Louisiana Motorcycle Insurance

Louisiana riders must carry liability coverage of at least 15/30/25: $15,000 per injured person, $30,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Every operator and passenger must also wear a helmet under the state's universal helmet law. Aubert Insurance Agency has helped riders in Covington and Slidell meet these rules since 1910.

The paperwork side matters too. You must provide proof of insurance to the Office of Motor Vehicles before you can register your bike, and you need to carry that proof every time you ride. A digital ID card on your phone typically works, but a paper copy in your saddlebag is a smart backup when your battery dies on a back road near Folsom.

Two newer legal changes also shape how claims play out in 2026. First, Louisiana's modified comparative fault system, effective January 1, 2026, bars a rider from recovering any damages if found 51% or more at fault. Second, Act 1117 clarified that a partial payment from an insurer does not necessarily extend the deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you're hurt in a crash, don't assume an early check from the other driver's carrier buys you extra time.

Liability coverage pays for damage you cause to other people and their property. It does not pay for your own injuries or your own bike. That distinction trips up a lot of new riders, who assume "full coverage" is a legal requirement or that liability protects them personally.

Louisiana's 15/30/25 liability floor breaks down like this:

• $15,000 for bodily injury to one person
• $30,000 total for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage

Those numbers were set a long time ago. Medical costs and vehicle prices have not stood still since.

Louisiana is one of the states that never fully abandoned its all-rider helmet requirement. R.S. 32:190 remains a universal law in 2026, requiring every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear a helmet. Age, experience, and insurance status don't create exceptions.

Why does this belong in an insurance conversation? Because helmet use can come up after a claim. Under the new comparative fault rules, the other side's adjuster or attorney may argue that riding without a helmet contributed to your injuries. Every percentage point of fault assigned to you reduces what you can recover, and crossing 51% wipes out recovery entirely.

The state also regulates equipment. Louisiana law says handlebars cannot be higher than the operator's shoulder height when seated. That matters for riders who install tall ape hangers. An illegal modification can earn a ticket, and it may also give an insurer or opposing party another argument about fault after a crash.

A few practical habits help:

• Choose a helmet that carries a DOT certification label.
• Replace a helmet after any significant impact, even if it looks fine.
• Make sure your passenger's helmet fits properly, not just whatever spare is on the garage shelf.

Medical Payments coverage, often called MedPay, typically pays medical bills for you and sometimes your passenger regardless of who caused the accident. It tends to come in smaller amounts, and it can help cover health insurance deductibles, copays, or ambulance charges while fault is still being sorted out.

Some carriers may limit or exclude MedPay on motorcycle policies, and the terms vary. Ask whether passengers are included and whether the coverage pays first or only after your health insurance.

Plenty of riders around St. Tammany have put thousands into their bikes: custom exhaust, aftermarket wheels, upgraded seats, chrome, audio systems, paint work. Here's the uncomfortable part. Many standard policies cover only a limited amount of custom parts and equipment unless you add more coverage, and some may pay based on depreciated value.

If your bike is stolen or totaled and you haven't scheduled those upgrades, you may get a check that reflects a stock motorcycle. A rider who spent $6,000 on a custom paint job and wheels can find that investment largely uncovered.

To protect your upgrades:

1. Keep receipts for every aftermarket part and labor charge.
2. Photograph the bike from all angles at least once a year.
3. Ask about custom parts and equipment (CPE) limits on any quote and raise them to match your actual investment.
4. Check gear coverage. Some carriers may offer coverage for helmets, jackets, and riding gear damaged in a crash.
5. Review comprehensive and collision deductibles, since CPE claims typically fall under these coverages.

Update your agent every time you add something significant. Coverage that fit your bike two years ago may fall short today.

Does my motorcycle policy cover a passenger? Your liability coverage may protect you if a passenger sues you, but passenger injury coverage varies by carrier. Ask specifically whether guest passenger liability and MedPay are included.

Can I drop coverage during winter if I don't ride? Some carriers may offer a lay-up or storage option that keeps comprehensive coverage active for theft, fire, or flood while pausing other coverages. Don't cancel entirely, because a gap in coverage can raise future rates and leave a stored bike unprotected.

Does my car insurance cover my motorcycle? Typically, no. Motorcycles usually need their own policy, though bundling them with the same carrier may reduce your total cost.

What happens if I ride without proof of insurance? You could face fines and registration problems with the OMV. Keep a digital or paper ID card with you on every ride.

Is UM coverage really necessary if I have health insurance? Health insurance won't pay for lost wages or pain and suffering. UM coverage can, which is why most riders keep it.

Will a helmet ticket affect my insurance? It may, depending on the carrier. More importantly, skipping a helmet can weaken your injury claim after a crash.

A solid motorcycle policy in Louisiana starts with the 15/30/25 minimums but rarely stops there. Higher liability limits protect what you've built. UM coverage protects you from the many drivers carrying too little insurance. MedPay smooths over the first weeks of medical bills, and scheduled custom parts coverage makes sure your upgrades aren't treated like factory equipment. Pair all of that with a helmet on every ride, and you're far better positioned if something goes wrong.

The tricky part is that carriers handle these coverages differently. One may offer stronger custom parts limits, while another may price UM more favorably for your area. As an independent agency, Aubert Insurance Agency compares options from multiple carriers so you can see the trade-offs clearly, and we take time to explain what each policy does and doesn't cover before you sign.

Families in Covington, Slidell, and across St. Tammany Parish have relied on us since 1910. When you're ready to see your options, Start a Quote with our Covington or Slidell office and ride knowing your coverage fits the bike you actually own.