Insurance Requirements for Louisiana Drivers

Every driver in Louisiana is required by law to have insurance and carry proof of insurance in their truck or car.  If you are involved in a car accident or stopped by police for a traffic violation,  the officer will ask to see your registration and proof of insurance.  If you are ever involved in a car wreck and suffer a personal injury, be sure and call Joseph Joy and Associates.

Louisiana law requires that proof of liability insurance be provided at the time of registration of a vehicle. Acceptable proof of liability insurance includes:

• Copy of insurance policy or binder; or
• Copy of I.D. card issued by insurance company; or
• Copy of declaration page; or
• Written statement from the insurance company or agent. This statement must be on letterhead stationery, signed by representative of company/agent, and include full description of the vehicle, including the VIN.

Proof of insurance requirements DO NOT APPLY to new or used dealer transactions (including dealer files submitted through financial institutions, auto title
companies, or public tag agencies) and renewals by mail.

Proof of insurance MUST BE PRESENTED for walk-ins and submitted with mail-ins on the following type transactions:

• Sales between individuals (walk-ins and mail-ins)
• Conversions for trucks weighing 20,001 pounds or more (walk-ins and mail-ins)
• Renewals (walk-ins only)

The proof of insurance must reflect the same vehicle information as in the file and must indicate current coverage of at least the minimum amount of coverage
required by law. After this information is verified for walk-in files, the proof of insurance does not need to be copied and made part of the file since the
application form (DPSMV 1799) and the Louisiana Apportioned Registration Cab Card (DPSMV 1702) contain a statement that the proof has been
verified as a prerequisite prior to the issuance of the certificate of registration. After the information is verified for mail-in files, the proof can remain with the file.

Act 34 of the 1996 First Extraordinary Legislative Session is relative to vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight or gross combined weight in excess of twenty
thousand (20,000) pounds. Mandated liability limits are as follows:

AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF 20,000 POUNDS OR LESS

• Must have insurance coverage of at least $15,000/$30,000 bodily injury and
• $25,000 property damage

VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF 20,001 TO 50,000 POUNDS

• Must have insurance coverage of at least $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and
• $25,000 property damage or a single combined limit of no less than $75,000

VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OVER 50,001 POUNDS

• Must have insurance coverage of at least $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and
• $25,000 property damage or a combined single limit of $300,000

NOTE: Coverage furnished with any company authorized to do business in Louisiana is to be accepted, regardless of whether or not the company is actively
writing/reporting business in this State.

The Office of Motor Vehicles will require owners of these vehicles either to furnish satisfactory proof of liability insurance; or to be granted as a self-insurer with the United States Department of Transportation (Interstate Commence Commission) as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 10927; or to be qualified as self-insurer with Louisiana or to present proof of regulation by the Public Service Commission prior to registration or renewal of registration.

Tow trucks must provide proof of liability coverage under the provisions of R.S. 32:1717 at the time of registration. See Section V, Policy/Procedure Statement #37.0.

ACCEPTABLE PROOF REQUIRED FOR TRUCKS NOT OPERATING UNDER THE PSC/ICC OR LA. SELF-INSURANCE:

• Insurance policy or binder (minimum liability limits must be shown); or
• Individual I.D. card or Fleet I.D. card; or
• Declaration page from the insurance policy (minimum liability limits must be shown); or
• Statement from insurance company or agent on letterhead stationery, signed by a representative of company/agent. The statement must include a full description of vehicle, including the VIN.

An owner/operator of a leased vehicle will be required to submit either a copy of the lease agreement OR a statement of an existing lease agreement (form attached) or a document similar in content executed by an authorized representative of the company.

Liability insurance limits will not be shown; however, the I.D. card or statement from the insurance company on letterhead must indicate that the coverage provided meets the minimum liability insurance limits as prescribed by law.

ACCEPTABLE PROOF REQUIRED FOR TRUCKS OPERATING UNDER THE PSC/ICC AUTHORITY OR AS A LA. SELF-INSURER:

• RS-3 form (single state registration issued by the PSC).
• Intrastate I.D. card (Bingo Card) – issued to for-hire carriers by the PSC or another state’s PSC. Louisiana must be shown on the cab card.
• COD bond – $300,000 bond. If presented as proof, the Office Manager must approve.
• ICC Self-Insurance Certificate – issued by the Federal Government.
• Louisiana Self-Insurance Certificate. Must be signed by the Commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles.

EXEMPTIONS

• Motor vehicles used primarily for exhibit or kept primarily for use in parades, exhibits, or shows.
• Lease bond mobile rig haulers, as defined by law.
• Agriculture and forest product vehicles.
• Vehicles owned by the United States, the State of Louisiana, or any political subdivision of this state, or any municipality therein.
• Vehicles owned by a bona fide organized public volunteer fire department.
• Motor vehicles subject to the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC).
• City-owned buses.

Source: Louisiana Department of Public Safety Office of Motor Vehicles

At Joseph Joy & Associates, we have recovered millions of dollars in damages for clients who have been seriously injured due to the negligence of someone else. If you have the unfortunate experience of being seriously injured in an accident involving a car, truck or big rig, give us a call: 337-232-8123 or visit us at 900 S. College Rd., Ste. 204, Lafayette, LA.