WWLTV: Thousands filing complaints against insurance companies over missing Ida payments

Blog Layout

“We're months out from the storm and people are still trying to get their lives back together."

NEW ORLEANS — It’s been four-and-a-half months since Hurricane Ida hit, and there are still families waiting on insurance payments to fix their homes.

And now, more and more victims are turning to the state insurance department for help, or asking an attorney to speed up the process.

Kamri Butler says her Algiers home looks the exact same as the morning after Hurricane Ida hit. There is structural damage on the outside. The shed in the yard had to be demolished. Inside, floors are gone, walls are damaged and sheetrock and insulation fall from a hole in roof.

“We're going into a new year with the same damage that occurred in September with the hurricane,” 23-year-old Kamri Butler said.

A week after the Aug. 29 storm, they called their insurance company. The adjuster came out four months later in December.

“They told us that some of the damage would not be covered,” she said.

That's when they decided to call an attorney.

“We needed to get some work done. We thought maybe if we put a little fire under the insurance company, you know, they'll be willing to help us a little bit faster,” Butler said.

READ THE REST OF THE STORY ON WWLTV.COM

< Older Post Newer Post >

Insurance Industry: "Credit Scores" Among Reasons for Louisiana's Rising Insurance Costs.

By Ben Riggs • 16 Feb, 2024

Insurance Industry: "Credit Scores" Among Reasons for Louisiana's Rising Insurance Costs. A new report shows that auto insurance rates are skyrocketing, rising by 26% across the U.S. On average, Louisiana drivers pay $2,909 annually, roughly 6.53% of their income for auto insurance. Wayne Watley at Watley Insurance Group lists “credit scores” among the reasons for Louisiana’s rising auto insurance costs, including poor roads and uninsured motorists. Mr. Watley goes on to say, “It’s a challenge because we’re not one of the richest states, but we have some of the highest premiums.” He is correct—and the data backs him up. Insurance companies use credit scores to determine insurance rates for policyholders. Louisiana ranks 48th in median household income and 49th in average credit score . According to a recent study , safe drivers in Louisiana with poor credit pay 111% more than safe drivers with excellent credit ($1,505 / $713). Consequently, Louisiana has the second-highest auto insurance rates in the nation, which leads to more uninsured motorists, another primary cause of higher insurance rates. The use of credit scores in rate setting also creates perverse incentive structures that make Louisiana roads less safe. In Louisiana, safe drivers with poor credit pay an average of $905 more than drivers with a DWI and excellent credit ($3,548 / $2,643). Meanwhile, traffic fatalities increased by 21% from 2019 to 2022 in Louisiana, and the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased by 18%, according to KPLC . Louisiana desperately needs real insurance reforms that lower costs, protect consumers, hold insurers accountable, and make our roads safer.