Kenner sits just west of New Orleans, home to Louis Armstrong International Airport and about 66,000 residents who know exactly what it means to live in hurricane country. If you're shopping for home insurance here, you've probably already noticed something: the quotes are higher than you expected. Way higher. There's a reason for that, and it's not just because insurance companies feel like charging more in Louisiana. Kenner's location puts your home squarely in the path of some serious weather risks, and insurers price their policies accordingly.
Here's what you need to know about protecting your home in Kenner—from understanding why flood insurance isn't optional to navigating Louisiana's recovering insurance market.
Why Kenner Home Insurance Costs What It Does
The average Louisiana homeowner pays about $5,256 per year for home insurance—more than double the national average of $2,544. Kenner typically sees rates at or above that state average. The main culprit? You're living in Jefferson Parish, which holds an unfortunate distinction: it's the repetitive flood loss capital of Louisiana. Over 5,700 properties here have flooded multiple times, including 5,439 unmitigated properties inside the levee system.
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the wake-up call. Storm surges reached 15 feet, and wind gusts hit 125 mph. More recently, Hurricane Francine in 2024 dumped at least 7 inches of rain on Kenner, flooding 50 to 75 homes in the University City neighborhood. When Hurricane Ida tore through in 2021, it sent Louisiana's entire insurance market into chaos—a crisis the state is still recovering from today.
Rate changes reflect this ongoing volatility. In December 2025, State Farm received approval for a 9.7% rate increase affecting over 300,000 Louisiana homeowners, citing hurricane modeling that projects higher future losses. At the same time, some smaller insurers like SureChoice Underwriters approved a 7.5% decrease. The market is stabilizing—10 new insurers have entered Louisiana since 2024—but affordability remains a struggle.
The Flood Insurance Reality Check
Here's something most people don't realize until it's too late: your standard homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover flooding. Not from hurricanes, not from heavy rain, not from storm surge. If water comes up from the ground or falls from the sky and floods your home, your homeowners policy won't pay a dime. You need separate flood insurance.
Most of Kenner sits at or below sea level. The ground is flat and prone to subsidence, which means there's no natural gravity drainage. Every drop of rain that falls has to be pumped out. When those pumps get overwhelmed—and they do during heavy storms—flooding happens fast. If you're in Flood Zone AE (a high-risk area), your mortgage lender will require you to carry flood insurance. But even if you're not required to have it, you should seriously consider it given Jefferson Parish's track record.
The good news: Kenner has worked hard to improve its Community Rating System (CRS) rating with FEMA, moving from Class 9 to Class 6. That translates to a 20% discount on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums for residents. In high-risk zones, the average annual NFIP premium is $1,360. That discount can save you real money. About 70,000 flood insurance policies were dropped across Louisiana from 2022 to 2024 as costs skyrocketed under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 system, but Kenner residents who maintain coverage benefit from that CRS discount.
What Your Homeowners Policy Actually Covers
Your homeowners insurance in Kenner covers the structure of your home (dwelling coverage), your personal belongings, liability if someone gets hurt on your property, and additional living expenses if you're displaced after a covered loss. It will typically cover damage from wind, hail, fire, lightning, and theft. If a hurricane's winds rip off your roof or blow out your windows, your homeowners policy should cover that damage.
But there's a catch that trips up a lot of Kenner homeowners during hurricane season: the difference between wind damage and water damage. If wind tears your roof off and then rain pours into your house, that's typically covered because the wind damage came first. But if storm surge or rising floodwater enters your home, that's flood damage—not covered by homeowners insurance. After a major hurricane, this distinction becomes critical, and it's why you need both policies working together.
Pay attention to your coverage limits and deductibles. Many Louisiana policies include separate hurricane or windstorm deductibles—often 2% to 5% of your dwelling coverage amount. On a $300,000 home, a 2% deductible means you'd pay the first $6,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Make sure you understand what deductibles apply to your policy.
Navigating Louisiana's Insurance Market
Louisiana's insurance market has been through hell the past few years. After Hurricane Ida in 2021, several major insurers either left the state or went bankrupt. About 100,000 Louisiana homeowners ended up with Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance—the state-funded insurer of last resort. That's up more than 200% since Ida. If you can't find coverage in the private market, Citizens will insure you, but it's meant to be a temporary solution while the private market recovers.
There's good news on the horizon. Since 2024, 10 new insurers have started offering policies in Louisiana. Through the first three months of 2025, insurers filed more rate decreases than in all of 2023 or 2024 combined. The market is stabilizing, though it's still fragile. Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple noted in January 2026 that the market is showing signs of stability, but premiums remain high.
Shop around aggressively. Get quotes from multiple insurers, including both national carriers and regional companies that specialize in coastal properties. Work with an independent agent who can compare policies across multiple insurers. Ask about discounts for hurricane shutters, fortified roofs, security systems, and bundling your home and auto policies. Small differences in coverage or insurer can mean hundreds of dollars per year.
Living Near the Airport and Other Kenner Considerations
Louis Armstrong International Airport is a massive economic driver for Kenner, and many residents work there or benefit from its proximity. From an insurance perspective, airport noise zones don't typically impact your home insurance rates the way flood zones do. Some homes near airports may be part of noise mitigation programs that fund soundproofing improvements, which could marginally benefit insurance by improving the property, but flood risk dwarfs any airport-related considerations.
Kenner's housing stock is diverse—everything from mid-century ranch homes to newer subdivisions. Older homes may face higher premiums due to outdated electrical, plumbing, or roofing systems. If you're buying an older home, get a thorough inspection and budget for updates that insurers care about: roof condition, electrical panels, and foundation issues. A newer roof can significantly reduce your premiums, and some insurers offer better rates for homes with impact-resistant roofing materials.
How to Get Started
Start by getting quotes for both homeowners and flood insurance at the same time. Don't treat flood insurance as an afterthought—it's just as essential as your homeowners policy in Kenner. Check your property's flood zone designation on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. Even if you're not in a high-risk zone, consider flood coverage. Remember, 25% of flood claims come from moderate-to-low-risk areas.
Document your home and belongings with photos and videos. Keep receipts for major purchases. Store these records somewhere off-site or in the cloud—you don't want your only copies destroyed in the same disaster that damages your home. Review your coverage annually, especially after making home improvements or major purchases. As Kenner's insurance market continues to evolve, staying informed and proactive will help you find the best protection for your home at the best available price.
