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Icon CheckLast updated: October 1, 2024

The Best Car Insurance in Louisiana

We took a deep dive into the best insurers for Louisiana drivers.

Best Overall
Direct Auto Logo

Louisiana drivers have higher than average rates of high-risk driver designations than other states. Direct Auto caters to drivers who may have trouble finding coverage elsewhere.

Best Full Coverage
State Farm Logo

State Farm is the largest insurer in the nation. It’s a great choice for Louisianians, especially those who want to purchase full coverage without breaking the bank.

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The Pelican State (or as some call it, the Bayou State), is home to over 3.4 million licensed drivers and encompasses nearly 64,000 miles of public roads. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports that on average, Louisiana drivers pay $130 monthly for auto insurance — the highest in the country at over 30 percent over the national average.

A number of factors contribute to these above-average costs, including a large number of high-risk drivers. However, if you shop around for the right policy you can save on premiums and put that money back in your wallet. We’ve researched the top insurers in Louisiana to find the strongest protection at the best prices.

Summary of the Best Auto Insurance Companies in Louisiana

  1. 1.

    Best Auto Insurance in Louisiana Overall: Direct Auto

  2. 2.

    Best Auto Insurance for Full Coverage in Louisiana: State Farm

  3. 3.

    Best Auto Insurance for Active Military in Louisiana: USAA

  4. 4.

    Best Auto Insurance for Coverage Options in Louisiana: Allstate

Comparison of the Best Auto Insurance in Louisiana

Company What it’s best for J.D. Power Southeast customer satisfaction score (out of 1,000)1 Potential discount for tracking driving habits Defensive driver course discount Senior discount Review
Direct Auto Overall Not ranked 10% 5-10% Yes Direct Auto review
State Farm Full coverage 855 30% 10% Yes, after completing approved driver safety course State Farm review
USAA Active military 886 30% Yes, amount not specified No USAA review
Allstate Coverage options 833 40% No No Allstate review

Detailed List of the Best Auto Insurance in Louisiana

1. Best Auto Insurance in Louisiana Overall - Direct Auto
Direct Auto Logo

What We Like Most:

  • Low rates for high-risk drivers
  • Can pay in cash locally
  • Save money by bundling with life insurance

Founded in 1991, Direct Auto insures high-risk drivers. If you have an SR-22 or hold a high-risk designation for another reason, Direct Auto is much more likely to insure you than standard insurers. Though it specializes in high-risk policies, Direct offers discounts and flexible payment options that keep premiums affordable.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers with at-fault accidents or other high-risk histories
  • pro
    Customers looking for a range of discounts
  • pro
    Louisianians who want flexible payment options
  • pro
    Business owners who need commercial auto insurance
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers with clean records
  • con
    Customers who want to bundle auto and homeowners insurance

Coverage for High-Risk Drivers

On average, Louisiana drivers are more likely to fall into certain high-risk categories than drivers in other states. Take a look at the following statistics about driving in Louisiana:

  • There are 30 percent more deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in Louisiana than in the U.S. as a whole.2
  • In Louisiana, 20 percent of fatal crashes involved distracted drivers, compared to 8 percent of crashes nationally.3
  • Louisiana has the second-lowest average credit score at 689 (Mississippi is first at 680) — the national average is 714.4

GOOD TO KNOW:

The high-risk designation doesn’t necessarily imply poor driving; age, credit score, and location can also affect the risk level an insurer assigns.

The following factors can contribute to a high-risk designation:

  • At-fault accidents
  • Being a new driver
  • Being a teen or senior driver
  • Driving an expensive vehicle
  • DUI convictions
  • Insurance lapses (even if you sold your car)
  • Multiple claims in short periods
  • Poor credit
  • Speeding tickets

Insurers can deny coverage for high-risk drivers, and many standard providers do. However, Direct Auto specializes in high-risk coverage. It can help you get an affordable policy with flexible payment options if you fall into a high-risk category.

