Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana requires liability coverage of at least 15/30/25: $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $30,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Instead of an insurance policy, an owner may meet the requirement with a motor vehicle liability bond, a certificate from the state treasurer showing a cash or securities deposit, or a certificate of self-insurance.

Question 2

Is Louisiana a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

Louisiana is an at-fault (tort) state; the at-fault driver is responsible for damages. Under the "no pay, no play" rule, an owner or driver who did not carry the required liability coverage cannot recover the first $100,000 of bodily injury damages or the first $100,000 of property damage from an accident. The limit does not apply if the other driver is convicted of (or pleads no contest to) DWI from the accident, caused the accident intentionally, fled the scene, or was committing a felony at the time.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage must be included in every auto liability policy at limits no lower than the policy's bodily injury liability limits, unless a named insured rejects it, selects lower limits, or selects lower-cost "economic-only" UM coverage (which excludes noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering). That choice must be made on a form prescribed by the insurance commissioner and signed by the named insured or a legal representative. UM limits may not be lower than the 15/30 state minimums unless economic-only coverage is chosen.

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

A document showing the vehicle is insured must be kept in the vehicle. An insurance ID card, a photocopy of the card, or an image of the card displayed on a mobile electronic device is accepted, as is the policy, a binder, or (for owners using other security) a bond, treasurer's deposit certificate, or self-insurance certificate. Officers must also electronically verify, where they can, that the coverage is current. Insurers and other security providers must report the effective dates of each policy and each cancellation to the Office of Motor Vehicles, which maintains a database used to check coverage.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

If a driver cannot show proof of insurance when stopped, the vehicle is impounded, the license plate is removed, and a notice of noncompliance is issued. The owner has three calendar days (excluding weekends and holidays) to show the vehicle was insured; otherwise, after sixty days the plate is destroyed and the registration revoked. When the state finds a vehicle uninsured or coverage lapsed, it revokes the registration, impounds the vehicle and cancels the plate until proof of insurance is provided and reinstatement fees are paid: $100 for a lapse of 1 to 30 days, $250 for 31 to 90 days, and $500 for more than 90 days (with no fee in some first-time lapses of ten days or less). Submitting false information that a vehicle is insured brings sanctions of 12 to 18 months and fees of $250, $500 and $1,000 for first, second and third or later violations.

Question 6

When do you need an SR-22 in Louisiana, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

Anyone required under Louisiana's motor vehicle safety responsibility law to give proof of financial responsibility must keep that proof on file for three years. The Office of Motor Vehicles requires proof of financial responsibility (SR-22 insurance) for 3 years from the date of conviction to reinstate after a DWI or underage DWI suspension, and for 3 years from the date of arrest after a chemical-test refusal suspension, in addition to reinstatement fees.

Question 7

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

For policies in force 60 days or more (and renewals), an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the named insured or a regular driver in the household; fraud or material misrepresentation in a claim; or nonreceipt of an application after a binder was issued. An insurer may not cancel or refuse to renew purely because of age. Starting July 1, 2026 (Act 182 of 2025), the insurer must mail by certified mail or deliver cancellation notice at least 60 days before the effective date (previously 30 days), and at least 10 days' notice with the reason when cancelling for nonpayment. Nonrenewal notice must be mailed or delivered at least 60 days in advance (previously 20 days), with reasons provided on written request.

Question 8

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

Insurers that use credit information may not use an insurance score calculated using income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status, or nationality. They may not deny, cancel or nonrenew a personal policy, or set renewal rates, solely on the basis of credit information, and may not take adverse action solely because a consumer has no credit card or credit history. Credit reports or scores used for adverse action must be no more than 180 days old.

Question 9

When is a car a total loss in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

A vehicle is a "total loss" when it has damage equal to 75% or more of its market value, based on the most current National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) guide. A salvage title is the certificate issued by the Office of Motor Vehicles to show that an insurance settlement declared the vehicle a total loss. Vehicles with cosmetic hail damage of 75% or more are not treated as salvage but receive a branded title showing hail damage.

