Insurance requirements for registering a car in Louisiana

The Louisiana Insurance Department requires all drivers in Louisiana to have automobile insurance or "financial liability" in order to legally operate a vehicle and retain the vehicle's registration.

The minimum financial liability requirements for Louisiana drivers are as follows:

• Minimum $15,000 per person for personal injury or death. This means you need to have at least $30,000 with you to cover the fewest possible number of people involved in an accident (two drivers).

• $25,000 minimum for property damage liability

This means that the total minimum financial liability you will require is $55,000 for bodily injury and property damage.

"No game, no pay"

Louisiana's "No Play, No Pay" law means that drivers have limited ability to sue for property damage and personal injury, no matter who is at fault. If you have been driving in an accident, you cannot receive the following limits:

• First $25,000 for property damage claims and

• First $15,000 Personal Injury Claims

These restrictions do not apply to passengers if the vehicle is not owned by the passenger.

Louisiana Auto Insurance Plan

Louisiana has a government program called the Louisiana Auto Insurance Plan (LAIP) that provides high-risk drivers with the opportunity to get the auto insurance they need from authorized insurance companies.

proof of insurance

You must be able to provide proof of insurance when you register your vehicle, and when requested by a police officer at a stop or at the scene of an accident. Acceptable forms of proof of insurance include:

• A copy of your insurance policy binding or a copy of an insurance card issued by an authorized insurance provider.

• Copy of the declaration page from your insurance contract

• A written statement from your insurance company or agent that includes the vehicle identification number and a description of the vehicle.

Penalties for Violation

If a driver is caught driving in Louisiana without the proper minimum insurance, two fines can be assessed:

• Vehicle license plates will be canceled and temporary plates will be issued, allowing the driver to present insurance to the Motor Vehicle Authority within three days.

• The vehicle may be impounded.

Restoration of driver's license

If your vehicle insurance has been canceled or your vehicle has been impounded due to an insurance policy violation, you must take the following steps to drive legally in Louisiana:

• Buy a new minimum insurance policy

• Take the new insurance certificate to the OMV office.

• Pay a reinstatement fee of up to $100 for the first violation; up to $250 for a second violation; and up to $700 for further violations

• Pay additional fees based on the number of days you drive without insurance.

• Submit the SR-22 Proof of Financial Responsibility, which ensures that you have the minimum required insurance. If the previous SR-22 has expired, you must pay a $60 reinstatement fee.

For more information, contact the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Authority through their website.