A major purchase may come with a warranty. The warranty may come from the seller or the manufacturer. A “warranty” is a promise to stand behind the thing sold to you. The law says that you must be allowed to read what the warranty says before you buy.  The warranty law covers purchases in person, online, or with a catalog.  Warranties might cover a lot or a little. Look into the details before you buy. You may be given the option to buy an extended warranty. An extended warranty would cover some repairs after the regular warranty expires. Buying an extended warranty is up to you.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) tells people to look out for these things when it comes to warranties:

  • What’s the reputation of the company offering the warranty?

Look up the company’s name on the Internet.
Try using words like “complaint” or “review.”
See what other people think of the company or product.

  • How long does the warranty last? 

It depends. The warranty period could be days, months, or years.
Read over the fine print on the warranty to find out how long the warranty lasts.

  • Which parts and repairs are covered by the warranty? What things are not covered? 

If specific parts or repairs that are not listed in the warranty, you should assume they aren’t covered.

  • Will there be extra costs?

Some warranties make you pay for labor or to ship the product back for repairs.
This could be expensive for heavy items.
Again, read the warranty.

  • Are there limits to the warranty coverage?

Do you need to send in a product registration card to get warranty service?
Some limited warranties require that.
Other warranties only cover problems that happen when you maintain or use the product according to the directions.
Many warranties won’t cover problems that happen if you misuse a product or change the way it works.
Federal law states that a manufacturer can’t make you use specific parts and services to keep warranty coverage, unless the warranty provides those parts and services for free, or if the company offering the warranty gets permission from the FTC to make that requirement.

  • How do you get warranty service? 

You may have to contact the manufacturer for help or the seller.

  • What will the company do if the product fails?

The company could repair it, replace it, or refund the money you paid for it.

  • Does the warranty cover "consequential damages?" 

“Consequential damages” are damages the product causes.
Few warranties cover them, or the time and money you spend to repair such damage.

All the things listed above should be in the warranty document. Read the warranty before you buy. Keep a copy of both the warranty and your receipt of the purchase. If the purchase was online, remember to print a copy of the receipt. If any warranty is stated to you verbally by the seller, get it in writing.

Are there other types of warranties that you get when you buy something?

Almost everything you buy is covered by an implied warranty. This is so even if there is no written warranty. All states have implied warranties. Here are some common implied warranties:

  • A "warranty of merchantability."

Merchantability means that the seller promises that a product will do what it’s supposed to do.
For example, a car will run and a toaster will toast.

  • A "warranty of fitness for a particular purpose."

This warranty covers what happens when you buy a thing because the seller said it is fit for a particular use.
For example, a seller says a certain sleeping bag is good for zero-degree weather.
That means the seller is giving an implied warranty to buyers that the sleeping bag will is fit for use in zero-degree weather.

In Louisiana, the main implied warranty is called “redhibition.” Redhibition covers problems that come up with the product that make the thing so useless or inconvenient that you would not have purchased it or would have purchased it for a lower price. Even if your purchase doesn’t come with a written warranty, it’s still covered by implied warranties. Big exception: the implied warranty protects you unless the seller gives a written notice that there’s no warranty, or the product is marked "as is".

What about extended warranties?

An extended warranty or a service contract is different from the initial warranty that may automatically come with a product. An extended warranty will cost extra. It may cover different issues than a warranty. It is sold separately. Before you buy an extended warranty or service contract, compare it to the warranty to see if you’ll get any extra benefits for the extra cost. You do not have to buy extended warranties.

What can I do if I have issues with a new product?

  • Try to work out the problem with the place where you purchased it.
  • If you can’t resolve the problem with the seller, write to the manufacturer.
  • Your warranty should list the address of the company that provides the warranty.
  • You may want to send your letter by certified mail and request a return receipt, so you’ll have proof that the company got your letter and signed for it.

Having a warranty doesn't mean you’ll automatically get a refund if a product is defective. The company may have a right to try to fix it before it gives you a refund. But if you report a defect to the company during the warranty period and the product isn’t fixed properly, the company must correct the problem, even if your warranty expires before the product is fixed. 

