Louisiana drivers pay an average of $1,751.37 per year for car insurance according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), that’s about $145.95 per month. Lousiana drivers pay more for car insurance than any other state, and well above the national average countrywide of $1,189.64.
The NAIC takes into account all car insurance policies within the state such as drivers who select only state minimum coverage, as well as policies that include various levels of comprehensive and collision. Because car insurance rates are influenced by personal factors, you could find yourself paying significantly less.
Louisiana car insurance quick facts
Minimum liability requirements
15/30/25
Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC
$1,751.37
At-fault state
In at-fault states, the driver who caused the accident pays for damages.
Louisiana state minimum car insurance requirements
Drivers in Louisiana are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally drive. You may see it written as 15/30/25, but we’ll break down what that means.
Lousiana bodily injury liability
$15,000 bodily injury liability per person
$30,000 bodily injury per accident
Louisiana requires $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $30,000 of bodily injury per accident to legally drive. That’s the lowest requirement across the US, with only four other states with liability requirements this low.
This means $15,000 is the most your insurer will pay for a single person injured by you in an at-fault accident. And $30,000 is the maximum amount your insurer will pay if there is more than one person injured by you in an at-fault accident. Any costs outside of your bodily injury limit are required to come out of your pocket.
Louisiana property damage liability
$25,000 property damage liability
Lousiana requires drivers to carry $25,000 of property damage liability to legally drive. This limit is on the higher end of what many states require for property damage liability.
This means $25,000 is the maximum amount your car insurance company will pay towards damages you cause to another person’s car or property, such as repairs to a car, fence or building. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any costs beyond your property damage liability limit.
State minimum coverage usually isn’t enough
These state-mandated requirements are the lowest amount of coverage you need to legally drive in Louisiana, but may fall short if you’re in a major accident. To avoid high out-of-pocket costs after an accident, consider raising your liability limits by balancing coverage, your budget and what you can afford to pay out of pocket for certain damage.
In Louisiana, the driver at fault pays for damage
Louisiana is an at-fault state, which means that the driver responsible for the accident pays for the damage. Your insurance company and legal authorities will look at evidence to figure out who caused the accident.
However, Louisiana also considers whether both drivers are partially at fault, called pure comparative fault, according to the legal website Nolo. Under this type of fault, each driver pays for the percentage of damage that they caused.
Cheapest rates by age in Louisiana
In Louisiana, Allstate proves one of the cheapest companies for drivers under age 25. Choosing Allstate gives this age group access to the company’s safe driver discounts and rewards. Other ages waffle between Geico and Progressive for the cheapest rates, based on this sample.
Age
Progressive
Geico
USAA
16-24
$228.00
$298.51
$310.48
$252.53
25-34
$215.81
$232.95
$200.28
$213.11
35-44
$170.86
$199.35
$176.71
$194.65
45-54
$213.27
$189.50
$172.23
–
Cheapest rates by gender in Louisiana
Men and women can pay widely different rates depending on the insurance company. Men may find the best deal with Geico, while women could try a quote from Allstate.
Company
Allstate
Progressive
Geico
USAA
Men
$215.74
$212.88
$192.01
$230.47
Women
$198.23
$208.82
$224.70
$209.71
Sample rates in Louisiana from major car insurance companies
“Major brands may charge well above Louisiana’s average car insurance premium. However, you could go with Allstate and opt into Drivewise or its rewards program.
Drivewise rewards you with a discount if you track your driving and prove that you’re a safe driver. We found the cheapest companies by looking at cost information from Savvy.”
Company
Allstate
Progressive
Geico
USAA
Rate
$206.98
$210.85
$208.36
$220.09
Best car insurance for Louisiana
It pays to shop around for car insurance once or twice a year in Louisiana. We recommend these top-notch companies because of their solid coverage, many discounts and perks like local agents or a userfriendly app. These companies also keep solid ratings with the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power, Trustpilot and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Progressive is a solid choice in Louisiana because of its competitive rates compared to other national companies in the area. Safe drivers get rewarded with as much as a third of their car insurance bill discounted.
To get that steep discount, you'll need a claim-free driving record or to enroll in Snapshot and track your driving. And for those on a limited budget, try Progressive's pricing tool to name a rate and see how much coverage you can get.
