6+ years writing about insurance, travel, and personal finances
Contributor to brands like Credible
In addition to insurance, Nick specializes in writing about business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. He’s been featured in myriad web publications, including Fox Business.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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Updated November 20, 2024
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Table of contents
Nestled along the lake it’s named for, and just 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Charles is a haven for anyone who loves water activities. But all that water can cause a great deal of damage to vehicles and homes when a storm arrives, which could be one reason why Lake Charles drivers pay slightly similar rates to what the rest of the state pays for car insurance.
The overall average monthly cost of auto insurance in Louisiana is $190, and Lake Charles drivers pay an average of $198. Compare quotes to find affordable insurance that meets your coverage needs.
The average cost of car insurance in Lake Charles is $135 per month for liability coverage and $261 per month for full coverage.
Calcasieu parish, where Lake Charles is located, had a comparatively high number of fatal accidents in 2022 when weighed against other parishes in the state.[1]
Louisiana drivers have the third-highest car insurance costs in the country, according to Insurify data.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in Lake Charles
While some insurers offer cheaper rates than others, the best auto insurance company for you is the one that provides you with the coverage you need for a price you can afford. Compare rates, discounts, and coverage limits as you shop.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
State Farm | 9.3 | $111 | $65 | Cheap rates |
USAA | 9.4 | $86 | $82 | Military members and families |
National General | 6.8 | $184 | N/A | Drivers with a DUI |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurer for cheap rates: State Farm
User Reviews | 4.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $67/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $115/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Drivers appreciate the helpful local agents and initial service but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases.
Ronald
November 19, 2024
State Farm Experience: 35 Years+
David
November 19, 2024
Too expensive
Ronald
November 18, 2024
Very Expensive Auto and Home
You’ll find some of the cheapest liability auto rates in Lake Charles from State Farm, along with several available discount programs to reduce your bill even more. State Farm also has decent customer satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power and a strong financial rating from AM Best.
Savings of up to 20% possible through insuring multiple vehicles
Ranked above average in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction study
Rideshare insurance available
Low rating on Trustpilot
Can’t purchase a policy online
Gap insurance not available
Best insurer for military members and families: USAA
User Reviews | 4.9 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $85/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $145/mo |
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Drivers appreciate the ease of working with the carrier, competitive rates, and responsive service but dislike the price increases and lack of rideshare add-ons in some areas.
Gloria
November 15, 2024
Not Good for Claims
Martin
November 11, 2024
Price Shopping
Rena Sabine
November 8, 2024
Disappointing and inflexible service
USAA has affordable auto rates, a good variety of coverage options, and plenty of discounts for service members. It’s the best insurer for military members and their families, as it’s only available to them.
Fewer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Ranked above average in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction study
Rideshare gap protection coverage available
Coverage not available to everyone
Not the cheapest auto insurer in Lake Charles
Limited customer service support hours
Best insurer for drivers with a DUI: National General
User Reviews | 3.3 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 6.8 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $96/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $192/mo |
Drivers appreciate the initial affordability and good starter options but dislike the frequent and significant price increases.
Drivers appreciate the initial affordability and good starter options but dislike the frequent and significant price increases.
Jahmon
November 14, 2024
The Greatest
Mike
November 6, 2024
Too expensive
Javier
November 5, 2024
I switched carriers to get a better rate, but they didn't update my paperwork with the DMV, which resulted in the cancellation of my driver's license. I had to get the paperwork faxed on my own, and it cost $55.00 to reinstate my license. Of course, National General blamed it on my carrier, A.I.S., and A.I.S. blamed it on National General. So, I'm not inclined to praise their treatment of me.
National General is one of the best insurers for drivers with DUIs, and it offers various discounts. This insurer specializes in high-risk car insurance, making it a solid option if other insurers deny you coverage.
Easy SR-22 filings
Lifetime auto repair guarantee
Variety of available coverages and discounts
Not as many bundling options as other insurers
Not the cheapest insurer in Lake Charles
Gap insurance not available
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Lake Charles
You have a variety of ways to find cheap auto insurance rates in Lake Charles, Louisiana. But remember that there’s a difference between cheap and affordable insurance. A cheap policy might not provide the extent of coverage you need, while an affordable policy should.
Use the following tips to find cheap car insurance in Lake Charles:
Stick with liability-only insurance. Especially if you have an older car, liability-only coverage allows you to maintain only the legally required minimum insurance for the lowest rate possible.
Seek out discounts. Most insurers offer at least a few discounts to policyholders. Many are designed for regular drivers, such as accident-free discounts, while others are family-oriented, like good student discounts.
Comparison shop. Compare quotes from multiple insurers before renewing your policy each year. This will help you identify the insurer that can give you the coverage you need for the cheapest rate in Lake Charles.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Lake Charles: State Farm
Most states, including Louisiana, require all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, which is designed to pay for damages you cause to people or property in a car accident. Liability-only policies tend to be cheaper than full-coverage policies because of their minimal coverages.
