Lawmakers want second crack at legislation to help ease auto insurance costs

The high cost of insurance in Louisiana is causing wallets to stretch, with some people even taking the risk of going without insurance.

This isn't lost on Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple and other state lawmakers, however, Governor Jeff Landry stuck down what some feel was a critical bill that would have changed the landscape of auto insurance.

House Bill 423 aimed to limit the payout an injured party could receive at trial. Many in the legislature feel this is a necessary step at getting carriers to lower rates and is on par with how most states govern pay to injured persons.

State Representative Kirk Talbot says this isn't about giving more to the insurance companies but only paying people what they are truly owed.

“Most states only let you recover what your actual medical bill was, not that charge that no one ever pays.”

Talbot says there are two factors that impact the high costs of auto insurance and they feed each other.

“The number of accidents with injury is two times higher than the national average and the payout to those with injury is two times the national average.”

Lawmakers will get a second crack at getting the bill to law. Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple would like a special session to get it done now. Talbot says it will most likely be next year.