Covington & Slidell Independent Insurance Agents
Protecting Your Assets with a Business Owners Policy
MNot every BOP is built the same. These features deserve a close look before you sign:
Equipment breakdown: May cover electrical or mechanical failure, like a power surge frying an imaging machine's circuit board. Standard property forms often exclude this.
Business income: Typically replaces lost revenue and continuing expenses if a covered loss forces you to close temporarily.
Spoilage coverage: May pay for vaccines or medications lost when refrigeration fails during an outage.
Flood: Usually excluded from a BOP. Practices in flood-prone parts of St. Tammany often need a separate flood policy.
Named storm deductibles: Louisiana policies frequently carry percentage-based hurricane deductibles, so know the dollar figure before storm season.
Direct Answer: Local Louisiana Cajun Underwriters Insurance Agents
Local independent agents in Covington and Slidell can help St. Tammany Parish homeowners access Cajun Underwriters, a Louisiana reciprocal homeowners market built around the state's hurricane, wind, and hail exposure. An agent can check whether your home may qualify, explain how the reciprocal exchange works, and compare wind deductible options with other carriers.
Many homeowners on the Northshore have spent the last few years watching renewal notices climb or carriers leave the state entirely. Cajun Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (CURE) is one of the markets that stayed and grew. It received its Certificate of Authority to operate in Louisiana on June 15, 2022. The Louisiana Department of Insurance's April 2026 market update names CURE as one of the active insurers helping to stabilize the market.
That same update reported a 10% rate decrease on CURE's Louisiana Advantage Homeowners Program. It provides roughly $8.6 million in premium relief to 23,765 policyholders. For homeowners used to increases, that is a meaningful change. It does not make CURE the right fit for every house, though, and the details below explain why.
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Aubert Insurance Agency is a local, independent agency, licensed to serve individuals and businesses across Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Texas.
We serve clients from our offices in Covington and Slidell and throughout St. Tammany Parish — working with dozens of carriers and wholesale markets to help homeowners, drivers, contractors, restaurant owners, property investors, auto shops, professional practices and many other personal and commercial clients find coverage that fits.
Licensed in Louisiana #3661 · Mississippi #15039075 · Florida #W0772236 · Texas #2381820
Understanding the Named Storm Deductible
A named storm deductible works differently than the flat $500 or $1,000 deductible on your regular claims. In Louisiana, it's often calculated as 2% to 5% of the insured value of your personal property. On a policy with $40,000 in contents coverage, a 5% deductible means the first $2,000 of a hurricane loss is yours.
There's some good news in state law. Louisiana's one-deductible-per-year rule (La. R.S. 22:1337) means you generally pay the named storm deductible only once per calendar year, even if two storms hit your rental. Ask your agent to show you that deductible in dollars, not just a percentage, so you can set aside the right amount in an emergency fund.
How a Reciprocal Exchange Works for Policyholders
A reciprocal exchange is not the same thing as a traditional insurance company. With a stock insurer, you buy a policy from a corporation owned by shareholders. In a reciprocal, policyholders are called "subscribers." They are considered fractional owners of the exchange rather than just customers. In plain terms, the members insure one another and pool their premiums to pay claims.
People new to this model often worry about one thing: if a big storm drains the pool, will they get a bill? With CURE, the answer is generally no. The exchange issues non-assessable policies, so subscribers are not liable for additional payments beyond their premiums if the exchange experiences a financial shortfall, provided surplus levels are maintained. That condition matters, so ask your agent to walk you through it.
The model can work in your favor when results are good. If the exchange performs exceptionally well, management has the option to pay dividends to subscribers or reinvest surplus to help lower future premiums. Dividends are never guaranteed, so do not budget around them.
Financial strength is the other question worth asking. CURE holds a Financial Stability Rating of "A, Exceptional" from Demotech, Inc. and a "BBB" rating from KBRA. The Louisiana Department of Insurance also publishes a consumer guide to reciprocal insurance exchanges if you want a regulator's explanation of the structure.
The Role of the Attorney-in-Fact
Subscribers don't manage the exchange themselves. They appoint a manager to do it. For CURE, that manager is Cajun Underwriters Risk Management, LLC. It acts as the Attorney-in-Fact and handles day-to-day operations, such as issuing policies and settling claims.