In Lake Charles, drivers pay an average of $135 per month for liability coverage. Here are some of the cheapest liability car insurance companies in the city.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $67 |
USAA | $85 |
National General | $96 |
Allstate | $110 |
GEICO | $110 |
Direct Auto | $121 |
Root | $121 |
Progressive | $131 |
Clearcover | $168 |
The General | $182 |
Liberty Mutual | $192 |
Safeco | $215 |
Bristol West | $221 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Lake Charles: State Farm
Full-coverage car insurance differs from liability insurance in that it protects you and your vehicle from injuries or damages, whether you’re at fault or not. Though there’s no exact definition, full-coverage policies tend to include comprehensive and collision insurance along with liability insurance.
Collision coverage pays for damages such as you hitting a pole or curb, while comprehensive coverage pays for things like environmental, animal, and vandalism damage.[2] Drivers who want thorough protection against unexpected incidents would benefit from full-coverage car insurance.
In Lake Charles, drivers pay an average of $261 per month for full coverage. Here are some of the cheapest full-coverage car insurance companies in the city.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $115 |
USAA | $145 |
Allstate | $188 |
GEICO | $189 |
National General | $192 |
Root | $206 |
Progressive | $223 |
Direct Auto | $224 |
Clearcover | $268 |
Liberty Mutual | $288 |
Safeco | $317 |
The General | $366 |
Bristol West | $439 |
Cheapest recent rates near Lake Charles, Louisiana
Recent Lake Charles, Louisiana car insurance prices for Hyundai, GMC, Nissan , and more.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Lake Charles, Louisiana within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Lake Charles, Louisiana within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 20, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Louisiana
Louisiana state law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance, as shown in the table below.
Although uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) and economic-only coverage are optional, Louisiana’s “No-Pay, No-Play” law allows you to waive your right to make a pain-and-suffering legal claim for those holding economic-only UIM coverage. The law also prohibits an uninsured motorist from collecting certain amounts for property damage and personal injury regardless of driver fault.[3]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability | $15,000 per person per accident |
Property damage liability | $25,000 per accident |
Additional optional coverages you may want to consider include:
Uninsured motorist property damage
Covers damages to your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver
Medical payments coverage
Covers medical and funeral expenses for you and the passengers in your car
Towing/labor coverage
Covers most towing and labor costs for your disabled vehicle
TNC coverage
Also known as rideshare coverage, this covers you when you have a confirmed customer and are on your way to retrieve them
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Along with at-fault accidents, incidents like speeding tickets, moving violations, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions can raise your rates. These incidents demonstrate an increased risk of being in an accident, and, thus, needing to file a claim. Insurers charge more to drivers with these infractions on their records to account for the increased risk.
For example, speed is a factor in many car accidents. Insurify’s proprietary data shows that the average monthly price of a liability-only policy increases anywhere from $135 to $195 with even a single speeding ticket on your driving record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
Although speeding doesn’t always result in an accident, speeding tickets can raise your rates since speed is a contributing factor in many collisions. Louisiana uses both red-light and speed cameras, so you can be ticketed for speeding without even being stopped by a police officer.
Just one speeding ticket can raise your auto rates. Lake Charles drivers pay $195 per month, on average, for liability coverage after a speeding ticket. Here are cheap auto insurers in the city for drivers with a ticket.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Speeding Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $67 | $88 |
USAA | $85 | $112 |
National General | $96 | $127 |
Allstate | $110 | $145 |
GEICO | $110 | $145 |
Direct Auto | $121 | $160 |
Root | $121 | $171 |
Progressive | $131 | $172 |
Clearcover | $168 | $223 |
The General | $182 | $245 |
Liberty Mutual | $192 | $272 |
Safeco | $215 | $288 |
Bristol West | $221 | $293 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm
Some at-fault accidents might seem unavoidable, but an at-fault accident for any reason will likely raise your car insurance rate.[4] Some insurers may offer accident forgiveness programs that don’t raise your rates initially or allow your rate to drop over time, but you should drive as responsibly as possible to avoid collisions.
Rates may increase by a small or large percentage, depending on your insurer. See how rates compare in the table below for drivers with a clean record versus drivers with an accident.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $67 | $93 |
USAA | $85 | $119 |
National General | $96 | $134 |
Allstate | $110 | $154 |
GEICO | $110 | $154 |
Direct Auto | $121 | $173 |
Root | $121 | $180 |
Progressive | $131 | $184 |
Clearcover | $168 | $252 |
The General | $182 | $259 |
Liberty Mutual | $192 | $285 |
Safeco | $215 | $298 |
Bristol West | $221 | $308 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm
DUIs will substantially increase your auto premium. You’ll also likely lose your driver’s license for a period of time, and your auto insurer may even decide not to renew your policy.
“Getting a DUI in a country or parish that is ‘dry’ is not a rating factor,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications at the Insurance Information Institute. No matter where you get a DUI, you’ll likely face severe consequences. The table below highlights just how expensive rates can be for drivers with a DUI.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Driving Record ▲▼ | With DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $67 | $113 |
USAA | $85 | $143 |
National General | $96 | $162 |
Allstate | $110 | $185 |
GEICO | $110 | $185 |
Direct Auto | $121 | $204 |
Root | $121 | $183 |
Progressive | $131 | $221 |
Clearcover | $168 | $283 |
The General | $182 | $307 |
Liberty Mutual | $192 | $323 |
Safeco | $215 | $336 |
Bristol West | $221 | $372 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: State Farm
Despite being long-time policyholders or having clean driving records, senior drivers often see rates increase in their mid-70s. Rates decrease around age 35 but rise in older adults because age-related health impairments cause drivers to have a higher likelihood of getting into an accident than middle-aged drivers.
