Released: May 1, 2006

Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon will kick off a statewide storm awareness tour in Lake Charles on Tuesday, May 2.

His visit will include a trip to areas hit hard by Hurricane Rita, meetings with local officials, a stop tonight to address the Cameron Police Jury and a noon luncheon speech to members of the Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana from several southwest Louisiana parishes. The luncheon will take place at Harlequin Steaks & Seafood, 501 W. College, Lake Charles on May 2.

Commissioner Donelon will visit nine Louisiana cities in May and early June to discuss some of the most important property insurance coverages policyholders may be overlooking.

“Each area of our state has its own unique challenges with weather-related losses. Policyholders in the inland areas of Louisiana may be most concerned with tornadoes and hail storms, whereas residents along coastal Louisiana may be thinking about the upcoming hurricane season which starts June 1 and runs through November 30. So I am urging policyholders statewide to reevaluate their insurance needs to ensure they have the proper coverage,” Donelon says.

The Commissioner warns policyholders one of the biggest concerns statewide is that of adequate flood insurance. “Some residents not mandated to purchase flood insurance by their mortgage lender end up with flooded homes,” Donelon adds. “Flood insurance, excess flood insurance and contents coverage are just a few of the things I will talk to policyholders about during Storm Awareness Month.”

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