Louisiana: rules and deadlines at a glance

Every 14 topic we track for Louisiana on one page. Open a topic for the details, the law it comes from and how Louisiana compares.

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Car insurance by state · Claim deadlines · Small claims limits · Total loss rules · Shared fault rules · Accident reporting rules · Lemon law rules · Sales tax rates · Phone-while-driving laws · Motorcycle helmet laws · Gas tax · Uninsured drivers · Marijuana laws

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.

Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)

Personal injury	2 years (incidents on or after July 1, 2024)
Property damage	2 years (incidents on or after July 1, 2024)

Car insurance by state

Minimum liability	$15,000 / $30,000 / $25,000
Fault system	At-fault (the driver who caused it pays)
Shared-fault rule	Modified comparative: barred at 51% fault or more

Claim deadlines Checked on official source

Acknowledge	14 days to start adjusting (30 days for catastrophic losses)
Accept or deny	Written offer within 30 days of proof of loss
Pay	30 days (60 residential / 90 commercial for catastrophic losses)

Small claims limits Single detailed source

Dollar limit	$5,000
Filing fee	$35 per defendant (city court); varies (justice of the peace)
Lawyers	Not required

Total loss rules

Total loss rule	75% of actual cash value

Shared fault rules

Rule	Modified comparative negligence (51% bar)
When you are barred	Barred if you are 51% or more at fault

Accident reporting rules

Report required if	Death, injury, or over $500 damage
Deadline	Immediately

Lemon law rules Single detailed source

Repair attempts or days	4 attempts or 30 calendar days
Coverage period	Warranty or 1 year, whichever first

Sales tax rates Single detailed source

State rate	5.00%
Combined average	10.13%

Phone-while-driving laws Single detailed source

Handheld ban	Yes, all drivers (primary only in school and work zones)
Texting ban	Yes (primary only in school and work zones)

Motorcycle helmet laws Single detailed source

Law type	Universal
Who must wear one	All riders (universal law)

Gas tax Single detailed source

Gasoline	20.9¢ per gallon
Diesel	20.9¢ per gallon

Uninsured drivers Single detailed source

Drivers uninsured	11.7%
UM/UIM coverage	Not required (insurers must offer it)

Marijuana laws

Legal status	Medical only