Below, you’ll see average monthly rates from various insurers for senior drivers in Lake Charles.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $87 | $51 |
USAA | $113 | $66 |
National General | $143 | $72 |
Allstate | $147 | $86 |
GEICO | $147 | $86 |
Progressive | $157 | $92 |
Root | $169 | $99 |
Direct Auto | $170 | $92 |
Clearcover | $226 | $141 |
Liberty Mutual | $236 | $158 |
Safeco | $265 | $180 |
The General | $290 | $144 |
Bristol West | $344 | $173 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: State Farm
Unfortunately, teenagers typically pay the most for car insurance of any age group, since they have such little driving experience. Insurers see them as high-risk and charge them more expensive rates because of it.
Teens can get cheaper car insurance through discount programs, such as good student discounts and defensive driving courses. To limit the opportunities for traffic accidents or moving violations, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recommends young teens engage in graduated licensing programs to reduce their risk.[5]
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
State Farm | $220 | $128 |
USAA | $271 | $159 |
GEICO | $338 | $197 |
Root | $347 | $204 |
Allstate | $372 | $217 |
National General | $415 | $208 |
Progressive | $434 | $255 |
Direct Auto | $453 | $245 |
Clearcover | $545 | $341 |
Liberty Mutual | $550 | $367 |
The General | $651 | $324 |
Safeco | $672 | $456 |
Bristol West | $824 | $415 |
Lake Charles car insurance quotes by credit tier
The state of Louisiana currently allows insurers to consider your credit history when determining policy premiums. Insurers factor your credit score into an insurance score to assess your risk potential based on your credit history.[6] In many cases, excellent or good credit scores can lead to a lower rate, while poor credit scores might increase your rate.
Keep in mind that credit scores are just one of many factors influencing a credit-based insurance score.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Lake Charles?
The average cost of car insurance in Lake Charles is more expensive than the national average. The average policy in Lake Charles costs $198 per month, while the overall national average is $154 per month. Lake Charles' average rates are similar to the state average rates.
Larger cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge are typically more expensive than Lake Charles. But remember that many factors, including rate of car crashes per mile and auto vehicle thefts, can affect car insurance rates in different cities.
More cities in Louisiana
Full-coverage policies in Lake Charles cost an average of $261 per month. Larger cities, including Baton Rouge and New Orleans, exceed Lake Charles’ average.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Baton Rouge | $295 | $164 |
Bossier City | $214 | $114 |
Lafayette | $240 | $146 |
New Orleans | $288 | $172 |
Shreveport | $230 | $119 |
Slidell | $249 | $141 |
Lake Charles car insurance FAQs
Finding the best car insurance can be complicated. Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about car insurance in Lake Charles.
How much is car insurance in Lake Charles?
The average cost of car insurance in Lake Charles is $135 per month for liability coverage and $261 per month for full coverage.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Lake Charles?
State Farm, USAA, and National General are the cheapest liability insurers in Lake Charles, with rates as low as $67, $85, and $96 per month, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Lake Charles?
State Farm is the best car insurance company in Lake Charles, with a high IQ Score, affordable rates and an AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior). Other top insurers include Allstate and USAA.
What is the no-pay, no-play law in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s “No-Pay, No-Play” law allows you to waive your right to make a pain-and-suffering legal claim for those holding economic-only UIM coverage. The law also prohibits uninsured motorists from collecting certain amounts for property damage and personal injury regardless of which driver was at fault.[3]
Can you get insurance without a license in Louisiana?
Yes. You can get car insurance without a license in Louisiana, but you’ll need to exclude yourself as a driver on the policy and list another person as the primary driver.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Louisiana
Sources
- Louisiana State University Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety. "Fatal Crashes by Parish."
- III. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
- Louisiana Department of Insurance. "Consumer's Guide to Auto Insurance."
- NAIC. "Best Practices for Insurance Rate Disclosures."
- IIHS. "Teenagers."
- National Conference of State Legislatures. "States Consider Limits on Insurers’ Use of Consumer Credit Info."
Nick Dauk is a freelance writer specializing in business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and travel. His work has been featured in Fox Business, BBC, The Edge, Business Insider, and Bisnow. Nick is a first-generation college graduate, having majored in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Central Florida. His eclectic coursework, combined with previous managerial roles in the retail and broadcast television industries, have helped him develop an interdisciplinary approach to writing.
For nearly a decade, Nick has created content for mom-and-pop businesses and global corporations. As a travel writer, his global adventures have also been featured on Inside Hook, Houston Chronicle, Culture Trip, and Matador. When he's not traveling, Nick can be found in Orlando spending time with his wife and toddler.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Featured in