If you live in New Orleans, Louisiana, and you’ve been involved in an auto accident with an uninsured motorist, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, thousands of drivers in NOLA are breaking the law, driving every day with no insurance. It’s a significant problem that can cause legal, financial, and health-related problems if they cause an accident. Underinsured motorists are also problematic. If they cause an accident, there might not be enough insurance to pay for any injuries or damages they caused to you or your vehicle.
Louisiana Has Specific Legal Minimums for Auto Insurance Coverage
Like every state in the US, Louisiana has specific laws mandating auto insurance minimums. As a driver, you must have insurance on your vehicle, and insurance companies must offer these minimums. They include:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
Uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage (which are one and the same in Louisiana) provides coverage in the event that a negligent driver has no insurance or does not have enough insurance. This means if you have $30,000 worth of damages but there is only $15,000 worth of liability insurance, your $15,000 UM policy would make up the difference. Or if the other driver has no insurance, your $15,000 UM policy would pay you for your injuries up to its limits.
Unfortunately, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is not required in Louisiana but must be declined by the insured. In other words, the only reason that you would not have this coverage is if you decline it in writing. Otherwise, it’s assumed to be in your coverage for the same amount as your liability limits. Many have had an insurance problem with this very point after being hit by an uninsured or under-insured driver.
Don’t Fight the Insurance Company On Your Own
Louisiana uninsured or underinsured motorist claims can be complicated. The Mahone Firm is here to help you with this difficult process. If you’ve been involved in an accident with an underinsured or uninsured driver, call (504) 564-7342 for a free and confidential consultation with Mike Mahone.
