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.
Louisiana high net worth insurance is a coordinated private client program that typically bundles guaranteed or agreed-value home coverage, collector car policies through carriers like Hagerty, scheduled jewelry and art protection, and umbrella liability limits of $5 million or more. For Northshore families, it closes the gaps a standard homeowners policy leaves open.
That definition sounds tidy on paper. In practice, the families we work with in St. Tammany Parish rarely have one big exposure. They have several, and those exposures overlap in ways a standard policy was never designed to handle. Think of a Bayou Lacombe waterfront home with a boathouse, a garage holding a 1967 Corvette and a daily-driven Range Rover, a jewelry box worth more than the cars, and a teenage driver with a new license. Each of those pieces needs its own coverage, and all of them need to work together.
The good news for 2026 is that the market has steadied. Louisiana homeowners rates showed an average increase of just 0.1% in the first half of 2026, compared to 14% in 2023. That calmer market makes this a smart year to review a private client program from top to bottom.
Louisiana Private Client Insurance for Northshore Estates
Private client insurance is a separate tier of coverage built for households with significant assets. The carriers in this space typically write broader policy language, higher sublimits, and more flexible claim settlement terms than mainstream homeowners companies. They also tend to assign dedicated claims adjusters and offer risk consultations, such as appraisals of your home's construction and contents.
The real value is coordination. When your home, autos, collections, and umbrella sit with one private client carrier (or a well-matched group of them), the underlying limits line up properly with your umbrella. That alignment matters. A common mistake we see is a $3 million umbrella sitting on top of an auto policy with limits too low to meet the umbrella's requirements, which can leave a gap that the family pays for out of pocket.
For Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, and Slidell households, a private client program may also account for Louisiana-specific realities like named storm deductibles, separate flood coverage, and older homes built with materials that are expensive to replicate.
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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.
Insuring Waterfront Homes in Covington and Slidell
Aubert Insurance Agency has insured Northshore homes since 1910, and waterfront property remains the most complicated piece of the puzzle. A home on the Tchefuncte River or along the Slidell lakefront faces three distinct threats: wind, water, and the sheer cost of rebuilding it.
Wind is typically covered by your homeowners policy, though often with a separate hurricane deductible expressed as a percentage of dwelling coverage. On a $2 million home, a 5% deductible means $100,000 out of pocket before coverage responds. Flood is never covered by a standard homeowners policy. Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, high-risk Zone AE properties in St. Tammany typically see annual flood premiums between $1,200 and $3,500, and the NFIP caps building coverage at levels far below what most estate homes need. That's why many of our clients add private excess flood coverage.
Fortified roofs are worth a look. Under LDI Regulation 136, insurers must offer mandatory premium reductions for Fortified designations beginning January 1, 2027. If you're replacing a roof this year, that timing matters.
Agreed Value and Guaranteed Replacement Cost
Rebuilding a custom home after a hurricane often costs far more than its appraised market value. Post-storm labor shortages, specialty millwork, slate roofing, and cypress beams all drive the number up. Guaranteed replacement cost policies may pay to rebuild your home even if the cost exceeds your stated dwelling limit, while extended replacement cost typically adds a fixed percentage, such as 25% or 50%, above it.
A newer option gaining ground in 2026 is the stated value approach, where owners of high-value estates insure for a specific financial exposure rather than a full modern reconstruction estimate. This can make sense for a historic home you wouldn't rebuild exactly as it stands. The tradeoff is clear: you're choosing a ceiling, so you need to be comfortable with it.
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.
Protecting Luxury Vehicles with Hagerty Collector Car Coverage
A standard auto policy pays actual cash value after a total loss, which means depreciation. For a collector car, that formula falls apart, since many of these vehicles gain value over time. Hagerty and similar collector carriers typically write agreed value coverage, where you and the carrier settle on the car's value upfront and that amount is what you'd receive after a covered total loss, with no depreciation argument.
Values are moving. Hagerty's 2026 Bull Market list flags the 2004 to 2007 Porsche Carrera GT, with average values reaching $1.55 million. Even modern classics are climbing: the 2006 to 2010 BMW M5 has joined the list at an average value of $36,000, and 58% of interest in that model comes from enthusiasts under 40.
For Louisiana collectors, a few policy details deserve attention:
- Usage limits: Collector policies may restrict daily driving, though many allow flexible use for shows, club runs, and weekend drives along Highway 190.
- Storage requirements: Carriers typically expect an enclosed, locked garage, which matters during hurricane season.
- Annual value reviews: If your car appreciates, your agreed value should follow.
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.
Valuable Articles: Jewelry, Fine Art, and Wine Collections
A standard homeowners policy may cover your jewelry for theft up to a sublimit of only a few thousand dollars. That's a problem when an engagement ring alone is worth $40,000. Fine art, silver, firearms, and wine often face similar caps, and many policies won't cover mysterious disappearance at all, such as a diamond falling out of its setting at a Mardi Gras ball.
