Senate and House Insurance Committee members will address coverage issues, deductibles, claim evaluations and more
Residents and business owners affected by Hurricane Isaac who have questions or concerns about the insurance process after a natural disaster hopefully can get answers today during a state legislative insurance committee meeting in LaPlace, starting at 6 p.m. Members of the Louisiana Senate and House Insurance Committee are convening a joint meeting at the St. John the Baptist Parish Community Center to discuss insurance issues related to Isaac, and they want residents to come and share problems or ask questions.
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George McGovern IV moves his flood-damaged belongings to the curb of his home in the LaPlace Park subdivision in LaPlace on Sept. 20. "Our goal is to try and answer questions and let citizens know that we are there to assist them in their recovery efforts," said Sen. Gary Smith, D-Norco, who is vice chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee.
Other local public officials, representatives from insurance companies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration and the state Insurance Commissioner's office, are expected to be on hand as well.
Smith, who represents the area and helped schedule the joint session, said the meeting grew out of the many calls and conversations he and other elected officials have had with residents about the insurance process.
He said he has heard many complaints, concerns and "a lot of general questions about insurance," such as how deductibles are set, flood versus wind damage coverage, and how long insurance companies have to evaluate claims or send out an adjuster.
"We thought we'd convene a meeting to actually bring the process to them," Smith said. He said he hopes the meeting answers some questions and dispels rumors.
The St. John Community Center is at 2900 U.S. 51 in LaPlace.