Many Discount Options

High-risk insurance often costs more than standard insurance. For example, after a DUI conviction, insurance premiums in Louisiana typically increase by 48 percent.5 Direct Auto offers an array of discount options that can help you keep insurance costs affordable:

Discount Potential savings
Active military 25%
Safe driver (accident- and violation-free for 36 months) 10%
Full-time student with a B average or higher 10%
55 years or older and complete an accident prevention course 5%
Track your driving with the Routely app 10%
Under 21 and complete a state-approved driver education course, or any age and complete an accident prevention course 10%
Multiple vehicles insured on the same policy 25%
Vehicle equipped with anti-theft and safety features 10%
Buy another product from Direct Auto (e.g., emergency protection plan) 5%
Hold prior coverage with another company for at least 6 months with no more than a 90-day lapse 25%
Own a home, townhome, or condo where you keep your car(s) 15%
Return to Direct after at least six months of not holding a policy with the company 6%
Active member of an affinity organization 5%
Automatic payments, pay in full, or paperless billing 9%
Purchase two or more qualifying policies with Direct 10%

Flexible Payment

Affordable insurance isn’t just about the amount you pay each month but when and how you pay. Direct Auto offers several payment options to help align your insurance costs and your budget. You can customize the following to your needs:

  • Date: Pick the day of the month to make your payment.
  • Schedule: Decide how often you’ll pay— in full, monthly, or in installments of a different frequency.
  • Monthly amount: Determine your monthly costs by choosing how much to put down up front (like a down payment).
  • Method: Pay online by debit, credit, or e-check, or pay in cash at a Direct Auto location. There are 34 locations in Louisiana, including in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
2. Best Auto Insurance for Full Coverage in Louisiana - State Farm

What We Like Most:

  • Multiple discounts for safe driving, including one specifically for young drivers
  • Local agents
  • Discounts for multiple cars

Known for strong customer service, State Farm has over 60 locations in Louisiana. Its competitive rates make it a particularly good choice for drivers who want to purchase coverage beyond the minimum coverage car insurance in Louisiana, which we recommend doing.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Drivers planning to purchase full coverage car insurance
  • pro
    Customers seeking low prices and abundant discounts
  • pro
    Safe drivers
  • pro
    Rideshare drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Drivers with DUIs
  • con
    Drivers looking for pay-per-mile plans

Affordable Full Coverage

Like most states, the minimum required insurance in Louisiana is liability coverage. Other coverages are optional — though if you financed your vehicle, your lender may require them. See below for the car insurance that Louisiana requires.

Coverage Minimum required limits
Bodily injury liability per person/per accident $15,000/$25,000
Property damage liability per accident $30,000
Medical payments coverage Not part of Louisiana’s car insurance requirements
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) Not part of Louisiana’s car insurance requirements
Comprehensive and collision Not part of Louisiana’s car insurance requirements, but lenders may require for leased or financed vehicles

When deciding whether to purchase full coverage versus liability, consider your monthly budget as well as what out-of-pocket costs you can afford in the event of an accident. For example, if you rely on your car as your primary mode of transportation and would not be able to replace it in the event of a theft or accident, consider adding comprehensive and collision coverages to your policy.

On average, in Louisiana, full coverage policies from State Farm cost about $123 (compared to the state average of $147 for full coverage6), which makes it a great choice for drivers seeking extra protection and cheap car insurance in Louisiana.

