The Minimum Amount Allowed by Law

I've read on other websites recently that Louisiana car insurance requirements are a minimum of a 10/20/10 plan. That's what the minimums used to be but the new minimums for Louisiana are what is known as a 15/30/25 plan. What this means is that all drivers in the state of Louisiana must carry at least $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, up to $30,000 per accident if more than one person is injured. You must also carry $25,000 worth of property damage liability coverage to pay for repairs or replacement of the other party's vehicle if you are at fault in an accident.

Liability insurance will pay for medical bills or to repair property damage to other parties involved in an accident where you are at fault. You may also wish to carry additional coverage to pay for your medical bills or property damage if you are the one that causes an accident. People with newer or more expensive vehicles often choose a comprehensive coverage plan. This will pay for specified damages to your automobile even if you cause an accident. In addition to car accidents a comprehensive plan will also cover you if your car is damaged in a fire, as a result of vandalism, if your vehicle is stolen etc. This type of plan will be more expensive than a minimum liability coverage option but it is a wise investment if you drive an expensive vehicle.

Like many other states, in Louisiana you are required not only to have the proper coverage but to also be able to provide proof of insurance if you are involved in an accident or even if you are pulled over for a moving violation. If you cannot produce proof of insurance your vehicle can be impounded and your license plates can be removed. If this occurs you have three days to provide proof of insurance to the office of motor vehicles. The fines for not being able to provide proof of insurance range from $75-$100 on the first conviction, from $100-$250 on the second conviction, and up to $700 on any convictions after that.

Louisiana car insurance requirements also implements a law known as "No Pay, No Play". This law prohibits uninsured motorists from collecting the first $25,000 in property damage and the first $15,000 in personal injuries regardless of who is at fault for causing the accident.

 As you can see, it is very important that you are in compliance with the Louisiana car insurance requirements so that you can avoid fines and penalties and also make sure that you can be reimbursed for medical expenses and property damage if someone else causes an accident. To make sure you're getting the best price on the coverage you need take a little time to shop around and compare auto insurance rates and coverage options from a number of different companies. A little time spent shopping around can save you quite a bit of money.