To grant that authority, every policyholder signs two documents: a Subscriber Agreement and a Limited Power of Attorney. This is where we see people trip up. The paperwork arrives after binding, it looks like routine fine print, and it ends up in a drawer. That is a costly mistake, because failure to provide these signed documents can result in policy cancellation. Sign them, return them, and keep a copy with your declarations page.
With no lender to satisfy, the decision is yours, and so is the entire loss. A total rebuild in this parish runs well into six figures.
Homeowners who own outright
Your lender requires coverage at least equal to the loan, and will buy a policy on your behalf at your expense if yours lapses.
Homeowners with a mortgage
Being named as a certificate holder just means someone receives proof. Being named as an additional insured means your policy may actually defend and pay for that party if they're sued because of your work. General contractors, developers, and property managers ask for this because they get pulled into lawsuits over subcontractor mistakes constantly.
Read the contract language closely. Some agreements require "primary and noncontributory" wording or completed operations coverage for the additional insured, which needs specific endorsements. Many contractors sign a subcontract agreeing to these terms without checking whether their policy includes them. If a claim comes in and the endorsement isn't there, you may be in breach of contract on top of facing the lawsuit.
Actual Cash Value Versus Replacement Cost
Understanding the Valuation Gap
Actual Cash Value (ACV) pays what the damaged item was worth at the time of loss, which means depreciation comes off the top. For an older roof, that deduction can be large. If your roof is 18 years into a 25-year lifespan, an ACV settlement may cover only a fraction of what a new roof costs, and you pay the rest along with your deductible.
Replacement Cost (RC) typically pays what it costs to replace damaged property with new materials of like kind and quality, without subtracting for age. Some carriers pay the ACV portion first and release the remaining amount once repairs are finished, so keep your receipts. On older Bogalusa homes, carriers may offer RC on the dwelling but apply ACV to the roof only. That split is common and easy to miss, so read the roof settlement language before you sign.
There's also a newer option. Louisiana's Act 480 created stated-value policies that let homeowners insure a property for a specific declared amount, such as a mortgage balance, rather than full replacement cost. That may help when rebuilding cost far exceeds what you need protected, but it also means you could be underinsured after a total loss.
Dividend plans generally fall into a few broad structures. The exact plans available depend on the carrier, the state, and the size of your premium:
- Flat dividend plans: A set percentage of premium may be returned if the policy qualifies. Losses typically do not change the percentage unless they cross a threshold.
- Sliding scale plans: The percentage returned usually rises as your loss ratio falls. Lower claims may mean a bigger dividend.
- Retention-style plans: Often reserved for larger accounts, these tie the return closely to actual losses.
Eligibility commonly depends on minimum premium size, paying on time, keeping the policy in force for the full term, and staying under certain loss limits. Ask your agent to show you the specific plan terms in writing before you assume any money is coming back.
Understanding Dividend Types and Eligibility
Eligibility for Cajun Underwriters Homeowners Coverage
CURE writes residential property, including HO3 homeowners and HO6 condo policies, along with commercial "Main Street" business property. Getting a quote does not guarantee a policy will be offered, though. Underwriting looks closely at the house itself, and a few factors typically decide the outcome.
- Roof age and condition: The roof is usually the first thing an underwriter checks in a hurricane state. An older roof, or one showing granule loss or prior patching, may limit eligibility or affect how wind claims are settled.
- Updates on older homes: A 1970s ranch in Slidell isn't automatically out. Older properties may be eligible when there are documented updates to the roof, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. The key word is documented, so keep receipts and permits.
- Construction type: Wind and hail coverage may require stronger construction standards. CURE's materials reference "Fire Resistive" or "Superior Construction" standards for certain risks, and building type typically influences both eligibility and price.
- Occupancy: Homeowners programs are generally designed for owner-occupied primary residences. Seasonal camps, vacant homes, and rentals usually go through different underwriting or a different policy form, so be upfront about how you use the property.
Mitigation features can also help. A fortified roof, hurricane straps, or impact-rated openings may improve how the home is viewed. The state's hurricane mitigation commission report explains why Louisiana has been pushing in that direction. Before you call, gather your roof install date, any wind mitigation inspection, and photos of recent upgrades. That one step can shorten underwriting by days.
The roof
Age, material and shape drive the wind rate more than any other factor. A fortified roof designation opens markets that would otherwise decline the house.
