Auto Insurance Minimums for Louisiana

In the state of Louisiana, you are required by law to have minimum liability coverage of at least 15/30/25.  This ratio translates into $15K of Liability Bodily Injury coverage per person, $30K Liability Bodily Injury coverage per accident, and $25K of Property Damage coverage per accident.  This is just the minimum--the Louisiana Department of Insurance strongly suggests that drivers purchase more than the legal limit in addition to having uninsured/underinsured motorists insurance (UM/UIM).  This may sound like a lot, but if you take the time to shop around for auto insurance quotes you can find a great deal and it will be very much worth the effort.

Liability auto insurance is there to insure against lost resulting from civil liability for injury or damage to others.  This is something to consider given that 12% of Louisiana drivers are uninsured--which means that approximately 375,000 motorists are defying state laws.  This does not include the other thousands of drivers that have inadequate coverage.

If for some reason you decide to drive without insurance, you run the risk of losing more than just your money.  If caught driving without insurance in the state of Louisiana, your license will be flagged and you won’t be able to renew your license or registration until the flag has been removed.  In order to have the flag removed you must provide proof of insurance within ten days of the citation.  If you don’t do so, you can be charged $50, and up to $225 if you don’t provide proof within 90 days.  The average insured motorist in Louisiana spends $2,039 on car insurance per year.  This is not that much when you consider the alternative.

Purchasing automobile insurance is very simple.  You just need to shop around for a few auto insurance quotes online and then select the best type of coverage at the best price.  It is far better to be safe than sorry, especially with so much at stake.

Louisiana DUI Law

Getting convicted of a DUI in Louisiana is a serious criminal offense. If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may face up to 180 days in jail and lose your license for three months. You will have to pay at least $1,000 in fines and court costs, and, perhaps most importantly, you will end up with a criminal record.

The blood alcohol content level (BAC) limit in the state of Louisiana is 0.08%. If you are pulled over, tested, and receive a BAC of 0.15% or higher, you may face additional sentencing. If you receive a DUI in Louisiana, you will have your license suspended for 90 days. After 30 days, you may receive a limited license.

Louisiana Teen Driving Laws/Auto Insurance Requirements

Most teens in the state of Louisiana have restricted licenses, due to the high number of teen driving related accidents. Obtaining a license is difficult for teens, as they follow a state version of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.

From the ages of 15 to 16 Louisiana teens may work toward their learner’s license by completing a state approved driver’s education course. They must also pass a written test and a vision test. After owning their learner’s permit for at least six months, they may become eligible for an intermediate license. Teens must be at least 16 years old to take the road test needed for this license.

It is always a crime for teens to drive with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. This is about the equivalent of one drink, but may even be less than that for some. If caught, teens will face up to $1,000 dollars in fines, plus court costs, their license will be suspended, and they may end up with a criminal record.

Teens must meet the state’s minimum requirements for insurance coverage in Louisiana; however, parents are urged to purchase more insurance coverage for their child, as teen accidents are more common than non-teen accidents. Teens can lower their auto insurance rates by maintaining at least a 3.0 average in high school or college, and completing a driver’s education course.