NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – It is not just property insurance rates becoming unaffordable for many residents but also the cost of auto insurance. In looking for solutions, some Louisiana lawmakers think that advertising by attorneys is part of the problem.

Three legislative committees met at the state capitol on Friday (Sept. 6) to hear testimony related to the auto insurance crisis.

Rep. Michael Johnson (R-Pineville) asked a businessman who appeared before the Insurance Committee a series of questions.

“Do you think at this point, since people have been so indoctrinated to sue, because it’s now (like) you can’t be in an accident where you’re not entitled to something?” said Johnson.

The small business owner said, “Unfortunately, I agree. Yes, sir. “

And Johnson thinks he and other lawmakers can take action.

“We as a legislature can do some things,” said Johnson. “We can make sure that the advertising is accurate, it isn’t an exaggeration.”

But some lawmakers said the legislature would head down the wrong path if it tried to block lawyers’ ability to advertise. They say that right is protected under the First Amendment.

“And so, if we are going to take any attempts to censor speech then the state has to put forth a compelling governmental interest in doing so. And I don’t think we can meet that burden,” said Rep. Kyle Green (D-Marrero).

And others say there are non-attorney billboards that people take issue with, yet they stay up.

“I don’t really know what the problem is. There are a lot of billboards in this state that are anti-choice that I find disgusting when I drive past them. But they have the ability to do that, so I’ve kind of been wondering almost, ‘What’s the issue?’” said Rep. Mandie Landry (D-New Orleans).

Still, the debate over advertisement by attorneys is far from over at the state capitol.

“Do you believe that the advertisements, billboards focus on trucks because that’s where the money is?” said Johnson.

“Yeah, I do believe that, yes sir,” said the businessman.

Recently, Marketwatch listed Louisiana as having the highest full-coverage car insurance rates in the country ahead of bigger states like New York, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Louisiana lawmakers are expected to have a special session on auto insurance in 2025.

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