Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed six insurance reform bills into law on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the governor’s mansion. The legislation aims to address the state’s insurance crisis by giving the Insurance Commissioner greater authority to regulate rates and reforming tort laws.
Key Provisions of the New Laws
The six bills signed into law include:
- HB 148: Insurance Commissioner Authority – Grants the Insurance Commissioner greater authority to reject excessive insurance rates, following the example of states like Texas, Mississippi, and Florida.
- HB 450: Housley Presumption – Requires plaintiffs in car accident injury lawsuits to prove that their injuries occurred during the accident.
- HB 434: No Pay No Play – Prohibits uninsured drivers from collecting bodily injury medical expenses below $100,000, increasing the previous threshold of $15,000.
- HB 436: Illegal Aliens – Bars undocumented immigrants injured in car accidents from collecting general damages.
- HB 431: Comparative Fault – Prevents drivers responsible for 51% or more of an accident from receiving damage awards for their injuries, changing the current law that allows recovery of damages proportional to their fault percentage.
- HB 549: Dash Cam Discount – Offers premium discounts for commercial vehicles equipped with dashboard cameras and telematics systems.
Reaction and Future Legislation
Governor Landry attributed the state’s high auto and property insurance rates to both trial lawyers and insurance companies. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple had previously criticized the legislation, but Landry denied any blame being placed on the commissioner.
Additional insurance reform bills are progressing through the legislature, including SB 28, which proposes a tax credit of up to $10,000 for homeowners who retrofit their homes with fortified rooms.
The new laws represent what Landry called “the largest tort reform effort in the state’s history,” aiming to reduce insurance costs for Louisiana residents.
