Louisiana drivers pay some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. Despite dozens of insurers in the state, premiums keep rising while service stays poor. It’s time for a bold, market-based reform.

Let’s flip the system: Instead of letting every company in, hold a sealed-bid auction once a year. The top four bidding insurers would earn the exclusive right to operate in Louisiana for 12 months. The auction proceeds — potentially tens of millions — would go directly to fixing our roads.

This isn’t government overreach — it’s about restoring discipline and accountability. Insurance companies would have to compete hard not just on price and service, but for the chance to do business here at all.

We’d also ban paid advertising, which drives up costs and clutters the market. Instead, all licensed insurers would list their offerings and claims performance on a state-run comparison website — no mascots, no slogans, just facts.

Some might argue this reduces choice. But the current system gives us dozens of options and no real savings. By tightening access and raising standards, we’d create real competition— on merit, not marketing.

This reform puts consumers first, funds infrastructure without raising taxes and forces insurers to deliver value. It’s time to fix what’s broken.

RICHARD BOYD

Lafayette