Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bills into law as part of a large insurance reform effort and in response to the state’s rising insurance rates.
House Bill 148 amends Louisiana regulations to give the insurance commissioner the power to disapprove a rate filing if it is determined to be excessive. Previously, a rate filing could only be denied if it was determined to be inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. An excessive rate is defined as a rate that is likely to produce an unreasonably high profit for the insurance provided.
House Bill 431 is amended so that drivers who suffered injury, death, or loss, are equal to or greater than 51% at fault, then they are not entitled to recover damages. If the driver is less than 51% responsible, then the amount of damages recoverable will be in proportion to their share of negligence.
House Bill 436 states that an unauthorized alien cannot be awarded general damages and past and future wages following an auto accident. An unauthorized alien is defined as a person who is unlawfully present in the US according to the federal Immigration and Nationality Act. The regulation does not apply to a claim made against an uninsured or underinsured motorist policy where the unauthorized alien is an insured.
House Bill 549 grants a premium discount for the use of dashboard cameras with telematics for commercial motor vehicles. Every insurer authorized to issue commercial motor vehicle policies in the state, except surplus lines insurers, must offer a discount. To qualify, policyholders must have the dashboard camera and telematics system installed and operational at the time of policy issuance, and they must meet minimum technical standards.