State Car Insurance Requirements

Nicki Escudero
Nicki Escudero
Contributing Writer
17

Is Auto Insurance Required in Every State?

No. State car insurance requirements are set on a state-by-state basis. Most states’ minimum insurance requirements include liability coverage for bodily injury or death and liability coverage for property damage.

Many minimum auto insurance requirements for states will also include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, so if someone without insurance or with low liability limits causes bodily injury or property damage, the insurance coverage will account for the losses.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State:

Car insurance required in Alabama

  • Car insurance Alabama laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Alabama liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Alabama: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Alabama: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Alaska

  • Car insurance Alaska laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Alaska liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury or death insurance Alaska: $50,000 per person /$100,000 for all persons.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Alaska: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Arizona

  • Car insurance Arizona laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Arizona liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Arizona: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Arizona: $10,000.

Car insurance required in Arkansas

  • Car insurance Arkansas laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Arkansas liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Arkansas: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Arkansas: $25,000.

Car insurance required in California

  • Car insurance California laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in California liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance California: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance California: $5,000.

Car insurance required in Colorado

  • Car insurance Colorado laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Colorado liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Colorado: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Colorado: $15,000.

Car insurance required in Connecticut

  • Car insurance Connecticut laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Connecticut liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Connecticut: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Connecticut: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Delaware

  • Car insurance Delaware laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Delaware liability and personal injury protection coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Delaware: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Delaware: $10,000.
  • Minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance Delaware: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Florida

  • Car insurance Florida laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Florida liability coverage.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Florida: $10,000.
  • Minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance Florida: $10,000.

Car insurance required in Georgia

  • Car insurance Georgia laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Georgia liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Georgia: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Georgia: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Hawaii

  • Car insurance Hawaii laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Hawaii liability and personal injury protection coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Hawaii: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Hawaii: $10,000.
  • Minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance Hawaii: $10,000.

Car insurance required in Idaho

  • Car insurance Idaho laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Idaho liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Idaho: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Idaho: $15,000.

Car insurance required in Illinois

  • Car insurance Illinois laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Illinois liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Illinois: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Illinois: $20,000.

Car insurance required in Indiana

  • Car insurance Indiana laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Indiana liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Indiana: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum uninsured motorists bodily injury insurance Indiana: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Indiana: $25,000.
  • Minimum underinsured motorists bodily injury insurance Indiana: $50,000.

Car insurance required in Iowa

  • Car insurance Iowa laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Iowa liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Iowa: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Iowa: $15,000.

Car insurance required in Kansas

  • Car insurance Kansas laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Kansas liability, personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Kansas: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum uninsured/underinsured insurance Kansas: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Kansas: $25,000.
  • Minimum personal injury protection (PIP or no-fault) insurance Kansas: $4,500 per person for medical expenses; $900 per month for one year for disability/loss of income; $25 per day for in-home services; $2,000 for burial, funeral, or cremation costs; $4,500 for rehabilitation expense; survivor benefits: loss of income/disability up to $900 per month for one year; in-home services up to $25 per day for one year.

Car insurance required in Kentucky

  • Car insurance Kentucky laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Kentucky liability coverage.
  • You can stay legal with a policy offering coverage of a $60,000 single limit.
  • The policy must provide basic reparations benefits unless the insured vehicle is a motorcycle.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Kentucky: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Kentucky: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Louisiana

  • Car insurance Louisiana laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Louisiana liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Louisiana: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Louisiana: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Maine

  • Car insurance Maine laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Maine liability, medical payments, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
  • A Combined Single Limit of $125,000 also satisfies the minimum limit requirement.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Maine: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Maine: $25,000.
  • Minimum medical payments coverage insurance Maine: $2,000.
  • Minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance Maine: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Maryland

  • Car insurance Maryland laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Maryland liability and uninsured/underinsured coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Maryland: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Maryland: $15,000.
  • Minimum uninsured/underinsured insurance Maryland: $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per person for property damage.

Car insurance required in Massachusetts

  • Car insurance Massachusetts laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Massachusetts liability, personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury to others insurance Massachusetts: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.
  • Minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance Massachusetts: $8,000 per person, per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Massachusetts: $5,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorist bodily injury insurance Massachusetts: $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Michigan

  • Car insurance Michigan laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Michigan liability, property protection and personal injury protection coverage.
  • Property protection insurance (PPI) is included with all policies and pays up to $1 million for damage your car does in Michigan to other people’s property and other people’s properly parked vehicles.
  • Minimum bodily injury insurance Michigan: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Michigan: $10,000.