Numerous Discounts

The following discounts are available to State Farm customers in Louisiana:

  • Accident-free: After three years of holding a State Farm auto policy without accidents, you get a discount that may increase over time.
  • Anti-theft: Save money if your car is equipped with an approved anti-theft device.
  • Defensive driver course: Drivers age 55 and older can save 10 percent for voluntarily completing a state-approved defensive driving course in the past three years.
  • Drive Safe & Save: Save 5 percent when you enroll and up to 30 percent once you track your driving with the State Farm app.
  • Driver education: Drivers under age 21 who complete an approved driver education course receive a discount.
  • Good driving: You earn this discount if all drivers in the household have had no moving violations or at-fault accidents in the past three years.
  • Good student: Full-time high school and college students under age 25 who hold B averages or higher save on insurance.
  • Military: Active-duty military and their spouse/dependents are eligible for a discount.
  • Multiple vehicles: Households with multiple vehicles on the same policy get a discount.
  • Multiline: Save money by bundling auto insurance with a State Farm home, renter, condo, life, or health policy.
  • Passive restraint: If you drive an older car (1993 or prior), you get a discount if the vehicle has a factory-installed airbag or other approved passive restraint system.
  • Steer Clear: Drivers under age 25 with no moving violations or at-fault accidents in the past three years can complete a State Farm driver safety program to get a discount.
  • Student away at school: Students under age 25 who go to school more than 100 miles away from home and only drive while home on breaks save on premiums.
  • Vehicle safety: Vehicles model year 1994 and newer can get a discount, depending on their safety ratings.

Rideshare Coverage

If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare company (including food delivery), we recommend adding rideshare coverage to your policy. State Farm offers rideshare coverage in 43 states, including Louisiana. It covers you when the rideshare company’s insurance doesn’t:

Coverage App on, waiting for passenger Matched with passenger Passenger in vehicle
Bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage (liability insurance) State Farm Rideshare company Rideshare company
Medical payments coverage State Farm State Farm State Farm
Comprehensive, collision, emergency road service, and rental reimbursement State Farm State Farm State Farm

It’s strong coverage, considering some insurers don’t offer any protection once you’ve matched with a passenger or are transporting them.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

In Louisiana, Lyft requires vehicles to be the model year 2012 or newer.7 Uber requires a 16-year-old vehicle or newer.8

3. Best Auto Insurance for Active Military in Louisiana - USAA

What We Like Most:

  • Cheapest rates for teens on a family policy or on their own
  • Special discount for teens transitioning off their parents’ policy
  • Strong customer service and claims process

If you qualify, USAA is an excellent choice for auto insurance in Louisiana. In particular, it stands out for its competitive car insurance rates, exceptional roadside assistance offering, and discounts.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Military members (including National Guard), veterans, and their families
  • pro
    Customers who want to purchase roadside assistance
  • pro
    People looking for discounts
  • pro
    Classic car owners
ConsWho It's Not Best For
  • con
    Individuals not affiliated with the U.S. military
  • con
    Siblings of USAA members, who don’t qualify

Protection for Active Military Families and Veterans

Louisiana is home to over 15,000 active-duty military members and over 17,000 spouses and dependents, plus nearly 19,000 National Guard and reserve members and their 20,000 spouses and dependents.9 These individuals, as well as veterans and their families, are eligible for USAA auto insurance.

USAA’s prices are competitive, and it offers the following auto coverages:

  • Bodily injury and property liability
  • Car replacement assistance
  • Comprehensive and collision
  • Medical payments
  • Rental reimbursement
  • Roadside assistance
  • Umbrella insurance
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist for accidents caused by uninsured drivers and underinsured drivers

Great Roadside Assistance

One of the offerings we like the most from USAA is its roadside assistance, which covers the following:

  • Towing to the nearest repair shop
  • Tire change (spare required) or tow
  • Fuel delivery (cost of fuel not included)
  • Battery jump start
  • Lockout service
  • Winching for a stuck vehicle

If you have roadside assistance on your policy, you won’t pay out of pocket for these services. USAA distinguishes itself in that even if you don’t hold coverage, you can call its roadside assistance services and will pay a special negotiated rate, typically less than you would if you contacted the service provider directly.

In addition to providing services domestically, you can call roadside assistance in Canada, Mexico (within 75 miles of the border), U.S. territories, and the base country where a policy is issued.