Pros
Competitive rates for many drivers
Extras include gap, rideshare and custom equipment coverage
Save 30%+ for safe driving and claim-free history
Pricing tool helps you buy within your budge
Cons
Slow to respond to complaints
Must be a 5-year customer to qualify for accident forgiveness
Drivewise is Allstate's version of telematics insurance, which tracks your driving and rewards you accordingly with a discount. Drivewise offers one of the highest possible discounts available.
You can also earn further rewards toward gift cards and merchandise through Allstate's rewards program. Download the app to see how your driving is scored before you become an Allstate customer.
Pros
Discount up to 40% + cashback for driving safely
Try Drivewise before becoming a customer
Won't raise rates if you're not deemed a safe driver
App can find your parking spot or nearest gas station
Cons
Focuses on few driving behaviors, which could skew results
State Farm keeps a top-notch reputation for customer service, but it also offers a suite of coverage. Get all the standard coverage plus extras like rideshare insurance, roadside assistance and coverage for travel expenses after an accident.
You'll save the most on your policy by insuring several vehicles, bundling policies or joining State Farm's Drive Safe and Save program. Drive Safe and Save tracks your driving and rewards your safety on the road with a discount up to 30%. To top it all off, you'll always have a point of contact with your State Farm local agent.
Pros
No. 1 largest car insurance company in the US
Personalized service through local agents
Up to 30% off for safe driving with Drive Safe and Save
7 factors that affect car insurance rates in Louisiana
Factors are characteristics specific to you that car insurance companies use to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risky each of your factors is the less you pay, the riskier you are the more you’ll pay. We’ll break down Louisianan’s rating factors to keep in mind.
Factor
How it affects your rates
Age
How old you are is a top factor in determining your car insurance rates. With each passing year, you earn more experience on the road. More experience can equal cheaper rates. Teen drivers pay the most, but rates begin to level off around your 20’s with drivers over 50 paying the least.
Gender
Louisiana takes gender into account when determining your rates. Our analysis of Quadrant data found that men under 18 pay 17% more for car insurance compared to women of the same age. But, between 31 and 45, women see rates 5% higher than men. After 45, rates differ between men and women by only 1%, with women on the higher end.
Location
Where you live affects your rates, including where you park your car. High theft rates, high traffic and a high number of uninsured drivers could mean higher rates.
Louisiana vehicle theft rates stand at 266.9 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the FBI’s most recent report on vehicle theft rates. That’s well above the national average of 246 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants.
As for uninsured drivers, 11.7% of Louisianans on the road are uninsured. That’s less than average for the percent of uninsured drivers in a state according to Insurance Information Institute, with the national average standing at 12.6%.
Vehicle and mileage
Your car’s make, model and trim directly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Things like its cost, safety ratings, the likelihood of theft and sportiness all help insurers determine its cost to insure.
Safer and cheaper vehicles score the lowest rates, with luxury vehicles with higher repair costs resulting in higher premiums.
And, the more you’re on the road, the more at-risk you are to get in an accident, which means higher premiums. However, according to the Bureau of Transportation, Louisianans drive an average of 29.2 miles per day, that’s below the average across the US of 36.1 miles per day.
Credit score
Your credit score is included in your credit-based insurance score which insurers use to help calculate rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is a strong correlation between your insurance score and claims filings. A good credit-based insurance score could mean lower rates.
Louisiana drivers have protections under state laws that regulate the use of your credit history when issuing car insurance policies. Credit score can’t be the only factor used to determine your rates.
Coverage
The more coverage you get and the higher limits you choose, the more protection you’ll have and the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums. And, if you opt for full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision, the amount of your deductible weighs into your costs too, higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums.
Driving Record
The better your driving record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. And DUI’s in Louisiana can increase your rate by around 62%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about three years.
How does SR-22 insurance work in Louisiana?
An SR-22 form proves that you’re meeting minimum insurance requirements. In Louisiana, you may need SR-22 insurance for a minimum of three years, depending on the violation. The state’s Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) will let you know if you’re mandated to carry it. Learn more about SR-22 insurance in Louisiana and how to get it.
