State insurance guide
Louisiana Business Insurance Guide 2026
Louisiana employers must maintain workers' compensation insurance even if they have only one employee, whether that employee is part-time, full-time, temporary or seasonal. Auto liability minimums and paid leave rules follow, each with its official source.
Explore Louisiana requirements
Open the state requirements checklistLouisiana employers must maintain workers' compensation insurance even if they have only one employee, whether that employee is part-time, full-time, temporary or seasonal (Louisiana Workforce Commission: FAQ - Workers' Compensation Coverage for Employers). Auto liability coverage must be at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage (La. R.S. 32:900 (Louisiana State Legislature)). Louisiana runs no state paid family leave or disability insurance program, according to NCSL's table.
We checked each official source on October 3, 2026. Treat this as general information and confirm with the linked agencies how each rule applies to you.
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Workers' compensation
Who must carry it: 1 or more employees (Louisiana Workforce Commission: FAQ - Workers' Compensation Coverage for Employers).
Employers in Louisiana are required to maintain workers compensation insurance even if they only have one employee.
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission: FAQ - Workers' Compensation Coverage for Employers
Coverage can come from an authorized private insurer, approved self-insurance or an approved group self-insurance fund (Louisiana Workforce Commission: FAQ - Workers' Compensation Coverage for Employers).
Exemptions and exclusions
The commission's FAQ lists exceptions for certain private-residence (domestic) employees, certain employees of a private unincorporated farm, certain musicians and performers, employees covered by certain federal laws, crop-dusting aircraft crews, uncompensated officers and directors of certain non-profits, and most real estate salespersons (Louisiana Workforce Commission: FAQ - Workers' Compensation Coverage for Employers).
The agency to ask is the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Office of Workers' Compensation Administration. Our workers' compensation guide explains the coverage, and the workers' comp calculator checks the payroll arithmetic in a proposal.
Auto liability minimums
The minimum auto liability coverage in Louisiana:
- Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
- Start date: not stated in the source; confirmed in force on October 3, 2026
- Source: La. R.S. 32:900 (Louisiana State Legislature)
Motor carriers running heavier vehicles need more under the same statute: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage for vehicles over 20,000 and up to 50,000 pounds gross weight, and over 50,000 pounds a combined single limit of $300,000, or equivalent coverage of $100,000 per person with at least $300,000 per occurrence and $25,000 for property damage (La. R.S. 32:900 (Louisiana State Legislature)).
Vehicles used commercially or for hire can face different or higher federal or state requirements; the commercial auto guide explains what to compare.
Paid leave and disability insurance
Louisiana has no state paid family and medical leave insurance program and no state temporary disability insurance program, according to NCSL's table, last updated November 7, 2025 (NCSL: state family and medical leave laws; cross-checked on October 3, 2026 with the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau).
Laws can change faster than compilations: Virginia enacted a program in 2026 (Code of Virginia § 60.2-801). Ask the Louisiana Workforce Commission before planning payroll for a later year.
Other requirements to check
In Louisiana, licenses, leases and client contracts can add their own insurance or bond conditions, such as minimum general liability limits; track each one with the certificate of insurance checklist and compare states in the requirements-by-state guide.
Where to verify
- Workers' compensation: Louisiana Workforce Commission, Office of Workers' Compensation Administration
- Auto liability minimums: La. R.S. 32:900 (Louisiana State Legislature)
- Paid leave and disability insurance: NCSL state family and medical leave laws and the U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau
Before you call, the state requirements checklist lists the questions to ask. For a PolicyBenchmark follow-up about your Louisiana business, request coverage help.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Louisiana business with one employee need workers' compensation?
Generally, yes: Louisiana applies the requirement from the first employee (Louisiana Workforce Commission: FAQ - Workers' Compensation Coverage for Employers). Exemptions listed above can still apply to particular workers or owners; the agency to ask is the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Office of Workers' Compensation Administration.
Are Louisiana's auto minimums enough for business vehicles?
Louisiana's minimums are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage (La. R.S. 32:900 (Louisiana State Legislature)). They are the lowest limits the law allows, not what your business needs, and commercial or for-hire use can bring different or higher requirements.
Does Louisiana require employers to pay into a paid leave program?
No, according to NCSL's table, last updated November 7, 2025 (NCSL): Louisiana has neither a state paid family and medical leave program nor a temporary disability insurance program. Confirm before planning a future payroll year.
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Always consult with a licensed insurance professional before making coverage decisions.