Numerous Discounts

USAA claims that its members save an average of $725 annually, or $60 per month when they switch from other providers. You can save on auto insurance from USAA with the following discounts:

  • SafePilot: Save 10 percent upon enrollment and an additional 30 percent when you track your driving habits with USAA’s app.
  • Good grades: If you or a dependent is a full-time high school or college student under age 25 with a B average or higher (3.0 GPA), you’ll get a discount.
  • Garage on base: Save up to 15 percent on comprehensive coverage when you garage your car at a military installation, like Fort Polk or NSA New Orleans.
  • Safe driver: If you have a clean driving history for five years or if you complete an approved defensive driver or driver education course, you get a discount. After five years of safe driving, you may also qualify for accident forgiveness.
  • Bundling: Save up to 10 percent when you insure both property and auto with USAA.
  • Multivehicle: Get a discount for insuring two or more vehicles on the same policy.
  • Vehicle features: Vehicles three years old and newer may be eligible for discounts due to improved safety features. An anti-theft device earns you a discount as well.
  • Low mileage: If you are deployed or storing your vehicle for another reason, you can get up to 60 percent off. Additionally, Louisiana is one of 15 states in which USAA offers a usage-based option, meaning your car insurance premiums are based on how much (and how safely) you drive.
  • Loyal member: If you are under 25 years old and transitioning off your parents’ USAA policy onto your own policy, you can save up to 10 percent.
4. Best Auto Insurance for Coverage Options in Louisiana - Allstate

What We Like Most:

  • Three ways to earn a student discount
  • Pay-per-mile option for drivers with low mileage
  • No waiting period to purchase accident forgiveness

One of Allstate’s main pros is the number of coverage and add-on options it offers, which you may not find everywhere. Additionally, its new car discount makes it a good choice for Louisianians behind the wheel of brand-new rides.

ProsWho It's Best For
  • pro
    Customers seeking a range of coverage options
  • pro
    Drivers of new vehicles
  • pro
    Families with student drivers
  • pro
    Rideshare drivers
ConsWho It's Not Best For

Many Coverages and Add-Ons

As a major insurer, Allstate offers all typical coverages like liability, medical payments, roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, comprehensive, and collision. It also offers the following additional coverages and add-ons.

Policy add-on Details
Rideshare coverage If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or another service, the rideshare company’s insurance usually does not cover you unless you are transporting a passenger. Allstate’s Ride for Hire coverage protects you when the rideshare company doesn’t — including deductible gap coverage for your vehicle of up to $2,500.
Diminishing deductible Upon adding to your policy, Allstate immediately reduces your collision coverage deductible by $100. Your deductible decreases another $100 every year you go without an accident, for a maximum of $500.
Safe driving bonus For every six months you drive without an accident, Allstate issues a payout in the form of credit to your policy.
Classic car coverage Allstate offers special insurance to a wide variety of classic cars, including antiques, modern classics, collector vehicles, muscle cars, custom builds, vehicles under restoration, modified vehicles, hot rods, replicas, and even old military vehicles and retired fire trucks.
Mexico car insurance If you’re planning a road trip to Mexico, you’ll need a special tourist policy separate from your domestic policy. Allstate can provide coverage for you and your vehicle for trips of up to a year long.

New Vehicle Discount

Insuring a new car can be expensive, in part due to the vehicle’s higher value. Allstate offers a special new car discount, which you qualify for if:

  • Your vehicle is a current model year or one prior.
  • You are the vehicle’s first owner.

FUN FACT:

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, new car registrations in Louisiana account for 1 percent of total U.S. new vehicle registrations.10

Even if you don’t qualify for the new car discount, Allstate offers discounts for features many newer cars have, such as anti-lock brakes and anti-theft technology. It also has a multivehicle discount for insuring multiple cars on the same policy.

Several Paths to Student Discount

Louisiana is home to big universities like Louisiana State University and Tulane University, as well as smaller schools like Loyola University New Orleans. Whether you’re a student at one of these schools or another, or still in high school, you may be able to earn Allstate’s student discount.