Question 10

How do you transfer a car title in Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

All used vehicles must be titled with the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV); documents can be mailed or delivered to OMV headquarters or handled at an OMV office or public tag agent. The buyer needs a completed Vehicle Application (DPSMV 1799), the current title assigned to the buyer before a notary (with any lien released), an odometer statement if required, a notarized bill of sale or invoice showing the price (not needed if the price is on the title assignment), photo ID, and proof of liability insurance; an Act of Donation must be notarized. Fees include a $68.50 title fee, an $8.00 handling fee, a local fee of up to $6, lien recording fees if applicable, the plate fee, and sales/use tax.

Question 11

How long do you have to register your car after moving to Louisiana?

Accepted Answer

A new resident must transfer an out-of-state driver's license to a Louisiana license within 30 days of establishing a domicile. New residents must also register each vehicle they drive in Louisiana within thirty days of establishing residency, and the vehicle must have a valid Louisiana safety inspection certificate within that same thirty days. For this purpose, residency begins on the date the person is issued a Louisiana driver's license.

Minimum coverage required	Louisiana requires liability coverage of at least 15/30/25: $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $30,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Instead of an insurance policy, an owner may meet the requirement with a motor vehicle liability bond, a certificate from the state treasurer showing a cash or securities deposit, or a certificate of self-insurance. Alternatives to insurance: https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=88604 Source: La. R.S. 32:900(B)(2); La. R.S. 32:861(A)(1)
At-fault or no-fault	Louisiana is an at-fault (tort) state; the at-fault driver is responsible for damages. Under the "no pay, no play" rule, an owner or driver who did not carry the required liability coverage cannot recover the first $100,000 of bodily injury damages or the first $100,000 of property damage from an accident. The limit does not apply if the other driver is convicted of (or pleads no contest to) DWI from the accident, caused the accident intentionally, fled the scene, or was committing a felony at the time. Source: La. R.S. 32:866
Uninsured motorist coverage	Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage must be included in every auto liability policy at limits no lower than the policy's bodily injury liability limits, unless a named insured rejects it, selects lower limits, or selects lower-cost "economic-only" UM coverage (which excludes noneconomic losses such as pain and suffering). That choice must be made on a form prescribed by the insurance commissioner and signed by the named insured or a legal representative. UM limits may not be lower than the 15/30 state minimums unless economic-only coverage is chosen. Source: La. R.S. 22:1295(1)(a)
Proof of insurance	A document showing the vehicle is insured must be kept in the vehicle. An insurance ID card, a photocopy of the card, or an image of the card displayed on a mobile electronic device is accepted, as is the policy, a binder, or (for owners using other security) a bond, treasurer's deposit certificate, or self-insurance certificate. Officers must also electronically verify, where they can, that the coverage is current. Insurers and other security providers must report the effective dates of each policy and each cancellation to the Office of Motor Vehicles, which maintains a database used to check coverage. Insurer reporting/database: https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=88608 Source: La. R.S. 32:863.1(A)-(B); La. R.S. 32:863.2

Cancellation and nonrenewal	For policies in force 60 days or more (and renewals), an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the named insured or a regular driver in the household; fraud or material misrepresentation in a claim; or nonreceipt of an application after a binder was issued. An insurer may not cancel or refuse to renew purely because of age. Starting July 1, 2026 (Act 182 of 2025), the insurer must mail by certified mail or deliver cancellation notice at least 60 days before the effective date (previously 30 days), and at least 10 days' notice with the reason when cancelling for nonpayment. Nonrenewal notice must be mailed or delivered at least 60 days in advance (previously 20 days), with reasons provided on written request. Source: La. R.S. 22:1266(B)-(E), as amended by Acts 2025, No. 182
What insurers can use to set rates	Insurers that use credit information may not use an insurance score calculated using income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status, or nationality. They may not deny, cancel or nonrenew a personal policy, or set renewal rates, solely on the basis of credit information, and may not take adverse action solely because a consumer has no credit card or credit history. Credit reports or scores used for adverse action must be no more than 180 days old. Source: La. R.S. 22:1504
Total loss rules	A vehicle is a "total loss" when it has damage equal to 75% or more of its market value, based on the most current National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) guide. A salvage title is the certificate issued by the Office of Motor Vehicles to show that an insurance settlement declared the vehicle a total loss. Vehicles with cosmetic hail damage of 75% or more are not treated as salvage but receive a branded title showing hail damage. Source: La. R.S. 32:702(13)-(14)

Louisiana Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

Quick answers for Louisiana

Required coverage

Driving without insurance and SR-22

Your rights with insurers

Title and registration

Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ

More Louisiana law