Home insurance question

Funny thing about insurance - if it's something that's "unnecessary", it's incredibly cheap.

If mortgaged, homeowner, wind, flood. You might have to get someone to underwrite the wind.

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I live in south Louisiana

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Get flood insurance, even if you're not in a high-risk zone.

Many insurance companies are no longer writing replacement cost on roofs. Make sure you understand this and if you are buying a home, make sure the roof is pretty new

You're most likely going to get the H3 policy, which covers most everything there is for S. La. If you have dogs, you may want to add on the dog bite endorsement if that's excluded. Schedule any expensive jewelry as your limit for all will only be like $1500.00. Check your hurricane deductible. If 1% or 2%, calculate what you will owe in deductible. It could be WAY more than you think. Try to find someone with a flat deductible of $1000 for all losses.

In general, the big name companies have much better claims service. I am learning this the hard way my first time going with a cheaper, no name company. Their claims departments and handling suck arse.

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Get flood insurance, even if you're not in a high-risk zone.

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This X maybe infinity. I lived in a 500 year floodzone in Houston until Harvey. No flood insurance. Frick me and all my money.

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Yes, this is true in any hurricane prone area. Your roof could blow off and the house could endure water damage. I've seen insurance companies try to avoid the water damage by saying it was flood damage.

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This would be illegal, and would not be covered under your flood policy. Wind driven rain from a blown off roof is specifically excluded from a flood policy, and specifically covered under an H3 policy.

They may try to deny water that comes into your house due to your house having poor drainage. But they are not denying water in your house from a blown roof, and wind driven rain. And a flood policy will not cover that.

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This would be illegal,

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And a flood policy will not cover that.

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It is now, after Ivan and Katrina. Seem to recall the whole senate sub committee meeting to change and make it illegal.

People in this area were hit hard by this.

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I live in south Louisiana, what coverages are absolutely necessary for me?

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Standard HO-3 homeowner policy. You'll need to insure based on reconstruction cost of the home, but with many insurers, a lot of the other coverages on policy can be adjusted to your needs. Talk with an agent. Know what your deductible is, especially wind/hail/hurricane deductible.

Flood insurance. If you're in a zone where its not required by mortgage company, then it'll be cheap. Many posters here can attest to how important having flood coverage is.

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Any recommendation on home insurance

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Find a local independent agent by getting a recommendation from a friend or neighbor. Independent agents can shop through multiple companies and offer you different options on rate, coverage options, and deductibles.