Local visitors describe two state insurance bills: modified comparative-fault and "stated value" homeowner policies

A visitor to the Crowley Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting on July 8 described two recently passed or proposed state insurance measures that he said could affect local homeowners. The visitor, identified in the meeting transcript as Mr. Kaur (speaker), told the council the first measure is a modified comparative-fault bill that would bar recovery if a plaintiff is more than 51% at fault. "If you're more than 51% at fault, you get you can make no claim," Mr. Kaur said. He described the intent as reducing incentives to sue in clear-fault crashes. The visitor also described a separate bill, which he called a "stated value policy" bill, that would require insurers to offer homeowners the option of insuring a house for an agreed stated value rather than replacement cost. "What it's allowing you to do is say that replacement cost is x," Mr. Kaur said, and gave an example of a homeowner who wants lower coverage than an insurer's typical replacement-cost estimate. The council did not take any formal action on either state bill during the meeting. Miss Chancellor, who asked the visitor to expand on the packages, thanked him for explaining the stated-value option and asked for an update; the visitor said he would provide further information and contact details. Why it matters: The comparative-fault change would alter civil liability rules that affect personal-injury cases; the stated-value policy bill would change options available to homeowners for insuring structures, which council members said could matter in flood- and storm-prone parts of the parish. Discussion vs. action: Council members asked clarifying questions and received an informational update. No city ordinance, resolution, or formal policy change was proposed or adopted by the Crowley board on these bills during the meeting. Context and limits: The visitor said the insurance commissioner, "Insurance Commissioner Tim," had visited Crowley to discuss insurance topics; council members also referenced the state Department of Transportation and Development in other agenda remarks. The visitor identified the Plaquemines Parish lawmaker who carried the stated-value bill as the sponsor but did not provide a bill number or statutory citation during the presentation. The visitor described constituents in coastal parishes having difficulty affording replacement-cost coverage and said the stated-value option will "allow our people to pay less and choose the coverage they want." The council did not vote on or otherwise direct staff to act on either state measure at the meeting. Looking ahead: The visitor invited council members to contact him for more details and said he would follow up with project numbers or bill references if requested.