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Why Liberty Mutual customers in Louisiana will get homeowner’s insurance refund

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lailluminator.com – Greg LaRose – 2025-03-07 15:02:00

Why Liberty Mutual customers in Louisiana will get homeowner’s insurance refund

by Greg LaRose, Louisiana Illuminator
March 7, 2025

Some 138,000 Louisiana customers of Liberty Mutual can expect a small refund on their homeowner’s insurance after the company overcharged them for the past four years, according to the state insurance department.

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said the policyholders were billed too much for an assessment that every homeowner pays to fund the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which covers property owners who cannot get policies on the private market.

The overcharges total approximately $4 million. The error occurred because Liberty Mutual has failed to make annual adjustments to the assessment since 2021, when it charged policyholders 2.49% of their premium to support Louisiana Citizens. The surcharge should have decreased every year, bringing the rate to 1.36% for this year, Deputy Insurance Commissioner John Ford said.     

The mistake came to light in February when the Louisiana Department of Insurance said it received a consumer complaint about the Louisiana Citizens assessment charged on their Liberty Mutual renewal notice. Temple said the company has acknowledged its error, and his agency will monitor repayments to ensure customers are refunded.

“We regret the error, and we are working closely with the Louisiana Department of Insurance on a plan to refund impacted customers as quickly as possible,” a Liberty Mutual spokesperson said in an email to the Illuminator

The amount of refunds will depend on the customer’s total premium and the difference between 2.49% and what they should have been assessed on their bills. For example, a customer paying a $4,000 homeowner’s insurance premium paid a $100 Citizens assessment last year based on the 2.49% rate, when they should have been charged $68 for a 1.7% rate. Their refund for 2024 would be $32.

The correct assessment rates for 2022 and 2023 were 2.4% and 2.1%, respectively.

The insurance department is determining whether any regulatory action against Liberty Mutual is warranted and whether any other insurers have made a similar mistake, though its news release said the overcharge appears to be an isolated incident.   

The Louisiana Citizens assessment has been placed on homeowners insurance bills since 2005 to help the state pay off borrowing to cover damage claims that followed hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The assessment rate has been gradually lowered over the years and will end entirely next month.

Liberty Mutual will adjust its assessment charge to 0% effective April 1, according to the insurance department. State officials are directing policyholders with questions to contact the company or their agent.

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Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

The post Why Liberty Mutual customers in Louisiana will get homeowner’s insurance refund appeared first on lailluminator.com

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Saturday 10 PM Tropics Update: One far-off tropical wave to watch

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www.youtube.com – WWLTV – 2025-09-13 22:34:05

SUMMARY: A tropical wave near Africa is emerging over the Atlantic but remains disorganized. The National Hurricane Center gives it a 60% chance to develop into a depression or tropical storm, possibly becoming Gabrielle. This system may move northward, staying over the open Atlantic and away from the Gulf, posing no immediate threat. Since the last named storm in late August, stable air, dry conditions, and increased wind shear have suppressed tropical activity in the Atlantic. The next storm names are Gabrielle, Humberto, and Imelda, with only the current wave showing potential for development at this time.

Meteorologist Alexandra Cranford tracks a lone disturbance with a chance of development on Saturday night, September 13, 2025.

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Haynes wanted in on Wildlife bribery scheme too, informant says

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thecurrentla.com – Leslie Turk – 2025-09-11 15:30:00

SUMMARY: Dusty Guidry, a former consultant who pleaded guilty to accepting $800,000 in bribes, testified that Assistant District Attorney Gary Haynes sought involvement in a bribery scheme at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Haynes, on trial for conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, and obstruction, was previously appointed to run Lafayette’s pretrial diversion program after supporting DA Don Landry. Guidry revealed Haynes pressured him to include him in a similar diversion program scheme at Wildlife & Fisheries, receiving checks totaling $90,000. The scheme involved splitting bribes among Guidry, vendor Leonard Franques, and former department secretary Jack Montoucet, who has also been charged. The statewide program never launched.

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The post Haynes wanted in on Wildlife bribery scheme too, informant says appeared first on thecurrentla.com

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OPPJ Comprehensive Plan

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www.youtube.com – KTVE – 2025-09-10 21:15:08

SUMMARY: The Ouachita Parish Police Jury is conducting a series of community meetings to gather public input for their comprehensive plan guiding future growth. Police Jury members, including Larry Bratton from District D, emphasize the importance of reflecting residents’ voices in the master plan. Community members participated in interactive stations, allocating resources to priorities like infrastructure and downtown development, to help shape goals for the next 2, 5, and 20 years. Landscape architect Matt Pizatella and partners from Atlas support the effort. Bratton stresses that without proactive planning, the parish risks costly and less beneficial outcomes in the long term.

OPPJ Comprehensive Plan

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