How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?

You must buy at least your state’s required amount of liability insurance. But depending on your situation, you may need more than basic liability coverage.

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Buying the right amount of car insurance means you have enough coverage to meet your state’s requirements and to provide you with adequate financial protection. Most drivers benefit from having more coverage than their state’s required minimums.

The value of your vehicle, whether you lease or finance it, your location, driving history, and many other factors all play a role in how much coverage you need. Read on for a closer look at how to determine how much car insurance you should buy.

What are the minimum car insurance requirements?

Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to have car insurance. The types you need depend a lot on where you live. Each state sets its own rules regarding car insurance, but most typically require a combination of some common coverages:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage: Part of a basic car insurance policy, bodily injury liability insurance covers medical expenses for other people injured in a car accident you cause.1

  • Property damage liability coverage: If you or someone driving your car damages someone else’s property — such as their vehicle, house, or fence — property damage liability coverage pays those costs, up to your policy’s limits.

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If you’re in a car accident with a driver who doesn’t have an auto insurance policy, or who has a policy but not enough coverage, this insurance kicks in. Uninsured/underinsured motorist policies cover your medical bills and damage to your vehicle. They also pay if a hit-and-run driver damages your vehicle.

  • Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage: No-fault states typically require personal injury protection coverage. PIP coverage can pay medical expenses, lost wages if injuries from an accident keep you out of work, and other related costs for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused a car accident.

  • Medical payments coverage: Also known as MedPay, this insurance provides coverage for medical expenses for you and your passengers, whether or not you’re at fault. But it won’t cover partial lost wages if injuries from an accident leave you temporarily unable to work.

Car insurance requirements by state

The state you live in determines the minimum amounts and specific types of car insurance coverage you need to drive legally. Here are the minimum car insurance requirements in every state and Washington, D.C. Keep in mind that if you move states, you’ll need to update your coverage accordingly.

What other auto insurance coverages do you need?

Most states require drivers to have bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage, but you may want to consider some optional types of car insurance. Meeting your state’s minimum requirements can help you stay on the right side of the law, but insurance experts advise buying more extensive coverage beyond state minimums.

Full-coverage car insurance combines liability coverage with collision and comprehensive. While liability coverage pays for another driver’s injuries and damages in an accident you cause, full coverage can pay for your own damages. Leasing companies and auto loan companies typically require borrowers to buy full-coverage car insurance.

  • Collision coverage can pay to repair your vehicle after you collide with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree, fence, or light pole. It also pays in case of rollover accidents.

  • Comprehensive coverage pays for damages from non-collision events, like severe weather, vandalism, vehicle theft, or falling objects.

Full-coverage car insurance provides greater financial security in case of an at-fault accident. Insurance companies also sell additional types of coverage that you may need, depending on your situation. These include:

Factors to consider when deciding how much coverage you need

When you go to buy a new car insurance policy, consider these factors to help you find the right amount of coverage:

  • State requirements: You must buy at least your state’s minimum required coverages. But most drivers can benefit from getting higher liability limits and — depending on your situation — optional coverages like collision, comprehensive, and accident forgiveness.

  • Value and age of vehicle: The more it costs to replace a car, the more auto insurance coverage you need. If your vehicle is older and low in value, you may need less coverage.

  • Financial situation: Once you meet the legal requirements, deciding how much car insurance coverage to buy may depend on how much you can afford to spend. Buying less coverage can result in a lower premium, but you’ll face higher out-of-pocket costs in case of an at-fault accident.

  • Frequency and purpose of use: Keep how often and when you plan to drive in mind when buying car insurance. For example, a homebody retiree may not need as much coverage as a working professional who commutes to a big city during rush hour traffic every day.

  • Location: Do you live in an area prone to car thefts? Does extreme weather tend to cause damage to vehicles in your city? Where you live can affect the types of auto insurance coverage you need.

  • Risk assessment: How well-equipped are you to handle the financial risks of driving with a minimum amount of insurance?

How does your deductible affect insurance costs?

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in to pay for a covered claim. When you purchase a full-coverage car insurance policy, you choose a deductible amount for your collision and comprehensive coverages — liability insurance has no deductible.

Your deductible affects how much you spend on your premium. Generally, a higher deductible gives you a lower premium, as your insurer is taking on less risk.3 A lower deductible usually means a higher premium but less out of your pocket in case of an accident.

How much car insurance you need FAQs

To learn more about your car insurance options and how much you need, check out these frequently asked questions on the topic.

  • How do you calculate how much insurance you need?

    To calculate how much car insurance you need, first take into account your state’s legal minimum coverage requirements. If you lease or finance your car, you’ll also need full coverage. From there, you can take your risk tolerance, net worth, and car value into account to determine how much extra you want to buy.

  • What are the best coverage limits for car insurance?

    There is no best coverage limit for car insurance. The “best” amount of coverage may look very different from one driver to the next. But generally, insurance professionals recommend buying more than your state’s minimum liability requirements.

  • What percentage of income should go to car insurance?

    Car insurance is just one necessary part of the overall cost of owning a car, so it’s probably more useful to consider how much of your income you should put toward all your vehicle expenses. Experts generally recommend spending about 10%–15% of your monthly income on vehicle expenses, including your loan payment, gas, maintenance, and insurance.

  • What is the minimum auto insurance coverage required in New York?

    In the state of New York, the minimum required auto insurance coverage includes:4

    • $50,000 for personal injury protection (PIP)

    • $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability coverage

    • $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for deaths

    • $10,000 for property damage

    • Uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury

  • Is having full coverage for your car worth it?

    Having full-coverage car insurance tends to be more worthwhile for drivers who have newer or expensive cars that are costly to replace. Drivers who finance or lease their vehicles will also have to buy full coverage, as their lender or leasing company will require it. If you drive an old car that isn’t worth much anymore, you may find that liability-only coverage is sufficient.

Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco

During college, Jacqueline DeMarco interned at a retirement plan advisory firm and was tasked with creating a presentation on the importance of financial wellness. During her research into how money can affect our health, relationships and career, Jacqueline realized just how important financial education is. Jacqueline is a contributor for Insurify and has worked with more than a dozen financial brands, including LendingTree, Capital One, Credit Karma, Fundera, Chime, Bankrate, Student Loan Hero, ValuePenguin, SoFi, and Northwestern Mutual, providing thoughtful content to give readers insight into complex topics that they likely didn’t learn in school.

Jacqueline has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.