Louisiana lawmakers are asking whether or not the large insurance coverage fixes they handed earlier this 12 months are literally making a distinction. With premiums nonetheless sky-high and insurance coverage carriers sluggish to return to the market, they’ve known as for a radical check-up on the state’s insurance coverage well being.
In a decision handed throughout the 2025 legislative session, officers requested the Division of Insurance coverage to run a two-year research, monitoring whether or not the reforms have made Louisiana extra aggressive and less expensive for each insurers and policyholders. The concept is easy: extra competitors, fewer lawsuits, and a extra predictable authorized panorama might 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, notably 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 boost charges or go away the state altogether. By curbing these authorized pressures, they hope to see decrease prices for carriers and, ultimately, for shoppers.
To seek out out whether or not that’s taking place, the research will monitor dozens of indicators from July 1, 2024, to November 1, 2026. The Division will have 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 usually corporations ask to boost or decrease charges, and what number of complaints are available in from shoppers.
The decision additionally requires a deeper dive into nationwide rankings that measure how pleasant a state’s authorized and regulatory atmosphere is for insurers. Officers are hoping to see Louisiana climb in these standings. The Division can be utilizing knowledge from huge business 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 put in writing up a story that connects the dots—what’s working, what’s not, and which of the 2025 reforms have had probably the most impression. If some knowledge isn’t out there, 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 top of 2026 and can be offered at a joint assembly of the state’s Senate and Home insurance coverage committees. Lawmakers need the Division to incorporate coverage recommendations too, in case extra fine-tuning is required to maintain the market on a greater path.
For a state that’s been hit exhausting by storm harm, provider exits, and charge hikes, the hope is that this effort can lastly deliver some long-term stability. Whether or not it does, nicely, that’s what they’re looking for out.
