Car insurance is essential for all drivers in the United States. Not only does it protect you and others on the road, but it is also legally required in most states. However, the minimum car insurance requirements can vary significantly from state to state. Each state sets its own rules regarding the types of coverage you must carry and the minimum amounts required to comply with the law. Understanding these requirements is crucial to ensure you are adequately covered and avoid legal consequences.
In this article, we will explore the minimum car insurance requirements in the United States, detailing the types of coverage typically required by law and the variations across states.
The Three Key Types of Coverage
Before diving into state-specific requirements, it’s important to understand the three most common types of car insurance coverage required by law:
- Liability Insurance: Liability insurance covers damages and injuries you cause to others in an accident. It typically includes two types of coverage:
- Bodily Injury Liability: Covers medical expenses for people injured in an accident you cause.
- Property Damage Liability: Covers damage to other people’s property, such as their vehicle or structures (e.g., fences, buildings).
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of fault in an accident. PIP can also include coverage for lost wages and other related expenses.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM): This covers your costs if you’re involved in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance or has no insurance at all.
Each state has its own set of minimum insurance requirements, with liability insurance being the most common mandatory coverage. Some states also require PIP or UM/UIM, while others allow drivers to choose their coverage options.
State-by-State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Below is a breakdown of the minimum car insurance requirements in each state, highlighting the most common coverage types and the minimum amounts required by law.
1. Alabama
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Not required
2. Alaska
- Liability Insurance: 50/100/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Required
3. Arizona
- Liability Insurance: 15/30/10
- Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
4. Arkansas
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
5. California
- Liability Insurance: 15/30/5
- Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $5,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
6. Colorado
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/15
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $15,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
7. Connecticut
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Required
8. Delaware
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/10
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
9. Florida
- Liability Insurance: 10/20/10 (Personal Injury Protection is also required)
- Bodily Injury Liability: Not required (only PIP required)
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
10. Georgia
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
11. Hawaii
- Liability Insurance: 20/40/10
- Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
12. Idaho
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/15
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $15,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
13. Illinois
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/20
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $20,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
14. Indiana
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
15. Iowa
- Liability Insurance: 20/40/15
- Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $15,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
16. Kansas
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
17. Kentucky
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Required
18. Louisiana
- Liability Insurance: 15/30/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
19. Maine
- Liability Insurance: 50/100/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Required
20. Maryland
- Liability Insurance: 30/60/15
- Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $15,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
21. Massachusetts
- Liability Insurance: 20/40/5
- Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person, $40,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $5,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
22. Michigan
- Liability Insurance: 50/100/10
- Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
23. Minnesota
- Liability Insurance: 30/60/10
- Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Required
24. Mississippi
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
25. Missouri
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
26. Montana
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/20
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $20,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
27. Nebraska
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/25
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $25,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
28. Nevada
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/20
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $20,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
29. New Hampshire
- Liability Insurance: Not Required (unless you’re in an accident)
- However, it is recommended to have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
30. New Jersey
- Liability Insurance: 15/30/5
- Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $5,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Required
31. New Mexico
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/10
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
32. New York
- Liability Insurance: 25/50/10
- Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage Liability: $10,000
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Optional
Conclusion
Each state in the U.S. has different minimum car insurance requirements, but liability insurance is universally required to protect both the driver and others in case of accidents. Some states also mandate other types of coverage, like Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. Be sure to review your state’s specific requirements to ensure compliance with the law and adequate protection for yourself and your passengers. Always remember that while meeting the minimum requirements is necessary, additional coverage can offer greater peace of mind and better financial protection.