Louisiana homeowners could get premium discounts with this inspection
METAIRIE, La. (WGNO) — As insurance rates skyrocket in Louisiana, there’s a little-known option to help homeowners save money.
A wind mitigation inspection takes about an hour and costs around $300.
Ashley van der Muelen, a licensed wind mitigation surveyor with Compass Inspection Services, LLC, spoke with a Metairie homeowner on Wednesday before he performed a wind mitigation inspection.
The purpose of the inspection is to improve a homeowner’s insurance premium and potentially make the house more wind-resilient.
Louisiana leaders push for passage of AM radio bill ahead of Hurricane Katrina anniversary
“These are a newer architectural roof shingle,” van der Meulen explained while inspecting the house. “The homeowner said that the roof was replaced after [Hurricane] Ida, so most shingles after Ida, if not all, would meet the standard that wind mitigation is looking for.”
During the inspection, van der Muelen looked at the roof, windows and attic before filling out a survey that homeowners must give to their insurance carrier.
Van der Muelen looks for qualifying construction techniques, like roof bracing, secondary water barriers and opening protection.
Some homeowners have saved thousands of dollars as a result of the inspection.
“In my case, personally, I was with [Louisiana Citizens], and I had an $18,000 premium, and after I did the survey, it went to 11 [thousand dollars],” van der Meulen explained. “I’ve done a lot where [property owners] save $1,000 or $2,000.”
New voter engagement center opens in Central City
Louisiana law dictates admitted insurers must offer discounts to those who have constructed their homes to better withstand hurricanes, but discounts aren’t always guaranteed.
“Unadmitted carriers, or what we may call surplus lines, they don’t have to follow those laws, but the carrier chooses the discount,” said van der Meulen. “They do not have to do it.”
Once the survey is completed, van der Muelen will inform the homeowner about upgrades that could be made to their house.
“I think Louisianians are very resilient, and if the insurance commissioner would offer some sort of printed discount for wind mitigation, I think homeowners could justify the [return on investment] because nobody wants to spend money if you’re not going to get anything back.”
According to van der Meulen, the homeowner called his insurance carrier, USAA, and learned he will save more than $1,700 on his $6,500 premium because of the inspection.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.
Latest Posts
Delivery driver put baby back in stroller after hitting him, mother: Florida police
Hot temperatures, scattered thunderstorms expected this week in NOLA
Louisiana 2-year-old relying on blood donations motivates others to donate blood
Disneyland to remove stereotypes from one of its classic rides
Apple juice sold at Walmart in 25 states recalled due to arsenic levels
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
