Louisiana Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Louisiana state law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in Louisiana must hold 15/30/25 in liability coverage, which includes bodily injury and property damage. In addition, drivers can pick from a long list of extra coverage for added protection, ranging from roadside assistance to coverage going beyond liability limits.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Louisiana

The minimum car insurance requirements in Louisiana^[1] are:

• $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person

• $30,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

• $25,000 for property damage liability per accident

• Uninsured motorist protection isn’t required by law, but insurers are mandated to offer it

The minimum amount of insurance mandated by Louisiana law differs from the requirements of any other state. The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) only makes it necessary for drivers to carry minimum liability coverage, although additional coverage is encouraged if it fits your needs and profile based on your unique driving record.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in Louisiana.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in Louisiana.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in Louisiana?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in Louisiana provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. Policyholders may realize the effects of coverage limits when it comes time to file a claim for themselves. State law only requires liability insurance that protects the other party when you cause an accident.

Louisiana is an at-fault state, meaning that drivers who are found responsible for causing a collision need to cover all the payments for damages. This is why the minimum coverage is so important, but it does not provide any coverage for the at-fault driver or party. Drivers might want to consider add-ons, like collision and comprehensive coverage.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for Louisiana

Louisiana drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in Louisiana, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If an uninsured (or underinsured) driver causes an accident and you suffer bodily injury, uninsured motorist coverage will cover your medical expenses. If the at-fault driver surpasses their bodily injury liability coverage limits, your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest of your medical expenses.

Other Supplemental Coverage

The LDI encourages drivers to include medical payments coverage (MedPay) on their policies. This helps pay for medical costs for a certain amount of time after an accident (up to your policy’s limits). This can include hospital expenses, making up for lost wages, and funeral costs. Unlike liability coverage, this add-on offers protection for you, your family, and your other passengers.

You might also want to consider roadside assistance for peace of mind when it comes to car trouble. This service helps with towing, changing a flat tire, jump-starting a dead battery, helping if you lock yourself out of your car, and delivering gasoline to your car.

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Louisiana

It is illegal to drive in Louisiana without the minimum car insurance coverage. Being involved in a car accident without proof of insurance—or even driving without insurance—can lead to a fine of $500 to $1,000. In addition, drivers face the risk of losing the right to drive, getting their vehicle impounded, having their license revoked, or registration of their license plate being canceled.

• Pay a fine of $500–$1,000

• Lose the right to drive

• Impounded vehicle

• Revoked license

• Canceled license plate

In addition, Louisiana has its own unique law that stops uninsured drivers from collecting money to pay for damages, even if the other driver is at fault. Known as the “No Pay, No Play” law, this prohibits drivers without an insurance policy from collecting the first $25,000 in property damages and the first $15,000 in personal injuries.

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Louisiana

In order for high-risk drivers to get back on the road, they may need to provide extra documents to prove that they’re more responsible or on track to improving their driving record. In Louisiana, drivers need to call the Office of Motor Vehicles to reinstate their license, or they can apply for a hardship license after checking if they’re eligible.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in Louisiana

DUI Insurance in Louisiana

SR-22 Insurance in Louisiana

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Louisiana

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in Louisiana.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Louisiana

From New Orleans to Baton Rouge, Louisiana drivers across the state can get a great deal on their car insurance by comparing car insurance quotes on Insurify. All it takes is a few clicks to set up your driver profile and get started with comparing quotes side by side to make sure you’re getting affordable rates. Shopping around can save you big bucks, and we make it easy.