Louisiana lawmakers are asking whether or not the massive insurance coverage fixes they handed earlier this 12 months are literally making a distinction. With premiums nonetheless sky-high and insurance coverage carriers gradual to return to the market, they’ve referred to as for an intensive check-up on the state’s insurance coverage well being.
In a decision handed in the course of the 2025 legislative session, officers requested the Division of Insurance coverage to run a two-year examine, monitoring whether or not the reforms have made Louisiana extra aggressive and less expensive for each insurers and policyholders. The thought is easy: extra competitors, fewer lawsuits, and a extra predictable authorized panorama may make it simpler for insurance coverage corporations to do enterprise right here—and make it cheaper for residents to remain insured.
The decision, referred to as Senate Concurrent Decision No. 60, displays years of frustration with excessive prices and restricted protection, significantly in householders’ and auto insurance coverage. Lawmakers pointed to what they see as a historical past of extreme litigation that’s pushed up declare bills and compelled insurers to lift charges or go away the state altogether. By curbing these authorized pressures, they hope to see decrease prices for carriers and, ultimately, for customers.
To search out out whether or not that’s taking place, the examine will monitor dozens of indicators from July 1, 2024, to November 1, 2026. The Division will take a look at what number of insurance coverage corporations are attempting to enter the market, what number of succeed or are denied, and what number of are actively writing insurance policies. They’ll additionally tally up how typically corporations ask to lift or decrease charges, and what number of complaints are available in from customers.
The decision additionally requires a deeper dive into nationwide rankings that measure how pleasant a state’s authorized and regulatory setting is for insurers. Officers are hoping to see Louisiana climb in these standings. The Division might be utilizing knowledge from massive trade sources like ISO Verisk and S&P International to observe month-to-month modifications in common premiums, claims dealing with, and whether or not insurers are pulling merchandise or increasing choices.
However this isn’t nearly numbers. The Division has additionally been requested to jot down up a story that connects the dots—what’s working, what’s not, and which of the 2025 reforms have had probably the most influence. If some knowledge isn’t accessible, the company is allowed to fill within the gaps with different related data to make sure a whole image.
The ultimate report is due by the tip of 2026 and might be introduced at a joint assembly of the state’s Senate and Home insurance coverage committees. Lawmakers need the Division to incorporate coverage options too, in case extra fine-tuning is required to maintain the market on a greater path.
For a state that’s been hit onerous by storm harm, service exits, and price hikes, the hope is that this effort can lastly deliver some long-term stability. Whether or not it does, properly, that’s what they’re looking for out.
