Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage Required in Your State
The minimum requirements for auto insurance will vary from state to state. We'll cover the details about the type of coverage you will need to drive legally in your state.
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UPDATED: Jan 9, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 9, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Requirements for auto insurance coverage vary from one state to another
- Virginia and New Hampshire do not have liability car insurance requirements
- The average monthly cost of a liability-only auto insurance policy in the U.S. is $47
Most states in the U.S. require that all drivers meet a minimum level of liability coverage. While minimum car insurance, each state has its types and levels of coverage that it requires.
If you were to drive without car insurance or auto insurance levels that do not meet your state’s requirements, you might have to pay fines, attend driver safety training, and even face jail time.
Most people do not find the topic of auto insurance coverage all that exciting, but it’s important to know what your state requires so you’re not in danger of carrying too little auto insurance coverage, especially if you are not able to carry full coverage auto insurance.
What is my state’s minimum coverage requirement?
All states except New Hampshire and Virginia require bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability insurance. But many states also require additional coverage, such as medical payments (MedPay), personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance.
The table below shows each state’s requirements for auto insurance in the U.S. The numbers represent coverage requirements per $1,000. For example, a 25/50/25 insurance requirement would equate to $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability.
States Insurance Coverage Required Minimum Liability Limits
Alabama Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Alaska Bodily injury and property damage liability 50/100/25
Arizona Bodily injury and property damage liability 15/30/10
Arkansas Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 25/50/25
California Bodily injury and property damage liability 15/30/5
Colorado Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/15
Connecticut Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/20
Delaware Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 25/50/10
Washington, D.C. Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/10
Florida Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 10/20/10
Georgia Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Hawaii Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 20/40/10
Idaho Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/15
Illinois Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/20
Indiana Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Iowa Bodily injury and property damage liability 20/40/15
Kansas Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 25/50/25
Kentucky Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/25
Louisiana Bodily injury and property damage liability 15/30/25
Maine Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist, medical payments (MedPay) 50/100/25
Maryland Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 30/60/15
Massachusetts Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 20/40/5
Michigan Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 20/40/10
Minnesota Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 30/60/10
Mississippi Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Missouri Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist 25/50/25
Montana Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/20
Nebraska Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/25
Nevada Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/20
New Hampshire Financial responsibility only 25/50/25
New Jersey Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 15/30/5
New Mexico Bodily injury and property damage liability, 25/50/10
New York Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/10
North Carolina Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 30/60/25
North Dakota Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/25
Ohio Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Oklahoma Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Oregon Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/20
Pennsylvania Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 15/30/5
Rhode Island Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 25/50/25
South Carolina Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/25
South Dakota Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/25
Tennessee Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/15
Texas Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 30/60/25
Utah Bodily injury and property damage liability, Personal injury protection (PIP) 25/65/15
Vermont Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/10
Virginia Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/20
Washington Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/10
West Virginia Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, underinsured motorist 25/50/25
Wisconsin Bodily injury and property damage liability, uninsured motorist, medical payments (MedPay) 25/50/10
Wyoming Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/20
As you can see, the minimum insurance requirement in California of 15/30/5 is relatively low compared to other states. Additionally, minimum insurance requirements in California do not call for coverage like PIP or MedPay.
While auto insurance providers in your state are likely to recommend coverage that meets or exceeds your state’s requirements, your responsibility is to ensure you carry proper auto insurance coverage.
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What are the states that don’t require auto insurance?
Virginia and New Hampshire are the only states that don’t require car insurance coverage. Most drivers in these states choose to carry auto insurance, but the states allow for insurance alternatives.
In New Hampshire, drivers can purchase car insurance, get financial responsibility approval through the Department of Motor Vehicles, or provide a self-insurance certificate. Similarly, Virginia drivers can pay a $500 fee or provide specific proof of financial responsibility.
How much car insurance do I need?
The amount of auto insurance you need depends on where you live. Because each state sets its own rules for car insurance, you’ll have to become familiar with what your state requires to ensure you carry proper coverage.
Do I need more than my state’s minimum requirements? While states require liability coverage, this coverage does not protect your vehicle if you’re in an accident. Additionally, things can occur outside of an accident that causes damage to a car or makes it impossible to drive.
Collision coverage will help if you’re in an accident and your vehicle is damaged. Collision insurance will also cover repairs to your car if you’re at fault in an accident. In addition, comprehensive coverage is an option to help cover non-accident-related damage, such as damage from inclement weather, animals, theft, or vandalism.
You can combine collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage into what’s known as a full coverage policy. This policy will also include your mandatory liability coverage and anything else your state requires.
While full coverage policies can sometimes cost thousands more per year than a liability-only policy, this coverage provides drivers with protection and peace of mind.
How can I find cheap car insurance that meets my state’s requirements?
Finding cheap state minimum car insurance requires research. The best way to find affordable coverage in your state is to shop online and compare multiple auto insurance quotes from insurance providers in your area.
Comparing insurance quotes online allows you to see how much you would pay for your state’s minimum requirements with several companies. Doing so could help you save hundreds of dollars annually on coverage.
While it is tempting to purchase your state’s minimum required coverage for the cheapest auto insurance rates, you should consider purchasing additional coverage to ensure you’re adequately protected.
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State Requirements for Minimum Coverage: The Bottom Line
If you drive, you need car insurance. First, familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements. Next, shop online to find the best deals on auto insurance in your area.
Consider purchasing a full coverage policy, which offers both collision and comprehensive coverage, to ensure you are adequately protected. The rates may seem steep initially, but if you’re ever in an accident, you’ll be happy you had additional coverage to help.
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.