Minimum car insurance requirements by state

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It’s important to have car insurance to protect yourself, your family and your assets if you’re in an accident. From a fender bender to a serious accident that causes multiple injuries, auto insurance protects the policyholder and their financial health.

Despite this, people still choose to go without car insurance coverage – ranging from 3.1% in New Jersey to 29.4% in Mississippi, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. This drives up rates for all drivers in that state.

At the very least, it’s important to get the minimum liability requirements set in each state to remain legally compliant. Car insurance requirements vary by state, so how much you’re legally required to buy depends on where you live.

Key Takeaways

Most states require 25/50 bodily injury liability coverage, but drivers should purchase coverage to higher limits.
We recommend liability limits be set around 100/300/100 per accident.
The average annual rate for a state minimum-only liability policy is $502; the monthly rate is $42.

What is the state minimum for car insurance?

Drivers can learn their state’s minimum car insurance rates by looking at the Department of Motor Vehicles’ website or the table of rates below. To drive legally, you must show proof of insurance for the minimum requirements in your state.

They can always purchase coverage at higher rates, but if they purchase less coverage than required – or buy no coverage – they may put themselves and others at financial risk.

Minimum liability car insurance requirements by state

Find your state's car insurance requirements

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See the minimum insurance requirements in each state in the table below.

State	Minimum car insurance limits
Alabama	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Alaska	Liability insurance $50,000 bodily injury per person $100,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Arizona	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $15,000 property damage per accident
Arkansas	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
California	Liability insurance $15,000 bodily injury per person $30,000 bodily injury per accident $5,000 property damage per accident
Colorado	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $15,000 property damage per accident
Connecticut	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Delaware	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $15,000 personal injury per person $30,000 personal injury per accident
District of Columbia (DC)	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident $5,000 uninsured motorist property damage per accident
Florida	Liability insurance $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) $10,000 personal injury protection
Georgia	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Hawaii	Liability insurance $20,000 bodily injury per person $40,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $10,000 personal injury protection
Idaho	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $15,000 property damage per accident
Illinois	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $20,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Indiana	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Iowa	Liability insurance $20,000 bodily injury per person $40,000 bodily injury per accident $15,000 property damage per accident
Kansas	Liability insurance $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $4,500 personal injury protection per person Additional requirement $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $4,500 personal injury protection per person $25/day for in-home services $2,000 for funeral, burial or cremation expense $4,500 for rehabilitation expense Survivor Benefits: Disability/loss of income up to $900 per month for one year
Kentucky	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $10,000 personal injury protection per person
Louisiana	Liability insurance $15,000 bodily injury per person $30,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Maine	Liability insurance $50,000 bodily injury per person $100,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $2,000 medical payments
Maryland	Liability insurance $30,000 bodily injury per person $60,000 bodily injury per accident $15,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $30,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $60,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $15,000 uninsured motorist property damage per accident $2,500 personal injury protection
Massachusetts	Liability insurance $20,000 bodily injury per person $40,000 bodily injury per accident $5,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $20,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $40,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $8,000 personal injury protection
Michigan	Liability insurance $20,000 bodily injury per person $40,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $1,000,000 personal property insurance
Minnesota	Liability insurance $30,000 bodily injury per person $60,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $40,000 personal injury protection per person
Mississippi	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Missouri	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured motorist injury per person $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Montana	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $20,000 property damage per accident
Nebraska	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Nevada	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $20,000 property damage per accident
New Hampshire	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $1,000 medical payments
New Jersey	Liability insurance $15,000 bodily injury per person $30,000 bodily injury per accident $5,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $15,000 personal injury protection
New Mexico	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident
New York	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $50,000 personal injury protection
North Carolina	Liability insurance $30,000 bodily injury per person $60,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $30,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person $60,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage per accident
North Dakota	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $30,000 personal injury protection per person
Ohio	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Oklahoma	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Oregon	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $20,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury protection per person $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury protection per accident $15,000 personal injury protection per person
Pennsylvania	Liability insurance $15,000 bodily injury per person $30,000 bodily injury per accident $5,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $5,000 medical benefits
Rhode Island	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
South Carolina	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage per accident
South Dakota	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident
Tennessee	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Texas	Liability insurance $30,000 bodily injury per person $60,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident
Utah	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $65,000 bodily injury per accident $15,000 property damage per accident Additional requirements $3,000 personal injury protection per person
Vermont	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $10,000 uninsured motorist property damage per accident (subject to a $150 deductible)
Virginia	Liability insurance $30,000 bodily injury per person $60,000 bodily injury per accident $20,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $30,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $60,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident Note: Drivers can pay a $500 uninsured motor vehicle (UMV) fee to waive coverage.
Washington	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident
West Virginia	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $25,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage per accident
Wisconsin	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $10,000 property damage per accident Additional requirement $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per accident $1000 per person medical payments coverage
Wyoming	Liability insurance $25,000 bodily injury per person $50,000 bodily injury per accident $20,000 property damage per accident

After reviewing the minimum auto insurance requirements for your state, you may have questions about the terms used in the table – see below.

