Automobile Insurance
Personal auto policy structure
Part A liability (bodily injury and property damage), Part B medical payments, Part C uninsured/underinsured motorists, Part D damage to your auto (collision and other than collision), Part E duties after an accident, Part F general provisions. Learn the definition of your covered auto, newly acquired autos (short automatic window), temporary substitute autos and non-owned autos. Traps: the business-use and delivery exclusions; ride-share driving that needs an endorsement; a named driver exclusion; and the fact that a personal policy is not a commercial policy.
Louisiana financial responsibility
Louisiana is a tort state, not a no-fault state - there is no PIP; injured parties recover from the at-fault driver (with pure comparative fault). Compulsory liability minimums are 15/30/25 ($15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident bodily injury, $25,000 property damage), proven by policy, bond or deposit, with SR-22 style filings after violations. UM/UIM coverage is mandatory unless rejected in writing, and the UM limits must match the liability limits unless the insured affirmatively selects lower limits in writing - a very common exam question. Louisiana also restricts recovery by drivers who violate the compulsory insurance law (the no-pay, no-play concept) and permits direct action against the liability insurer.
Commercial auto
Business auto coverage uses numbered symbols: 1 any auto, 7 specifically described autos, 8 hired autos, 9 non-owned autos. Pick the wrong symbol and the vehicle is not covered. Truckers and motor carriers add MCS-90 endorsements and cargo coverage; drive-other-car coverage does not exist automatically.
Worked example: a driver carries 15/30/25 and injures one person with $40,000 in damages. The liability limit pays $15,000; if the insured bought matching UM/UIM, the underinsured motorist coverage can respond for the gap.