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State-by-State Auto Insurance Requirements

Last Updated on January 8, 2026

Auto insurance rules aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each state sets its own minimum coverage requirements—usually liability insurance—and some states also require additional coverages like PIP or uninsured motorist protection.

This guide explains how state minimums work, what the common “25/50/25” format means, and includes a state-by-state chart you can use as a quick reference. Because laws change, always verify requirements with official state sources before relying on any table.

Key Takeaways

Auto insurance minimums are set by each state and usually require liability coverage for injuries and property damage you cause.
Minimum limits are often shown as “25/50/25,” meaning bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage per accident.
Some states also require additional coverages like PIP (common in no-fault systems) or uninsured/underinsured motorist protection.
Minimum limits can change—several states updated their minimums in 2025, and New Jersey’s latest increase took effect on January 1, 2026—so always verify with official state sources.

Table Of Contents

Why Auto Insurance Is Compulsory in Most States
What the Minimum Liability Numbers Mean
What Most States Require for Auto Insurance
What Are the Minimum Insurance Requirements by State?
Recent Minimum-Limit Changes to Know About
Is State-Minimum Coverage Enough?
Alternatives to Traditional Auto Insurance
FAQs on State-by-State Auto Insurance Requirements
Final Word on State Auto Insurance Requirements

Why Auto Insurance Is Compulsory in Most States

Most states require drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of liability insurance, or otherwise prove they can pay for damages they cause (often called “financial responsibility”). The goal is simple: if you injure someone or damage property in an accident, there’s money available to pay for losses.

There are a few notable exceptions and special rules. For example, in New Hampshire, drivers generally aren’t required to carry traditional auto insurance—but they can still be held financially responsible after a crash. Virginia previously had a long-running option related to driving uninsured; if you’re curious how that changed, see Virginia’s requirements and always check your state’s current DMV/insurance department guidance.

Bottom line: even if your state minimum seems “low,” you can still be sued for damages above your policy limits—so compliance is only the starting point.

What the Minimum Liability Numbers Mean

State minimum liability limits are usually shown like “25/50/25”. This is shorthand for:

$25,000 bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 bodily injury liability per accident (total for multiple people)
$25,000 property damage liability per accident

If you cause a serious crash, these minimums can be exhausted quickly—especially with today’s medical and repair costs. That’s why many drivers choose limits above the state minimum even when they’re not required.

What Most States Require for Auto Insurance

Most states require at least liability coverage, which is made up of:

Bodily Injury (BI) Liability – Helps pay for other people’s medical bills, lost wages, and legal costs if you cause an accident that injures someone.
Property Damage (PD) Liability – Helps pay for damage you cause to someone else’s vehicle or property (like a fence, pole, or building).

Depending on where you live, you may also see required (or strongly encouraged) add-ons such as:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Often tied to “no-fault” systems. It generally helps cover your own medical expenses (and sometimes lost wages) regardless of fault.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – Helps protect you if a driver with no insurance (or not enough insurance) hits you. Some states require it, and some allow you to waive it in writing.

Important: State minimums are about what you must carry to drive legally. If your car is financed or leased, your lender will usually require collision and comprehensive coverage as well—regardless of state law.

What Are the Minimum Insurance Requirements by State?

The table below summarizes state minimums in an easy-to-scan format. Remember: laws and enforcement rules can change, and requirements can differ for commercial vehicles, rideshare/delivery driving, and certain high-risk filings.

Alabama	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Alaska	$50,000 bodily injury liability per person $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Arizona	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Arkansas	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
California	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Colorado	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Connecticut	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per accident
Delaware	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $15,000 personal injury protection
Florida	$10,000 property damage liability per accident $10,000 personal injury protection
Georgia	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Hawaii	$20,000 bodily injury liability per person $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $10,000 personal injury protection
Idaho	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Illinois	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident
Indiana	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Iowa	$20,000 bodily injury liability per person $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Kansas	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per accident $4,500 personal injury protection minimum
Kentucky	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $10,000 personal injury protection
Louisiana	$15,000 bodily injury liability per person $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Maine	$50,000 bodily injury liability per person $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $50,000 uninsured motorist per person $100,000 uninsured motorist per accident $2,000 medical payments
Maryland	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident $15,000 property damage liability per accident
Massachusetts	$20,000 bodily injury liability per person $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident $5,000 property damage liability per accident $20,000 uninsured motorist per person $40,000 uninsured motorist per accident $8,000 personal injury protection
Michigan	Complex no-fault system: BI default $250,000/$500,000 (lower limits with waiver) PIP requirements vary $10,000 property damage (in-state only)
Minnesota	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident $40,000 personal injury protection
Mississippi	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Missouri	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident
Montana	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident
Nebraska	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per accident
Nevada	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident
New Hampshire	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident $1,000 medical payments *Minimums apply only if purchasing insurance
New Jersey	$15,000 bodily injury liability per person $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident $5,000 property damage liability per accident $15,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury
New Mexico	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident
New York	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $50,000 death liability per person $100,000 death liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $50,000 personal injury protection $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident
North Carolina	$50,000 bodily injury liability per person $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident $50,000 property damage liability per accident $50,000 uninsured motorist per person $100,000 uninsured motorist per accident $50,000 uninsured motorist property damage
North Dakota	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per accident $30,000 personal injury protection
Ohio	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Oklahoma	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Oregon	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident $15,000 personal injury protection
Pennsylvania	$15,000 bodily injury liability per person $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident $5,000 property damage liability per accident $5,000 medical benefits
Rhode Island	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
South Carolina	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist property damage
South Dakota	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per accident
Tennessee	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Texas	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Utah	$30,000 bodily injury liability per person $65,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Vermont	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per person $100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per accident $10,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage
Virginia	$50,000 bodily injury liability per person $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Washington	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident
Washington, D.C.	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per person $100,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist per accident $5,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage
West Virginia	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $25,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident
Wisconsin	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $10,000 property damage liability per accident $25,000 uninsured motorist per person $50,000 uninsured motorist per accident
Wyoming	$25,000 bodily injury liability per person $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident $20,000 property damage liability per accident