To qualify for Allstate’s student discount, you must be unmarried and under age 25, and fulfill one of the following:

  • Hold at least a 2.7 GPA or B minus average (many companies require a 3.0 GPA/B average)
  • Attend school at least 100 miles away from where the car is garaged

When you’re shopping for car insurance in Louisiana, make sure you’ve compared quotes from multiple car insurance companies. The cheapest car insurance company for you may not be the most affordable option for someone in another zip code.

Methodology

Our approach to determining top insurance companies falls into three categories:

  • Proprietary data: Over the past 20 years, AutoInsurance.com has collected millions of pieces of data about insurance companies in Louisiana and the rest of the U.S. We leverage that data as part of our methodology for identifying top providers in Louisiana based on factors like rates, customer service, and coverage options.
  • Third-party reports: We use independent ratings and studies to evaluate companies’ credit ratings, customer service scores, and financial strength. We look at third-party studies from recognized organizations like the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power, Moody’s, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and S&P Global, among others, to find the most accurate ratings on insurance providers.
  • Institutional knowledge: Our team is highly knowledgeable about the auto insurance industry. Our lead is Paul Ford, president of insurance services at Centerfield, AutoInsurance.com’s parent company. Paul has held tenures at Datalot, Bankrate, Capital One Insurance Services, and elsewhere. His expertise guides our recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go to jail for not having insurance in Louisiana?

You cannot go to jail for not having insurance in Louisiana because that is considered an infraction rather than a misdemeanor. However, driving without insurance incurs significant fees. The fine is $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second, and $500 for the third. It can also increase your insurance premiums.

Are insurers pulling out of Louisiana?

Unfortunately, some insurers are no longer doing business in Louisiana in part due to substantial losses from weather events like Hurricane Ida. United Property and Casualty Insurance Company, a homeowner insurance company based in Florida, stopped renewing its home insurance policies in 2023. Farmers Insurance also pulled out of the homeowners market. In the past, Allstate dropped wind and hail coverage for certain policyholders in the state.

How many days can you go without insurance in Louisiana?

If an officer catches you driving without insurance, you have three days to provide proof, or else you will have to pay a fine.

Can you self-insure in Louisiana?

You can only self-insure in Louisiana if you own a fleet of at least 26 vehicles in your name. You must also own property in Louisiana, have total assets worth at least $100,000 (after deducting mortgages and other payments chargeable to the property), and have no canceled self-insurance certificates from the past five years.

Citations

  1. Usage-Based Auto Insurance Takes Center Stage as Satisfaction Flatlines, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2022, Jun 13).
    https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2022-us-auto-insurance-study

  2. Fatality Facts 2021 State by state. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (2023).
    https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state

  3. Fatality Injury Report. CDAN. org. (2023).
    https://cdan.dot.gov/query

  4. Credit Scores Steady as Consumer Debt Balances Rise in 2022. Experian. (2023, Feb 24).
    https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/consumer-credit-review/

  5. How Can a DUI Affect Your Car Insurance Rates?. Stephenson, Chavarri & Dawson, L.L.C. (2022, Jun 4).
    https://www.smclattorneys.com/blog/how-can-a-dui-affect-your-car-insurance-rates/

  6. 2019/2020 Auto Insurance Database Report. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. (2023, Jan).
    https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/publication-aut-pb-auto-insurance-database.pdf

  7. Louisiana Driver Information. Lyft. (2023).
    https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us/all/articles/115013078488-Louisiana-Driver-Information

  8. Vehicle requirements. Uber. (2023).
    https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/new-orleans/vehicle-requirements/

  9. Louisiana. Military State Policy Source. (2023).
    https://statepolicy.militaryonesource.mil/state/LA

  10. Driving Louisiana’s Economy. National Automobile Dealers Association. (2023).
    https://www.nada.org/media/7735/download?inline