What can I do if I still have issues?

If your letter or emails don’t resolve the issue, report problems with a company to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

You can contact the local Better Business Bureau in your area to see if they can resolve your issues.  In the Greater New Orleans area, their number is 504-581-6222.

Finally, you can speak to an attorney.

The information provided on this post does not, and is not intended to, represent legal advice. All information available on this site is for general informational purposes only. If you need legal help, you should contact a lawyer. You may be eligible for our free legal services and can apply by calling our Covid Legal Hotline at 1-844-244-7871 or applying online here.

If you have undone repairs or rebuilding work to do on your home, the Restore LA program gives homeowners two choices. You must first qualify for Restore LA aid.  To learn more about Restore LA see our other blog post here.

Here are the two ways you can use aid from Restore Louisiana:

  • Solution 1: Program - Managed (that means the program hires, pays, and oversees the company that will fix your home)
  • Solution 2: Homeowner - Managed (that means you hire, pay, and oversee the company that fixes your home); Solution 2: Manufactured Housing Replacement Assistance (that means that the program replaces, not repairs your damaged mobile home).

Both Solution 1 & 2 require that you meet the following requirements below.  If you do not comply, you may not be eligible for program assistance and you may have to pay funds back to the program.

  • Maintain communication with the case manager during the program. A case manager is a person who will be assigned to you, direct you to resources, and help you develop a disaster recovery plan.
  • Submit required documents.
  • Allow lead-based paint testing.
  • Allow inspections.

There is a third way to use Restore LA aid. That is called Solution 3: Reimbursement.

The third choice is for people who have money to fix their home. Or for people who have already installed a manufactured home unit on their property to replace a damaged home.

Those homeowners can try to get Restore LA to reimburse (pay back) what they spent to repair or rebuild, or replace a manufactured home unit, completed before the program damage assessment. This money is separate from other FEMA or insurance money.

Which choice is right for me?

Here is information about each choice – called a “Solution” by Restore LA.

Solution 1: Program - Managed

  • The state hires a licensed and insured contractor to manage repair or rebuilding of your home.
  • That means the state and the contractor call most of the shots for your home repair or rebuilding project.
  • You do not work directly with the contractor.
  • The contractor does the repair or rebuilding work, including hiring and managing the workers.
  • This can include demolition, planning, reconstruction, and permitting.
  • The state pays the contractor.
  • You do not get the money to pay the contractor.
  • The state provides a limited warranty on home repairs and new construction made by the program contractor.
  • The program will only pay amount based on allowable square footage, subtracting any other disaster assistance you got.
  • You can pick colors and finishes from choices available.
  • All materials are economy (budget) grade. That means this is not an upscale or luxury repair or rebuilding project. You cannot make upgrades, substitutions, or customize the work.[1]
  • You must contribute funds received from other sources (FEMA, SBA, or insurance payments) into an escrow account before receiving the grant award. These funds, too, will be disbursed by the Program to make Payments to the Solution 1 contractor.
  • Everyone in the home must move out of the home within 30 days after Notice to Proceed is issued. The move out is to allow the repairs or rebuilding to go forward on time. The state provides money for hotel and rental assistance during this time if you need it and have no other available housing. To be considered, contact your case manager who can help assist you in this process.
  • If everyone does not move out BY THE DEADLINE the grant can be taken away. That means Restore LA will not go forward with your repairs or rebuilding, and you will lose this aid.
  • You must handle your own move out. That means you must move out all of your things and store them if you want to keep them.
  • If you do not remove your things from your home, repair or construction workers will throw away your things. You can move your things back into your home only after the work is done and the home passes final inspection.
  • Any demolition and reconstruction are managed by the contractor.
  • You get to approve changes and should attend inspections. Changes may be needed in the event of drawing errors and omissions in the construction documents. Sometimes specifications are not clear or impossible to perform.
  • Direct questions go to your case manager, not the contractor.

