Finding the Best Car Insurance in Shreveport, Louisiana

Buying car insurance is an important decision for drivers in Shreveport, Louisiana. With the right auto insurance policy, you can have peace of mind knowing you are protected in the event of an accident or other covered incident. When shopping for car insurance in Shreveport, it pays to compare multiple providers to find the best rate and coverage options to suit your needs. This article will provide an overview of how car insurance works, what coverage options are available, and tips for finding the best Shreveport auto insurance.

How Does Car Insurance Work?

Car insurance provides financial protection in case you are involved in an auto accident. It covers damage to your vehicle as well as any liability for injuries or damage to other parties and property.

Insurance companies assess various factors to determine your risk profile and calculate a premium, which is the amount you pay for coverage. Some of the common factors that affect your car insurance rate include:

• Driving record – Your history of accidents, speeding tickets, and other violations. A clean record generally means lower premiums.

• Location – Insurance rates vary by location. Urban areas tend to have higher premiums than rural areas.

• Vehicle type – Premiums are based on the make, model, age, safety ratings, repair costs, and theft rates of your vehicle. Sports cars and luxury vehicles usually cost more to insure.

• Coverage limits – Higher liability coverage limits cost more but provide greater protection.

• Deductibles – Choosing a higher deductible reduces your premiums but means you pay more out-of-pocket when you file a claim.

• Discounts – Most insurers offer discounts for things like defensive driver courses, good student grades, multiple policies, and more.

In Louisiana, drivers are required to carry at least 15/30/25 liability coverage. This includes:

• $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 property damage liability

However, experts recommend getting more than the state minimums for better protection. We’ll go over recommended coverage levels later in this article.

Common Types of Car Insurance Coverage

Car insurance policies are comprised of different coverages that work together to protect you. The main components include:

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance covers injuries or damage that you cause to other people and their property. It’s required in Louisiana and most states. There are two components:

• Bodily injury liability – Pays for injuries to others caused by your vehicle in an accident.
• Property damage liability – Covers damage to another person’s vehicle or property.

Liability coverage is sold in splits of per-person and per-accident bodily injury limits, and a property damage limit. For example, 100/300/100 indicates:

• $100,000 bodily injury per person
• $300,000 bodily injury per accident
• $100,000 property damage

Higher limits provide more protection but cost more. Many experts recommend $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 or more.

Collision Insurance

Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle from an accident with another car or object, like a tree or guardrail. It also covers accidents where you are at fault. This coverage helps pay for repairs or the cash value of your car if it’s totaled.

Collision is generally required if you have a car loan or lease. For older cars, you may decide to drop this coverage to save on premiums.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance (also known as other-than-collision) covers damage to your car that’s not from a collision, including:

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Flood
• Fire
• Hail
• Falling objects
• Animal collisions

Like collision, comprehensive helps pay for repairs or replacement of your vehicle. Many lenders require it for car loans and leases.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re in an accident caused by a driver who doesn’t have adequate insurance. There are two components:

• Uninsured motorist bodily injury – Covers your injuries and your passengers’ injuries caused by an uninsured driver.
• Uninsured motorist property damage – Covers damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured driver.

This coverage is important protection in Shreveport since nearly 20% of Louisiana drivers are uninsured.

Medical Payments (MedPay)

MedPay coverage pays for medical and funeral expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who caused it. It can help cover copays, deductibles, and services your health insurance doesn’t cover.

Many people use MedPay instead of personal injury protection (PIP) since Louisiana does not require PIP coverage. MedPay provides similar benefits for lower premiums.

Other Optional Coverages

Other common add-ons include:

• Rental reimbursement – Covers the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered loss.

• Roadside assistance – Pays for roadside services like towing, jumpstarts, flat tire changes, and lock-out assistance.

• Rideshare coverage – Provides protection for vehicles used to drive for Uber, Lyft, or delivery services. Not covered under a standard policy.

• Gap insurance – Covers the difference between what your vehicle is worth and what you still owe if it’s totaled, preventing you from being “upside down”.

How Much Car Insurance Do You Need in Shreveport?

Louisiana only requires a minimum 15/30/25 liability policy. However, experts recommend getting higher coverage limits and added protections like collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage.

Here are recommended coverage levels for Shreveport drivers:

• Liability: 100/300/100 ($100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident/$100,000 property damage)

• Collision and comprehensive: $500 or $1,000 deductible

• Uninsured motorist: 100/300 ($100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident)

• Medical payments: $5,000

Higher limits give you more protection. Also consider adding rideshare coverage if you drive for Uber/Lyft and gap insurance if you have an auto loan.

Finding the Best Car Insurance Rates in Shreveport

Car insurance rates can vary significantly between different providers. That’s why it pays to shop around and compare quotes. Here are some tips for finding the best rate on car insurance in Shreveport:

• Compare quotes from at least 3 insurers – Get rate estimates from national companies like State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO as well as local options like Safeway Insurance and Direct Auto Insurance. You can quickly compare quotes online.

• Ask about discounts – Insurers offer discounts for things like safe driving, good grades, multiple policies, and paying your bill in full. Ask each company what discounts they offer.

• Adjust your coverage – Raising deductibles and dropping optional coverages like collision can reduce your costs if money is tight. Just make sure you have required coverage.

• Maintain good credit – Louisiana insurers use credit-based insurance scores to set rates. Keeping your credit in shape can help lock in a lower premium.

• Improve your driving record – Having accidents, tickets, and violations on your record increases your risk profile. A clean record can mean big savings on your policy.

• Comparison shop annually – Rates and discounts change over time. It’s wise to re-evaluate your options by comparing quotes each year at renewal.

Top Car Insurers in Shreveport

The major national insurance companies like State Farm, GEICO, Allstate, and Progressive have large market share in Louisiana. Several regional and local insurers also offer competitive rates and options for Shreveport drivers, including:

Direct Auto Insurance

Direct Auto is a regional carrier providing affordable policies with broad coverage options in Shreveport and across Louisiana. They have low down payments and offer discounts like multi-car, safe driver, and student discounts. Direct Auto has 5 local agents in the Shreveport area.

Safeway Insurance

Safeway Insurance offers minimum liability policies starting under $100 per month in Shreveport as well as full coverage options. They have discounts specifically for seniors, military, nurses, and teachers. Safeway also has local agents in Shreveport.

Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance

Farm Bureau Insurance of Louisiana provides auto policies as well as home, life, business, and specialty coverage. Membership is required for insurance. Farm Bureau has discounts for students, young drivers, and insuring multiple vehicles.

Shelter Insurance

Shelter writes auto insurance policies in Shreveport and throughout Louisiana with options for high-risk drivers. They offer 24/7 claims service and discounts for teen drivers, defensive driving courses, and paperless documents.

State Farm

State Farm is the largest car insurer in Louisiana with nearly 30% market share. They offer standard policies as well as rideshare coverage and accident forgiveness for qualifying drivers. State Farm