BI: Bodily injury coverage
PD: Property damage coverage
PIP: Personal injury protection
MedPay: Medical Payments coverage
UM/UIM: Uninsured and underinsured motorists
UM BI: Uninsured motorist bodily injury
UIM BI: Underinsured motorist bodily injury
UMPD: Underinsured motorist property damage
FR: Financial responsibility

How much state minimum car insurance costs

The minimum car insurance costs anywhere from $260 to $993 in states across the U.S. Geico has the cheapest state minimum liability premiums for all consumers. USAA has the most affordable rates overall, but is only available for members of the military community and their families.

How much does state minimum car insurance cost in every state?

Iowa and Wyoming have the cheapest minimum insurance coverage in the U.S. The most expensive states are Florida and New Jersey when it comes to state minimum insurance coverage. See more rates in the table below.

State	Annual state minimum liability premiums	Monthly state minimum liability premiums
Alabama	$433	$36
Alaska	$398	$33
Arizona	$516	$43
Arkansas	$397	$33
California	$551	$46
Colorado	$437	$36
Connecticut	$704	$59
Delaware	$788	$66
District of Columbia	$558	$46
Florida	$993	$83
Georgia	$577	$48
Hawaii	$396	$33
Idaho	$357	$30
Illinois	$421	$35
Indiana	$417	$35
Iowa	$260	$22
Kansas	$434	$36
Kentucky	$606	$51
Louisiana	$722	$60
Maine	$335	$28
Maryland	$727	$61
Massachusetts	$511	$43
Michigan	$604	$50
Minnesota	$475	$40
Mississippi	$463	$39
Missouri	$488	$41
Montana	$350	$29
Nebraska	$331	$28
Nevada	$720	$60
New Hampshire	$397	$33
New Jersey	$853	$71
New Mexico	$421	$35
New York	$731	$61
North Carolina	$476	$40
North Dakota	$349	$29
Ohio	$362	$30
Oklahoma	$408	$34
Oregon	$641	$53
Pennsylvania	$375	$31
Rhode Island	$646	$54
South Carolina	$720	$60
South Dakota	$307	$26
Tennessee	$442	$37
Texas	$572	$48
Utah	$582	$49
Vermont	$306	$25
Virginia	$428	$36
Washington	$438	$36
West Virginia	$510	$43
Wisconsin	$365	$30
Wyoming	$288	$24

How much does minimum liability car insurance cost by company?

Geico is the cheapest company for the state minimum liability premiums, followed by State Farm, USAA and Progressive. Travelers was the most expensive. See the table below for more rates.

Company	Annual state minimum liability premiums	Monthly state minimum liability premiums
Geico	$405	$34
State Farm	$497	$41
USAA	$335	$28
Progressive	$549	$46
Allstate	$700	$58
Farmers	$701	$58
Nationwide	$532	$44
Travelers	$506	$42

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Is car insurance required in all states?

All states set minimum liability insurance requirements. New Hampshire is the only state that doesn’t require car insurance.

Most states require individuals to purchase bodily injury liability insurance for an individual and all persons in an accident; some states also set minimum liability requirements for property damage. And there’s more – in some states, individuals additionally need to purchase insurance for medical payments, uninsured motorists and underinsured motorists.

Which states don’t require car insurance?

New Hampshire allows residents to forego car insurance as long as they can prove they have enough money to cover the expenses and costs if they are in an at-fault accident. If they cannot provide proof of this and drive without insurance, their driving privileges in the state could be suspended.

What happens if I don’t meet my state’s minimum car insurance requirements?

The consequences of not meeting the state minimum car insurance requirements vary, but generally, the risk may not be worth the headache of ignoring the law. In New Mexico, drivers can have their registration suspended if the state’s Motor Vehicle Department discovers drivers lack the required minimum car insurance requirements. To reinstate it in New Mexico, drivers must show proof of insurance and pay a $30 fee.

In Illinois, drivers are mandated to meet the state minimum car insurance requirements – an Electronic Insurance Verification process verifies policies twice a year. Drivers not meeting the state’s minimum requirements or not having proof of insurance will be sent warnings; on the second verification attempt, drivers will be sent a registration suspension letter.

In short, drivers could face suspended registration or even a suspended driver’s license. And, if an accident occurs and the at-fault driver has no insurance or no way to pay for damages, they could see their savings and finances drained if they cannot cover expenses themselves.

Should I get minimum coverage or full-coverage car insurance?

Minimum coverage protects drivers at the minimum amount; this could mean that a driver who purchases minimum coverage does not have enough to be protected in an accident.

In many states, the state minimum car insurance rates are 25/50/25, which refers to $25K of bodily injury insurance per person, $50K per accident and $25K of property damage protection.