Coverage we recommend for Louisiana drivers
The purpose of car insurance is to help you recover financially after a car accident. While your state requires a minimum level of coverage, in most cases it won’t be enough to keep you from out-of-pocket costs. Consider increasing your required coverage and adding optional types of coverage that may be worth the extra cost for you, including:
Higher liability limits
Louisiana requires 15/30/25 for liability coverage, that’s much lower than many states require. These low amounts likely won’t be enough if you end up paying someone else’s medical bills and property damage. You need higher protection in most cases, especially if another driver takes you to court. Talk with your insurance agent or financial adviser about how much liability coverage to buy.
Collision
For accidents where you’re at fault, your collision coverage pays for your own car’s damage — if you buy this optional coverage. Otherwise, repairs to your own vehicle could cost you out of pocket.
Remember that your required liability coverage doesn’t pay for your car damage. Instead, it pays for damage to someone else’s property.
Consider collision coverage if . . .
Your car loan requires it.
It costs less than your car’s value.
You can’t pay for car repairs or another car out of pocket.
You drive your car regularly, such as for commuting.
Comprehensive
Because Louisiana sees theft thefts well above the national average, consider adding comprehensive coverage to your policy. You’re covered for the outright theft of your vehicle, plus any damages that might occur during a break-in.
Plus, Lousiana sees its fair share of tornadoes and flooding, this coverage can kick in to cover damages from harsh weather, falling tree branches or animals.
Consider this coverage if . . .
It’s required for your car loan.
You can’t repair or replace your car out of pocket.
Your area has a high risk of theft or serious storms.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist
Louisianans see a lower than average uninsured driver rate, but there’s a chance that you could get in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have proper coverage. In this case, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage kicks in for your medical expenses, car repairs or other property damage.
Consider this coverage if . . .
You can’t pay for car repairs or another car on your own.
You don’t have health insurance.
Your health insurance has high out-of-pocket costs.
Top 10 auto insurance companies in USA that serve Louisiana
We’ve pulled the top 10 companies by market share that offer coverage in Louisiana according to S&P Global. Compare top companies by three major rating agencies along with our overall score.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating measures how a business interacts with its customers, with the highest rating being A++.
J.D. Power determines customers’ overall satisfaction with their car insurer’s price, billing, claims and customer support. The higher the J.D. Power score out of 1,000, the better.
NAIC complaint index shows how a company’s number of complaints compares to similar companies of its size. Scores lower than 1.00 show the company receives less than the average number of complaints, and scores above 1.00 show more complaints than average.
Finder’s score shows you an overall look at the company by taking into account scores from each of these agencies as well as the coverage and discounts each company offers.
Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Louisiana?
Of Louisiana’s largest cities, Metairie has the cheapest rates and Marrero has the most expensive car insurance rates. Marrero drivers could face rates 2 times more than Metairie drivers.
If you drive in Louisiana, make sure to take into account the “No Pay, No Play” rule as you consider your insurance package. Compare the options available and decide on the most suitable add ons for your policy.
Frequently asked questions about car insurance in Louisiana
If you move to Louisiana, you’ll almost always need to change your insurance plan. Contact your insurance company and the Louisiana DMV for specifics.
You must title and register your car at your local Louisiana DMV within 30 days of moving there. Make sure that you bring your proof of Louisiana insurance.
Your car insurance has the right to cancel your policy at any time. But most providers reserve cancellation for policyholders who file multiple claims in a short time or engage in risky driving behaviors that result in multiple tickets or DUI/DWIs. You’ll typically receive notice from your car insurance company before it plans to cancel your policy. If you’ve been in only a couple accidents, you should be fine.
While each car insurance policy varies, it’s possible that your car insurance rates will go up if you file a claim. Some providers offer accident forgiveness programs that ensure your premium stays the same after your first accident. But in many cases, a claim on your policy raises your risk profile — and, in turn, your rates.
Police officers have the right to ask you to provide proof of insurance if you’ve been pulled over. You can use:
An insurance card issued by your car insurance company (or a photo of it).
An image of your insurance card on a mobile device.
The declaration page of your insurance policy.
The insurance policy itself.
Additionally, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) gets notifications of expired and canceled car insurance policies, so make sure your policy is current.
Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance editor at Finder where she helps people navigate the financial world of loans.
Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics.
Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company.
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