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Companies offering wind policies, but paying for it can be expensive.

Article Excerpt
Recently, a Coast newspaper ran a news article regarding an issue of great concern: the lack of availability of wind coverage from private insurance companies. The day after the newspaper article said that no insurance companies were writing new wind policies. Beacon Insurance Services Inc. ran an advertisement: "Now writing commercial property, homeowners, mobile home & builder's risk with Wind Included. A-Rated companies, great service, call for a quote today."

Louie Langlinais, president of Beacon Insurance Services Inc., said he didn't really consider it news that wind coverage is available. He also said his company the only one on the Coast offering the policies.

There are other agents writing well, through the same carriers," said Langlinais, who was inundated with calls after putting in the ad.

Some of the carriers that provide the insurance are Lloyds of London and Lexington Insurance Company. The commercial insurance policies covering wind and fire are available for reinforced concrete steel buildings such as the Seabreeze Condominiums.

"That kind of construction is wind resistive," Langlinais said. "That is a big difference."

Coverage is available from Lexington Insurance Companies for homes of more than $300,000 in value. While the premiums may be lower than going into the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association, or Wind Pool, an insurer of last resort for homes and businesses, the policy has a 5% deductible. Langlinais said that program was in...

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