etc.

    • Roof

    • Chimney(s)

    • Gutters

    • Foundation (cracks or settling typically aren't covered)

    • Building materials permanently installed (flooring, ceilings, countertops, cabinets, vanities, etc.)

    • Built in appliances, such as a furnace or hot water heater

  • Coverage B, also known as other structures insurance coverage, is the part of your homeowners policy that protects structures on your property not physically connected to your home, such as a detached garage, storage shed, or gazebo. Your other structures coverage limit is typically set at 10% of your policy's dwelling coverage, but this can vary by insurer.

    • Detached garages

    • Guest houses

    • Sheds

    • Gazebos

    • Swimming pools

    • Fences

  • Coverage C

    • Furniture

    • Electronics

    • Tools

    • Clothing

    • Jewelry

    • Decorations

    • Art and collectibles

    • Musical instruments

    • Bicycles

    • Named Perils: The policy specifically lists the exact events it covers. If your property is damaged by an event not explicitly named on the list, the claim will be denied. The burden of proof falls on the policyholder to show that the cause of damage was a listed peril.

    • Open Perils: Also known as "all risk" or "special form" coverage, this policy covers all causes of loss unless they are specifically excluded in the contract. If the event is not on the policy's exclusion list, it is generally covered. The

    • Windstorm & hail

    • Lightning strikes

    • Tornadoes

    • Snow, sleet, or ice damage

    • Fire

    • Explosions

    • Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam

    • Power surges

    • Falling objects

    • Theft and vandalism

    • Motor vehicle

    • Power surges

  • These deductibles are a separate deductible you would pay out-of-pocket toward a specific wind/hail-related loss before receiving a claim payout from your insurance company.

    • Hurricane

      • Applies to damages caused by a hurricane recognized by the National Weather Service

      • Common in coastal states that are frequently affected by hurricanes

    • "Named Storm"

      • Applies to damaged caused by tropical or winter storms recognized and named by the National Weather Service

      • Common in coastal states or states frequently affected by winter storms

    • Wind / Hail

      • Applies to damage caused by wind, hail, and/or tornadic activity

      • Common in plains states frequently affected by tornadoes

    • Injuries on your property

    • Damage to others property

    • Lawsuits and lawyer/court fees

    • Dog incidents (varies by insurer)

    • Ambulance and EMT fees

    • Doctor visits

    • Hospital visits or stays

    • Surgery, X-rays, and dental procedures

    • Nursing services and care

    • Health insurance deductibles and co-pays

    • Funeral expenses

  • Flood Insurance

  • Earthquake Insurance

  • Water Back-Up / Sump Pump Coverage

  • Lateral Lines Coverage

  • Ordinance or Law Coverage

  • Scheduled Personal Property

What are Available Add-ons, endorcements or Riders for Homeowners Insurance?

  • Personal Umbrella

  • Business

  • Home Daycare

  • Home Sharing

  • Personal Injury

  • Identity Theft

  • All of these coverage needs, which sometimes cross over (short-term rental that you sometimes use yourself) are insurance. The key is to advise your insurance company or agent of your specific circumstances.

  • Generally, no. This need is best covered by a landlords/dwelling policy.  We offer many options for those types of policies.

  • Water back-up and sump pump overflow coverage is an optional insurance add-on (endorsement) that protects your home against water damage caused by backed-up sewers, drains, or failed sump pumps. It covers structural repairs, ruined flooring, and damaged personal belongings, which are explicitly excluded from standard homeowners insurance.

  • Ordinance or law coverage is an insurance add-on (endorsement) for homeowners or commercial properties that pays for the extra costs of repairing or rebuilding to meet current local building codes. Standard policies only restore your property to its previous state; this coverage prevents you from paying out-of-pocket for mandatory code-compliant upgrades.

  • Loss assessment coverage is an optional insurance endorsement for condo or homeowners policies (HOA) that pays your share of a community-wide fee. This fee is charged when damage to shared spaces (like lobbies or pools) exceeds the community’s master insurance limits, or to cover a massive master policy deductible.

  • A rider is an add-on to a homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policy, adding increased coverage for a specific item or collection to your policy, typically at an additional cost.

    • Examples of common specialty items & personal collections

      • Artwork

      • Jewelry

      • Musical Instruments

      • Cameras and Projection Equipment

      • Bicycles

      • Firearms

How are home insurance premiums determined?

  • Location

  • Type of home and roof

  • Coverage selection

  • Insurance score (which may include a soft credit hit) 

  • Possibly, property insurance claim history

    • Bundle homeowners and motor vehicle insurance

    • Take advantage of discounts

    • Consider key home renovations and especially new roofs with upgrade building codes or the Fortified roof

    • Upgrade security

    • Avoid attractive nuisances

    • Adjust your coverages and limits

    • Increase your deductible

      • Understand that a percentage-based deductible might result in a large out-of-pocket amount if you have a claim.

    • Maintain a good credit score

    • Minimize claims

  • A new roof usually changes the cost of homeowners insurance. If you replace your roof, contact your agent or insurer to update your homeowners policy. If you are considering changing a roof, consider upgrading to more current building codes or even the Fortified Roof to gain even more savings.  Price the savings with insurance companies/agents before doing so.

    Types

    • Asphalt shingle roof

    • Metal roof

    • Slate/tile roof

    • Wood roof

    Designs

    • Hip: Usually has four sides and costs more to build, but its resistance to wind may help bring down your rate

    • Saltbox: This roof design can resist wind and offer effective water shedding, potentially lowering your rate

    • Gable: With two sloping sides creating a triangular shape, gable roofs can be cost-effective for homeowners in areas less affected by high winds

    • Flat: With less effective drainage compared to sloped roofs, as well as a shorter lifespan, flat roofs have an increased risk for leaks and water damage, which can negatively impact your rate

    • Gambrel: A two-sided roof design makes gambrel roofs a target for wind damage and higher homeowners insurance premiums

    • Mansard: A complex design may make repairs to mansard roofs costly, negatively impacting your policy's rate

  • An attractive nuisance is a hazardous condition or situation on a homeowner's property that entices children, putting their safety in danger. - you may be held legally responsible if a child is injured due to an attractive nuisance — even if they're trespassing.

    • Swimming pools, hot tubs, fountains and ponds unprotected

    • Treehouses, trampolines and playground structures

    • Power tools, including lawnmowers and chain saws

    • Wells

    • Tunnels

    • Scaffolding and ladders

    Remedies

    • Install a fence that is at least four feet tall, including a locking gate, around pools. A pool alarm system may also be installed. Be sure all pool chemicals are safely stored out of reach. Fill in pools that are no longer being used with substantial material (ex: dirt or cement).

    • Install a safety net around trampolines and be sure the trampoline is installed on level ground.

    • Choose a strong, sturdy tree for tree houses. Don't build close to electrical wires, and plan a safe way to get up and down from the treehouse.

    • Inform all house guests of any water fountains, hot tubs, ponds, wells, or tunnels in your yard, and tell them these areas are not to play in or near.

    • Supervise younger children when they're playing on backyard play equipment.

    • Store all machinery, scaffolding, and ladders in an enclosed garage or storage shed.

    • Routinely inspect latches and gates to ensure they're in good working order.