Solution 2: Homeowner - Managed

  • All solution 2 projects require a LA licensed general contractor

There are two choices under Solution 2.

  • You manage project:
    • This choice means that you oversee repairs or rebuilding yourself by hiring, paying, and supervising the work.
    • Reimbursement payment made to homeowner after work is inspected and verified.
    • Remember to make sure you and your contractor know about this and agree to these terms in your written contract.
  • You hire licensed contractor:
    • This choice means that you hire a Louisiana licensed and insured contractor to oversee the project.
    • The state may issue a two-party check to homeowner and contractor after work is inspected and verified.
  • Contracts are between you and your selected contractor(s).
  • The state does not provide a warranty for Solution 2 projects. That means the state does not guarantee the work will be done correctly.
  • You should seek reputable contractors who stand behind their work with a warranty.
  • You must give Restore LA a “project completion plan and timeline” for projects of $10,000.00 or more.
  • You won’t get any Restore LA money until the repair or construction work is inspected and confirmed. Make sure your contracts allow for this, so your contractor knows what it takes to get paid for the work.
  • You are responsible for contributing all FEMA, SBA, insurance, or other non-profit  insurance and FEMA  funds previously received. You must report all of these before receiving an award. The program will identify all potential sources of assistance received and reduce awards by these other amounts.
  • You can work with contractors of your choice and choose your own building materials.
  • Note: The program reimburses for the cost of economy (budget) grade materials and finishes. So this means that you will have to pay the difference for higher grade materials or finishes.
  • Deadlines:
    • You must start construction with at least one inspection within 180 days of executing grant agreement.
    • Must complete project within 365 days of executing the grant agreement.
    • If deadlines are not met, you may lose state funding.

Solution 2: Manufactured Housing Unit (or MHU) Replacement Assistance

  • The state establishes maximum allowed for removal of a damaged unit, replacement of damaged MHUs and the costs associated with the delivery and set up of the new MHU.
  • If you are eligible to replace a damaged MHU with a new MHU, a damaged singlewide MHU will be $85,000.00. or less A damaged doublewide MHU will be $120,000.00 or less. The amount will be reduced by any other assistance you received from FEMA, SBA, or insurance. This amount also has to cover the removal and transportation and setup.
  • You must also provide the bill of sale which clearly states that Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for the replacement unit.
  • You will not get any money until you give the program proof of a contract to purchase and install a new (not used) MHU. Proof can be  a Purchase Agreement with an MHU seller.
  • Exception: If you have already received a FEMA MHU and want to purchase that mobile home, you may be able to purchase it, but only with FEMA’s approval and an agreement to purchase provided. To see if this would apply to you, first check with Restore Louisiana for further details.

SOLUTION 1: Program - Managed

Pros: If all this is overwhelming and you want someone to take the lead, then you may want to consider Solution 1. Under Solution 1 Restore LA will hire  a licensed and insured contractor to  handle the demolition, planning, reconstruction, and permitting through completion of the project.

If you struggle with keeping track of deadlines, managing your own money, or if you have other problems that will make it hard for you to keep up with a repair or construction project, or if it is hard for you to find a  contractor then Solution 1 may help  you.

Cons: If you chose Solution 1, you will be required to move out of your home. You   cannot move back into your home until notified by the program in writing. If you do not want to be displaced from your home, then this Solution may cause discomfort.

Also, you will be required to move your belongings out of your home, otherwise it will be disposed of as part of the demolition. If you do not have a place to store your belongings, then this option may cause difficulty. Unfortunately, the Restore program does not provide moving and storage assistance.

SOLUTION 2: Homeowner - Managed

Pros: This option gives you more control, though you will also have more responsibility.  Solution 2 may help you if you really want to pick your own  licensed and insured contractor and if you can handle  deadlines, contracts, details, and  find a reputable contractor within the time limits.

Cons: If you have an issue with keeping track of deadlines, managing your own money, or have accessibility barriers, then this option may not be for you.

