Louisiana Insurance Commissioner refutes Gov. Landry’s claims in escalating rift

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(The Center Square) - Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple publicly contradicted Gov. Jeff Landry's claims about General Motors Insurance's entry into the state and broader assertions about insurance regulation authority.

Landry hailed the recent launch of a General Motors-backed insurance product as a win for his administration's tort reform agenda.

In a celebratory statement, the governor said, "General Motors Insurance coming to Louisiana is a testament to the work we accomplished this legislative session to bring about real insurance reform."

In a pointed clarification, the Louisiana Department of Insurance noted that GM National Insurance Company has held a certificate to operate in Louisiana since 2006 and that its affiliated agency has been licensed as a producer since 2019.

The only recent change was regulatory approval of a new usage-based auto product — granted not as a result of legislative reform, but through routine compliance with LDI's longstanding review process.

"The program became effective in July 2025 after undergoing standard regulatory scrutiny," the department stated. "It is not a new market entry."

Temple's challenge is the latest in what has been a fairly rocky relationship between the governor and the insurance commissioner.

In April, Landry hosted a news conference focused exclusively on expected insurance legislation in which Temple was not present.

When asked why Temple was hosting his own separate news conference on auto insurance reform, Landry said "I have no idea, you'd have to ask him tomorrow."

Temple would host his own conference the next day addressing and rejecting claims made by Landry.

"There were a couple of things he said that are incorrect, and it's important to correct those on the record," Temple said. "If we aren't on the same page about the problems, we can't begin to make real progress on the solutions."

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Landry has repeatedly argued that insurance companies are gouging consumers and that state regulators lack the authority to stop them. During the legislative session, he championed bills to grant the insurance commissioner broader powers to reject "excessive" rates.

But Temple has consistently disputed that characterization. He says Louisiana's legal climate — not a lack of regulation — is what's driving insurers out of the state, particularly in commercial auto.

A last minute amendment to a bill — which has since become law — provoked the ire and scrutiny of Temple after Landry had advocated for the provision. That amendment now allows the Insurance Commissioner to more easily regulate the rates that insurers can charge.

"I have all the authority I need to deny a rate for being too high, and I exercise it," Temple said in April, adding that his office frequently requires insurers to reduce or withdraw rate filings deemed unjustified.

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