Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a six-bill legislative package aimed at lowering auto insurance costs by limiting certain legal claims and expanding regulatory oversight.
Among the key measures is HB 148, which allows the state’s insurance commissioner to revise rate filings that result in profits deemed unreasonably high relative to the services provided.
Landry noted that states such as Texas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Florida, and Alabama already grant similar authority to their regulators (see all 2025 US Auto Insurance Rates).
HB 148 also mandates that insurers clearly display current and renewal premium amounts side by side on policy documents.
HB 450 introduces a stricter evidentiary standard, requiring plaintiffs in auto injury cases to prove the injuries occurred during the accident in question.
HB 434 raises the threshold for uninsured drivers seeking compensation for bodily injury expenses from $15,000 to $100,000.
HB 436 bars undocumented immigrants injured in car crashes from collecting general damages. HB 431 prevents any driver found to be 51% or more at fault in an accident from recovering damages for their own injuries. Current law allows partial recovery in such cases.
HB 549 offers a premium discount for commercial vehicles equipped with dashboard cameras and telematics systems.
Landry described the legislative effort as the most extensive tort reform in state history. He stated that both trial lawyers and insurers share responsibility for high insurance costs and emphasized the need to curb what he characterized as frequent lawsuits over minor injuries.
I believe both trial lawyers and insurance companies are responsible, and they are to blame for the pain our families are enduring in their pockets each and every month. This package is the largest tort reform package and effort made in the history of this state.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry
According to a state review cited by Landry, Louisiana’s rate of accidents, repair costs, and major injuries aligns with national averages, but excessive litigation contributes to elevated insurance premiums.
House Bill 148, enacted in Louisiana in 2025, introduces significant changes to the state’s insurance regulatory framework.
Key Provisions:
- The bill empowers the insurance commissioner to disapprove rate filings deemed excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, irrespective of market competitiveness. Previously, such authority was limited to noncompetitive markets.
- The term “excessive” is redefined to encompass rates likely to yield unreasonably high profits or those with expense provisions disproportionately high relative to the services rendered.
- Insurers are now required to prominently display the previous premium amount alongside the renewal premium in policy documents for homeowners’ and private passenger motor vehicle insurance.
- All rate filings, supplementary rate information, and supporting documents are to be open to public inspection, except for information deemed confidential, proprietary, or trade secret by the commissioner.
Legislative Background
Initially introduced by Rep. Jeff Wiley as a measure to increase transparency in insurance renewals, HB 148 underwent significant amendments during the legislative process.
Notably, an amendment by Rep. Brian Glorioso incorporated provisions granting the insurance commissioner broader authority over rate approvals. This expansion of regulatory power was met with both support and opposition within the legislature.
