This public document was produced by the
Louisiana Department of Insurance and is
available online.
Louisiana
Department of Insurance
Guide to
Insurance
TEEN
AUTO
Louisiana
Department of Insurance
Tim Temple
Commissioner of Insurance
WHY DO I NEED CAR INSURANCE?
Car insurance protects you if anything
happens to you, your car, someone else
or someone else’s car in the event of an
you can choose from, depending on what
sort of coverage you want.
Liability Coverage pays claims if you are
damaging another person’s property.
Uninsured Motorists Coverage comes
in two parts which must be purchased
separately. If you are hit by someone who
does not have insurance, Bodily Injury
Coverage pays for your injuries, while
Property Damage Coverage pays for damage
done to your car.
Collision Coverage pays if your own car is
damaged in a collision.
Comprehensive Coverage pays for damage
breakage, etc.
Medical Expense Coverage pays medical
expenses for you and your passengers.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE INSURANCE?
Auto insurance is required by law in
don’t have insurance, he can tow or impound
your car. Not having insurance can also get
you in trouble if you are in an accident, even
if you are not at fault. According to Louisiana
law, the other driver is not required to pay
damages if you do not have insurance.
HOW DOES THE COMPANY
DECIDE HOW MUCH MY
POLICY WILL COST?
The cost, or premium, for your insurance is
based on:
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
WHEN I GET MY LICENSE, WILL MY
PARENTS’ INSURANCE COVER ME?
When you get your license, your parents can
add your name to their policy as an occasional
driver because you’re driving their car. When
you get a car of your own, you must be listed
as the primary driver of that car.
WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE
MORE QUESTIONS?
The Louisiana Department of Insurance is
that you may have about your coverage or
www.ldi.la.gov.
younger are not allowed to use a cell phone at
all while driving. If caught using a cell phone,
older are not allowed to use a cell phone for
AM I ALLOWED TO USE MY CELL
PHONE WHILE DRIVING?
If you don’t pay your premium, the company
will cancel your policy. This may make it
harder and more expensive to get a policy
elsewhere. Some companies may give you
installments, but you will be required to pay
interest.
WHAT IF I DON’T PAY
MY PREMIUM?
MY DAD TAUGHT ME TO DRIVE,
WHY DO I NEED DRIVER’S ED?
According to Louisiana law, you must take
driver’s ed before you can get your license, if
to enroll because many insurance companies
the course.
IS IT TRUE THAT AS A FULL-TIME
STUDENT WITH A “B” GPA, I WON’T
PAY AS MUCH FOR INSURANCE?
Maybe. Most Louisiana insurance companies
grade point average or higher. Check with
your agent to see if you qualify.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO SAVE
MYSELF A FEW DOLLARS?
You can lower your premiums by:
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
CAN MY COMPANY CHARGE MORE FOR
TICKETS OR MINOR WRECKS?
Your driving record is one of the main factors
your company uses to determine your cost
of insurance. They have a right to charge you
more even if you’ve only had one moving
CAN MY COMPANY CANCEL
MY POLICY FOR TICKETS
OR MINOR WRECKS?
parents and siblings too. Even if you are on
cancelled because of your driving record.
I’M GOING TO COLLEGE IN
ANOTHER STATE.
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES I NEED TO
MAKE TO MY INSURANCE?
If you are not taking permanent residence in
the other state or have a good driving record
in the other state, most companies do not
require you to make any changes to your
by the area in which you live. Some areas
have higher rates than others. Your premium
will be adjusted to align with the new area’s
standards.
IF I LET MY FRIEND DRIVE MY CAR
AND HE HAS AN ACCIDENT,
WILL HE BE COVERED?
As long as your friend has the owner’s
permission to drive the car, he is covered
under the owner’s policy. If you drive your
parent’s car, your friend must have their
permission before he drives the car. Your
permission is not good enough.
WHAT DO I DO IF I AM IN
AN ACCIDENT?
¾
¾
• Name
• Address
• Telephone Number
• License Plate Number
• Driver’s License Number
•
¾ Give the other driver the same
¾
as soon as possible.
¾
mobile app for iPhone and Android
devices.
of paying your premium every month, six
period, it is up to your insurance company to
HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO PAY
MY PREMIUM?
¾ Teenage drivers have higher rates of fatal
and nonfatal crashes compared to older
drivers, and they are more likely to be at
fault in their crashes.
¾ Teens are less likely to use safety belts,
adding to the risk of fatal injuries.
¾ Crashes are the leading cause of death
¾
likely to speed, run red lights, make illegal
¾
loud music and too many passengers are
also factors in the high rate of crashes
among teens.
WHY DO TEEN POLICIES COST
SO MUCH?