Scheduled personal property, sometimes called a valuable articles policy, fixes this. Each item is listed individually with an appraised value. Coverage is typically broader, often including accidental loss and breakage, and usually carries no deductible. Many private client carriers also offer blanket coverage for unscheduled items up to a set amount per piece, which helps with smaller pieces you haven't appraised.
Wine collectors face a specific Louisiana risk: a power outage after a storm can spoil a cellar. Some policies may cover spoilage from temperature change, but not all do, so ask directly. Keep appraisals current, ideally every three to five years, because gold and gemstone values shift.
High-Limit Umbrella and Excess Liability Requirements
Wealth makes you a target. If your teenager causes a multi-car accident on I-12, or a guest is injured on your dock, the plaintiff's attorney will look past your insurance limits to your investments, real estate, and business interests. That's why high net worth families typically need umbrella limits starting at $5 million, and often $10 million or more.
Louisiana's legal climate has historically been tough on defendants. Recent reforms help: the shift to modified comparative fault is beginning to "bend the rate curve" by reducing litigation frequency. Still, a single serious injury verdict can exceed $5 million, and legal defense costs alone can climb into six figures.
Private client umbrellas may include coverages that mainstream umbrellas exclude, like employment practices liability for household staff (nannies, housekeepers, landscapers), director and officer liability for nonprofit board service, and excess uninsured motorist coverage. Watercraft deserve a specific check: if you keep a boat on Lake Pontchartrain, confirm your umbrella actually extends over it and its horsepower.
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.
Seeing the coverages side by side makes the value of extended protection easier to judge.
Why Did I Get a Letter from My Lender?
Federally backed and federally regulated lenders must require flood insurance on properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas. When a remapping places your home inside one of those areas, the lender is obligated to notify you. The letter will typically ask you to show proof of flood coverage within a set period, often 45 days.
Do not ignore it. If you do nothing, the lender can buy force-placed flood insurance on your behalf and add the cost to your escrow. Force-placed coverage is usually more expensive and generally protects the lender's interest in the structure, not your belongings.
Comparing Standard Homeowners vs Private Client Policies
Comparing Standard Homeowners vs Private Client Policies
Here's how the two approaches typically differ for a Northshore estate. Specific terms vary by carrier, so treat this as a general guide.
| Feature | Standard Homeowners | Private Client Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling settlement | Replacement cost up to the limit | Guaranteed or extended replacement may apply |
| Jewelry theft sublimit | Often a few thousand dollars | Higher limits, plus scheduling options |
| Mysterious disappearance | Usually excluded | Typically covered on scheduled items |
| Cash settlement option | Often must rebuild to collect full value | May allow cash payout without rebuilding |
| Umbrella limits | $1M to $2M common | $5M to $100M available |
| Claims handling | General adjuster pool | Dedicated or specialized adjusters |
| Risk services | Rarely offered | Appraisals, home inspections, storm prep |
The price gap is often smaller than people expect, especially once you account for bundling and the coverage you'd otherwise have to buy separately.
Frequently Asked Questions About High Net Worth Insurance
How do I know if I need private client insurance? If your home is worth more than about $750,000, or you own significant jewelry, art, collector cars, or investments, a standard policy likely leaves gaps. A coverage review can show you exactly where.
Does a private client home policy cover flood? No. Flood requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy, and many estate homes need excess flood coverage above NFIP limits.
Can I insure my collector car with Hagerty and my home with another carrier? Yes. Many clients mix carriers, but your umbrella's underlying requirements must still line up with every policy.
How often should I update appraisals? Every three to five years for jewelry and art is a sensible rule, sooner if markets move or you add pieces.
How much umbrella coverage is enough? Most high net worth households start at $5 million and match their limit to their total net worth and lifestyle risks, like boats, staff, or teen drivers.
Are Louisiana home insurance rates still rising? They've largely flattened in 2026, with an average increase of just 0.1% in the first half of the year.
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.
Seeing the coverages side by side makes the value of extended protection easier to judge.
Why Did I Get a Letter from My Lender?
Federally backed and federally regulated lenders must require flood insurance on properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas. When a remapping places your home inside one of those areas, the lender is obligated to notify you. The letter will typically ask you to show proof of flood coverage within a set period, often 45 days.
Do not ignore it. If you do nothing, the lender can buy force-placed flood insurance on your behalf and add the cost to your escrow. Force-placed coverage is usually more expensive and generally protects the lender's interest in the structure, not your belongings.
Comparing Standard Homeowners vs Private Client Policies
Making the Right Choice for Your Louisiana Estate
A strong private client program isn't about buying the most coverage. It's about making sure your Northshore home, your collector cars, your valuables, and your umbrella work together without gaps. Wind and flood need separate attention. Collector vehicles need agreed value. Jewelry and art need scheduling. And your liability limits should reflect what you actually have to lose.
As an independent agency serving Louisiana since 1910, Aubert Insurance Agency compares options across multiple private client and specialty carriers, then walks you through what each policy covers and excludes before you sign. That education piece matters, because these are legally binding contracts with real consequences.
When you're ready, Start a Quote with Kyle Beerbohm at our Covington or Slidell office. A thirty-minute review now beats discovering a gap after the next storm.
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
