Department of Insurance pop-up offers in-person help with policy queries

The Louisiana Department of Insurance is working to bring insurance expertise to policyholders in their hometowns.

Day one of the LDI's first Insurance Pop-Up was held in Pioneer Hall on the first floor of City Hall, 326 Pujo St., on Tuesday. The second day of the pop-up is being held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3.

The pop-up office was designed to provide policyholders with one-on-one aid from members of the consumer advocacy group in their own backyard. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who has been in his role for almost two years, said Tuesday morning that during town hall meetings throughout the state, policyholders have made it clear they want help with their specific policies, without having to drive hours to the capital.

"One of the things that became very obvious is that we are a statewide agency department, but yet we only have one location, and that is in Baton Rouge," he said. "If people have questions about their policy, a claim, the way a claim's going, or just anything insurance-related, they can come.

"They need to be knowledgeable about this product they bought and spent a lot of money on. And that's part of what we want to help do."

He noted that insurance is often treated as a product that is purchased and then forgotten until a crisis forces policyholders to file a claim.

"Insurance is a product," he said. "You buy it, and then you put it away. A lot of people have never read their insurance policy. They don't even know what they have or what they don't have until a crisis has happened and they have to file a claim.

The Lake Charles event is the first of many pop-ups planned across Louisiana. Temple said the department chose Lake Charles because of the city's repeated hurricane damage in recent years and the ongoing recovery challenges residents face.

The commissioner acknowledged that Louisiana's state of insurance is still in "crisis."

While the number of insurers actively writing in Louisiana remains stagnant, with only about two dozen companies filing paperwork to operate in the state in the last two years, there are signs of improvement in the market, particularly in homeowners and private passenger auto coverage, he said.

Losses came in lower than projected, which has allowed some companies to reduce premiums.

"I think it's important for consumers to know that when losses come in lower, then that allows the companies to bring premiums down the following year," he said.

Commercial auto coverage has not seen the same improvement, but Temple said homeowners in south Louisiana are beginning to see more companies writing policies. One insurer is now offering wind and hail coverage in Southwest Louisiana, a development he described as significant for residents still struggling to secure affordable protection.

Temple urged policyholders to keep shopping for insurance and to "uncover every stone." He encouraged residents to call their agents and ask for a list of companies they have access to, then request quotes from each.

"Some people tend to put it on the backburner until they absolutely have to make a decision. But, I think this is one of these things where it's worth the effort to go through the process … and make sure you're getting every quote that's out there.

He emphasized that consumers are best served when they have options.

"People are best served when they have options. As a regulator, my role is to balance. We have got to make sure we have companies here, but at the same time that those companies are meeting their obligations to consumers when they have claims.

Those who are unable to make it to the pop-up can always call LDI at 800.259.5300, visit the website at www.ldi.la.gov, visit the office in Baton Rouge, or download the new LDI app. "LDI Connect."