Homeowners Stymied in Search for Insurance Against Storm Damage

NEW ORLEANS — Homeowners sought additional storm coverage and new flood insurance this week, but for many it was too late to buy protection against Hurricane Gilbert.

Most insurance companies stopped writing storm-damage coverage by Wednesday morning, officials said. And homeowners gave up the idea of buying new flood insurance after learning that a new policy would not take effect for five days.

“I personally turned down a half-million-dollar risk,” said Randy Maddox, president of Morrison Insurance Agency. The independent agency represents Aetna and the Hartford and a number of other companies.

‘Doesn’t Matter Who’

Maddox said that he even turned down his own father’s request to purchase additional insurance coverage. “It doesn’t matter who it is,” he said.

Several large companies, including State Farm and Allstate, stopped doing new business at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Others stopped Tuesday afternoon.

Gabrielle Rostran, office manager at the Angelo Leone State Farm agency, said 30 or 40 customers called Wednesday seeking additional storm coverage or flood insurance.