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.
On average, drivers pay $618 annually for a state-minimum liability policy — about $51 a month

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

Select your state

Minimum car insurance limits:

$10,000 property damage liability

Additional requirements:

$10,000 personal injury protection

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/insurance/

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

State	State minimum coverage limits	Additional state requirements
Alaska	• $50,000 bodily injury per person • $100,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Alabama	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Arkansas	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Arizona	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $15,000 property damage per accident	Not required
California	• $30,000 bodily injury per person • $60,000 bodily injury per accident • $15,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Colorado	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $15,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Connecticut	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 uninsured/underinsured BI per person • $50,000 uninsured/underinsured BI per accident
Washington, D.C.	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM BI per person • $50,000 UM BI per accident • $5,000 UM property damage
Delaware	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Florida	• $10,000 bodily injury per person • $20,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	• $10,000 personal injury protection
Georgia	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Hawaii	• $20,000 bodily injury per person • $40,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	• $10,000 personal injury protection
Iowa	• $20,000 bodily injury per person • $40,000 bodily injury per accident • $15,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Idaho	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $15,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Illinois	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $20,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM BI per person • $50,000 UM BI per accident
Indiana	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Kansas	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM BI per person • $50,000 UM BI per accident • $4,500 personal injury protection
Kentucky	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $10,000 personal injury protection
Louisiana	• $15,000 bodily injury per person • $30,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Massachusetts	• $20,000 bodily injury per person • $40,000 bodily injury per accident • $5,000 property damage per accident	• $20,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $40,000 UM/UIM BI per accident • $8,000 PIP
Maryland	• $30,000 bodily injury per person • $60,000 bodily injury per accident • $15,000 property damage per accident	• $2,500 PIP • $30,000 UM BI per person • $60,000 UM BI per accident • $15,000 UM property damage
Maine	• $50,000 bodily injury per person • $100,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $2,000 medical payments • $50,000 UM BI per person • $100,000 UM BI per accident
Michigan	• $50,000 bodily injury per person • $100,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	• $1M property protection • $250,000 PIP
Minnesota	• $30,000 bodily injury per person • $60,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $50,000 UM/UIM BI per accident • $40,000 PIP
Missouri	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM BI per person • $50,000 UM BI per accident
Mississippi	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Montana	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $20,000 property damage per accident	Not required
North Carolina	• $30,000 bodily injury per person • $60,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $30,000 UM BI per person • $60,000 UM BI per accident • $25,000 UM property damage
North Dakota	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $50,000 UM/UIM BI per accident • $30,000 PIP
Nebraska	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $50,000 UM/UIM BI per accident
New Hampshire	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $1,000 medical payments • $25,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $50,000 UM/UIM BI per accident
New Jersey	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM BI per person • $50,000 UM BI per accident • $25,000 UM property damage • $25,000 UIM property damage
New Mexico	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Nevada	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $20,000 property damage per accident	Not required
New York	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $50,000 UM/UIM BI per accident • $50,000 PIP
Ohio	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Oklahoma	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Oregon	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $20,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM BI per person • $50,000 UM BI per accident • $15,000 PIP
Pennsylvania	• $15,000 bodily injury per person • $30,000 bodily injury per accident • $5,000 property damage per accident	• $5,000 PIP
Rhode Island	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
South Carolina	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM BI per person • $50,000 UM BI per accident • $25,000 UM property damage
South Dakota	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $50,000 UM/UIM BI per accident
Tennessee	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Texas	• $30,000 bodily injury per person • $60,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Utah	• $30,000 bodily injury per person • $65,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $3,000 PIP
Virginia	• $50,000 bodily injury per person • $100,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $50,000 UM BI per person • $100,000 UM BI per accident • $25,000 UM property damage
Vermont	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	• $50,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $100,000 UM/UIM BI per accident • $10,000 UM property damage
Washington	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	Not required
Wisconsin	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $10,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM BI per person • $50,000 UM BI per accident
West Virginia	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $25,000 property damage per accident	• $25,000 UM/UIM BI per person • $50,000 UM/UIM BI per accident • $25,000 UM property damage
Wyoming	• $25,000 bodily injury per person • $50,000 bodily injury per accident • $20,000 property damage per accident	Not required

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?

