Louisiana Trucking Insurance

2025 reforms that affect your truck insurance

• Dashcam and telematics discount. For commercial auto policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, insurers (other than surplus lines) must give a liability premium discount for trucks equipped with a 1080p dashcam plus telematics.^[1] Tell us what your trucks have so the quote reflects it.
• Fault rule. Since January 1, 2026, a claimant found 51% or more at fault recovers nothing.^[2]
• Other changes are summarized by the Governor’s office.^[3] Federal prosecutors have also convicted people in “Operation Sideswipe,” a scheme that staged crashes with 18-wheelers in the New Orleans area.^[4]

Authority and safety rules in Louisiana

• General freight needs no state authority. The Public Service Commission regulates only household goods, passenger and waste carriers.^[5]
• Household goods movers need a permanent Louisiana establishment, a tariff, a $200 application fee and $10-per-vehicle ID stamps. They also file $250,000/$500,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage on a Form E, $50,000 per truck and $100,000 per catastrophe cargo on a Form H, workers’ comp and a $5,000 surety bond.^[6]
• Safety rules. State Police apply the federal safety rules to intrastate vehicles over 26,000 lb, and drivers may be 18 for intrastate work. The state’s rules also adopt the federal insurance part.^[7] Interstate for-hire trucks need the federal $750,000 minimum^[8]; confirm the limit for an intrastate-only operation with State Police.
• USDOT number. Required for IRP apportioned plates.^[9] Intrastate-only carriers should confirm with State Police.

Weights, harvest and timber permits

• Standard limit is 80,000 lb. Combinations with a tridem axle or larger can run 83,400 lb on the Interstate and 88,000 lb off it.^[10]
• Agronomic permit ($100): up to 100,000 lb off the Interstate. Sugar cane may use the Interstate, with a grace period to January 31.^[10]
• Timber harvest permit ($100): 92,000 lb. Harvest/natural forest permit ($10): 86,600 lb.^[10]
• Oversize and overweight permits come from the DOTD Truck Permit Office (800-654-1433).^[10]

IRP goes through the Office of Motor Vehicles^[9] and IFTA through the Department of Revenue.^[11] Louisiana has no weight-distance tax.

Louisiana freight

In 2021, 331 million tons of freight worth $392 billion moved on Louisiana highways, led by petroleum and coal products by weight and chemicals by value. The worst bottlenecks are on I-10 and I-12 around New Orleans and Baton Rouge.^[12] The Port of South Louisiana stretches 54 river miles, handles 248.3 million tons and leads the nation in grain exports^[13], and the Port of New Orleans is the only U.S. seaport served by six Class I railroads.^[14] Fifteen refineries hold about a sixth of U.S. refining capacity, alongside more than 150 petrochemical plants.^[15]

What to have ready for a Louisiana quote

• USDOT and MC numbers, if you have them
• Dashcam and telematics details for each truck (for the new discount)
• Where the trucks are garaged, your usual routes and your radius
• What you haul: chemicals, port containers, sugar cane, timber or general freight
• Driver names, license numbers and years of experience
• Year, make, VIN and value of each truck and trailer
• Current policy and loss runs, if you have been insured before

Frequently asked questions

Do I get an insurance discount for a dashcam in Louisiana?

Yes. For commercial auto policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, insurers other than surplus lines must discount the liability premium for trucks with a 1080p dashcam plus telematics.^[1]

Do I need Louisiana PSC authority to haul general freight?

No. Only household goods, passenger and waste carriers need Public Service Commission authority.^[5]

What insurance do Louisiana household goods movers need?

$250,000/$500,000 bodily injury and $10,000 property damage on a Form E, $50,000 per truck and $100,000 per catastrophe cargo on a Form H, plus a $5,000 bond.^[6]

How heavy can sugar cane trucks run in Louisiana?

Up to 100,000 lb with the $100 Agronomic permit, and sugar cane may use the Interstate with a grace period to January 31.^[10]

Do federal safety rules apply to intrastate trucks in Louisiana?

Yes, for vehicles over 26,000 lb, and intrastate drivers may be 18.^[7]

Related coverage and nearby states

• Owner-operator truck insurance
• Motor truck cargo insurance
• Excess and umbrella liability
• Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi trucking insurance
• All states we serve
• Truck insurance requirements by state
• New authority truck insurance
• How much commercial truck insurance costs

Sources

• [1] La. R.S. 22:1482.2: commercial auto premium discount for dashcams and telematics
• [2] Louisiana Act 15 (2025): comparative fault
• [3] Office of the Governor: 2025 insurance reforms
• [4] U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Louisiana: Operation Sideswipe
• [5] La. R.S. 45:162: Public Service Commission motor carrier authority
• [6] LPSC: Household goods carrier application packet (T-77)
• [7] Louisiana State Police: LAC 33:V, chapter 103 (motor carrier safety)
• [8] 49 CFR 387.9: federal minimums
• [9] Louisiana OMV: IRP apportioned plates
• [10] Louisiana DOTD: Truck size and weight rules and regulations
• [11] Louisiana Department of Revenue: IFTA
• [12] Louisiana DOTD: Highway freight fact sheet (2024)
• [13] Port of South Louisiana: Overview
• [14] Port of New Orleans: Rail
• [15] Louisiana Economic Development: Process industries

General information only, checked September 2026. Rules change; confirm with the agency that issues your permits. Coverage availability, terms and filings depend on underwriting and the policy issued; a quote request does not bind insurance.