Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2024-03-25

Duration: 00:57:44

Subjects: Homeowners insurance | Insurance Industry | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 2024 | Housing

Contributors:

• LeBlanc, Karen Host
• Johnson, Ben Producer
• Starns, Jim Interviewee
• Jones-Langford, Jessica Interviewee
• Riggs, Ben Interviewee
• Montiel, Mark Interviewee
• Talbot, Kirk Panelist
• Willard, Matthew Panelist
• Morris, Andrenecia Panelist
• Jones, Whitney Interviewee
• Temple, Tim Panelist
• Albright, Benjamin Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Spotlight” from March 25, 2024, focuses on Louisiana’s homeowners’ insurance crisis. The first segment features interviews with homeowners Jim Starns and Jessica Jones-Langford, who discuss the impact of the increase in their homeowners’ insurance premiums on their lives. In the studio, host Karen LeBlanc interviews Ben Riggs, the executive director of Real Reform Louisiana, who discusses: the work of his organization; the practices in Louisiana that are exacerbating the insurance crisis; the affiliate model; the increased risk for hurricanes and increased cost of home repairs; possible solutions, including the fortified roof program and better community planning; and other ways to make the market more attractive for insurance companies. The second segment features an interview with Mark Montiel, an attorney with Montiel Hodge in New Orleans, who discusses his work in representing policy holders whose claims have moved to the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (LIGA) after their insurers became insolvent. Back in the studio, LeBlanc leads a panel discussion with: State Senator Kirk Talbot, the chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee; State Representative Matthew Willard, a member of the House Insurance Committee; and Andreanecia Morris, the president of Housing Louisiana. They discuss: their legislative priorities at the 2024 Legislative Session, including a bill clarifying the claims process; hearing stories of people being pushed out of their communities because they cannot afford their insurance premiums; possible solutions, including the fortified roof program and increasing building codes; and the feasibility of implementing an alternative insurance model, including a catastrophe fund. The third segment features an interview with Whitney Jones, a real estate agent in Baton Rouge, who discusses how the impact of the increase in homeowners’ insurance premiums on the real estate market. Back in the studio, LeBlanc leads a panel discussion with: Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Tim Temple; Benjamin Albright, the president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Louisiana; and Andreanecia Morris, the president of Housing Louisiana. They discuss: proposed legislation at the 2024 Legislative Session; the need to address the affordability and availability of homeowners’ insurance; the delicate balance between attracting insurance companies to the state and protecting consumers; the importance of upgrading the housing stock in the state; possible solutions; and their concerns about outmigration in the state due to high insurance costs.