Hurricane Delta's Impact: Insured Losses and Policyholder Relief

Hurricane Delta's Landfall and Power Outages

Hurricane Delta made landfall in Creole, Louisiana, on October 9 as a Category 2 storm with 101 mph sustained winds and a 9.3-foot storm surge. This was the 10th continental U.S. landfall of a named storm during a single hurricane season, a record-breaking event. Delta knocked out power to over 500,000 customers in Louisiana, a quarter of the state’s homes, plus another 300,000 in parts of east Texas and western Mississippi.

Insured Losses and Policyholder Relief

Insured loss estimates for Hurricane Delta range from $1 billion to as high as $3 billion, according to catastrophe risk modelling specialist AIR Worldwide. This is a significant increase compared to the $1.25 billion estimated by Karen Clark & Company and the $1.5 billion to $2.7 billion estimated by CoreLogic. The state law in Louisiana stipulates that policyholders are not required to pay a hurricane deductible twice in the same storm season, providing relief to those affected by both Delta and Laura.

Claims-Filing Tips and Future Preparedness

During a live interview on The Weather Channel’s Weather Underground, the Triple-I’s Mark Friedlander provided claims-filing tips for those impacted by hurricanes Delta and Laura. He emphasized the importance of documenting damages and contacting insurance companies promptly. For future preparedness, it is crucial to review and understand your insurance policy, including deductibles and coverage limits, to ensure you are adequately protected.