Every state sets its own minimum auto insurance requirements. Most require bodily injury and property damage liability; many also require uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection. State minimums are a legal floor — most drivers need significantly more coverage to be adequately protected.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State (2026)
Limits shown as BI per person / BI per accident / PD (bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage).
| State | Min. BI/PD Limits | Required Add-Ons |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | — |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | — |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 | — |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 | — |
| California | 15/30/5 | — |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | — |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | UM, MedPay |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 | PIP |
| Florida | — / — / 10 | PIP ($10,000) |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 | — |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 | PIP |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 | — |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 | UM |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 | — |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 | — |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | UM, PIP |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 | PIP |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 | — |
| Maine | 50/100/25 | UM, MedPay |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 | PIP, UM |
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 | PIP, UM |
| Michigan | 50/100/10 | PIP (various levels) |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 | PIP, UM |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 | — |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 | UM |
| Montana | 25/50/20 | — |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 | UM |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 | — |
| New Hampshire | No req. (prove financial responsibility) | — |
| New Jersey | 15/30/5 | PIP |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 | — |
| New York | 25/50/10 | PIP, UM |
| North Carolina | 30/60/25 | UM |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 | PIP, UM |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 | — |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | — |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 | PIP, UM |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 | PIP |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | — |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | UM |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 | UM |
| Tennessee | 25/50/15 | — |
| Texas | 30/60/25 | — |
| Utah | 25/65/15 | PIP |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | UM |
| Virginia | 30/60/20 | UM |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | — |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 | UM |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 | UM |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 | — |
| Washington D.C. | 25/50/10 | UM, PIP |
BI = Bodily Injury. PD = Property Damage. UM = Uninsured Motorist. PIP = Personal Injury Protection.
Why State Minimums Are Often Not Enough
State minimum limits were often set decades ago and have not kept pace with healthcare and vehicle costs:
| Scenario | Potential Damage | California Minimum Covers | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger hospitalized | $120,000 | $15,000 per person | $105,000 liability |
| 3 people injured | $200,000 total | $30,000 per accident | $170,000 liability |
| New SUV totaled | $55,000 | $5,000 property damage | $50,000 liability |
| Serious crash (3 vehicles) | $500,000+ | $30,000 total | $470,000+ personal liability |
Recommendation: Carry at least 100/300/100 for bodily injury and property damage if you have any significant assets to protect.
What Is PIP vs. No-Fault Insurance?
States with personal injury protection (PIP) requirements operate under a no-fault system for minor injuries:
| Feature | Traditional (At-Fault) States | No-Fault (PIP Required) States |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays your medical bills | The at-fault driver’s insurer | Your own PIP coverage (first) |
| When you can sue | Anytime for damages | Only for serious injuries |
| PIP states | — | FL, HI, KA, KY, MA, MI, MN, NJ, NY, ND, OR, PA, UT, DC |
Penalties for Driving Uninsured
| State | Fine (First Offense) | License Suspension | SR-22 Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100–$200 | Possible | Yes |
| Florida | $150–$500 | Yes | Yes (3 years) |
| Texas | $175–$350 | Yes | Yes (2 years) |
| New York | $150–$1,500 | Yes | Yes (3 years) |
| Illinois | $500–$1,000 | Yes | Yes (3 years) |
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files confirming you have the state-required minimum coverage. It typically raises your rates 20–50%.
For the full range of coverage types beyond the state minimum, see types of car insurance. For what drives your rate above the minimum coverage cost, see what affects car insurance rates. For a step-by-step guide on choosing the right policy, see how to choose car insurance.
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