State officials urge Louisianans to claim Citizens rebate

Louisiana property owners eligible for a state rebate from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance on policy assessments paid between 2008 and 2011 left $260 million on the table at the end of 2011. That’s roughly 65% of the total rebate available to Louisiana policyholders. Today, Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon and Department of Revenue Deputy Assistant Secretary Gary Matherne held a press conference to urge policyholders to check their policy declaration page to see if they’re entitled to a rebate. Donelon says he doesn’t want to see a repeat of what happened to the claims rebate fund for 2006 and 2007. When time expired to collect on those rebates in 2010 and 2011, $154 million went unclaimed, or 54% of the total rebate available to Louisianans. Donelon says he’s embarking on a statewide public education campaign this month to try to ensure all rebates will be claimed, as well as to inform residents about insurance premium discounts available to homeowners who strengthen their homes against storms and hurricanes. More info on collecting a Citizens assessment rebate can be found on the Louisiana Department of Revenue website here.