The Cheapest Auto Insurance in Louisiana in 2024

Louisiana drivers pay the second-highest average car insurance rates in the country, at $266 per month. But how’d they get so high?

One reason is that Louisiana’s legal system makes it easy for policyholders to sue their insurers. Many companies have raised prices to offset the risk of litigation, which has inflated prices statewide. That means Louisiana drivers have to work harder to find affordable rates — but don’t worry, you still have options.

GEICO offers the lowest average rate in the state, at $115 per month, but other companies aren’t far behind. Read on to learn about other affordable options and how you can find cheaper car insurance in Louisiana.

Key Takeaways:

• GEICO has the cheapest average rates for many Louisianans, but State Farm may be a better option for high-risk drivers.
• State Farm and GEICO both offer average rates of less than half the statewide average.
• Louisiana drivers must purchase at least $15,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $30,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.

Louisiana’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies

Even with average rates that are more than double the national average, Louisiana drivers can still find cheap car insurance. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding the right company.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the five companies with the most affordable average rates in Louisiana.

Insurance giants lead the way, with the three largest car insurance companies by market share appearing on this list. GEICO is by far the cheapest — and the only company whose average rate in Louisiana ($115 per month) is below the national average.

Car insurance companies use a variety of rating factors to determine how much you pay, which we’ll touch on in the following sections. But first, let’s see which insurers are best suited for different types of drivers.

Compare.com’s Best Louisiana Insurance Companies of 2023

No single car insurance company is perfect for everyone. The best car insurance company for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and insurance profile.

Below are the best insurers for certain driver profiles — chosen based on a combination of average rates, available discounts, and customer ratings.

GEICO: Best for Louisiana drivers on a budget

Average monthly quote: $115 per month

Compare.com rating: 4.7 out of 5

Trustpilot rating: 1.3 out of 5

BBB rating: A+

Pros:

• Lowest rates in Louisiana
• Lots of available discounts
• Popular telematics program

Cons:

• Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings
• No gap insurance available
• Mixed customer reviews

GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance policies in Louisiana, according to Compare.com data, at just $115 per month. GEICO policyholders can save even more by taking advantage of discounts for safe driving, insuring multiple cars, earning good grades, and much more. The average rate for GEICO’s full-coverage insurance policies is $156, which is much lower than Louisiana’s average rate. It’s also the cheapest company for state-minimum coverage, teens, seniors, and drivers with tickets or accidents on their records.

State Farm: Best for drivers with spotty records

Average monthly quote: $134 per month

Compare.com rating: 4.3 out of 5

Trustpilot rating: 1.7 out of 5

BBB rating: B-

Pros:

• Lowest average rates for drivers with a DUI
• Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction ratings
• Extensive discounts available

Cons:

• Expensive full-coverage rates relative to national average
• More NAIC complaints than average
• Mixed customer reviews

State Farm stands out as the cheapest insurer in Louisiana for drivers with a DUI, with average rates of just $109 per month for liability-only coverage. The company also offers the lowest rates on full-coverage policies for drivers with a ticket or an at-fault accident on their record, making it a great option for Louisianans with less-than-perfect driving records. Its Drive Safe & Save telematics program is another way drivers can lower their rates and improve their driving habits.

Farm Bureau Insurance: Best for seniors

Average monthly quote: $174 per month

Compare.com rating: N/A

Trustpilot rating: N/A

BBB rating: A+

Pros:

• Low rates for seniors
• Telematics program available
• Highly rated mobile app

Cons:

• Limited nationwide availability
• Mixed customer reviews
• Limited discounts

While finding affordable insurance isn’t easy for Louisiana seniors, Farm Bureau Insurance’s liability-only insurance average is just $129 per month — right in line with the national average. Many seniors tend to drive less than the average driver — so enrolling in Farm Bureau’s Driveology usage-based program can earn you lower rates if you drive less and practice safe driving habits.

The Average Cost of Louisiana Car Insurance

Drivers in Louisiana pay an average of $266 per month for car insurance, making it the second most expensive state for car insurance in the country.

Let’s look at how Louisiana stacks up against other state averages and the national average.

Louisiana’s rates are significantly higher than its neighbors — nearly three times as expensive as rates in Mississippi. Factors like property values, crime rates, and weather patterns in your ZIP code all affect rates.

“The Louisiana market is challenging for auto insurance due to our highest-in-the-nation claims-to-litigation rate,” explains John Ford, deputy commissioner of public affairs for the Louisiana Department of Insurance. “Also, insurers pay up to twice the amount in claim payments for bodily injury claims and property damage claims in Louisiana than they do in most of the rest of the country.”

Now, let’s explore how much Louisiana drivers pay for liability-only insurance policies.

