After Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Department of Insurance received 4,530 complaints from home owners whose insurers refused to pay in full for home repairs. On Mississippi's Bug Coat there is a lawsuit against insurers over whether homes were damaged by a hurricane covered or floor (not covered).

After a catastrophe hits, you shouldn't have to fight this fight. So before you buy a policy check the insurer's complaint ratio.

You can find complaint ratios at most state insurance department websites and also at the National Association of Insurance Commissioner's Consumer Information source, www.naic.org/cis.

Type in the company name, select your state and property/casualty to find the ratio.

What you're looking for is the lowest number. The lower the ratio number, the better the insurer's performance.

With what insurance costs, you want to be sure you'll get what you paid for if a disaster strikes.