Louisiana drivers are burdened with car insurance premiums that are among the highest in the nation. The reason, according to data compiled by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, is an avalanche of lawsuits, far out of proportion to Louisiana’s population:

Over the past decade, Louisiana racked up $10.26 billion in bodily injury losses — far more than neighboring states, according to the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners shows Louisiana’s bodily injury claim frequency reached 2.28 per 100 insured vehicles in 2022, with an average claim cost of $15,950.21. That frequency far exceeds national and regional norms, helping explain why the state — home to just 1.4% of the U.S. population — accounted for 3.65% of the country’s bodily injury claims.

According to Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, the culprit for the high number of claims is lawsuit abuse: 

Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who campaigned on lowering rates, says those numbers reflect a system overwhelmed by lawsuits and inflated claims.

Our state is generating massive financial losses from bodily injury claims despite our relatively small population,” Temple said. “Unless we pass meaningful legal reform that addresses this issue, our state will continue to pay the highest auto insurance rates in the nation.”

Without lawsuit abuse reform in Louisiana, families across the Pelican State will continue to be burdened by higher costs and rising insurance premiums.