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Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers to the questions we hear most. If you don't see what you're looking for, reach out directly — we're always happy to talk it through.

General Auto Insurance Home Insurance Renters Insurance Commercial Workers Comp Claims & Service

Working With Harbor Point

Harbor Point is an independent agency, which means we're not tied to any single insurance company. We shop your coverage across multiple carriers to find the best combination of price and protection for your specific situation. You work directly with Eric Youngblood — not a call center, not a rotating roster of reps. One agent, real conversations, and coverage that actually fits your life.
Harbor Point Insurance is currently licensed in Louisiana and Texas. We primarily serve the Shreveport-Bossier City metro area and surrounding communities, but can write policies for clients throughout both states.
The fastest way is through our online quoting tool — it takes about 2 minutes and works like connecting a bank account to an app. You log into your current carrier's portal, we pull your existing coverage details, and we build you an apples-to-apples comparison. Click here to get started. Prefer to talk first? Email us at service@harborpointins.com.
Most quotes are ready within a few minutes once we have your information. For personal lines (auto, home, renters) the online process typically takes 2–5 minutes. Commercial quotes may take 24–48 hours depending on the complexity of the business and the carriers we're approaching.
Yes — and we strongly recommend it. Bundling your auto with homeowners or renters insurance typically saves 10–20% on both policies. Bundling also simplifies your life: one agent, one renewal conversation, one point of contact for claims and questions.
Email us at service@harborpointins.com for the fastest response. You can also reach us on Facebook or Instagram. We're a local agency — you're not getting a call center.
No. As an independent agent, Harbor Point is compensated by the insurance carriers when a policy is placed — not by charging you fees. You get professional guidance at no direct cost to you.

Auto Insurance

Louisiana requires a minimum of 15/30/25 liability coverage — $15,000 bodily injury per person, $30,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage. However, these minimums are very low. A single serious accident can easily exceed these limits, leaving you personally responsible for the difference. We recommend at least 100/300/100 for most drivers.
Liability only covers damage and injuries you cause to others — it does not pay for your own vehicle. Full coverage adds collision (repairs your car after an accident regardless of fault) and comprehensive (covers theft, weather, vandalism, hitting an animal). If you have a car loan or lease, your lender requires full coverage.
Yes — absolutely. Louisiana has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the country, estimated at over 13%. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage protects you if you're hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough to cover your damages. Without it, you could be left paying out of pocket for injuries and repairs caused by someone else's negligence.
It depends on the carrier, the circumstances, and your history. At-fault accidents typically result in a rate increase at renewal. Some carriers offer accident forgiveness for first-time incidents. As an independent agent, if your current carrier raises your rate significantly after a claim, we can shop other carriers to find a better option.
Your liability coverage typically extends to rental cars. However, collision and comprehensive coverage for a rental depends on your specific policy. Many policies offer a rental reimbursement add-on that pays for a rental while your car is being repaired after a covered claim — this is different from covering damage to the rental itself.
Key factors include your driving history, age, vehicle make and model, where you live and park, annual mileage, credit score, and the coverage limits and deductibles you choose. As an independent agent, we can compare how different carriers weigh these factors — some carriers are more favorable for certain driver profiles than others.
Texas requires a minimum of 30/60/25 — $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Texas minimums are slightly higher than Louisiana's, but still lower than what most financial advisors and insurance professionals recommend for adequate protection.

Homeowners Insurance

No — this is one of the most important things Louisiana homeowners need to understand. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Flood coverage requires a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer. Even in Shreveport, the Red River and area waterways create real flood exposure. Don't assume you're covered.
Your dwelling coverage should reflect the replacement cost of your home — what it would cost to rebuild it from scratch at today's labor and material prices. This is often different from your home's market value or what you paid for it. Construction costs in Louisiana have risen significantly since 2020, so if your policy hasn't been reviewed recently, your coverage may be outdated.
Replacement cost pays what it costs to replace or rebuild with new materials — no depreciation deducted. Actual cash value pays replacement cost minus depreciation, meaning a 10-year-old roof might only pay a fraction of what a new roof costs. We always recommend replacement cost coverage — the premium difference is minimal and the protection difference is significant.
Yes — personal property coverage (Coverage C) covers your belongings against covered perils like fire, theft, and certain weather events. Be aware that high-value items like jewelry, firearms, art, and collectibles may have sublimits. If you own valuable items, ask about scheduled endorsements to ensure they're fully covered.
Many Louisiana homeowners policies have a separate, higher deductible specifically for wind and hail claims — sometimes expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. For example, a 2% wind deductible on a $200,000 home means you'd pay the first $4,000 of a wind or hail claim. It's important to understand this before you have a claim.
Generally not fully. Standard homeowners policies have limited coverage for business equipment and typically no coverage for business liability. If you run a business from home, you may need a home-based business endorsement or a separate commercial policy depending on the nature and scale of your operations.

