Best Auto Insurance Rates in Louisiana

Compare Auto Insurance in Louisiana

Friday, May 18 2018 By Adam Johnson

Louisiana’s unique culture and geography is unlike any other state in the Union. Here at QuoteWizard, we’ve compiled useful insurance information from industry and government sources which you can use to find the car insurance that meets your unique needs.

This page will show you which types of coverage are legally required in Louisiana and inform you about important insurance laws. And it has both information about the cost of driving, and some insights about insurance risk in Louisiana. All to help protect you and your family.

Average Louisiana Car Insurance Rates

How much is car insurance in Louisiana ? Residents shouldn't be surprised that average car insurance rates here are higher than the national average. New Orleans, LA is the second most expensive city in the country in terms of car insurance. The rest of the state doesn't fare much better. On average, auto insurance in Louisiana costs $1,231.77 per year compared to the national average of $889.01.

Prices may vary depending on your limits, coverage, and the number of claims filed in your zip code.

Louisiana Average Annual Car Insurance Rates

Coverage	Rates
Liability	$775.83
Collision	$414.36
Comprehensive	$215.17
Total Cost Per Year	$1,231.77
Price Per Month	$102.64

The graph below shows the change in average Louisiana rates from 2011 to 2015, the most recent year the data is available. According to the III, Louisiana car insurance rates increased from $1,110 in 2011 to $1,231 in 2015, a jump of $121 dollars, or 10.91 percent.

If you’re like most people in Louisiana, car insurance is a must-have. But that doesn’t mean you should go with the first policy you come across.

You want insurance that’s reliable and fits your needs while also being affordable. To get that, you have to compare auto insurance quotes.

That can take some time if you do it yourself. With QuoteWizard, you can do it in seconds. Fill out our form and we’ll connect you to multiple top car insurance companies so you can compare rates and get the best coverage.

Last year, 58,583 people used QuoteWizard to compare auto insurance quotes in Louisiana from multiple companies.

Top 10 Vehicles in Louisiana

These are the 10 most common vehicles owned by Louisiana drivers requesting car insurance quotes through QuoteWizard in the past year.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Louisiana

Last year, these were the most common car insurance companies reported by QuoteWizard users living in the state of Louisiana. Out of the 58,583 Louisiana drivers that used QuoteWizard to request insurance quotes last year, 6,820 had no car insurance.

Louisiana State Auto Insurance Laws

Car Insurance Minimum Coverage

If you drive a vehicle registered in Louisiana, you must maintain a minimum level of insurance coverage of 15/30/25. This means you’re required to have:

• $15,000 of bodily injury to 1 person
• $30,000 for bodily injury to more than 1 person
• $25,000 for property damage

If you’ve financed your car through a lender, they’ll require that you purchase collision and comprehensive coverage to protect their investment.

Required Proof of Car Insurance

Any time you drive in Louisiana, you must be prepared to show proof of insurance to law enforcement upon request. You’ll need to have at least the minimum liability coverage required by the state to register your vehicle or renew registration. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) verifies insurance electronically when you buy a car from a dealer or renew your registration online. If you buy a car from a private party, renew your license in person at the OMV, or transfer an out-of-state title you’ll need to provide proof of insurance. You'll get this identification card from your car insurance company when you buy a policy.

Proof of insurance may include any of the following:

• An insurance card issued by your insurer
• A copy of your insurance policy
• A copy of your insurance policy declaration page
• A letter from your insurer on company letterhead signed by your insurance agent with a description of your vehicle and its vehicle identification number (VIN)

Penalties

Failure to provide proof of insurance to law enforcement can result in any of the following:

• Loss of your license plate and registration. You’ll receive a Temporary Vehicle Use Authorization which allows you to drive the vehicle for 3 days
• Towing and impounding of your car

Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” Law

The state of Louisiana has enacted legislation known as the “No Pay, No Play” law. This law limits what uninsured drivers can collect for damages sustained in accidents regardless of who was at fault.

This law prohibits uninsured motorists from receiving:

• The first $15,000 of a claim filed due to injuries
• The first $25,000 of a claim filed to recover property damages

Passengers aren’t subject to this law and can collect full damages unless they were riding in an uninsured vehicle they owned.

This law does not apply if the other driver:

• Is convicted of operating the vehicle while intoxicated
• Caused the accident intentionally
• Fled the scene of the accident
• Was committing a felony at the time of the accident

SR-22 Requirements

Louisiana residents that have had their driver’s license suspended due to drunk driving convictions, reckless driving, driving uninsured or other violations may be required to file an SR-22 form. “SR” stands for safety responsibility and it certifies that a driver can prove future responsibility.

Louisiana state law requires that an SR-22 be carried for 3 years. Subsequent violations could result in additional penalties.

State of Louisiana Traffic Safety Laws

Distracted Driving Laws

To combat distracted driving on state roadways, Louisiana has enacted legislation that limits driver use of cell phones and electronic communication devices.