Car insurance required in Minnesota

  • Car insurance Minnesota laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Minnesota liability, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Minnesota: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Minnesota: $10,000.
  • Minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance Minnesota: $40,000 per person per accident, $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, and $50,000 bodily injury to two or more people.
  • Minimum uninsured motorist bodily injury liability insurance Minnesota: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Mississippi

  • Car insurance Mississippi laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Mississippi liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Mississippi: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Mississippi: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Missouri

  • Car insurance Missouri laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Missouri liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Missouri: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Missouri: $10,000.
  • Minimum uninsured bodily injury liability insurance Missouri: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Montana

  • Car insurance Montana laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Montana liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Montana: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Montana: $20,000.

Car insurance required in Nebraska

  • Car insurance Nebraska laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Nebraska liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Nebraska: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Nebraska: $25,000.
  • Minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance Nebraska: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Nevada

  • Car insurance Nevada laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Nevada liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Nevada: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Nevada: $20,000.

Car insurance required in New Hampshire

  • New Hampshire motor vehicle laws don’t require you to carry auto insurance, but you must be able to demonstrate that you have the finances to meet the New Hampshire Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Requirements if you’re in an at-fault accident. Otherwise, your driving privileges in New Hampshire may be suspended.
  • If you buy minimum auto insurance in New Hampshire, minimum bodily injury liability insurance New Hampshire: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • If you buy auto insurance in New Hampshire, minimum property damage insurance New Hampshire: $25,000.
  • If you buy auto insurance in New Hampshire, minimum medical payments insurance New Hampshire: $1,000.
  • If you buy auto insurance in New Hampshire, minimum uninsured motorists insurance New Hampshire: limits equal to auto liability coverage.

Car insurance required in New Jersey

  • Auto insurance is required in New Jersey per car insurance New Jersey laws. New Jersey offers a Basic Policy and a Standard Auto Insurance Policy. The Basic Policy offers less protection at a lower cost.
  • If you buy the Standard Policy, minimum bodily injury liability insurance New Jersey: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
  • If you buy the minimum auto insurance in New Jersey Basic Policy, minimum property damage liability insurance New Jersey: $5,000 per accident.
  • If you buy the Standard Policy, minimum property damage liability insurance New Jersey: $5,000 per accident.
  • If you buy the Basic Policy, minimum personal injury protection insurance New Jersey: $15,000 per person or accident.
  • If you buy the Standard Policy, minimum personal injury protection insurance New Jersey: $15,000 per person or accident.
  • If you buy the Standard Policy, minimum uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance New Jersey: coverage is available up to amounts selected for liability coverage.

Car insurance required in New Mexico

  • Car insurance New Mexico laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in New Mexico liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance New Mexico: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance New Mexico: $10,000.

Car insurance required in New York

  • You must have automobile liability insurance coverage issued by New York state. If you don’t maintain the minimum auto insurance in New York coverage, the Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend your vehicle registration and driver license.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance New York: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum death liability insurance New York: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance New York: $10,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorists insurance New York: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum no-fault benefits-personal injury protection (PIP) insurance New York: $50,000 per person.

Car insurance required in North Carolina

  • Car insurance North Carolina laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in North Carolina liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance North Carolina: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance North Carolina: $25,000.

Car insurance required in North Dakota

  • Car insurance North Dakota laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in North Dakota liability, no-fault, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance North Dakota: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance North Dakota: $25,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorist insurance North Dakota: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum underinsured motorist insurance North Dakota: must be equal to the uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum basic no-fault insurance North Dakota: $30,000 per person.

Car insurance required in Ohio

  • Car insurance Ohio laws state it’s illegal to drive any motor vehicle without minimum auto insurance in Ohio. It’s illegal for a vehicle owner to allow anyone else to drive their motor vehicle without insurance.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Ohio: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Ohio: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Oklahoma

  • Car insurance Oklahoma laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Oklahoma liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Oklahoma: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Oklahoma: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Oregon

  • Car insurance Oregon laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Oregon liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Oregon: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Oregon: $20,000.
  • Minimum personal injury protection insurance Oregon: $15,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorist insurance: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Pennsylvania

  • Car insurance Pennsylvania laws state all motor vehicles subject to registration must have minimum auto insurance in Pennsylvania liability insurance.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Pennsylvania: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Pennsylvania: $5,000.

Car insurance required in Rhode Island

  • Car insurance Rhode Island laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Rhode Island liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Rhode Island: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Rhode Island: $25,000.

