Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is the state’s insurer of last resort for residential and commercial property owners who cannot find coverage in the private insurance market. It provides policies for qualifying properties through two programs: the FAIR Plan and the Coastal Plan.
To qualify for Citizens, you generally need to show that you can't get comparable coverage from a traditional Louisiana home insurance company, along with meeting other eligibility requirements. A licensed agent can help you determine whether you qualify and guide you through the application.
Core eligibility requirements for Louisiana Citizens
Louisiana law allows someone who has been denied property insurance by one or more insurers authorized to issue property insurance in Louisiana to apply for Citizens coverage.
Eligibility typically requires that:
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You have been turned down for private property insurance. The application must identify the insurer or insurers that denied coverage.
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The property is located in Louisiana and is insurable. Citizens may inspect the property and determine whether it’s eligible for coverage.
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You are seeking property coverage. Citizens does not provide auto or life insurance.
Being rejected by a private insurer does not automatically guarantee that Citizens will cover the property. A property can still be denied if Citizens determines it is not in insurable condition — for instance, if it does not meet safety and maintenance standards or shows signs of severe neglect.
Where Louisiana Citizens provides coverage
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance is not limited to coastal parishes. High-risk inland properties can also qualify when private-market home insurance is unavailable. Louisiana Citizens operates through two distinct plans:
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FAIR Plan: Provides property insurance throughout Louisiana where eligible homeowners or businesses cannot obtain coverage in the private market.
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Coastal Plan: Serves designated coastal areas that face greater exposure to hurricanes and other wind-related losses.
Unlike some state wind pools that are limited to designated coastal or wind-prone areas, Louisiana Citizens can serve eligible property owners across a broader part of the state through the FAIR Plan.
What types of properties qualify for Citizens insurance in Louisiana?
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance can cover several types of residential and commercial properties, as long as they meet certain requirements.
|
Property type |
May qualify? |
What to know |
|
Single-family homes, condos, and other residential properties |
Yes |
Homes that insurance companies decline to cover due to age, outdated wiring or plumbing, past claims, high crime, or severe weather exposure that are up to code and not used for farming, business, or illegal activity |
|
Mobile or manufactured homes |
Yes |
Property must be unable to secure comparable coverage in the private market, be in insurable condition, and meet other mobile-specific underwriting criteria |
|
Commercial property |
Yes |
Businesses unable to secure comparable coverage in the private market, in insurable condition, and meeting other business-specific eligibility standards |
|
Auto or life insurance |
No |
Citizens provides only property insurance, not auto or life coverage. |
How to apply for Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance coverage
Applications are typically submitted through a licensed Louisiana insurance agent who documents the required private-market denial and collects the property information Citizens requires.
It helps to have the following ready when applying:
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Documentation showing you’ve been declined coverage by one or more authorized property insurers. State law requires the application to identify each insurer that denied you property coverage.
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Basic property information including location, property type, and coverage needed.
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Any inspection or eligibility information Citizens requires to determine whether the property is insurable. Citizens may require the property to be inspected.
If Citizens approves your application and you submit payment for your premium (meaning the cost of your policy), you will be issued coverage through either the FAIR Plan or the Coastal Plan, depending on where you are located. Policies are typically for a term of up to one year, generally with the option to renew annually as long as the property continues to meet insurability requirements.
Your policy documents will show the coverage provided, policy limits, your premium, your deductible (the amount of damage you’re required to cover out of pocket), and any conditions that apply. Your agent can review those details with you and answer questions as needed.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Louisiana Citizens insurance so expensive?
Louisiana Citizens insurance is meant to be a last resort option, so covered properties tend to be concentrated in higher-risk areas or have features other insurers are unwilling to cover. This can make losses more expensive and increase Citizens’ business expenses, which directly affects policyholders’ rates.
Is Louisiana Citizens the same as Louisiana's FAIR Plan?
Not exactly. Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is the umbrella insurer of last resort, and it operates two plans: the FAIR Plan and the Coastal Plan. The FAIR Plan is part of Louisiana Citizens, not simply another name for the entire organization. The FAIR Plan generally serves eligible properties outside designated coastal areas, while the Coastal Plan serves specified higher-risk coastal areas.
What is the cheapest home insurance company in Louisiana?
There is no single home insurance company that is cheapest for every Louisiana homeowner. Rates vary based on factors such as your home’s location, age, and claims history, as well as the coverage types and limits and deductible you choose.
