Louisiana Auto Insurance Guide

Whether you’re heading out of Baton Rouge on I-10 on your way to Lake Pontchartrain, cruising along the Mississippi river on Highway 65, Louisiana’s 60,800 miles of roads lead to great destinations. Fans of the Saints and the Jazz, the Ragin’ Cajuns and the Grambling Tigers from Shreveport to New Orleans to Grand Isles, sightseeing or commuting, car insurance is crucial to being a responsible Louisiana driver.

 

Auto Insurance Resources for LA State Residents

As of 2010, there are almost 3.2 million licensed drivers in the Pelican State. The Insurance Research Council estimates that 12% of Louisiana’s drivers are uninsured. In 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 916 traffic fatality; 45% of the involved alcohol. Uninsured and alcohol-impaired drivers are both good reasons to be sure you have enough car insurance while living and driving in the Pelican State.

 

Louisiana State Minimum Car Insurance

Louisiana state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. Louisiana has a tort-based system. If you cause an accident, you can be sued. While Louisiana does not require you to carry Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage, additional personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requires shown below:

• $15,000 bodily injury per person per accident
• $30,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability

 

Louisiana Car Insurance Laws

Louisiana requires that you carry proof of Louisiana auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. The penalty for driving without minimum Louisiana car may include having your car impounded and your license plates and registration suspended or revoked. You will have to appear in court to show proof of insurance and pay a $107 fine. You may also face a $175 fine or 30 days of jail time if you can’t produce proof of insurance. A second or subsequent offense will carry a fine of $500 and/or 90 days in jail.

If you are in a car accident in Louisiana, you will be subject to the state’s No Pay, No Play law. That means you won’t be able to collect the first $10,000 for damages or injuries, regardless of who caused the accident.

Louisiana requires your car insurance provider to notify the state when you policy is dropped or canceled. You will not be able to register your vehicle without proof of a current policy.

 

Regulating Agency and References

Louisiana Department of Insurance
This is agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in Louisiana. For more information, visit their website at www.ldi.louisiana.gov/

Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
This is the agency responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about Louisiana auto insurance requirements, penalties and related information at http://omv.dps.state.la.us/

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories. Visit NAIC at http://www.naic.org

Insurance Information Institute (III)
This organization’s mission is to improve public understanding of insurance – what it is and how it works. Visit III at http://www.iii.org/

 

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