Louisiana Sinkhole insurance
Find the right sinkhole insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
If one day you go to sleep with a pond in your backfield, and the next morning it’s gone, it was probably the victim of a sinkhole. A sinkhole forms as the result of rock dissolving underground, but they don’t always happen naturally. Texas Brine, a salt mining company in Bayou Corne, LA, claims responsibility for the salt mine that collapsed recently and caused a Louisiana sinkhole. Local residents have been evacuated because the sinkhole continues to expand. In addition to the trees and vegetation it swallowed, it also emits methane gas. So what do you do about insurance in a case this rare? An independent insurance agent knows what kind of policy you'll need.
Bayou Corne Sinkhole Facts
- The sinkhole swallowed 15 acres of land.
- 350 residents were evacuated.
- The sinkhole measures 170 ft. deep.
- Texas Brine owes Louisiana $8 million in damages.
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Louisiana Sinkhole Insurance Coverage
Normally, sinkhole insurance is based on risk, and while residents of Louisiana aren’t in a high-risk zone, it’s important to look at other factors. A mine collapse caused the Bayou Corne sinkhole, but other things can trigger a sinkhole, like a heavy amount of rain after a long dry spell. Rain and drain water that have high acidic levels can deteriorate bedrock, causing a shift in the Earth. Even small tremors can shake loose ground, but the worst part is that a sinkhole will swallow up everything in its path. So it’s important that you’re protected on all fronts. This means having adequate vehicle, homeowner and business insurance.
Some insurance companies in Florida, which is notorious for sinkholes, have tried to only offer 25% in policy coverage in the case of sinkholes, which the courts ruled against. Bayou Corne residents have had claims and policies denied because of an increased risk factor. Even if you take the appropriate measures of insuring your home and personal belongings at replacement cost, it doesn’t help you in a time of need, if the insurance company will only pay you a small percentage of your loss. If you have questions about your current coverage, consult a local agent. Your agent can look over your policies and find vulnerabilities and opportunities for loss.
Find Affordable Louisiana Sinkholes Insurance Quotes
There isn’t an average premium for sinkhole coverage because it’s a catastrophic form of insurance. Premiums will be based on your personal risk factors, but it’s possible that adding to your homeowner or vehicle insurance is all the action you need to take. When you work with an agent, you have someone who is going to work for you. Your agent is interested in finding the best options for you and will be honest about the coverage that you need.
If you’re tired of being put on hold with your current agent, there’s no risk in contacting a local independent insurance agent. Best of all, our agents operate in a zip code near you, so they already understand your personal risks and circumstances and will help you create a customized Louisiana sinkhole insurance plan. It only takes a few moments to find an agent right in your area.