Covington's charming historic downtown and tree-lined streets on Louisiana's Northshore make it one of St. Tammany Parish's most desirable communities. But living in this beautiful area comes with a reality check: home insurance here is expensive, and if you're near the Tchefuncte River or Bogue Falaya, you're dealing with flood risk that standard policies won't cover. The good news? Understanding how insurance works in Covington can save you thousands of dollars and protect what matters most.
Louisiana homeowners currently face the highest insurance costs in America. Premiums are projected to hit around $14,000 by the end of 2025—a 27% jump from 2024's already steep rates. For Covington residents, that sticker shock is real. But here's what you need to know to navigate this market smartly.
Why Covington Home Insurance Costs What It Does
Between 2020 and 2021, Louisiana took direct hits from four powerful hurricanes—Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida—within just twelve months. That devastation sent eleven insurance companies into insolvency since 2022, with others pulling out of the state entirely. The companies that stayed raised rates dramatically to cover their losses and prepare for future storms.
For a home with $300,000 in dwelling coverage in Louisiana, you're looking at an average annual premium of $6,274—159% more than the national average of $2,424. That's not a typo. Louisiana residents pay on average 3.84% of their family income on homeowners insurance, double the national average.
Covington specifically faces hurricane exposure as a Northshore community, though you're somewhat buffered compared to coastal areas. Still, named storm deductibles here typically run 2-5% of your insured property value. On a $300,000 home, that means you'd pay the first $6,000 to $15,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in after a hurricane. That's a critical number to understand when budgeting for coverage.
Understanding Flood Risk and Coverage in Covington
Here's something that trips up many Covington homeowners: your standard home insurance policy doesn't cover flooding. Not from the Tchefuncte River, not from heavy rainfall that overwhelms drainage systems, not from any water that comes up from the ground. You need separate flood insurance, period.
St. Tammany Parish uses FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps to designate zones. If you're in Zone A—the 100-year floodplain—and you have a mortgage, you're required to carry flood insurance. Zone B covers the 500-year floodplain where insurance isn't required, and Zones C and X are outside flood zones. But even if you're not required to have it, consider this: the parish is subject to riverine flooding, heavy rainfall ponding, and tropical storm surge.
The silver lining? St. Tammany Parish participates in FEMA's Community Rating System program, which earns residents a 15% automatic discount on all flood insurance policies. You can purchase flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program or through private insurers. The federal government also offers grants through the parish to mitigate flood risk—including elevating structures or even property buyouts for repetitive loss properties.
How to Lower Your Premiums: The FORTIFY Homes Program
If there's one thing that can meaningfully reduce your insurance costs in Covington, it's upgrading to a FORTIFIED roof. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program provides grants up to $10,000 to retrofit your roof to standards that can withstand winds up to 150 mph and resist hurricane damage.
The numbers are compelling. According to a recent Louisiana Legislative Auditor report, homeowners who received FORTIFIED roof grants saved a median of $1,250 annually on insurance—dropping their premiums from $5,625 to $4,375, a 22% reduction. Insurance discounts for FORTIFIED roofs range from 20% to 52% off the wind portion of your policy. The median total cost of the upgrade runs about $16,229, or $6,229 after the $10,000 grant. With $1,250 in annual savings, the upgrade pays for itself in less than five years.
The program is available to all Louisiana homeowners regardless of income level, as long as it's your primary residence. Since launching in October 2023, the state has awarded more than 1,800 roof grants. For Covington and Mandeville area homeowners specifically, the benefit of upgrading to a FORTIFIED roof is estimated at 95% of the full upfront cost—more than four times the extra expense beyond a standard code-compliant roof.
The Insurance Market Is Stabilizing (Slowly)
Despite the grim premium numbers, there are genuine signs of improvement in Louisiana's insurance market. Since 2024, ten new insurers have begun offering policies in the state, increasing competition and options for homeowners. The pace of rate increases has slowed significantly—from 16.2% in 2022 and 14% in 2023 down to 6.6% in 2024.
That said, not all news is positive. State Farm recently received approval for a 9.7% rate increase affecting over 300,000 Louisiana policyholders, citing hurricane modeling that projects higher future losses. Meanwhile, SureChoice Underwriters received approval for a 7.5% rate decrease for its 73,000+ policyholders. This disparity highlights why shopping around is absolutely essential in this market.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is projected to bring above-normal activity, with forecasters predicting 17 named storms including four major hurricanes. That means insurers will continue watching Louisiana closely, and rates will remain sensitive to storm activity.
What Covington Homeowners Should Do Now
First, get multiple quotes. With ten new insurers in Louisiana's market and wide variation in rates, comparing at least three to five carriers could uncover significant savings. Don't assume your current insurer is offering the best rate—loyalty doesn't pay in this environment.
Second, seriously consider the FORTIFY Homes Program if your roof is aging or you're planning replacement anyway. The combination of $10,000 in grant funding and 20-52% insurance discounts makes this one of the most effective ways to reduce your long-term housing costs. Check the Louisiana Department of Insurance website for current grant availability and application details.
Third, verify your flood zone and coverage. Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or contact St. Tammany Parish's floodplain administrator to confirm your designation. If you're in or near Zone A, budget for separate flood insurance. Even if you're not required to carry it, remember that 20-30% of flood claims come from outside high-risk zones. Given Covington's proximity to the Tchefuncte River and the parish's history of heavy rainfall flooding, this coverage may be worth the investment.
Finally, review your hurricane deductible carefully. That 2-5% separate deductible for named storms catches many homeowners by surprise when they file a claim. Make sure you have emergency savings to cover this deductible, or discuss with your agent whether a lower percentage option makes sense for your financial situation—keeping in mind it will increase your premium.
Home insurance in Covington isn't cheap, and the combination of hurricane exposure and flood risk means you need both types of coverage to be truly protected. But by understanding your risks, taking advantage of mitigation programs like FORTIFY Homes, and shopping aggressively across Louisiana's expanding insurer market, you can find coverage that protects your Northshore home without breaking the bank. The key is being proactive—don't wait until renewal time to explore your options.
