How to Save Money on a Policy in Louisiana

Ask anyone about Louisiana and the first thing that pops into their minds is Hurricane Katrina. Although the hurricane's devastation occurred more than three years ago, the state is still trying to recover. Its destruction uprooted the lives of countless families, with thousands of houses still waiting to be rebuilt and home insurance rates higher than ever. Obviously, Hurricane Katrina's effect on home insurance rates in the state has been a tough pill to swallow for residents. Today, this is the third most expensive state in the country to purchase coverage. The average premium is over $1,250, which makes owning a decent policy extremely difficult, especially when some people are still struggling to find a place to live. Just like everyone else who is rebuilding their life throughout the state, it is important not to give up hope.

Getting a Good Rate in Louisiana

Despite the difficult conditions, many people have managed to secure affordable rates. It will take some more work on your part, but there are definitely policies to be had out there. Here are some helpful tips for still attaining a good price in Louisiana:

• Your first step should be to shop around. In order to get a good policy and a low rate, you'll need to contact multiple providers. If you can afford it, hire an agent who can help you search for the right plan and negotiate with insurers. Also, take advantage of the internet and the very affordable quotes you can get it from online providers.
• Is your community located in one of the state's high risk areas? If you live anywhere along the coast, you'll probably find purchasing any type of plan is outrageously expensive. However, there are government programs for those who cannot attain a standard plan. Contact the National Flood Insurance Program for more information.
• When contacting a provider, make sure you ask them about any discounts the company provides. There are all kinds of discounts out there, you just have to know how to get them. Some involve installing extra forms of security, while others are for owning multiple types of policies with the same company.
• If you're willing to take a bit of a risk, consider taking out a plan with a higher deductible. Having large deductible should help lower your monthly premiums, but you'll end up paying more if you ever need to put your plan to use.
• Talk to a provider about flood coverage for your area, but don't expect to get a positive response. Most companies still will not provide flood coverage in many parts of the state and those that do usually charge an exorbitant amount for it. However, it's always worth asking and as time goes on, flood coverage will become more readily available.