These limitations include:

• Young drivers with Class “E” learner’s permits or intermediate licenses are required to use hands-free devices. Drivers caught violating this law will be issued a moving violation. This is a secondary law, meaning that officers can only cite you if they’ve pulled you over for another reason. The maximum fine for a first offense is $175. Second offenses and subsequent violations will be subject to a maximum fine of $500 per violation. These fines can be doubled if it’s determined that you were making a call while holding a phone
• Minors under 17 years of age are not allowed to use communication devices, including cell phones, for any reason while a vehicle is in motion. Calls may not be made or received and no text-based messages can be read or sent. This is a moving violation. And it's a primary law. That means law enforcement can pull a teen over if they see them driving with a phone in their hand. The maximum fine for a first offense is $100. Second offenses and subsequent violations are subject to a maximum fine of $200 per violation. These fines can be doubled if it’s determined a phone was being used when a crash occurred.
• Texting while driving is prohibited for all drivers in Louisiana. This is both a moving violation and a primary offense. That means law enforcement can pull you over and issue a citation if they see you texting driving. The maximum fine for a first offense is $175. Second offenses and subsequent violations are subject to a maximum fine of $500 per violation.

Implied Consent Law

Louisiana’s Implied Consent law requires drivers to submit to tests when arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI). These tests determine the alcohol or drug content of your blood, breath, or urine. Refuse the test and you’ll face the following penalties in addition to the penalties for a DWI:

• First Offense: driver's license revoked for 1 year
• Second and Subsequent Offenses: driver's license revoked for 2 years, a fine of between $300 and $1,000, and possible jail time

DWI Law and Penalties

It’s illegal to drive or operate a motor vehicle in the state of Louisiana if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. The BAC limits are even lower for minors under 21 and commercial drivers. This law also makes it illegal to drive when you’re under the influence of drugs like marijuana, barbiturates, amphetamines, or tranquilizers.

The penalties for a first offense DWI conviction in Louisiana are:

• Up to 6 months in jail
• $1,000 fine
• 90-day suspension of driver’s license
• 6-month suspension of driver’s license for drivers less than 21 years old
• Possible requirement to file an SR-22
• Ignition interlock device may be required

The penalties for a second offense DWI conviction in Louisiana are:

• Between 30 days and 6 months in jail
• $1,000 fine
• 1-year suspension of driver’s license
• Possible requirement to file an SR-22
• Ignition interlock device may be required

The penalties for a third offense DWI conviction in Louisiana are:

• Between 45 days and 5 years in jail
• $2,000 fine
• 2-year suspension of driver’s license
• Possible requirement to file an SR-22
• Required use of an ignition interlock device

The penalties for a fourth offense DWI conviction in Louisiana are:

• Between 75 days and 30 years in jail
• $5,000 fine
• 2-year suspension of driver’s license
• Possible requirement to file an SR-22
• Required use of an ignition interlock device

If you kill someone while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you could face up to 20 years in prison.

In 2014, Louisiana reported 7,977 arrests for driving under the influence.

Child Restraint Law

For the protection and safety of young passengers the state of Louisiana requires that:

• Children less than 1-year-old or weighing less than 20 pounds must be restrained in rear-facing infant or convertible seats
• Children between the ages of 1 and 3, or who weigh between 20 and 40 pounds may ride in forward-facing convertible or combination seats. An internal harness must be used
• Children between the ages of 4 and 5, or who weigh between 40 and 60 pounds may ride in a belt-positioning booster seat, that is either backless or high-backed
• Children between the ages of 6 and 12 years old weighing more than 60 pounds have two options. One is the vehicle’s lap-shoulder belt. The other is the belt-positioning child safety or booster seat. Use whichever is age and size appropriate according to manufacturer recommendations

The maximum penalty for failing to properly restrain children is $100 for a first offense.

Child safety seats reduces fatalities by 71%

Graduated Driver’s License Program

Louisiana has implemented a 3-tier graduated driver license (GDL) program for teen drivers. The first step is a learner’s permit phase. It ends with full driver privileges once all conditions are met. Teens can begin the process and apply for a learner’s permit on their 15th birthday if they meet the following conditions:

• Successful completion of an approved driver’s education course consisting of a minimum of 30 hours classroom instruction and 8 hours of instructor-supervised driving practice
• Passing both a written test and eye exam
• Submitting a completed Certification of Required Attendance form indicating enrollment/attendance status
• Home schooled teens must have a parent or guardian submit the attendance form
• Applicant has already graduated or attained a high school equivalency diploma. Presenting a diploma at the time of application satisfies the Certification of Required Attendance requirement

A learner’s permit allows minors to drive when supervised by a parent or guardian. Any licensed adult at least 21 years of age is also permitted. So is a licensed sibling at least 18 years of age. The only other passengers allowed in the vehicle are immediate family members. Learner’s permits must be held for at least 6 months before applying for an intermediate driver’s license. Applicants for intermediate licenses are also required to have a minimum of 50 hours of driving practice, with at least 15 hours taking place at night.