Evaluating Wind and Tree Exposure Risks
Pine and oak trees are part of why people love living in the Pearl River area. They're also a leading cause of roof claims after tropical storms and severe thunderstorms. A single limb through a roof can open the house to water damage that runs far beyond the cost of the roof repair.
Carriers have noticed. In 2026, more insurers are making trimming of limbs that touch or hang over a roof a condition of renewal. A drive-by or aerial inspection may flag overhanging branches, and you could receive a notice giving you a deadline to fix it. Ignoring that letter can lead to nonrenewal, which makes finding new coverage harder.
The roof itself is the other half of the wind picture. Louisiana offers incentives for stronger roofs, and the state's wind mitigation program details explain how certain construction features can lower your premium. Beginning January 1, 2027, Louisiana insurers must apply a premium reduction of 16% to 49% to the hurricane portion for homes with a certified FORTIFIED roof. If you're planning a roof replacement anyway, it may make sense to price out FORTIFIED certification at the same time.
Also review your named storm or wind deductible. In this part of Louisiana, it's often a percentage of the dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount, so a 5% deductible on a $250,000 home means $12,500 out of pocket.
Your belongings
Personal property covers furniture, clothing, tools and electronics. Jewellery, firearms and silver carry low internal caps, so we schedule those items separately when they are worth more than the cap.
Farm Equipment and Machinery Protection
Tractors, bush hogs, UTVs, and zero-turn mowers are where a lot of Pearl River landowners find gaps. Personal property coverage on a homeowners policy may cover some yard equipment, but it often limits or excludes motorized vehicles and items used for farming or business purposes.
Options depend on how you use the equipment:
- Hobby or property maintenance use: An endorsement or scheduled item on the homeowners policy may work.
- Small-scale farming or hay production: A farm or ranch policy, or an inland marine/equipment floater, typically fits better.
- Off-road vehicles like UTVs: These often need their own policy, especially if driven off your property.
Keep serial numbers and photos of every machine. Theft of tractors and trailers from rural lots is a real claim type, and documentation speeds up recovery.
Understanding Wind and Hail Deductible Options
Most Louisiana homeowners policies have two deductibles, and confusing them is one of the most common surprises we see after a storm. The all-other-perils (AOP) deductible is a flat dollar amount, often $1,000 or $2,500. It applies to things like a kitchen fire, a burst pipe, or theft. The wind and hail deductible is usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage (Coverage A), not a percentage of the damage.
CURE's wind and hail options typically range from 2% to 3% to 5% of Coverage A. On a home insured for $300,000, a 5% deductible means you pay the first $15,000 of a wind claim. Picture a Covington homeowner who loses a section of shingles and some fascia in a tropical storm. The repair estimate comes in at $11,000, so they collect nothing. They assumed their $1,000 deductible applied.
There is some protection built into state law. Under Louisiana R.S. 22:1337), policyholders generally cannot be forced to pay a full second hurricane deductible for another storm in the same calendar year. If two hurricanes hit your home in one season, you are not typically starting from zero on the second claim.
Comparing Deductible Tiers
The table uses a $300,000 Coverage A amount to show how each option plays out in real dollars.
| Deductible Type | What You Pay First | Applies To | Named Storm Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AOP flat ($1,000) | $1,000 | Fire, theft, water, non-wind losses | Does not apply to hurricane wind |
| AOP flat ($2,500) | $2,500 | Fire, theft, water, non-wind losses | Does not apply to hurricane wind |
| Wind/Hail 2% | $6,000 | Wind and hail damage | Higher premium, lower out-of-pocket |
| Wind/Hail 3% | $9,000 | Wind and hail damage | Middle ground for many households |
| Wind/Hail 5% | $15,000 | Wind and hail damage | Lower premium, larger storm exposure |
A higher percentage lowers your premium, but the savings only make sense if you can write that check after a hurricane. Our rule of thumb: pick the deductible that matches the cash you could actually access in an emergency, not the one with the lowest annual price.
With no lender to satisfy, the decision is yours, and so is the entire loss. A total rebuild in this parish runs well into six figures.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cajun Underwriters
What is a reciprocal insurance company? It's a group of policyholders, called subscribers, who insure each other by pooling premiums. A manager called an Attorney-in-Fact runs daily operations and pays claims on the group's behalf.