Cheapest State-Minimum Car Insurance in Louisiana: GEICO

Your coverage level affects your rates, and robust policies with plentiful coverage have higher price tags. Liability coverage at the state minimum limits is the cheapest type of insurance policy. If you cause a car accident, liability-only policies will cover the other driver’s medical bills and repairs but not your own.

The companies featured in the table below have the most competitive liability-only insurance rates in Louisiana, according to Compare.com data.

Each company listed has average liability-only rates more than $100 less than the state average — so clearly Louisiana drivers save when they choose minimum coverage. GEICO and State Farm lead the pack — and GEICO’s rate is less than half of the fifth-cheapest option, SafeAuto.

But how much do rates increase when you choose full coverage? Let’s break it down.

Cheapest Full-Coverage Car Insurance in Louisiana: GEICO

Full coverage includes collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to basic liability insurance. Collision coverage kicks in to cover your repairs after an accident, while comprehensive coverage is used to cover repairs after a non-collision event, such as severe weather, fire, or vandalism.

Full coverage is more expensive because it protects your own vehicle after an accident, but there are still plenty of ways to find affordable full-coverage policies.

With that in mind, here are the five companies offering the cheapest full-coverage policies in Louisiana.

The table features the same five companies as the cheapest state-minimum coverage table. Still, rates vary widely among members of this list. GEICO and State Farm are significantly cheaper than the rest, which may have to do with both companies’ extensive discounts and wide presence in the state.

Compare Louisiana Auto Insurance Rates by Age

Car insurance companies factor in your age when determining rates. Young drivers tend to get in more accidents, so car insurance companies charge them higher monthly premiums to account for those risks. But as you age, your rates tend to come down.

Let’s take a closer look at cheap car insurance options for some of the most prominent age groups in Louisiana.

Cheapest car insurance for Louisiana teens: GEICO

Teen drivers pay the highest average rates of any age group. Car insurance companies see teens as high-risk drivers because they’re three times as likely to get in a fatal crash as drivers 20 years and older. But fortunately, rates start to go down once you turn 25.

Let’s take a look at which companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Louisiana. Note that the table below uses data from 18-year-old drivers.

GEICO’s liability-only rates are significantly lower than the second- and third-cheapest options — but full coverage tells a different story. GEICO’s, State Farm’s, and Farm Bureau’s monthly full-coverage rates are all within $71 of each other. Meanwhile, Allstate’s full-coverage rate is more than double the top three options — one reason why it’s so important to compare quotes from as many insurers as possible.

Now, let’s turn our focus toward cheap rates for senior drivers.

Cheapest car insurance for Louisiana seniors: GEICO

Seniors pay some of the cheapest rates on average. You become less risky to insure as you get older because seniors tend not to drive as often and usually avoid high-stress driving situations.

The table below — which draws on data from 65-year-old drivers in Louisiana — highlights the companies offering the cheapest car insurance coverage to senior drivers in the state.

Once again, we see the same three companies standing out as the cheapest. If you’re drawn to State Farm, it might be worth considering full coverage — after all, State Farm has the smallest difference between its liability-only and full-coverage rates.

Compare Louisiana Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Driving record may be the most important rating factor of all. It gives your car insurance company a clear-cut sense of your risks — because drivers with traffic violations and at-fault accidents on their records are more likely to file claims in the future.

But just because you have a spotty record doesn’t mean you’re destined for high insurance costs. The following sections highlight cheap insurance options for drivers who might not have a perfect driving history.

Cheapest car insurance for good drivers in Louisiana: GEICO

Drivers who have managed to avoid accidents and tickets have an easier time finding affordable car insurance quotes.

We’ve broken down the five cheapest insurance companies for Louisiana drivers without accidents or tickets in the table below.

Progressive lands on this list, probably because of the generous rewards it offers in its trademark Snapshot telematics program. In fact, the four cheapest companies all offer telematics programs, which are a great way to save on your monthly car insurance bill.

“We encourage drivers to participate in telematics programs that monitor driver behavior and result in discounts for good drivers,” says Ford.

Sometimes, we slip up behind the wheel — so let’s take a look at the cheapest car insurance options for drivers with a recent ticket.

Cheapest car insurance in Louisiana after a ticket: GEICO

Whether it’s speeding or running a red light, tickets cause your auto insurance rates to go up. Just how much your rates increase depends on your insurer, but our data shows that rates go up by about 37% on average.

Here are the companies that offer the cheapest car insurance in Louisiana to drivers with a ticket.

GEICO is once again the cheapest liability-only insurance option — but it falls to third when it comes to full coverage. In fact, State Farm’s full-coverage rate is only a few dollars more than Safeway’s and Progressive’s liability-only insurance rates.

So you have some cheap options if you have a recent ticket, but what about if you have an accident on your record?

