The parts of the personal auto policy are covered in the national personal auto guide: liability, medical payments, uninsured motorists, physical damage, and duties after a loss. Louisiana is an at-fault (tort) state with no PIP requirement. Its auto rules come from:

• the compulsory security and financial responsibility laws (R.S. 32:861 to 32:900), which sets compulsory limits and "no pay, no play"
• R.S. 22:1295, a strong uninsured motorist statute
• R.S. 22:1266, which governs cancellation and nonrenewal (with 2026 changes)
• R.S. 22:1892, which covers claim handling

Compulsory security and minimum limits

• The registered owner must maintain security (R.S. 32:861). Any of these qualify:
  • a liability policy or binder
  • a motor vehicle liability bond
  • a deposit certificate from the state treasurer
  • a certificate of self-insurance
• Minimum limits: 15/30/25 — $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage (R.S. 32:900(B)(2)).
• The policy must cover the named insured and anyone driving with express or implied permission, anywhere in the United States and Canada.
• Named driver exclusion (32:900(L)). A named household member may be excluded by written agreement. The excluded person doesn't need to sign, and the exclusion stays in effect even if that person moves out.
• Commercial auto. A named person may be excluded only if the owner keeps equal coverage for that person under another policy.
• Motor carriers. Heavier vehicles need higher limits. For example, a vehicle over 20,000 and up to 50,000 pounds needs at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury (32:900(M)).

"No pay, no play" (R.S. 32:866):

• An owner or driver who failed to carry the required security can't recover the first $100,000 of bodily injury damages, or the first $100,000 of property damage, from an at-fault driver.
• Exceptions apply if the other driver was convicted of DWI, caused the accident intentionally, fled the scene, or was committing a felony.

Uninsured motorist (R.S. 22:1295)

Louisiana's UM coverage includes underinsured motorist coverage.

Default limits. UM must be provided at no less than the policy's bodily injury limits unless the named insured, on the Commissioner's prescribed form, does one of three things:

• rejects UM
• selects lower limits
• selects economic-only UM, which costs less and excludes noneconomic loss such as pain and suffering

The signed form stays valid for renewals and substitute policies from the same insurer. A change in liability limits requires a new form.

What counts as "uninsured":

• a vehicle whose liability limits are less than the insured's damages
• a vehicle whose insurer is insolvent

Stacking and priority:

• Limits don't stack. Multiple vehicles or policies don't increase them.
• For an occupant, the UM on the vehicle occupied pays first. The injured person may then recover excess from one other UM coverage at most.

Exclusions and procedures:

• UM generally doesn't apply while occupying an owned vehicle not listed on the policy.
• In a no-contact accident, the injured person must prove another driver caused it through an independent and disinterested witness.
• Arbitration of a UM claim is optional with the insured.
• UM property damage is provided on written request for a vehicle without collision coverage, with a $250 deductible.

Commercial auto. UM is optional. With no selection and no UM premium, the insured is presumed to have chosen no UM (22:1295(7)).

Cancellation and nonrenewal (R.S. 22:1266)

Scope. The rules don't cover assigned risk policies, policies covering more than four autos, or garage operations.

Permitted reasons. After 60 days, or at any time on a renewal, a policy may be cancelled only for:

• nonpayment
• suspension or revocation of a household or customary driver's license or registration, during the policy period or, for a renewal, in the 180 days before it started
• fraud in a claim
• nonreceipt of the application under a binder

Notice periods, effective July 1, 2026 (Acts 2025, No. 182):

Notices must mention possible eligibility for the assigned risk plan.

Prohibited reasons:

• Age alone, without a legitimate reason such as a physical or mental infirmity. A driver over 65 who is capable of driving and holds a valid license can't be cancelled because of age.
• A single claim. The insurer may raise the rate, though.

Not a cancellation. Adding or changing a deductible of up to $500 after the third paid physical damage claim in five years.

Returned checks.

• The producer notifies the insurer within 10 days of learning the check was returned.
• The policy is reinstated if the insured pays by cashier's check or money order within 10 days after the cancellation notice was mailed.

Short-term policies. Any policy issued to a driver with two or more citations under the security laws is treated as written for at least six months.

Claims (R.S. 22:1892)

• The insurer may not require a particular repair or glass shop and must tell the insured they aren't obligated to use a recommended shop. Fines for violations are $1,000, then $2,500, then $5,000 for a third violation within 12 months.
• Rental cars. An insured with rental coverage gets a rental within three business days of a written request, unless the insurer is investigating under a reservation of rights.
• Third-party claimants. A third party deprived of their vehicle for more than five business days because of the insurer's inaction gets reasonable transportation costs.
• Total losses. If the insured disputes a database valuation with two independent appraisals, the local market value applies.

Fault and direct action

• Modified comparative fault (Civil Code art. 2323, as amended by Acts 2025, No. 15, effective January 1, 2026). A claimant 51% or more at fault recovers nothing. Under 51%, damages are reduced by the claimant's share. Louisiana used pure comparative fault before 2026.
• Direct action (R.S. 22:1269). An injured person may sue the liability insurer directly only in listed situations, such as the insured's bankruptcy or insolvency, or claims against a UM carrier. The insurer isn't named in the caption of the suit.

Common exam traps

• Louisiana's minimum limits are 15/30/25.
• An uninsured driver can't recover the first $100,000 under no pay, no play.
• UM equals the BI limits unless changed on the Commissioner's form. Economic-only UM is one option. UM doesn't stack.
• Since July 1, 2026, auto cancellation and nonrenewal need 60 days' notice, and cancellation for nonpayment needs 10.
• Fault is modified comparative with a 51% bar since January 1, 2026.
• The insurer can't steer the insured to a repair shop.