Minimum car insurance ranges widely by state — from about $286 to $1,277 a year. GEICO offers the lowest state-minimum rates for most drivers, while USAA is the cheapest overall but limited to military members, veterans, and their families.

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

If you’re looking for the cheapest minimum coverage, Wyoming and Vermont come out on top. Delaware and New Jersey have the highest prices for state-required coverage. Check the table below to see where your state lands.

State	Average annual premiums for state-minimum liability insurance	Average monthly premiums for state-minimum coverage
Alaska	$415	$35
Alabama	$514	$43
Arkansas	$503	$42
Arizona	$662	$55
California	$751	$63
Colorado	$547	$46
Connecticut	$1,039	$87
Washington, D.C.	$896	$75
Delaware	$1,277	$106
Florida	$1,208	$101
Georgia	$780	$65
Hawaii	$425	$35
Iowa	$330	$27
Idaho	$423	$35
Illinois	$462	$38
Indiana	$445	$37
Kansas	$520	$43
Kentucky	$708	$59
Louisiana	$993	$83
Massachusetts	$621	$52
Maryland	$815	$68
Maine	$377	$31
Michigan	$714	$60
Minnesota	$585	$49
Missouri	$544	$45
Mississippi	$510	$42
Montana	$422	$35
North Carolina	$644	$54
North Dakota	$354	$30
Nebraska	$369	$31
New Hampshire	$447	$37
New Jersey	$1,124	$94
New Mexico	$475	$40
Nevada	$908	$76
New York	$1,070	$89
Ohio	$390	$32
Oklahoma	$452	$38
Oregon	$715	$60
Pennsylvania	$421	$35
Rhode Island	$761	$63
South Carolina	$682	$57
South Dakota	$382	$32
Tennessee	$515	$43
Texas	$620	$52
Utah	$708	$59
Virginia	$528	$44
Vermont	$299	$25
Washington	$490	$41
Wisconsin	$407	$34
West Virginia	$577	$48
Wyoming	$286	$24

How much does minimum liability car insurance cost by company?

If you’re shopping for the lowest price on minimum-coverage car insurance, GEICO comes in with the cheapest average rates. Progressive and Travelers also land on the more affordable end, while Allstate has the highest premiums in our comparison. The table below shows how each insurer stacks up.

Company	Average annual premiums for state-minimum liability insurance	Average monthly premiums for state-minimum coverage
Allstate	$889	$74
Farmers	$816	$68
GEICO	$439	$37
Nationwide	$808	$67
Progressive	$620	$52
State Farm	$765	$64
Travelers	$680	$57
USAA*	$363	$30

*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.

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Do all states require car insurance?

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.”

Can I drive legally without buying standard car insurance?

In nearly every state, you must carry at least the minimum required auto liability insurance to drive legally. The only exception is New Hampshire, which doesn’t mandate insurance for all drivers — but it does require proof of financial responsibility if you cause an accident. That means you’d have to show you can cover any damages or injuries out of pocket, either through a cash deposit or surety bond.

Virginia, which previously allowed drivers to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee instead of buying insurance, ended that option on July 1, 2024. All Virginia drivers are now required to carry standard auto liability coverage.

Even in states that offer flexibility, driving without insurance is extremely risky. If you’re found at fault in an accident, you could be held personally liable for thousands of dollars in damages — far more than the cost of maintaining basic coverage.

Resources

Sources:

Insurance Information Institute. “Automobile Financial Responsibility by State.” Accessed December 2025.

Insurance Information Institute. “Is it Legal to Drive without Insurance?” Accessed December 2025.

Oklahoma Insurance Department. “Auto Insurance: Common Myths.” Accessed December 2025.

National Association for Insurance Companies. “Uninsured Motorists.” Accessed December 2025.

New Hampshire Insurance Department.“2022 Automobile Insurance Consumer Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed December 2025.

New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department.“Insurance.” Accessed December 2025.

Progressive.“Car Insurance Requirements by State.” Accessed December 2025.

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?
Do all states require car insurance?
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
What our expert says