Check out this video for more information:

Need more materials? Check out the links below.

*Contact Restore Louisiana at (866) 735-2001 for more details about Solution 1 & 2 reconstruction. 

[1] The program will make changes as needed for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations. For example, “If the homeowner has any mobility issues, vinyl flooring will be installed throughout the home. Flooring transitions must be such that a wheelchair/mobility impaired person can easily maneuver throughout the home. “ LA Office of Community Development. Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program. Version 1.2 last updated: April 2022, pp. 105.

Updated 4/2/2023

The information provided on this post does not, and is not intended to, represent legal advice. All information available on this site is for general informational purposes only. If you need legal help, you should contact a lawyer. You may be eligible for our free legal services and can apply by calling our Covid Legal Hotline at 1-844-244-7871 or applying online here.

What is Restore Louisiana?

Restore Louisiana helps Louisiana homeowners rebuild if their homes were destroyed or nearly destroyed by one of these three Hurricanes: Ida, Laura, or Delta. The Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD) runs this federal disaster relief program.

Am I eligible?

All of these things must be true for you to get this aid.

  • You must have owned the home when the hurricane hit.
  • That home must have been your “primary residence.” That means the home was the main place where you lived at the time of the hurricane.
  • You must still own that home.
  • Your income must be low-to-moderate. There are rules about what that means.
  • The government must find that your home had “major and severe” damage.

Any one of the three things listed here should mean your home had “major and severe” damage:

  • You received a FEMA award of at least $5,000 to repair your home.
  • You received a FEMA award of at least $3,500 for personal property.
  • Your home had more than one foot of flooding.

How do I apply for help from Restore Louisiana?

STEP 1: Complete the Restore Louisiana survey that is administered by the Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD)

You must complete the survey to qualify for the program.

Is there a deadline to complete the survey?

The survey is separate from the full application.

It’s easy to confuse the survey with the full application.

The survey is a required first step to see if you will be allowed to file a full application.

Don’t wait to send in your survey.

The program could decide in the future to set a deadline for surveys.

Again, the program uses the survey to see who will be allowed fill out a full application.

  • You can take the survey online at http://restore.la.gov
  • You can take the survey by phone at (866) 735-2001.
  • Phone hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Keep the account ID, last name, and password you used when filling out the program survey in a safe place. You may have to use them for years.

After you do the survey, Restore Louisiana should start to send you text and email messages about your request for aid.

STEP 2: Completing the Restore Louisiana application.

If your survey is approved Restore Louisiana will text or email you to apply for aid from Restore Louisiana. That means you have been asked to send in a full application for aid.

You can fill out the Restore Louisiana full application on a computer tablet, or mobile device.

The application will ask you to log onto something called a “portal.”

You will enter the same account ID, last name and password you used when filling out the program survey.

At this stage you will need to give the program documents that show you qualify for aid.

Before you start your application learn more about what it takes to qualify for aid.

  • Proving Home Ownership
    • If your name is not the name that appears on the land records, tax assessors or other government databases, you may have to show additional documents to prove you owned the damaged home at the time of the hurricane.
    • Proving home ownership can create problems for people who inherited a home from someone who died. This is called heir property. Sometimes the heirs did not complete the legal step called a “succession” to transfer ownership of the house.
    • Sometimes problems crop up when proving ownership of a trailer.
    • If you have trouble proving home ownership, you may need legal help with this issue.

You may qualify for free legal aid from SLLS.

To see if you qualify for free legal aid from SLLS, call our Disaster Legal Services Hotline at: 1-800-310-7029, or apply through our website by clicking here.

  • Occupancy of the home – proving that you were living in the home at the time of the disaster.
    • Homeowners must be able to prove they were living in the home at the time of the hurricane.
    • Occupancy is proven through parish records.

For example, the Restore Louisiana program will look for a homestead exemption in the property tax records.