Does this cover hurricane damage? Policies typically cover wind damage from hurricanes, subject to your wind and hail deductible. Flood damage from storm surge or rising water is generally excluded, so most St. Tammany homeowners need a separate flood policy.
Could I get a bill if the exchange loses money? CURE issues non-assessable policies, so subscribers are generally not liable for payments beyond their premium as long as required surplus levels are maintained.
Why do I have to sign a power of attorney? It authorizes the Attorney-in-Fact to manage underwriting and claims for the exchange. Skipping it can lead to cancellation, so return it promptly.
Can I get a policy on an older house? Possibly. Older homes may qualify when the roof, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing have documented updates.
Is Cajun Underwriters only available through agents? Homeowners usually access it through an appointed agent. An independent agency can compare it side by side with other carriers that write in your area.
The roof
Age, material and shape drive the wind rate more than any other factor. A fortified roof designation opens markets that would otherwise decline the house.
Evaluating Wind and Tree Exposure Risks
Pine and oak trees are part of why people love living in the Pearl River area. They're also a leading cause of roof claims after tropical storms and severe thunderstorms. A single limb through a roof can open the house to water damage that runs far beyond the cost of the roof repair.
Carriers have noticed. In 2026, more insurers are making trimming of limbs that touch or hang over a roof a condition of renewal. A drive-by or aerial inspection may flag overhanging branches, and you could receive a notice giving you a deadline to fix it. Ignoring that letter can lead to nonrenewal, which makes finding new coverage harder.
The roof itself is the other half of the wind picture. Louisiana offers incentives for stronger roofs, and the state's wind mitigation program details explain how certain construction features can lower your premium. Beginning January 1, 2027, Louisiana insurers must apply a premium reduction of 16% to 49% to the hurricane portion for homes with a certified FORTIFIED roof. If you're planning a roof replacement anyway, it may make sense to price out FORTIFIED certification at the same time.
Also review your named storm or wind deductible. In this part of Louisiana, it's often a percentage of the dwelling limit rather than a flat dollar amount, so a 5% deductible on a $250,000 home means $12,500 out of pocket.
Your belongings
Personal property covers furniture, clothing, tools and electronics. Jewellery, firearms and silver carry low internal caps, so we schedule those items separately when they are worth more than the cap.
Farm Equipment and Machinery Protection
Tractors, bush hogs, UTVs, and zero-turn mowers are where a lot of Pearl River landowners find gaps. Personal property coverage on a homeowners policy may cover some yard equipment, but it often limits or excludes motorized vehicles and items used for farming or business purposes.
Options depend on how you use the equipment:
- Hobby or property maintenance use: An endorsement or scheduled item on the homeowners policy may work.
- Small-scale farming or hay production: A farm or ranch policy, or an inland marine/equipment floater, typically fits better.
- Off-road vehicles like UTVs: These often need their own policy, especially if driven off your property.
Keep serial numbers and photos of every machine. Theft of tractors and trailers from rural lots is a real claim type, and documentation speeds up recovery.
Wine is fragile in ways most policies ignore. A power outage after a storm can knock out cellar cooling for days, and heat damage ruins bottles even if nothing floods. Some high value policies may cover spoilage from temperature change or mechanical breakdown.
Keep an inventory with photos, vintages, and receipts. A whole-home generator and temperature alarms help both the wine and your insurability.
Climate-Controlled Wine Cellar Protection
Making the Right Choice for Your Louisiana Home
A reciprocal exchange like CURE may offer solid financial ratings, non-assessable policies, and in 2026, a rate decrease that many carriers aren't matching. Whether it fits your home depends on details that don't show up in an online ad. Those include your roof age, your documented updates, and the wind deductible you can realistically absorb after a storm.
Aubert Insurance Agency has been insuring Louisiana families from our Covington and Slidell offices since 1910. As an independent agency, we can quote Cajun Underwriters alongside other carriers and explain the trade-offs before you sign anything. That includes which deductible keeps your premium manageable without leaving you exposed in August. Our process is simple: you start online, we shop for you, and you pick the plan that fits.
If your renewal just landed or your carrier sent a nonrenewal letter, don't wait until a storm is in the Gulf. Start a Quote today and let us find out whether this market fits your home.
