Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Every State
You need car insurance to legally drive in every state except New Hampshire, but the amount and coverage type can vary.
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Car insurance protects you and your finances after an accident. If you’re a driver, it makes financial sense to have an active policy. Even beyond that, most states mandate minimum insurance amounts.
Each state’s drivers usually need bodily injury and property damage liability protection. But some states require additional coverage, like personal injury protection or uninsured motorist protection. It’s important to understand your state’s requirements and determine if you have enough insurance or if you should add endorsements to further protect yourself and others.
Here’s everything you need to know about car insurance requirements by state.
Quick Facts
All but one state mandates minimum car insurance coverage amounts.
Liability-only coverage meets the minimum requirements your state sets.
States determine minimum coverage amounts based on medical, car repair, and current auto insurance costs.
Minimum car insurance requirements by state
Each state determines the minimum car insurance requirements for drivers. Here are the mandated amounts for every state.
*Insurify verified this information with each state’s department of insurance, motor vehicle department, department of finance, or state statutes website.
Types of minimum car insurance requirements
Each state sets minimum car insurance requirements. Most states require the same type of coverage, but the amounts vary. Some states require drivers to have all the coverage types below, while others only require liability coverage.
Bodily injury liability
Property damage liability
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Comprehensive and collision coverage
Personal injury protection: At-fault and no-fault states
How states determine minimum coverage amounts
States reconsider minimum coverage amounts when medical, car repair, and auto insurance costs increase.
Cost of medical care and car repairs
States consider the costs of medical care and car repairs when determining state minimum insurance requirements. Liability insurance covers the damage and injuries that policyholders cause to other drivers and cars, so a $5,000 policy limit per person for bodily injury liability would only cover up to $5,000 in medical costs.
For example, California passed a new law to increase its minimum liability limits from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15 in 2025. Public News Service reported that when the state set the original rates in 1967, it would’ve covered a two-week hospital stay or the cost of replacing a vehicle.3 However, medical costs have risen since the ’60s, so California increased the liability limits starting Jan. 1, 2025, to reflect this.4
Car insurance affordability
States may change their car insurance minimums to provide more flexibility for car owners to choose their coverage limits.
For example, Michigan changed its minimum car insurance requirements so that drivers can choose their own personal injury protection limits based on how much health insurance they have to potentially lower their premiums. And certain Medicare participants are eligible to opt out of personal injury protection coverage.5 6
How to choose the right amount of car insurance coverage
It’s important to understand your state’s minimum insurance requirements and how they affect your premium. But you may want to work with your insurance company to add coverage beyond the state requirements to ensure your policy is robust enough to handle your specific needs.
Full coverage vs. liability only
“While it may be tempting to go with the bare minimum to save money, it’s important to understand the pros and cons,” explains John Espenschied, insurance expert and owner of Insurance Brokers Group. “The cons include limited coverage in the event of an accident and the risk of being underinsured. If you cause an accident and the damages exceed your coverage limits, you could be held personally liable for the difference.”
Full-coverage policies typically include comprehensive and collision insurance. You should consider a full-coverage policy if:
You have a loan or lease on your car. The lender or lessor may require full-coverage insurance in this case.
Your car is a newer model with comparably higher repair costs.
You live and commute in high-traffic areas where accidents are common.
You’re concerned about car theft or vandalism in your area.
Your personal financial situation would make it difficult to cover high repair fees.
Always compare quotes from multiple car insurance companies when you shop for car insurance. “Don’t settle for the first insurance company you come across,” says Espenschied. “Shop around and compare rates to find the best deal.”
Car insurance requirements FAQs
Learn more about the average cost of car insurance in each state to help you shop and compare quotes. Here are the answers to common questions about state-minimum car insurance limits.
What states don’t require car insurance?
New Hampshire is the only state that doesn’t have minimum car insurance requirements. But if drivers don’t have insurance, they must demonstrate that they can meet financial responsibility requirements for bodily injury and property damage if they cause an accident.
If drivers can’t meet those requirements, they must purchase minimum coverage amounts the state sets.7
What is the minimum insurance coverage most states require? What is the lowest level of car insurance?
Most states require between $15,000 and $50,000 per person and between $50,000 and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability. Most states also require property damage liability coverage ranging between $5,000 and $25,000 per accident. Some states require personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as well.
What is the most basic car insurance?
Liability insurance helps pay for damages to the other driver and their vehicle. Each state also mandates it. But some states require drivers to purchase additional coverage, like personal injury protection.
A full-coverage policy provides additional protection. It usually includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. Review your state’s requirements and consider your coverage needs before buying a policy.
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