“Younger drivers may be able to get away with carrying just the minimum limits if they are trying to save on money,” says Lauren McKenzie, insurance broker/agent with A Plus Insurance in Sierra Vista, Arizona.“

Drivers can also talk with their insurance provider to see what discounts they may be eligible for, and also go over the unnecessary additional coverages they may not need to help save money.

Our take: State minimum car insurance coverage

Those drivers with only the state minimum liability insurance might not be sufficient to cover injuries and damages in an accident. If expenses for an accident exceed the coverage amount, the insured will be liable for the damages. Without coverage, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket or may need to dig into your savings account, investments or assets.

Insure editors recommend purchasing 100/300/100 liability insurance, referring to a minimum of $100K of bodily injury protection for an individual, $300K per accident and $100K for property damage.

“Most drivers I would recommend carrying higher liability limits than what the state requires for minimum limits for several reasons,” McKenzie says. “The state-required minimum liability limits may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of damages in an accident. If those damages exceed your coverage limits, in an accident deemed At Fault, the driver could be liable for the remaining costs. Drivers who choose to increase their liability limits would be increasing their financial protection as well.”

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of minimum insurance coverage?

Minimum insurance coverage protects drivers with minimal coverage. For example, liability insurance covers the costs for medical and property damages that result when a driver is in an accident and is at fault. Without insurance, the driver must find a way to pay for expenses.

This is why it is illegal to drive without coverage in nearly every state; minimum insurance coverage is the lowest amount of coverage that is legally allowed to be purchased in the state.

Is 50/100 insurance enough?

While 50/100/50 provides more coverage and better protection than 25/50/25, those amounts are not what Insure.com and the Insurance Information Institute recommend — a minimum of $100K for bodily injury protection per individual and $300K for each accident.

“50/100 coverage would pay out $50,000 each person for bodily injury expenses, and up to $100,000 per accident, which is double 25/50 limits,” McKenzie says. “Usually, the price difference to increase liability limits to even the next step higher is not a significant price increase. Oftentimes, it is a matter of a couple of dollars per month to increase the liability limits higher.”

Why do states impose a minimum for car insurance?

Two-thirds of states have a minimum liability insurance set at 25/50, while others have lower or higher minimums. Maryland and Maine are two states with the highest minimum insurance coverage. Maine, for example, requires minimums of 50/100.

If states did not set minimums for car insurance, individuals might choose to drive without coverage, putting themselves and others at financial risk. One in eight individuals drives without insurance, with lack of affordability a major reason for not purchasing it.

“Purchasing the state minimum liability limits would be a good option for drivers who want the cheapest monthly cost possible but still be considered legal to drive,” McKenzie says. “Especially if drivers are young and just starting out, they may have less financial assets, which in turn will lower the likelihood of them becoming sued in the event that their liability limits are not sufficient to cover damages in a serious accident.”

Resources & Methodology

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute. “Automobile Financial Responsibility by State.” Accessed January 2024.

Insurance Information Institute. “Is it Legal to Drive without Insurance?” Accessed January 2024.

Oklahoma Insurance Department. “Auto Insurance: Common Myths.” Accessed January 2024.

National Association for Insurance Companies. “Uninsured Motorists.” Accessed January 2024.

New Hampshire Insurance Department.“2022 Automobile Insurance Consumer Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed January 2024.

New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department.“Insurance.” Accessed January 2024.

Progressive.“Car Insurance Requirements by State.” Accessed January 2024.

Methodology

Insure editors in 2023 collected annual rates from Quadrant Information Services for a 40-year-old driving a Honda Accord LX with a good insurance score and no violation on record for a state minimum liability insurance policy. We analyzed 51,088,003 records, 34,588 ZIP codes and 167 insurance companies.

What our expert says

Q: Should drivers get more than the state minimum auto insurance?

Lauren McKenzieInsurance broker/agent, A Plus Insurance.

“I would recommend carrying higher liability limits than what the state requires for minimum limits for several reasons. The state-required minimum liability limits may not be sufficient to cover the full extent of damages in an accident. If those damages exceed your coverage limits, in an accident deemed at-fault, the driver could be liable for the remaining costs.”

Maggie O’Neill

Contributing Researcher

Maggie has twenty years of experience working in media. She is a writer and editor on car insurance and related issues. Before joining Insure.com, she reported on health, education and lifestyle for magazines, websites and newspapers in Nevada.

On this page

What is the state minimum for car insurance?
Minimum liability car insurance requirements by state
How much state minimum car insurance costs
Is car insurance required in all states?
Which states don’t require car insurance?
What happens if I don’t meet my state’s minimum car insurance requirements?
Should I get minimum coverage or full-coverage car insurance?
Our take: State minimum car insurance coverage
Frequently asked questions
Resources & Methodology
What our expert says

Minimum car insurance requirements by state in 2025