A teen may may apply for an intermediate driver’s License once:

• They've held a learner’s permit for at least 6 months,
• They're at least 16 years of ageM.li>
• They've satisfied all other requirements,

These licenses allow teens to operate motor vehicles on state roadways with the following restrictions:

Teens less than 17 years old

May not drive between the hours of 11: 00 pm and 5: 00 am unless they're with:

• A licensed parent or guardian,
• Another licensed adult 21 years of age or older
• A licensed sibling 18 years of age or older

Intermediate licensees

Must have more than one passenger under 21 years old that's not an immediate family member from of 6:00 pm to 5:00 am unless with:

• A parent
• Guardian
• A licensed adult 21 years of age or older

intermediate licenses can have other passengers in the vehicle with them if one of them is:

• A parent
• Guardian
• A licensed driver of at least 21 years of age

But these passengers must be immediate family members. When accompanied by a driver’s education instructor, one or more fellow students may ride in the car, too.

Once a driver turns 17, they can convert their intermediate license into a full Louisiana driver’s license after passing a mandatory road skills test.

Senior Drivers in Louisiana

Louisiana has few special provisions for senior drivers, but all drivers are required to renew their driver license every 4 years. Once a driver turns 70 they must renew their license in person and can no longer renew their licenses by mail.

Seat Belt Laws

Louisiana requires the use of seat belts for all drivers and passengers 13 years of age and older riding in motor vehicles. Passengers younger than 13 are required to be restrained according to the state’s child restraint law. The maximum fine for seat belt violations is $25.

In 2012, Louisiana reported that 54 percent of drivers killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Vehicles Registered in Another State

When you drive a vehicle in Louisiana that’s required to be registered in another state, you must have the type of insurance required by that state. You must be able to provide proof of this insurance to law enforcement if requested.

The Cost of Driving in Louisiana

Average Car Insurance Rates

The average cost of car insurance in Louisiana in 2015, was $1,231.77 compared to a national average of $889.01. Louisiana is ranked the 3rd most expensive state for car insurance.

Fuel Taxes

The state of Louisiana taxes gasoline at 20.01 cents per gallon. The Federal fuel tax is 18.4 cents per gallon. So, Louisiana residents pay 38.41 cents per gallon in gas taxes. Louisiana taxes diesel fuel at 20.01 cents per gallon. The Federal diesel tax is 24.4 cents per gallon. So Louisianans pay 44.41 cents per gallon in taxes for diesel fuel.

Car Insurance Risk in Louisiana

Uninsured Motorists

In 2012 it was estimated that 13.9% of drivers on Louisiana roads had no car insurance. This number is just above the national average of 12.6% and ranks Louisiana 16th in the nation for uninsured motorists.

Traffic Fatalities in Louisiana

In 2014, there were 737 traffic fatalities in Louisiana, a 5% increase from the state’s 703 traffic fatalities in 2013.

	2010	2011	2012	2013	20014
Total Fatalities	721	680	723	703	737

Vehicle Thefts in Louisiana

Louisiana had 9,891 vehicle thefts reported in 2014, a 7.9% increase compared to 2013 when 9,165 vehicles were reported stolen. In 2014, the vehicle theft rate was 212.7 per 100,000, a increase of 7.4% from the 2013 rate of 198 per 100,000.

The vehicle theft rate in Louisiana is identical to the overall US vehicle theft rate, which was 216.2 per 100,000 in 2014.

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Louisiana

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau - Hot Wheels Report 2014

1. 2006 Ford Pickup (Full Size)
2. 2003 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
3. 2001 Dodge Pickup (Full Size)
4. 2014 Toyota Camry
5. 2013 Nissan Altima
6. 2002 GMC Pickup (Full Size)
7. 1999 Honda Accord
8. 2006 Chevrolet Impala
9. 2003 Chevrolet Pickup (Small Size)
10. 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe

Louisiana Auto Insurance Company Market Share

Source: Insurance Information Institute

Rank	Market Share	Company
1	13.3%	Progressive
2	12.2%	Allstate
3	8.6%	Geico (Berkshire Hathaway)
4	5.4%	Liberty Mutual
5	5.2%	Southern Farm Bureau
6	4.8%	USAA
7	3.3%	Affirmative Insurance
8	1.7%	GoAuto Insurance
9	1.6%	Integon National Group

Louisiana Department of Insurance

Website:

Homepage

Insurance Commissioner:

James J. Donelon

Phone:

(225) 342-5900

Toll Free:

(800) 259-5300

Street Address:

1702 N. Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Mailing Address:

Louisiana Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 94214
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9214

File a Consumer Insurance Complaint

Website:

Consumer Complaint Form

Sources:

• NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System
• Insurance Information Institute – Minimum Coverage Levels by State
• National Insurance Crime Bureau
• Governors Highway Safety Association
• Insurance Information Institute – Insurance Expenditures by State
• Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
• Louisiana Insurance Market Share

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