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SB 34

INSURANCE CLAIMS: Provides that alteration of a repair estimate without notification to the author of the estimate, supplement, or revision is a fraudulent insurance act. (8/1/25)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow and 1 co-sponsor

Louisiana law now classifies altering repair estimates without notifying the original author as fraudulent insurance activity, effective July 1, 2026.

Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 406.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 34

Legislative bill overview

SB 34 makes it a fraudulent insurance act to alter repair estimates, supplements, or revisions without notifying the person who created the original document. The bill took effect July 1, 2026, and was signed into law as Act No. 406 in Louisiana.

Why is this important

This law addresses a specific form of insurance fraud where repair estimates are changed without the knowledge of the estimator, which can inflate claim costs or misrepresent actual damage assessments. It establishes clearer accountability in the insurance claims process and protects both insurers and repair professionals from unauthorized modifications to their documented assessments.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition clarity: The law doesn't specify what constitutes "alteration" (minor adjustments vs. substantial changes) or who is protected as "the author" (independent adjusters, repair shop owners, insurance company adjusters, or all parties)
  • Enforcement challenges: Proving "without notification" requires documentation standards that may not exist uniformly across all insurance claims processes, potentially creating enforcement inconsistencies
  • Unintended consequences: The law could slow legitimate claim adjustments or create disputes over routine estimate modifications that occur during the repair process, potentially delaying payouts to policyholders

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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