State Requirements
Louisiana operates under a tort-based liability system, meaning the at-fault driver is financially responsible for damages in an accident. All drivers must carry proof of insurance and may be required to file an FR-19 form with the Louisiana Department of Insurance after certain violations or lapses. Louisiana has one of the highest uninsured motorist rates in the nation at 11.7%, making uninsured motorist coverage particularly important.
Meeting the state minimum keeps you legal. See whether it's enough — get your Louisiana quote.
Get your Louisiana quoteCost Overview
Louisiana ranks among the most expensive states for auto insurance due to high litigation rates, frequent severe weather events including hurricanes and flooding, and elevated uninsured motorist rates. First-time drivers face particularly high premiums — often 60–90% above the state average — because insurers view drivers under 25 and those without continuous coverage history as statistically higher-risk for accidents.
What Affects Your Rate
- Age and experience: Drivers under 25 in Louisiana pay 70–100% more than drivers over 25 due to statistically higher accident rates in this age group.
- Location: Urban areas like New Orleans see rates 30–50% higher than rural parishes due to higher theft rates, crash frequency, and uninsured driver concentration.
- Vehicle type: Insuring a 2020 Honda Civic costs approximately $200–$250/month for full coverage, while a 2020 Ford F-150 may cost $280–$340/month due to higher repair costs and theft rates.
- Credit history: Louisiana allows insurers to use credit-based insurance scores, which can increase premiums by 40–60% for first-time drivers with limited or poor credit history.
- Coverage selections: Adding comprehensive and collision coverage to a minimum liability policy typically doubles the premium, but provides the only protection for your own vehicle damage.
- Hurricane exposure: Coastal parishes face premium surcharges of 15–25% due to elevated comprehensive claims from hurricane damage, flooding, and wind events.
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Get Your Free QuoteCoverage Types
Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is the foundation of every auto policy — it pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident. This is the only coverage legally required in Louisiana, and it's the one coverage you cannot drive without legally.
Full Coverage
Full coverage combines liability insurance with comprehensive and collision coverage that protects your own vehicle from damage regardless of fault. This is required by lenders and lease companies, and provides complete protection for both your liability exposure and your vehicle investment.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after non-collision events including theft, vandalism, weather damage, flooding, falling objects, and animal strikes. You pay a deductible (typically $500 or $1,000), and your insurer covers the remaining cost up to your vehicle's actual cash value.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage repairs or replaces your vehicle after crashes with other vehicles or objects, regardless of who was at fault. This is the only coverage that protects your car in accidents you cause yourself.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills and lost wages when you're hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage to pay for your injuries. This coverage steps in where the at-fault driver's liability insurance should have, protecting you from personal financial loss.
SR-22 Insurance
An SR-22 is not a type of insurance but a certificate your insurer files with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles proving you carry at least minimum required coverage. Louisiana requires an SR-22 filing after certain violations including DUI, driving without insurance, or excessive points.
