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Louisiana Auto Insurance Requirements & Rates

Louisiana requires 15/30/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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Louisiana at a Glance

15/30/25

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Optional

PIP and uninsured motorist coverage are not required by law

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

State Requirements

Louisiana operates as a tort state, meaning at-fault drivers are financially responsible for damages they cause. The state requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance and enforces compliance through electronic verification systems shared between insurers and the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Louisiana also mandates uninsured motorist coverage at levels equal to your liability limits unless you reject it in writing, a requirement unique among southeastern states.

Bodily Injury Liability

Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and legal costs when you injure someone in an at-fault accident. Louisiana's tort system exposes you to personal asset seizure if damages exceed your coverage, making the minimum insufficient for most drivers.

Property Damage Liability

Pays for damage to other vehicles, buildings, or property when you're at fault. Louisiana does not allow you to self-insure or post a bond in place of this coverage unless you own 25+ vehicles.

Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury

Covers your medical bills and lost income when you're hit by a driver with no insurance or inadequate coverage. Louisiana law presumes you want this protection at the same level as your liability limits and requires insurers to include it automatically — you must sign a specific rejection form to decline it.

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage

Pays for vehicle damage when an uninsured driver hits you and you can't recover costs from them directly. Louisiana offers this as optional coverage with a mandatory deductible, unlike UM bodily injury which has no deductible. This coverage is especially relevant in New Orleans and Baton Rouge where hit-and-run accidents are more frequent than the state average.

Medical Payments Coverage

Louisiana does not require this coverage, but it can fill gaps if you have a high-deductible health plan or no health insurance, covering immediate costs like ambulance transport and emergency treatment without waiting for liability determinations.

Cost Overview

about $146/mo

Average car insurance spending in Louisiana

Rate data: NAIC Auto Insurance Database, 2023

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need uninsured motorist coverage in Louisiana?

Yes, Louisiana law requires insurers to include uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage at levels matching your liability limits unless you sign a written rejection form. With approximately 1 in 8 drivers uninsured statewide, this coverage protects you from paying medical bills out-of-pocket when hit by an at-fault driver who can't pay. Uninsured motorist property damage is optional but recommended.

Does Louisiana require full coverage car insurance?

Louisiana does not require full coverage, only 15/30/25 liability and uninsured motorist bodily injury. However, lenders require collision and comprehensive coverage on financed or leased vehicles to protect their interest. Even if you own your car outright, full coverage is strongly recommended given Louisiana's high uninsured driver rate and severe weather exposure.

Coverage Types

Liability Insurance

Covers injuries and property damage you cause to others. Louisiana's 15/30/25 minimum is the lowest acceptable limit but often insufficient given the state's tort system that allows injured parties to sue for damages beyond your policy limits.

Full Coverage

Bundles liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist into a complete package. Covers damage to your vehicle from accidents, weather, theft, and vandalism while protecting you from uninsured drivers.

Comprehensive Coverage

Pays for non-collision damage including hurricane wind, flooding, hail, theft, vandalism, and animal strikes. Required by lenders on financed vehicles and sold with a deductible you choose, typically $250–$1,000.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Protects you when hit by drivers with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Louisiana automatically includes this at your liability limits unless you reject it in writing, covering both bodily injury and optional property damage.

Collision Coverage

Pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident with another car or object, regardless of fault. Sold with a deductible and required by lenders, it covers damage your liability policy won't pay for when you're at fault.

SR-22 Insurance

Not a coverage type but a certificate your insurer files with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles proving you carry at least minimum liability. Required after DUI, multiple violations, or driving without insurance.

Find Your City in Louisiana

New Orleans

urban

Baton Rouge

urban

Shreveport

urban

Metairie

suburban

Lafayette

suburban

Lake Charles

urban

Kenner

suburban

Monroe

urban