Louisiana
Letters: Bills on insurance will shore up market in Louisiana
Homeowners insurance is a growing crisis in Louisiana.
We know that bad weather is a part of the problem. What may be less obvious, but equally pernicious, is bad laws. In far too many cases, Louisiana has unusual or unique insurance laws that fail to protect our citizens, and have the opposite effect of driving up costs.
The good news is a range of proposed legislation is advancing this session that can bring Louisiana closer to the national norm, creating a more competitive, lower-cost insurance market, while still guarding our residents from bad actors.
One set of bills is Senate Bill 370 and House Bill 611, which would eliminate the “three-year” rule for new policies. The current law prohibits insurance companies from dropping clients after three years. While this seems like good consumer protection on its face, the fact that Louisiana is the only state in America with the rule strongly suggests that it is a bad idea, as existing insurance companies game it (e.g., increasing premiums) and new insurance companies are hesitant to enter the market.
Furthermore, Louisiana’s “bad faith” statute currently lacks clarity for policyholders and insurers, resulting in unnecessary litigation, which ultimately increases costs for everyone. Senate Bill 323 and House Bill 678 would define rights, duties and timelines to ensure swift resolution of claims processes. At the same time, penalties for bad faith would be cut from 200% to 50%, reducing motivation for legal abuse.
Finally, House Bill 120, which extends the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, would help us help ourselves. The program provides grants of up to $10,000 for homeowners to strengthen their roofs to withstand hurricane winds, providing more safety and lower insurance premiums.
We can only hope for good weather. But this session, we can support better laws that will maintain consumer protection, while increasing competition and lowering costs.
CHRIS KANE
chairman, Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Yasin Gungor
19 April 2026•Update: 19 April 2026
At least eight children were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting in the US state of Louisiana, local police said Sunday.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said officers responded to the shooting just after 6 am (1100GMT), following a domestic disturbance call.
The age of the deceased ranged from one to 14 years, he said, adding that the incident involved at least 10 individuals across four separate locations.
The suspect attempted to flee by carjacking a vehicle and driving to neighboring Bossier City, where police located and shot him dead.
Bordelon said Shreveport police officers pursued the suspect’s vehicle into Bossier, where three officers discharged their firearms, killing him. He said investigators believe the suspect was the only person who opened fire at the locations.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the attack as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” adding: “It’s a terrible morning.”
No immediate information was available about the condition of the injured.
Louisiana
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Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 for couples as a way to shrink a looming deficit in the retirement trust fund.
When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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