is illegal. To avoid penalties and comply with Louisiana car insurance laws, you’ll need to have liability coverage limits of at least 15/30/25—$15,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability per accident.
Auto insurance requirements in Louisiana
To comply with Louisiana’s insurance laws, you’ll need an auto insurance policy that includes:
When you request quotes from Jerry, we'll autofill your policy with the basic coverage required by law in your state.
Please note that the rates shown in this article are for staging purposes only.
Note: If you lease or finance a vehicle, your bank or lender may require you to purchase physical damage coverage—comprehensive and collision insurance—on top of liability insurance. Your leasing company will also likely require you to carry higher liability limits of at last $100,000 bodily injury liability per person, $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $50,000 property damage per accident.
Is minimum coverage the most cost effective option?
Louisiana’s state-mandated insurance limits are lower than most states, so they likely don’t offer enough protection if you’re involved in an accident, and won’t benefit you financially in the long term.
If you are at fault for a car crash and the other parties’ injuries or property damages exceed the limits of your policy, you are responsible for paying the remaining costs out-of-pocket. And because Louisiana is an
, other drivers can sue you for expenses that your insurance policy won’t cover. In the case of a serious accident, you could legally be held liable for tens of thousands of dollars of another person’s medical bills or vehicle replacement costs.
That’s why it’s recommended to increase your car insurance limits—even though you’ll see a slight increase in your annual rate, you’ll have more protection and peace of mind behind the wheel.
As a licensed agent, I highly recommend carrying higher limits than state minimums for bodily injury and property damage coverages. Your coverage limits should always exceed your current net worth. I'd consider limits of $100,000/$300,00 or higher as these coverages can better protect you from the damages and injury you may cause in an auto accident.
Buying more liability coverage beyond the state minimums usually won't result in significant premium increases—but opting for a full coverage policy with collision coverage and comprehensive insurance can lead to a noticeable bump in costs compared to minimum liability coverage.
To strike the right balance between car insurance coverage and cost savings, compare quotes at different coverage levels. The Jerry app offers a convenient tool for this purpose. By completing a profile, you can access car insurance quotes from multiple providers and adjust your coverage levels while you shop to find a car insurance policy that meets all your needs.
Key Takeaway The state-mandated minimum liability insurance in Louisiana is a good place to start, but increasing your insurance limits is recommended for more financial protection.
How much does car insurance in Louisiana cost?
Auto insurance companies in Louisiana use several rating factors when
, some of which include age, driving experience, coverage needs, vehicle make and model, zip code, and more. Because driving profiles vary, car insurance rates will also vary between drivers and insurance companies.
To find the best insurance quotes, you should always compare rates.
You can request quotes directly from insurance companies or work with a local agent—or Jerry’s quote comparison app can simplify that process for you with quick custom quotes.
Please note that images featured in this article are for staging purposes only--your rates will be different.
Additional coverage options in Louisiana
Liability insurance is the only required insurance in Louisiana, but you can still add extra protection to your policy. If you’re looking for more security on the road, several add-on coverages can offer peace of mind.
: This helps cover the cost of non-collision-related damage to your vehicle resulting from theft, vandalism, floods, hail, and more. Comprehensive coverage will cover most things collision insurance doesn’t.
: Covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and funeral expenses after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault. PIP may overlap with health insurance.
: If you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or someone without enough liability coverage to pay for all your expenses, uninsured motorist coverage pays for your medical bills.
If you lease or finance a new vehicle and it’s totaled in a crash, gap insurance covers the difference between how much your car is worth at the time of the incident (the
: If your car is in the shop being repaired after an approved claim, this coverage will cover the cost of a rental vehicle while you are unable to drive your car.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Louisiana
is illegal in every state, but the penalties vary. Here’s a breakdown of the penalties for driving without insurance in Louisiana, regardless of whether it’s your first, second, or third offense:
Fines between $500 and $1,000
License plates and registration suspension
Vehicle impoundment
Related towing, storing, or wreckage costs for impoundment
or is canceled, you’ll need to secure a new policy immediately. If you don’t, you may still be subjected to a fee from the state, even if you aren’t caught driving without insurance. Fees for lapses can range from $125 to $525.
Louisiana’s No Pay, No Play law
Perhaps the biggest consequence of driving without insurance in Louisiana is called the “no pay, no play” law. If you’re involved in a collision, regardless of whether you’re the victim, you are not eligible for compensation by the other driver’s insurance provider if you were driving uninsured, not until the damages reach a threshold.
The first $25,000 in property damage and $15,000 in personal injuries you suffered from the accident will be paid out of your pocket.
What are the requirements for car insurance in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, all drivers must have liability insurance that meets the 15/30/25 minimum requirements. Those limits cover up to $15,000 in injuries to another individual, $30,000 in bodily injuries for an entire accident, and $25,000 in property damage if you’re the at-fault driver in an accident.
How long after buying a car do you need to get car insurance in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, you’re required to have insurance to drive, so you’ll need to get an insurance policy right away. If you already have an existing insurance policy, your insurer may grant you up to a 30-day grace period to add your new car to the policy—but you may not be able to register your car until it’s added to your insurance.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Louisiana?
Driving without insurance in Louisiana is illegal, and if caught, you could face up to $1,000 in fines, your vehicle impounded, revocation of your registration, and the confiscation of your license plate.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Louisiana?
Louisiana auto insurance rates vary based on the driver and the insurance company. However, Louisiana has a high rate of accidents and insurance claims, a legal system with high litigation costs, and high rates of theft and insurance fraud, all of which can contribute to high car insurance costs.