Car insurance required in South Carolina

  • Car insurance South Carolina laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in South Carolina liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance South Carolina: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance South Carolina: $25,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorists insurance South Carolina: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

Car insurance required in South Dakota

  • Car insurance South Dakota laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in South Dakota liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance South Dakota: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance South Dakota: $25,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorists insurance South Dakota $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum underinsured motorists insurance South Dakota $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Tennessee

  • Car insurance Tennessee laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Tennessee liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Tennessee: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Tennessee: $15,000.

Car insurance required in Texas

  • Car insurance Texas laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Texas liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Texas: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Texas: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Utah

  • Car insurance Utah laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Utah liability and personal injury protection coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Utah: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Utah: $15,000.
  • Minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance Utah: $3,000.

Car insurance required in Vermont

  • Car insurance Vermont laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Vermont liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Vermont: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Vermont: $10,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorists insurance Vermont: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.
  • Minimum underinsured motorists property damage insurance Vermont: $10,000 with $150 deductible.

Car insurance required in Virginia

  • According to car insurance Virginia laws, you have to certify you have minimum auto insurance in Virginia liability insurance coverage. Otherwise, you must pay the $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Virginia: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Virginia: $20,000.

Car insurance required in Washington

  • Car insurance Washington laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Washington liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Washington: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Washington: $10,000.

Car insurance required in Washington, DC

  • Car insurance Washington, DC laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Washington, DC liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Washington, DC: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Washington, DC: $10,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorists bodily injury insurance Washington, DC: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum underinsured motorists property damage insurance Washington, DC: $5,000 with $200 deductible.

Car insurance required in West Virginia

  • Car insurance West Virginia laws state all registered vehicles must be insured. Proof of minimum auto insurance in West Virginia must be carried in the vehicle at all times.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance West Virginia: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance West Virginia: $25,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorists bodily injury insurance West Virginia: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum underinsured motorists property damage insurance West Virginia: $25,000.

Car insurance required in Wisconsin

  • Car insurance Wisconsin laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Wisconsin liability and uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Wisconsin: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Wisconsin: $10,000.
  • Minimum uninsured motorists bodily injury insurance Wisconsin: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Car insurance required in Wyoming

  • Car insurance Wyoming laws state it’s illegal to drive without minimum auto insurance in Wyoming liability coverage.
  • Minimum bodily injury liability insurance Wyoming: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
  • Minimum property damage insurance Wisconsin: $20,000.

Car Insurance Minimums Explained:

Coverage TypeDefinition
Bodily injury liabilityCoverage that pays for another person’s injuries when the policyholder is at fault
Property damage liabilityCoverage that pays for property damage the policyholder causes to another driver’s car
Personal injury protectionCoverage that pays for medical expenses associated with a car accident for injured policyholders and passengers 
Uninsured/underinsured motoristUninsured motorist coverage protects a policyholder when an at-fault driver doesn’t have liability coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage protects a policyholder who’s in an accident with an at-fault driver whose liability limits aren’t sufficient to pay for medical expenses and damages
ComprehensiveCoverage that covers car damage caused by non-collision disasters, such as natural disasters, riots, car theft, fire and vandalism
CollisionCoverage that goes toward replacing or repairing a car that’s damaged in an accident with an object or another vehicle

What Happens If You Don’t Get the Required Insurance Coverage for Your State?

The consequences of not having required insurance coverage for your state will vary. In most cases, you’re breaking the law, which can have potential legal consequences, including:

  • License suspension.
  • Registration suspension.
  • Fines and fees.
  • Jail time.
  • Out-of-pocket costs for damages.

FAQ

If I plan to drive in another state, do I need to purchase that state’s minimum insurance requirements?

No. As long as you’ve purchased the minimum insurance requirements for your home state where your vehicle is registered, your car insurance will cover you for whatever state you’re traveling in.

Should I buy more than minimum auto insurance coverage?

If you only have liability insurance and you’re at fault for an accident, or a natural disaster damages your car, you’ll be responsible for paying for car repairs or replacement. You should consider comprehensive coverage and collision coverage for full car protection.

What’s Next

When you’re purchasing car insurance, you can save money by comparing quotes from multiple car insurance providers. Many car insurance providers offer a variety of brand-specific discounts. Others will help you save when you bundle home and auto insurance with them.

Compare the best car insurance companies to see what might work for you. Get tips for shopping for car insurance in our car insurance buyer’s guide.

About the Authors

Nicki Escudero

Nicki Escudero Contributing Writer

Nicki Escudero is a freelance writer and journalist with more than 18 years of experience in the publishing industry, writing for international publications such as USA Today, Entrepreneur, Marketing Land, American Art Collector magazine and the Arizona Republic. She is passionate about helping readers discover helpful tips that lead to happier, healthier lives. A former Australian expat, Nicki has a passion for world travel and loves to learn about new cultures.