Jane Dotson
Louisiana requires drivers to have a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, as well as $25,000 per accident in property damage coverage. This means that Texas auto insurance policies must meet these coverage requirements to be accepted in Louisiana.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum liability car insurance coverage in Louisiana | $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident |
| $30,000 for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident | |
| $25,000 for property damage per accident | |
| Average cost of minimum-liability car insurance in Louisiana | $78 per month or $932 per year |
| Average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Louisiana | $232 per month or $2,783 per year |
| Cheapest minimum-coverage auto insurance in Louisiana | Southern Farm Bureau, USAA and Geico |
| Cheapest full-coverage auto insurance in Louisiana | USAA, Southern Farm Bureau and State Farm |
What You'll Learn
Louisiana's minimum liability insurance requirements
Louisiana requires drivers to meet certain minimum auto insurance requirements before registering their vehicle in the state. As Louisiana is an at-fault state, the minimum coverage you need to meet the state's car insurance requirements includes both bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage.
The minimum liability coverage amounts required in Louisiana are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. These limits are often displayed as 15/30/25.
It's important to note that the minimum insurance requirements in Louisiana cover medical expenses and property damage for other parties in an at-fault car accident, but not your own injuries or damage to your property. Once you've reached the limits of the minimum required coverage, you are responsible for paying any remaining medical bills and damage costs out of pocket. To cover damage to your own vehicle, you may want to consider additional coverage such as collision coverage and comprehensive coverage.
If you are ever pulled over or involved in a car accident in Louisiana, you must present proof of insurance. This can be in the form of an insurance ID card, a digital version of the insurance card, or a copy of your policy or declaration page.
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Proof of insurance
In Louisiana, drivers must carry proof of insurance and present it if they are pulled over or involved in a car accident. This can be shown as a physical insurance ID card or a digital version of the insurance card, policy declaration page, or other documentation on a phone or device.
The minimum liability coverage amounts required in Louisiana are:
- $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
These minimum requirements cover medical expenses and property damage for other parties in an at-fault car accident, but not your own injuries or damage to your property. Once the limits of the minimum required coverage are reached, you are responsible for paying any remaining medical bills and damage costs out of pocket.
If you are involved in a car accident or pulled over by law enforcement in Louisiana without insurance, you may face penalties such as:
- A fine of $500 to $1,000
- Suspension of driving privileges
- Impoundment of a vehicle
- Revocation of registration
- Cancellation of license plates
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Driving without insurance in Louisiana
In Louisiana, drivers are required to have a minimum amount of liability insurance to cover such expenses in case they are at fault in an accident. The minimum liability coverage amounts are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property damage. These minimum requirements cover the expenses of other parties in an at-fault accident but do not cover the driver's own injuries or damage to their property.
If a driver is pulled over or stopped by law enforcement in Louisiana, they must present proof of insurance. This can be done by showing an insurance ID card, a copy of the insurance policy, or a copy of the declaration page of that policy. Failure to provide proof of insurance can result in the following penalties:
- Fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 for the first offense, with higher fines for subsequent offenses.
- Suspension of driving privileges and revocation of the driver's license for 12 to 18 months.
- Impoundment of the vehicle, with related towing and storage costs.
- Revocation of vehicle registration and license plate cancellation.
- A bar on claiming losses in collision accidents.
In addition to these penalties, uninsured drivers in Louisiana may also face challenges in obtaining compensation for their own losses in the event of an accident, regardless of fault. This is due to the state's "No Pay, No Play" law, which prohibits uninsured drivers from recovering the first $25,000 in property damage and the first $15,000 in personal injury costs.
Furthermore, driving without insurance can have a significant impact on car insurance rates moving forward, as insurance companies may label such drivers as high-risk. Overall, it is essential for drivers in Louisiana to maintain the minimum required insurance coverage to avoid legal consequences and ensure financial protection in the event of an accident.
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Collision and comprehensive coverage
In Louisiana, collision and comprehensive coverage are not required by law. The minimum insurance requirements in the state cover medical expenses and property damage for other parties in an at-fault accident, but not your own injuries or damage to your property. Collision and comprehensive coverage can help fill this gap by providing protection for damage to your vehicle. This is especially important if you have a lease or financing agreement, as lenders typically require both types of coverage to protect their interest in the vehicle.
When deciding whether to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage, consider the value of your car, your driving habits, your savings, and the hazards of your location. If your car is valuable, you drive frequently or in high-traffic areas, or you don't have sufficient savings to cover repairs or replacement, these coverages can provide valuable protection. Additionally, if you live in an area with a high risk of vehicle damage due to factors like fallen branches or animals, comprehensive coverage can offer peace of mind.
While collision and comprehensive coverage are optional, they can provide significant financial protection in the event of an accident. By understanding the differences between these coverages and assessing your personal situation, you can make an informed decision about whether to include them in your auto insurance policy.
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Add-on coverage options
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage is automatically included in Louisiana policies and protects you if you are in an accident with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance to cover the damages. It also covers hit-and-run accidents. You can reject this coverage in writing if you do not want it.
- Collision Coverage: This coverage pays to repair or replace your car after an accident. While not required by Louisiana law, it may be required by your lender or leasing company if you are still paying off your vehicle.
- Comprehensive Coverage: This coverage pays for damages to your vehicle that are not caused by a collision, such as theft, fire, vandalism, or natural disasters. Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage may be required by your lender or leasing company.
- Medical Payments Coverage: This coverage pays for your and your passengers' medical bills resulting from an accident. It also covers you if you are injured as a pedestrian or while riding in someone else's car.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Coverage: PIP is similar to medical payments coverage but also includes lost wages and other non-medical costs. All auto policies in Louisiana include PIP coverage, and you must opt-out in writing if you do not want it.
- Towing and Labor Coverage: This coverage pays for towing your vehicle if it cannot be driven and for labour costs, such as changing a flat tire or jump-starting your battery.
- Rental Reimbursement Coverage: This coverage pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired after an accident or has been stolen. Some policies also cover taxis or ride-sharing services.
- Gap Coverage: If your vehicle is totaled or stolen, gap coverage pays the difference between your car's current value and what you still owe on your loan or lease.
- Classic Car Insurance: This coverage offers agreed-upon values for vintage or collector cars, which may differ from the values of standard vehicles.
- Accidental Death Coverage: This provides a payout if you or your passengers suffer accidental death or certain injuries in a car accident.
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Frequently asked questions
The minimum insurance requirements in Louisiana are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, as well as $25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage.
Driving without insurance in Louisiana is illegal and can result in a fine of $500 to $1,000, suspension of driving privileges, impoundment of your vehicle, revocation of registration, or cancellation of license plates.
Louisiana's "No Pay, No Play" law prevents uninsured drivers from collecting the first $25,000 in property damages and the first $15,000 in personal injury costs in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
The average cost of minimum-liability car insurance in Louisiana is $78 per month or $932 per year, while full-coverage car insurance policies average $232 per month or $2,783 per year.
