Why Driving Without Car Insurance Isn’t Worth It in Louisiana
If you have ever driven without car insurance in Louisiana, you may not think it is a big deal, but you would be wrong. If you drive without insurance, at some point, your luck will run out, and it could cost you — big time.
The penalties for driving without insurance in Louisiana are quite severe. You could receive fines of anywhere between $500 to $1,000. But that’s not the worst. You may have your driving privileges suspended, your vehicle impounded and your registration revoked.
Louisiana also has what’s known as the “No Pay, No Play” law. This law says that if you are uninsured and get into an accident – even if the accident is not your fault – you won’t be able to collect the first $25,000 in property damages and the first $15,000 in personal injuries liability. Meaning you will be paying out of pocket, even if you didn’t cause the wreck.
Let’s look at what car insurance will do for you in the Bayou State and how to make it affordable.
Is Liability Auto Insurance Required for Louisiana Drivers?
Yes. Liability insurance is required by law. If you are in a car accident, liability insurance pays for damage up to the dollar amounts stated in the auto insurance policy. This can include damage to property (i.e., the other person’s car) and medical expenses (i.e., if the person or people in the other vehicle are physically injured).
In Louisiana, each vehicle must have what is called 15/30/25 liability limits. Those limits provide payments of:
- $15,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $30,000 for bodily injury to more than one person in a single accident
- $25,000 coverage for damage to someone else’s vehicle or other property
Do You Need Louisiana Auto Insurance If You Get into an Accident and Damage Another Person’s Vehicle?
Yes. If you are driving without insurance, you could find yourself financially responsible for the entire cost of the person’s vehicle or other property damage. Without the help of an insurance company to pay for these bills (up to the limit of the policy minus your deductible), you could find yourself in tens of thousands of dollars of debt almost instantly. If you don’t have the money to pay those debts, you might find yourself in the situation of having liens against your property or having your wages garnished potentially for years to pay off the debt.
What Happens If You Get into an Accident without Louisiana Auto Insurance and Someone Is Injured?
If you are driving without car insurance in Louisiana, you could find yourself financially responsible for the entire cost of the person’s medical bills. As we all know, medical bills can be extremely expensive. Without the help of an insurance company to pay for them (up to the limits of the policy minus your deductible), you could have liens placed against you or have your wages garnished. It is far less expensive to get the Louisiana auto insurance coverage you need.
What Happens If You Are Driving Without Insurance and Get Pulled Over by a Police Officer in Louisiana?
Getting pulled over is never fun, but it can get serious fast if you are driving without insurance. You could find yourself with fines or even having your car impounded and needing a ride home.
Any time you are pulled over, remain calm and be polite. Regardless of the situation, you will want to get through it as smoothly as possible. Also, consider speaking with an attorney if you are ever concerned about any fines you receive or charges that are brought against you.
Do You Need Louisiana Auto Insurance to Renew Your Driver’s License or Car Registration?
Yes. On a yearly basis, you will need to renew your car registration, and you must renew your driver’s license regularly. In order to do this, you will be asked to provide proof of your Louisiana auto insurance. This means that if you are driving without car insurance, you could also find yourself driving without proper car registration and an out-of-date driver’s license at some point. Each of these things will come with its own price tag in terms of late fees and penalties in addition to the cost of getting Louisiana auto insurance.
Isn’t Louisiana Auto Insurance Expensive?
Affordable Louisiana auto insurance is available, and it is far less expensive than ending up in an emergency without the insurance coverage that you need. When you are looking for auto insurance, make sure to look shop around. If you have friends or relatives who have Louisiana auto insurance, ask them what company and what insurance advisor they use. If they are happy with their policy and the customer service that goes along with that, check them out.
After some price checking on the internet and asking around, you will want to sit down (either virtually or in person) with an insurance advisor so you can ask all the questions that you may have regarding getting affordable Louisiana auto insurance. If an insurance professional doesn’t do a good job of attending to you and answering your questions, move on to the next candidate. You will want to work with someone who is a good listener and will value your business.
Can I Get Louisiana Auto Insurance If I Have a Less-Than-Perfect Driving Record?
Yes. There are insurance companies who are in the business of helping drivers get the insurance they need to get back on the road safely and legally — and without judgment. We’ve all made mistakes in our lives, and being insured is the law. If you have had a few tickets, an accident, or a DUI, it is important to get advice from an insurance expert who can help you navigate the process of getting Louisiana auto insurance again. By talking with a qualified advisor and being open about your situation, you can find out your options and learn about insurance solutions that will work for you and your budget.
Find Low-Cost Louisiana Car Insurance Today
At USAgencies, we are skilled at working with all drivers – those with perfect records and those who have some blemishes on their driving records. We can help you find the car insurance you need and can afford. Get started with a fast and free car insurance quote online, visit a nearby office or call us at 1-800-420-3712 today!