  • When occupancy cannot be shown through parish records like a homestead exemption, you may have to send in other records like tax records, utility bills, other bills to show that you were living in the home at the time of the hurricane.
  • Flood Insurance
    • You may need to prove that you have flood insurance to get Restore Louisiana aid,
    • You will need to prove something about flood insurance if your home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (or 100-Year Flood Plain)
      • Before you can sign for your Restore Louisiana grant you will need to send in a copy of a current flood insurance declaration page.
        Or you may need to send in something called a “declination letter” (if your home cannot get flood insurance because of its poor condition).
      • Reconstructions and trailer home replacements: you must send in proof that you have flood insurance before construction is complete or before the final inspection.

*For more information, see Restore Louisiana’s Flood Insurance Requirements flyer.

  • Homeowners who do not take the steps below may not be able to get funding and might be asked to pay back any money they were paid.
  • Send in proof you are flood insured when you are getting the Restore funds
  • Have flood insurance coverage at ALL times after that
  • If you sell your home, you must tell the new owner of the requirement to keep flood insurance
  • Homeowners who get federal disaster aid for a damaged home must buy and keep flood insurance coverage on the property for as long as the home exists.
  • Elevation
    • Elevation of the home may be required on a case-by-case basis.
    • If your home is in a floodplain you may have to elevate if
      • required by a local ordinance, and
      • the local code officials determine your home is substantially damaged or will be substantially improved
      • This elevation must be to HUD’s height requirement, or to the local jurisdiction height requirement, whichever is higher
    • If your home is not in a floodplain you may have to elevate if a local ordinance requires this for reconstructions
    • If elevation is required, you must have it done the same way as the rest of the work Restore is funding on your home.

This means if you choose Solution 1: Program-Managed Construction, then you must allow the Restore Program to elevate your home.

If you choose one of the other Solutions, then you have to make sure your home is elevated.

  • You can lose your Restore Louisiana Aid or be asked to pay back the money if you do not elevate a home that is required to be raised up

* Call Restore Louisiana at (866) 735-2001 to learn more about elevation requirements.

What flood zone am I in?

See steps below.

Go to:

  1. LSU’s website at: http://maps.lsuagcenter.com/floodmaps/ or FEMA’s website at: msc.fema.gov
  2. Put your address in the search bar.
  3. Select the “go” or “search” button.
  4. Find the pin on the map, and zoom in.
  5. Your flood zone area will show up.
  6. Click this link to view a flood zone chart and find your corresponding flood zone area.

You can also find this chart information on FEMA’s website at: https://www.fema.gov/glossary/flood-zones.

Here, you can find out what flood zone that you are in.

Here are the next steps once your application is accepted:

  • You will be contacted to make an appointment with an inspector.
  • You will receive grant money based on your damage assessment.
  • Your next steps will depend on which solution you choose.

During the application process, you can choose a solution based on the progress in the rebuilding process and your capacity to complete the work.

○ If you have remaining work to be completed, then you will be asked to choose between Solution 1: Program -Managed Solution or Solution 2: Homeowner- Managed Construction.

○ If you have a mobile home unit (MHU) that needs to be replaced, you will be asked to consider Solution 2: Manufactured Housing Replacement Assistance.

○ If you seek reimbursement costs for partial or full repairs on your home, or if you replaced your MHU before applying to the Restore Program, you may be eligible for Solution 3: Reimbursement of expenses that you incurred before the application process and up to completion of the Program’s Damage Assessment.

○ For more information, see the Restore Program’s Homeowner Journey Guide or Choosing your Solution video.

Still have work needed on your home? You may want to look at the pros and cons of Solution 1 and 2 below:

SOLUTION 1: Program-Managed

Pros: If all this is overwhelming and you want someone to take the lead, then you may want to consider Solution 1.

Solution 1 will assign a licensed and insured contractor who will handle the demolition, planning, reconstruction, and permitting through completion of the project.

If you struggle with keeping track of deadlines, managing your own money, or if you have other problems that will make it hard for you to keep up with a repair or construction project,  or if it is hard for you to find a contractor then Solution 1, then this option may help you.