About the Author
Kyle Beerbohm
President
We've been independent since 1910, and four generations of local ownership have kept us that way. We're one of the oldest agencies in St. Tammany Parish and the fourth oldest business in the City of Covington. I treat that history as a responsibility rather than a plaque on the wall. My job is to keep us answering to the families and business owners who walk through our doors, and to keep serving this parish for another hundred years.
Louisiana Insurance Questions, Answered
Questions clients ask us
Short, plain answers to what people ask before they call. Anything else, phone the office and ask.
What does an independent insurance agency do?
We represent you, not one insurance company. We gather your information once, then compare coverage and price across the carriers we hold contracts with. You get choices, and one agent handles the paperwork.
Which types of insurance does Aubert offer?
We write 13 personal lines, including home, auto, flood, boat, and life. We write 15 commercial lines, including business owners policies, general liability, workers compensation, and commercial property.
Do I need flood insurance in St. Tammany Parish?
Your homeowners policy excludes flood, and much of the Northshore has flooded outside mapped high-risk zones. Lenders require it inside those zones. We check your flood zone and quote NFIP and private options.
Which states are you licensed in?
We hold licenses in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Texas. License numbers appear in the footer of every page on this site.
How do you find me a competitive rate?
We take your details once and market them to the carriers and wholesale brokers that fit your risk. We compare the offers, explain the differences in coverage, and recommend the strongest fit.
How do I file a claim or request a certificate?
Call the office or use the Client Center on this site. We report the claim, follow the adjuster, and send certificates of insurance to whoever needs them.
Personal Insurance in Louisiana
Coverage for your home, your vehicles, and your family
Thirteen personal lines sit under one roof. Start with the coverage you need most, and we price it across our markets.
Home Insurance
Protect your house, its contents, and your liability with a policy priced across many Louisiana homeowners carriers.
Car Insurance
Cover every driver and vehicle in your household, and compare limits and deductibles side by side before you buy.
Flood Insurance
Standard home policies exclude flood. We write NFIP and private flood coverage for St. Tammany Parish properties.
Umbrella Insurance
Add a layer of liability above your home and auto limits, so one serious claim never reaches your savings.
Boat Insurance
Cover your hull, motor, trailer, and liability on the lake, the river, and the Gulf, wherever you launch.
Life Insurance
Replace your income for the people who depend on it, with term and permanent options we quote across carriers.
Business Insurance in Louisiana
Coverage for the business you built
Fifteen commercial lines, written for the payrolls, fleets, and buildings that Louisiana carriers ask hard questions about.
Contractors Insurance
General contractors, trade contractors and specialty crews. We cover the liability, tools, vehicles and workers your jobs depend on.
Business Owners (BOP)
One policy bundling property and liability for a small business. Straightforward cover for the building, the contents and the risk.
Professional Liability
Protection when your advice or professional work is challenged. A staple of any commercial package for a service business.
Commercial Property
Landlords and commercial real estate investors. We insure the building, the habitation risk and the income it produces.
Workers Compensation
Protecting your employees protects your business. Medical costs and lost wages covered when someone is hurt on the job.
Commercial Auto
Trucks, vans and fleets. We shop a wide range of commercial auto markets to match your vehicles and your drivers.
Business Insurance by Industry
We protect hundreds of businesses of all shapes and sizes
We know the exposures, the contract language, and the markets that write these trades on the Northshore.
Residential General Contractors
Builders risk, general liability, and comp for homebuilders and remodelers working across St. Tammany Parish.
Trade Contractors
Plumbers, electricians, roofers, and painters get liability, tools, and auto coverage that satisfies job requirements.
Restaurants
Property, liquor liability, spoilage, and comp for kitchens, bars, and cafés, including Louisiana association programs.
5-Star Rated by St. Tammany Clients
What Our Clients Say
Neighbours, business owners, and families across Covington and Slidell tell the story better than we can.
Insurance Tips & Local News
Insurance tips for Louisiana homes and businesses
Practical reading on flood zones, hurricane deductibles, and the coverage questions local business owners raise.
Request Your Free Insurance Quote
Tell us what you need covered
Send the form or call the office. A licensed agent in Covington or Slidell answers you directly.
614 E. Boston St., Covington, LA 70433. (985) 892-3101
58418 Tyler Drive, Slidell, LA 70461 · (985) 641-0520
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614 E. Boston St., Covington, LA 70433 — Get Directions
58418 Tyler Drive, Slidell, LA 70461 — Get Directions
