Auto Coverage in Louisiana
Louisiana Auto Insurance
Drivers in the state of Louisiana need to have liability insurance for their vehicles, and must also carry proof with them at all times while driving on the roads.
Minimum Louisiana auto insurance
The minimum amounts that you need to have for auto insurance in the state of Louisiana are as follows:
- Bodily Injury and Death: $25,000 to cover one person in any one accident, and $50,000 to cover all injuries
- Property Damages: $10,000
- Personal Injury Protection: $10,000
Other types of coverage, such as Uninsured Motorist coverage, aren't required but are recommended for Louisiana drivers. In case of an accident, your costs for damages can be very high, and you can lose your driving privileges if you don't have enough insurance coverage to pay for all costs of an auto accident.
Louisiana car insurance premiums are higher than the national average, but you can qualify for discounts by maintaining a safe driver record ; if you are a student with good grades ; if you're a mature driver ; or if you keep a home insurance or renter's insurance policy with the same insurance company from which you purchase your auto insurance .
Penalties without Louisiana auto insurance
Drivers in Louisiana caught without their proof of insurance can receive a fine, and their license plates might be taken away. Their vehicle can also be impounded, and they may face driving suspension.
The state of Louisiana also uses a tort system for determining fault in an automobile accident. This means that one of the drivers involved in the accident must be found at fault, and the at-fault driver is responsible for paying all of the damages.
With the damage to the vehicles, and possible medical expenses, the costs of an auto accident can easily skyrocket. If you can't pay for them, you can face high penalties – not just going into debt or losing your property, but also losing your driving privileges until you can compensate other drivers for the damages. For this reason, it's highly recommended to buy as much insurance as you can afford to cover yourself in case of an accident.