Louisiana Anti-Steering Law

Louisiana HB 411 (Act 317): Your Car. Your Choice.

Let’s say it the plain New Orleans way: if your insurance company is acting like you have to go to their shop, that is not the whole story.

Louisiana HB 411, now Act 317, was passed to protect drivers and make it clear that insurance companies cannot require you to use a particular repair shop when paying a vehicle claim. The bill was signed into law in 2019 and became effective on August 1, 2019. (Louisiana State Legislature)

That matters because a lot of people call us after an accident and say the same thing:
“Insurance told me I had to go somewhere else.”
In Louisiana, that is not how it is supposed to work.

What the Law Means in Simple Language

Here is the simple version:

Your insurance company can suggest a shop.
They cannot force you to use that shop.
And if they recommend a repair shop or repair network, they are supposed to tell you that you are under no obligation to use it. (Louisiana State Legislature)

The law also says they are not supposed to use intimidation, coercion, or threat to push you toward a particular place for repairs. That means no pressure, no games, and no making it sound like your claim will fall apart if you choose the shop you actually trust. (Louisiana State Legislature)

Why This Matters to Drivers

When you have been in an accident, you already have enough on your plate. You do not need to be steered around like your opinion does not matter.

Your vehicle is your vehicle.
Your repair is your repair.
And the shop that works on it should be your choice.

At Chambliss, we want people to know they have a say in where their car goes. We are an independent shop and we are happy to work with insurance companies every day, but we also want local drivers to know they do not have to be pushed into a repair shop they did not choose. Louisiana’s anti-steering law was written to protect that right. (Louisiana State Legislature)

There Are Real Penalties for Violating the Law

This is not just a suggestion buried in fine print. The law gives the commissioner authority to issue fines for violations: $1,000 for a first offense, $2,500 for a second offense within twelve months, and $5,000 for a third or later offense within twelve months. The statute also says a violation can become grounds for license action against an insurance producer. (Louisiana State Legislature)

The Short Version

If your insurance company recommends a shop, that is one thing.
If they make it sound like you have no choice, that is something else.

You can choose the repair shop you trust.

That is the point of Louisiana’s anti-steering law. (Louisiana State Legislature)

At Chambliss, we believe people deserve honest answers, quality repairs, and the freedom to decide who works on their vehicle. If you have questions after an accident, give us a call. We will be glad to talk through the process and help you understand your options.

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