What happens if you don't have bodily injury in Louisiana?

Drivers in Louisiana need $15,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person (up to $30,000 per accident) and $25,000 of property damage liability insurance. Collision, comprehensive and gap insurance may also be required by a lender or lessor if your vehicle is financed.

In addition, an optional but recommended type of coverage in Louisiana is uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. It replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should’ve had and pays for your costs up to your policy limits.

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The penalties for driving without insurance in Louisiana can include a fine of $100, the impoundment of your car, the revocation of your registration, and the confiscation of your license plate. Penalties for repeat offenses may be even harsher, including fines up to $500.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Louisiana

Not having car insurance and not being able to prove that you have it are two different violations. If you have insurance but cannot prove it when you get pulled over or at the scene of an accident, you are guilty of an “administrative violation”, similar to a seat-belt ticket. In Louisiana, you have 3 business days after being cited to provide evidence that you did carry the proper insurance coverage at the time you were asked to show proof by a law enforcement officer, and your license plate will be confiscated in the meantime. If you can prove you were properly insured, your license plate will be returned and any fine will be waived.

Driving without car insurance at all is much more serious, and the penalties are more severe. In addition to the legal consequences, you can expect your car insurance premium to go up.

You can avoid these consequences by meeting Louisiana's minimum car insurance requirements.

Required Car Insurance in Louisiana

• $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident

The key to maintaining the minimum amount of coverage required by Louisiana is to find a policy you can afford. If your coverage has already lapsed, start by comparing quotes from the insurance companies WalletHub’s analysis identified as having the best post-lapse rates.

Best Car Insurance in Louisiana After a Lapse in Coverage

• State Farm
• Southern Farm Bureau
• USAA
• Louisiana Farm Bureau
• Progressive

Drivers in Louisiana pay an average of $2,589 per year to maintain the minimum amount of coverage. That's nothing compared to the consequences of driving without insurance, especially if you get into an accident.

What Happens If You Get Into a Car Accident Without Insurance in Louisiana?

1. If you get into an accident: all penalties will apply. If you get into an accident while driving without insurance in Louisiana, you will incur the penalties for driving without insurance no matter who is at fault. In addition, driving uninsured can make it difficult to be compensated for damages if you are not at fault and can have long-lasting and life-changing consequences if you are at fault.
2. If the accident is your fault: you'll have to pay for all the damages out of your own pocket. In addition to the legal consequences of driving without insurance, you could easily be responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in damages to your vehicle, the other driver's car repairs and hospital bills, and your own medical care. You could face mounting debt or even bankruptcy, especially if the other driver doesn't carry uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection.
3. Even if you were not at fault or only partially at fault, there will be other consequences. Driving uninsured doesn't negate the other driver's fault entirely, but you're almost certainly going to be penalized and unable to recover everything you would be entitled to if you had insurance. In at-fault states such as Louisiana, the driver who caused the accident is usually responsible for damage to your car and any medical treatment you may need. However, Louisiana is a “no pay, no play” state, which means drivers cannot pursue certain damages after an accident, regardless of fault, if they were uninsured at the time the accident occurred. Specifically, you cannot collect the first $15,000 of bodily injury damages or the first $25,000 of property damages if you were uninsured at the time of the accident.

In Louisiana, you need $15,000 in bodily injury coverage per person ($30,000 per accident). Bodily injury liability insurance pays for other people's injuries after a car accident that you cause, and it can also cover your legal fees if you are sued after a crash.

In addition to bodily injury liability insurance, drivers in Louisiana need to purchase $25,000 in property damage liability insurance. Property damage liability coverage pays for damage to others' property after an accident caused by...