Insurance Company Recommendations

We have our Auto & Home through SafeSource in Baton Rouge. They are a 3rd party broker/independent agency. I have had ZERO complaints - (I am a former State Farm customer as well)

SafeSource Insurance

If you're in south Louisiana and wanting a reputable "big name" insurance company for your home and autos, you have to either go with Farm Bureau or USAA. Those two will give you the best chance at being treated fairly but they're still not perfect.

You will find people who hate every single insurance company you look into. Negative reviews exists for every single one out there but you have to remember that the majority of negative experiences people have with insurance companies is due in large part to the fact that most people out there have no idea how their insurance policy is supposed to work so when they get denied for something they wrongly feel they should be paid for, they get pissed and tell the world. And they will swear up and down that they're right and the company is wrong.

You can shop around with an independent agent and find a great rate with low deductibles in south Louisiana but be warned that half or more of those companies are fly by night and will give you the run around every chance they get. I used to work for a company whose internal policy in the claims department was to deny the first three times, no matter what, until served with a lawsuit. Then and only then would they pay. That company is (shocker) no longer in business. I worked there for a few weeks and when their claims manager told me about that policy, it was a major factor in my decision to leave.

USAA just paid me for a new roof after the first adjuster denied it. Before I even had the chance to argue and dispute it, the claims rep flat out told me "I don't agree with this adjuster's report so I'm paying you". I've never had that kind of experience with an insurance claim in my life.

I've always heard wonderful things about Farm Bureau, too.


Good luck.

Very informative post. USAA requires a military connection? I think I’d heard good things about them a few years ago, and could get coverage using my Dad’s service, BUT only if he used USAA. Maybe need to make a deeper dive.

S14, I’ll get that Farm Bureau reference from you through the back channels.

USAA or Farm Bureau

Give Dwight Andrus Insurance in Lafayette a call. They have multiple markets to shop your insurance for you. It will allow you to have some options over a State Farm, Farm Bureau , etc.

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FB with Geovera here as well. Just got my renewal in and the wind/hail premium increased by over $800 due to higher construction costs. Will be calling my agent to have it reduced.

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My renewal is in December for that. I switched companies in December when I did switch from Shelter several years ago. Because it had been in July before, my Flood was already set for the year and we were gonna move it over when the renewal came up but forgot.

In the interim, a few rule changes occurred and a rezoning. Didn't really pay attention because still in a flood zone. My wife just noticed there is a fee, $50 for primary home. 250 for non-primary home. Got with my FB agent to move the policy over and set it as primary. In the process he asked about a flood elevation certificate. What I have is the original from the previous owner back in 1995 or so. BFE was 19 ft. New BFE is 18 ft. Once I submitted the paperwork from the local zoning authority I am now paying around $1400 less than I was.

Moral of the story, check you stuff and keep your flood (the underwriter is always Wright if you are using the federal flood provider) with the same agent that has your homeowners because they will stay on top of that better than the guy who used to have it. Probably a 3-4 K lesson for me over the last couple years.