Renters Insurance

No. Your landlord's policy covers the building structure and their liability — not your personal belongings. If there's a fire, break-in, or water damage from a burst pipe, your furniture, electronics, clothing, and personal items are not covered unless you have your own renters policy.
Renters insurance is one of the most affordable types of coverage available. Most Louisiana renters pay between $10 and $25 per month for solid coverage. Bundling with an auto policy can reduce that even further — sometimes making the renters coverage nearly free after the multi-policy discount.
No — your vehicle is covered under your auto insurance policy, not renters. However, personal belongings stolen from your car (laptop, clothing, etc.) may be covered under your renters policy's personal property coverage, subject to your deductible.
Not automatically. Each person typically needs their own renters policy. Some carriers will allow you to add a roommate to your policy, but this isn't always the best approach — a separate policy gives each person their own coverage limits and claims history.
This is becoming more common. Your landlord may ask for a certificate of insurance showing proof of coverage before or at move-in. Get a quote through our online tool and we can have a policy bound and a certificate ready quickly — usually same day.

Commercial Insurance

CGL is the foundation of any business insurance program. It covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others in the course of your business operations, personal and advertising injury (libel, slander), and legal defense costs — even if a claim against you is groundless. Most clients, contracts, and commercial leases will require proof of CGL coverage before working with you.
Yes — this is one of the most common and costly gaps for small business owners. If you use your personal vehicle to make deliveries, visit clients, or drive between job sites, your personal auto policy will likely not cover an accident that occurs during those activities. Your carrier can deny the claim. Commercial auto or a business use endorsement is required.
Yes. Louisiana requires most employers with one or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Failure to carry required coverage can result in stop-work orders, significant fines, and personal liability for workplace injuries. There are limited exceptions for certain sole proprietors and specific industries — contact us to confirm your obligation.
A Business Owner's Policy (BOP) bundles commercial general liability and commercial property coverage into one policy, typically at a lower combined cost than buying each separately. BOPs are designed for small to mid-size businesses with straightforward risks. Larger or more complex businesses may need individually structured policies to get the right coverage. We'll advise which approach makes sense for your operation.
Workers' comp premium is based on your total payroll, the class codes assigned to your employees' job duties, and your claims history (experience modification factor). Higher-risk job classifications (construction, roofing, etc.) carry higher rates than lower-risk ones (clerical, retail). An accurate payroll estimate and correct classification are critical to getting a fair premium.

Workers' Compensation

Workers' compensation covers medical expenses for work-related injuries or illnesses, lost wage replacement while an employee is unable to work, and rehabilitation costs. It also provides employer liability protection — if an employee sues over a workplace injury, workers' comp covers your legal defense. In exchange, employees generally cannot sue their employer for workplace injuries beyond what workers' comp provides.
Sole proprietors in Louisiana are generally not required to cover themselves, but may elect to do so. If you work as a subcontractor, the general contractor you work for may require you to carry your own workers' comp to avoid being treated as their employee. This is a common requirement in construction and trades.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission actively enforces workers' comp requirements. Penalties include stop-work orders (your business must cease operations immediately), fines up to $250 per day of non-compliance, and personal liability for all medical costs and lost wages for any employee injured while uninsured. The risk far outweighs the cost of coverage.

Claims & Policy Service

For urgent claims, contact your carrier directly using the claims number on your insurance card or policy documents — carriers handle claims 24/7. Then let us know at service@harborpointins.com so we can assist with the process, advocate on your behalf, and make sure you're treated fairly throughout the claim.
It depends on the carrier, your claims history, and the type of claim. At-fault auto claims and certain property claims can trigger a rate increase at renewal. Some carriers have claim-free discount programs where your first claim doesn't affect your rate. As your agent, we monitor your renewals and will shop alternatives if your rate increases significantly after a claim.
Contact us at service@harborpointins.com and we'll pull it for you. Dec pages are also available through your carrier's online portal or mobile app. Your dec page is the summary page of your policy — it shows your coverage types, limits, deductibles, premium, and policy period.
Reach out to us at service@harborpointins.com with what you need changed — adding a vehicle, updating your address, adding a driver, changing coverage limits, etc. Most changes can be processed same day and a updated dec page issued promptly.
At minimum, review your coverage annually at renewal. But also review after any major life change: buying a home, getting married, having a child, starting a business, purchasing a new vehicle, or making significant home improvements. Coverage needs change as your life changes — we proactively reach out at renewal, but don't hesitate to contact us anytime.
Yes — you can cancel a policy at any time. Most carriers will provide a pro-rated refund for any unused premium. However, we'd always recommend having your new coverage bound before cancelling existing coverage to avoid any gap. Contact us before cancelling so we can make sure the transition is handled correctly.

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