LAPLACE — Louisiana Farm Bureau is following the downward trend of auto insurance rates by offering a 4.4 percent decrease on 220,000 policies.

The rate decrease, announced by Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon in June, is expected to take effect August 1 for new and renewed policies.

Located at 421 W. Airline Highway near The Donut Hole, Farm Bureau Insurance of LaPlace offers auto, life, home and other policies to St. John the Baptist Parish residents.

The lowered rates follow a precedent set by State Farm and Progressive insurance companies, according to Donelon.

Donelon approved a 2.2 percent rate decrease for private passenger automobible policies through Progressive last month. Meanwhile, staggered rate cuts have produced a 7.7 percent reduction in State Farm policies over nine months.

The companies’ combined reductions should benefit approximately 1.5 million Louisiana drivers this year, according to Donelon.

“In the last year, three of the top auto insurers in our state have sought rate decreases for Louisiana drivers,” Donelon said at the time of the announcement. “This reduction, along with those previously taken by State Farm and Progressive, further confirms that automobile insurance competition in Louisiana is moving premiums in the right direction.”

Farm Bureau LaPlace hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.