Note: Use the chart as a starting point, then verify your current requirements with your state’s insurance department or DMV. A helpful hub for official contacts is the NAIC directory of state insurance departments.

Recent Minimum-Limit Changes to Know About

State minimums can change. Here are a few high-impact updates that have rolled out recently):

California (effective 2025): Higher minimum liability limits began taking effect as policies renew. California Department of Insurance consumer alert
Virginia (changes in 2024 and 2025): Virginia eliminated the option to pay an uninsured motor vehicle fee instead of maintaining insurance (effective July 1, 2024), and Virginia’s liability minimums increased for policies effective on or after January 1, 2025. Virginia DMV: July 1, 2024 changes | Virginia DMV: Insurance requirements
Utah (effective 2025): Utah increased minimum liability limits for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025. Utah Code: 31A-22-304 (PDF)
North Carolina (effective July 1, 2025): North Carolina increased minimum limits for new/renewed policies on or after July 1, 2025 (and also changed certain UM/UIM rules). North Carolina Department of Insurance bulletin
New Jersey (effective January 1, 2026): New Jersey’s second-phase minimum-limit increase takes effect for new and renewal policies issued on or after January 1, 2026. New Jersey DOBI Bulletin 25-06 (PDF)

If your state recently updated its minimums, your insurer typically adjusts limits at renewal—but it’s still smart to confirm your declarations page reflects current law.

Is State-Minimum Coverage Enough?

In many situations, state minimum coverage is not enough to fully protect your savings and income after a serious accident. Medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lawsuits can exceed minimum limits quickly—leaving you responsible for the difference.

If you have assets to protect (savings, a home, future wages), consider discussing higher limits with an agent or comparing quotes for above-minimum coverage. Often, the cost difference between minimum limits and much stronger limits is smaller than drivers expect.

Alternatives to Traditional Auto Insurance

Some states allow alternatives to a traditional auto insurance policy, such as self-insurance certificates, surety bonds, or cash deposits. These options are typically designed for people or organizations that can demonstrate significant financial resources and meet strict state rules.

For example, California lists several ways to meet financial responsibility requirements—including liability insurance, a cash deposit, a DMV-issued self-insurance certificate, or a surety bond—on its official DMV guidance page.

California DMV: Insurance (Financial Responsibility) Requirements

If you’re considering a bond or self-insurance route, confirm the exact requirements with your state DMV or insurance department first—these options are not available (or practical) in every state.

FAQs on State-by-State Auto Insurance Requirements

Is Car Insurance Required in Every State?

Almost. Most states require at least liability insurance, but a small number have different rules (for example, allowing certain financial-responsibility alternatives). Even where insurance isn’t strictly mandatory in all situations, you can still be held financially responsible for damages you cause.

What Does “25/50/25” Mean on a State Minimum Chart?

It’s shorthand for split liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability per accident.

Do State Minimums Include Collision and Comprehensive Coverage?

Usually not. State minimum requirements typically focus on liability (and sometimes PIP or UM/UIM). Collision and comprehensive are often optional under state law, but they’re commonly required by lenders if your vehicle is financed or leased.

What Happens if I’m Caught Driving Without the Required Insurance?

Penalties vary by state but can include fines, license or registration suspension, reinstatement fees, and higher insurance premiums. If you cause a crash while uninsured, you may be personally liable for injuries and property damage.

Can I Use a Surety Bond or Cash Deposit Instead of Buying Auto Insurance?

In some states, yes—certain drivers can meet “financial responsibility” rules with alternatives like a surety bond, cash deposit, or self-insurance certificate. These options are state-specific, often expensive, and typically require strict approval, so confirm details with your DMV or insurance department.

If I Move to Another State, When Do I Need to Update My Auto Insurance?

Generally, you should update your policy as soon as you establish residency and register your vehicle in the new state. Minimum requirements can differ significantly, and your old policy may not meet the new state’s legal limits or mandatory coverages.

Are State Minimum Liability Limits Usually Enough to Protect Me Financially?

Often, no. Minimum limits can be exhausted quickly in a serious accident, especially with medical bills and modern repair costs. Many drivers choose higher limits for better protection, depending on their assets and risk exposure.

Final Word on State Auto Insurance Requirements

State minimum auto insurance laws set the legal baseline, but they don’t guarantee you’re fully protected financially. Start by meeting your state’s rules, then decide whether you need higher limits or additional coverage based on your vehicle, assets, and risk exposure.

To stay compliant and protected, review your policy at least once a year, check for changes in your state’s requirements, and keep proof of coverage current.