Letters: To address insurance crisis, state needs to policy changes

In response to the article "On the record: Why Tim Temple is bullish on Louisiana's property insurance market," I urge the consideration of land use planning and comprehensive master planning as powerful tools in addressing our state's homeowners insurance crisis — tools that were not mentioned by incoming insurance commissioner Temple as a part of his strategy to combat the insurance crisis.

Louisiana's challenges with flooding, exacerbated by climate change, require more than just engineering solutions like levees and pumps. An integrated strategy, combining robust land use policies with existing infrastructure, is crucial.

Sound land use policies that restrict or manage development in flood-prone areas are essential to reduce the long-term costs of rebuilding and protecting our communities.

Currently, many Louisiana communities lack up-to-date comprehensive master plans, leading to a cycle of development and destruction in high-risk areas.

This gap can be addressed through state intervention. The state could mandate comprehensive planning, provide funding and technical support for these initiatives and incentivize resilient land use policies.

Such measures can lead to a reduction in the risk profile of communities, creating a more stable and affordable insurance market. Without state-level leadership in comprehensive planning policy, the move toward sustainable and resilient development remains a challenging endeavor.

By integrating comprehensive land use planning into our approach to the insurance crisis, we can enhance our resilience to natural disasters and improve the insurance market, ensuring a safer future for all Louisianans.

DEVIN A. FOIL

New Orleans