Cons: If you chose Solution 1, you will be required to move out of your home. You cannot move back into your home until notified by the program in writing. If you do not want to be displaced from your home, then this Solution may cause difficulty, or discomfort, for you. Also, you will be required to move out your belongings, otherwise it will be disposed of as part of the demolition. If you do not have a place to store your belongings, then this option may not be for you. Unfortunately, the Restore program does not provide moving and storage assistance. But it does cover rent.

SOLUTION 2: Homeowner-Managed

Pros: If you want to choose your own licensed and insured contractor and want to take more control over your home reconstruction decisions, you may want to consider Solution 2.

Cons: This option may not work for someone who has trouble keeping track of deadlines, managing money, or has other problems that would make it hard to deal with a repair or rebuilding project.

You must do some things to keep your grant under either Solution 1 or Solution 2:

You could lose your grant or be asked to pay it back if you do not follow the rules of the program.

  • Stay in touch with the case manager for the duration of the program
  • Send in required documents
  • Allow lead-based paint testing
  • Allow inspections

* For more information about Solutions 1 and 2, see our flyer found here or Contact Restore Louisiana at (866) 735-2001.

La Comisión de Seguros de Luisiana creó un programa de mediación para reclamos de $50,000.00 o menos.

La mediación es una manera de resolver una disputa sin ir al tribunal.

Piense en estas cosas para decidir si mediar en su reclamo.

  • Por lo general, es mejor buscar un abogado con experiencia en su tipo de problema, si puede.
  • Hay plazos para presentar un caso en el tribunal. Usar la mediación no le da más tiempo para presentar un caso en el tribunal.
  • Existen sanciones especiales para las compañías de seguros que no actúen de buena fe o utilicen el “trato justo”. A menudo, estas sanciones especiales pueden pagar lo suficiente para que un abogado tome un caso.
  • El uso de un abogado que sabe sobre reclamos de seguros puede hacer que la compañía de seguros acepte pagar más por su reclamo.
  • Si su reclamo es pequeño o tiene problemas, puede resultarle difícil encontrar un abogado.
  • Si no puede encontrar un abogado que lo ayude, algo llamado “mediación” podría ayudar.
  • No todos pueden encontrar o pagar un abogado.

Aquí hay cosas que debe saber sobre el programa de mediación del huracán Ida del Comisionado de Seguros de Luisiana:

  • La mediación significa que habrá una persona neutral que te escuchará a usted y a la compañía de seguros y tratará de ayudarlos a llegar a un acuerdo.
  • La mediación bajo este programa cuesta una tarifa fija de $600.00. La compañía de seguros paga esa tarifa, a menos que ambaspartes acuerden lo contrario.
  • La mediación sólo ocurre si tu y la compañía de seguros están de acuerdo con la mediación.
  • El mediador trabajará con ambas partes para tratar de que todos estén de acuerdo en un resultado.
  • Para que el resultado sea definitivo, usted y su aseguradora deben llegar a un acuerdo por escrito.
  • No estás obligado a aceptar nada.
  • Si no puede resolver la disputa, puede parar la mediación.
  • Puede probar otras formas de resolver las cosas con su compañía de seguros, incluida la presentación de una demanda. Debe presentar una demanda antes de alguna fecha límite legal.
  • La mediación ofrecida por la Comisión de Seguros de Luisiana finaliza el 31 de diciembre de 2022.

Para iniciar la mediación, llame o envíe un correo electrónico a una de estas empresas :

La mediación no es la opción correcta para todos.

  • Si cree que el seguro debería haber pagado más de $50,00.00, su caso no califica para este programa de mediación.
  • Si realmente cree que no podrá convencer a la compañía de seguros de que pague más por su reclamo, es posible que deba buscar un abogado para considerar emprender otras acciones legales.

** Los Servicios Legales del Sudeste de Luisiana no representan a personas en disputas de reclamos de seguros.

¿Más preguntas? Vaya al sitio web del Departamento de Seguros de Luisiana: