Quick Summary:
Hurricane season reaches its most active stretch from August through October in South Louisiana. Before a storm is named, the most important thing Jefferson Parish residents can do is review their flood, homeowners, and auto insurance—not when watches are posted and choices may be limited. At Harris General Insurance Agency, we help families in Kenner, Louisiana, and across the Greater New Orleans area make sure the coverage they count on is ready when they need it.
Living here means we know preparation is not about panic. It is about taking a few practical steps early, knowing what your policies say, and having the right information within reach. Use this mid-season checklist to start the conversation.
1. Verify That Your Flood Insurance Is Active
This is the first item on every hurricane insurance checklist in Louisiana: confirm that your flood policy is in force, paid, and includes the limits you expect. Homeowners Insurance
does not
cover flood damage caused by rising water, storm surge, or heavy rainfall. Flood coverage is a separate policy.
That distinction matters in Jefferson Parish, where residents maintain more than 80,000 active flood policies. Our community understands that a property does not have to sit directly on the water to face a flood loss. A stalled rainstorm, overwhelmed drainage, or surge can create costly damage quickly.
If you do not have coverage, do not wait for a system to enter the Gulf. Flood policies commonly have a waiting period before coverage becomes effective, and insurers may restrict new business or policy changes as a storm approaches. Review your options for Flood Insurance
while you still have time to make a thoughtful decision.
2. Know Your Hurricane Deductible Before You Need It
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their hurricane deductible is different from their regular all-peril deductible. In Louisiana, named-storm or hurricane deductibles are commonly calculated as a percentage of the home’s insured value—often 2% to 5%, depending on the policy.
For example, a 2% hurricane deductible on a home insured for $300,000 means you could be responsible for the first $6,000 of covered hurricane damage. That is why “What is my deductible?” is not a small question. Pull out your declarations page and look for language such as hurricane, named storm, or wind and hail deductible. If the wording or calculation is unclear, Harris General Insurance Agency can walk through it with you in plain language.
3. Confirm Your Homeowners Carrier and Renewal Status
The Louisiana property insurance market changed significantly after the 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons. Carriers exited the state, stopped writing certain types of risks, or adjusted their underwriting guidelines. That makes it important to confirm that your homeowners policy remains active, that your renewal is on track, and that your current carrier is still a good fit for your home.
Review the expiration date on your policy and make sure Harris General Insurance Agency has your current email address and phone number. If you have received a nonrenewal notice, a request for property updates, or a change in premium, do not set it aside. A mid-season review gives you more options than a last-minute scramble.
4. Document Your Belongings Now
One of the simplest steps can make a major difference after a loss: document what you own before there is damage. Walk through your home with your phone and take photos or video of each room. Open closets, cabinets, and drawers. Capture larger items, electronics, appliances, tools, furniture, jewelry, and collectibles.
When possible, record brand names, model numbers, serial numbers, and approximate purchase dates. Save the photos or video somewhere you can access if your phone is lost or damaged. A current home inventory can speed up the claims process and make it easier to remember the items that were in your home before the storm.
5. Review Your Auto Coverage, Too
Your car needs a hurricane-season checkup as much as your house does. Personal Auto Insurance
with comprehensive coverage generally protects against covered storm-related damage, including wind, falling objects, and flood damage to your vehicle. Liability-only coverage does not pay to repair or replace your own vehicle after storm damage.
Check whether you carry comprehensive coverage and what deductible applies. If you have questions about where to park, when to move a vehicle, or how coverage applies during an evacuation, ask before a storm is on the radar. This is especially important for households with multiple vehicles, teen drivers, or vehicles that must be used for work.
6. Build a Digital Evacuation Insurance Folder
During an evacuation, you do not want to be searching through a desk drawer for an old policy packet. Keep a secure digital folder with your policy numbers, insurance cards, agent contact information, photos of your declarations pages, and your home inventory. Consider storing copies with a trusted out-of-area family member as well.
Include key contact information for Harris General Insurance Agency, your mortgage lender if applicable, and any vehicle-finance company. A clear, accessible record helps you report a claim, answer questions from adjusters, and stay organized when routines are disrupted.
Kenner Residents: Do Not Overlook the CRS Flood Discount
Kenner’s Community Rating System (CRS) standing is an important local advantage. Because of the City of Kenner’s CRS rating, eligible residents can receive a 20% discount
on National Flood Insurance Program premiums. That discount reflects ongoing community floodplain-management work and gives homeowners another reason to keep a flood policy active.
It is worth confirming that the discount is reflected on your policy and that your coverage limits still match your home and belongings. The discount is valuable, but it should not replace a careful look at the amount of building and contents coverage you actually need. For local resources and assistance, visit our Kenner, Louisiana location
page or give our team a call.
Make the Review Before the Forecast Gets Busy
In Jefferson Parish and throughout the Greater New Orleans area, insurance preparation works best when it is done on an ordinary day. Take 20 minutes this week to pull up your policies, note your deductibles, verify your flood coverage, and create that digital folder. A mid-season check can give you clarity long before a storm has a name.
Questions about your coverage? Call Harris General Insurance Agency at 504-353-1535 — a real person picks up every time.