Updated April 2026
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Louisiana
Louisiana operates under a tort-based liability system, requiring drivers to carry proof of insurance at all times. After a DUI conviction, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles mandates SR-22 filing for 3 years beginning the day your license is reinstated, not your conviction date. The filing must remain continuous — any lapse resets the full 3-year period and triggers immediate suspension.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Louisiana?
Louisiana SR-22 rates after DUI conviction depend on conviction class, prior violations, and whether you own a vehicle. First-offense standard DUI convictions see rates 70–110% higher than pre-conviction. Aggravated DUI (BAC over 0.15, minor in vehicle, injury, or property damage) and repeat-offense convictions push you into assigned-risk territory where carriers cap coverage options and charge maximum allowable rates.
What Affects Your Rate
- Conviction class drives tier placement — first-offense standard DUI qualifies for standard non-standard market rates, while aggravated or repeat-offense convictions push you into specialty high-risk carriers charging 40–60% more.
- BAC level at arrest affects pricing even within first-offense DUI — BAC 0.08–0.14 receives baseline pricing, while 0.15+ is classified aggravated and costs 25–40% more to insure in Louisiana.
- New Orleans and Baton Rouge zip codes add 15–30% to SR-22 premiums due to higher uninsured motorist rates and collision frequency compared to rural parishes.
- Payment plan structure matters — paying 6 months upfront saves 8–12% annually compared to monthly installments, but non-standard carriers require down payments of 25–35% of the 6-month premium.
- License suspension length affects tier assignment — suspensions under 90 days typically stay in standard non-standard pricing, while 12+ month suspensions trigger underwriting reviews and higher rates.
- Stacked violations compound exponentially — DUI plus reckless driving or DUI plus at-fault accident within 36 months can double base SR-22 rates or result in declination from all but assigned-risk carriers.
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Coverage Types
SR-22 Insurance
Certificate filed by your carrier proving continuous liability coverage to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles. Required for 3 years after DUI conviction, starting the day your license is reinstated.
Non-Owner SR-22
Liability-only policy for drivers who do not own a vehicle but need SR-22 filing to reinstate their license. Covers you when driving borrowed or rental vehicles.
Liability Insurance
Covers bodily injury and property damage you cause to others. Louisiana requires 15/30/25 minimums, but this leaves significant personal liability exposure after any moderate accident.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Pays your medical bills and vehicle damage when an at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Louisiana requires UM at the same limits as your liability unless you reject it in writing.
Non-Standard Auto Insurance
Policies written for high-risk drivers by carriers specializing in DUI, suspended license, and violation histories. Mainstream carriers non-renew most DUI policyholders at term.
Find Your City in Louisiana
Sources
- Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles — SR-22 filing and reinstatement requirements
- Louisiana Department of Insurance — minimum liability coverage standards
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners — Auto Insurance Database Report