Living in Covington means enjoying the best of both worlds—the charming, tree-lined streets of downtown St. Tammany Parish and easy access to New Orleans via the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. With a population of nearly 12,000 residents, many of whom commute to New Orleans for work, Covington has become a hub for families and professionals seeking a small-town feel without sacrificing convenience. But when it comes to insurance, Louisiana's unique climate challenges and regulations mean you need to understand exactly what coverage you need to protect your home, your car, and your family.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about insurance in Covington—from navigating flood zones on the Northshore to finding local agents who understand your neighborhood. Whether you're a long-time resident or just moved to the area, here's what you need to stay protected.
Auto Insurance: Louisiana's Requirements and the No Pay, No Play Law
If you're driving in Covington, you need to understand Louisiana's auto insurance requirements. The state mandates minimum liability coverage of 15/30/25, which means $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. These minimums haven't changed for 2025, but here's what has: Louisiana's No Pay, No Play law was updated in August 2025.
Under this law, if you're caught driving without insurance and you're involved in an accident, you can't recover the first $100,000 in property damage or the first $100,000 in personal injuries—even if the other driver was at fault. That's a significant penalty, especially if you're seriously injured. The message is clear: driving uninsured in Louisiana comes with real consequences.
For Covington residents who commute to New Orleans daily—and with average commute times around 27 minutes—you're spending significant time on the road. That makes adequate auto insurance even more important. Many locals choose to carry higher liability limits than the state minimum, along with uninsured motorist coverage to protect themselves if someone without insurance hits them. Given Louisiana's high rate of uninsured drivers, this extra protection is worth considering.
Homeowners Insurance: Rising Costs and Hurricane Considerations
Here's the tough news: Louisiana homeowners insurance is expensive and getting more so. The average annual premium in Louisiana is $6,274 for $300,000 in dwelling coverage—that's 159% higher than the national average of $2,424. Some projections suggest costs could reach $14,000 by the end of 2025, making Louisiana one of the most expensive states for home insurance alongside Florida.
Why so high? Louisiana's vulnerability to hurricanes and tropical storms drives up costs significantly. Your homeowners policy will typically cover wind and hail damage from hurricanes, but there's a catch: most policies include a separate hurricane deductible of 2-5% of your dwelling coverage. That means if your home is insured for $300,000 and you have a 3% hurricane deductible, you're paying the first $9,000 of hurricane damage out of pocket.
The good news? Covington is further inland than coastal communities, which typically means somewhat lower premiums than towns right on the Gulf. However, you're still subject to Louisiana's overall market conditions. Some major insurers like State Farm have limited coverage in certain Louisiana areas, so working with a local Covington agent who knows which companies are actively writing policies in St. Tammany Parish is crucial.
Flood Insurance: A Critical Gap in Your Coverage
Here's what catches many homeowners off guard: your standard homeowners policy doesn't cover flood damage. Zero. If water comes into your home from rising rivers, heavy rainfall, or storm surge, you need separate flood insurance. And given that Covington sits in St. Tammany Parish near the Tchefuncte River and other waterways, flooding is a real risk you need to address.
Covington participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and has earned a CRS Class 8 rating as of May 2020. That rating means residents get a discount on flood insurance premiums—typically around 10% off NFIP rates. The average cost of flood insurance in Louisiana is $955 per year according to FEMA, slightly above the national average.
If you have a federally backed mortgage and your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)—which includes zones A, AE, AO, AH, and V—flood insurance is mandatory. But even if you're not in a high-risk zone, consider this: about 20% of flood insurance claims come from properties outside high-risk areas. You can check your property's flood zone through the City of Covington's Permits Department at 985-898-4725 or online through FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
Finding Local Insurance Agents in Covington
One advantage of living in Covington is access to local insurance professionals who understand the Northshore market. St. Tammany Parish has a robust insurance marketplace with over 76 agencies serving homeowners in the area. Long-established agencies like Aubert Insurance (founded in 1910 and located at 614 E. Boston St.) and Market Insurance of St. Tammany (at 1200 N Highway 190) have deep roots in the community and relationships with multiple insurance carriers.
Working with a local independent agent gives you a significant advantage: they can shop multiple companies on your behalf to find the best combination of coverage and price. This is especially valuable in Louisiana's challenging insurance market, where some national carriers have pulled back or stopped writing new policies. A local agent knows which companies are actively insuring homes in your neighborhood and can navigate the complexities of Louisiana's insurance landscape.
How to Get Started: Your Action Plan
First, review your current auto insurance policy. Make sure you're carrying at least Louisiana's 15/30/25 minimum liability, but seriously consider higher limits given the No Pay, No Play law and the risks of underinsured motorists. Add uninsured motorist coverage if you don't already have it.
Second, if you own a home, verify your flood zone status and determine whether you need flood insurance. Even if it's not required, run the numbers—at an average of $955 per year with Covington's CRS discount, it's relatively affordable protection against a devastating financial loss.
Third, shop around. Contact at least three local Covington insurance agents to compare quotes on your homeowners or auto insurance. Don't just look at the premium—understand what's covered, what your deductibles are, and whether there are special hurricane or wind deductibles that could leave you exposed.
Insurance in Louisiana isn't cheap, and Covington residents face the same challenges as the rest of the state when it comes to rising premiums. But with the right coverage in place—adequate auto liability, comprehensive homeowners insurance, and separate flood protection—you can enjoy everything that makes Covington special without worrying about financial disaster if something goes wrong. Take the time to review your policies, understand your risks, and work with a local agent who can guide you through the options. Your future self will thank you.