Cheapest car insurance in Louisiana after an accident: GEICO

Accidents can be costly — and if you’re at fault, you’ll likely see your car insurance rates go up. After one at-fault accident, your rates go up by 44%, according to Compare.com data — though the size of the increase will vary from company to company.

The table below shows which companies offer the most competitive rates on car insurance to Louisiana drivers with one at-fault accident.

While GEICO is the cheapest liability-only option, the price increase for full-coverage insurance is striking — rising $154 per month. State Farm, on the other hand, may be the best overall value, with a liability-only average rate that’s just $7 higher than GEICO and by far the cheapest full-coverage rate.

Now, let’s take a look at the cheapest policies for drivers with a DUI.

Cheapest car insurance in Louisiana with a DUI: State Farm

DUIs often lead to the steepest increase in rates, with an average spike of 94%, according to Compare.com data. In Louisiana, a DUI will stay on your record for 10 years, and you’ll also be fined up to $1,000 and lose your license for up to two years. Repeat offenses will hike rates further and often lead to a non-renewal from your insurer.

But all is not lost if you were recently convicted of a DUI. Some insurers specialize in high-risk drivers, so there are still competitive rates out there.

With that in mind, let’s break down the five cheapest insurers for drivers with one DUI on their record.

State Farm finally unseats GEICO as the cheapest liability-only option — but otherwise the list is similar to previous sections. State Farm is also significantly cheaper when it comes to full coverage, costing $66 less per month than the next-cheapest option.

5 Ways to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Louisiana

Drivers in the Pelican State spend a lot on auto policies, but you can save with the following strategies:

• Raise your deductible: A higher deductible typically comes with lower monthly premiums — but you’re on the hook for a higher payment if you file a claim.
• Choose a safe car: Cars with advanced safety features and strong safety records are less likely to be involved in a costly accident, making them cheaper to insure.

• Take advantage of discounts: Talk to your insurance agent about any discounts you might qualify for. Most insurers offer savings for good drivers, good students, and drivers who complete a driver safety course.

• Pick lower coverage limits: Not every driver needs robust insurance coverage, particularly if you have a used car or low-value car, where repairs would cost more than replacing the car.

• Shop around: “It’s always a good idea to shop around for a better rate if you’re looking to save,” says Ford.

Louisiana Auto Insurance Requirements

Like most states, Louisiana requires all drivers to carry proof of insurance. You must purchase the following minimum amounts of liability insurance to legally drive in the state:

• $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

Most drivers opt for coverage that exceeds the minimums. The Louisiana Department of Insurance’s guide offers more information.

Penalties for driving without auto insurance in Louisiana

Drivers who operate a vehicle without car insurance will be fined $500 to $1,000 in Louisiana. The state might also suspend your driving privileges by revoking your registration or canceling your license plates.

If you get in an accident without insurance, you can have your license suspended for up to 180 days. If you then falsely claim to have coverage, you could lose your license for 12–18 months.

SR-22 auto insurance in Louisiana

After you have a traffic violation that leads to a license suspension — such as a DUI or other serious offense — Louisiana authorities will order you to carry a “hardship license.” To qualify for this restricted license, you must file an SR-22 form, which certifies you have purchased sufficient liability insurance.

Office of Motor Vehicles field offices throughout the state issue hardship licenses. You can contact the OMV at 1 (225) 925-6146 to better understand your requirements.

Louisiana Auto Insurance FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about auto insurance in Louisiana.

What is the cheapest auto insurance in Louisiana?

GEICO is the cheapest car insurance option in Louisiana, at $115 per month. It also comes in as the cheapest option for teens, senior drivers, and many drivers with spotty records.

How much is car insurance in Louisiana per month?

Louisiana drivers pay an average of $266 per month for car insurance — the second-highest average rate in the country.

Who has the best car insurance in Louisiana?

No one car insurance company is “the best” for everyone. Still, looking at customer satisfaction scores and prices can give us a better sense. State Farm has one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings of any insurer in the region while offering some of the lowest rates in the state. Weighing value and quality, State Farm is the best car insurance in Louisiana.

How much car insurance is required in Louisiana?

Drivers in Louisiana are required to have $15,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $30,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability insurance.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance rates from more than 75 partner insurance providers in order to compile the quotes and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the quotes listed in this article have been gathered from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide drivers with insight into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources

1. J.D. Power, “2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” Accessed November 7, 2023.
2. Louisiana Department of Insurance, “Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance,” Accessed November 7, 2023.
3. Louisiana Department of Public Safety, “Hardship License Requirements,” Accessed November 7, 2023.
4. Insurance Information Institute, “Do auto insurance premiums go up after a claim?,” Accessed November 7, 2023.
5. Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?” Accessed November 7, 2023.