Car insurance isn't one-size-fits-all: Your budget, risk profile and other factors determine what kind of policy you get and how much it costs.
Additionally, nearly every state requires drivers to get a minimum amount of liability coverage to get behind the wheel. If you're at fault for an accident, the coverage will pay for injuries and damages to the other driver, their vehicle and their passengers.
Many drivers add collision and comprehensive coverage to protect their vehicles and passengers, but that can substantially increase premiums. In November 2025, the average annual cost of a liability-only car insurance policy was around $820, according to Bankrate, less than a third of the average cost of full coverage.
What is state minimum car insurance?
All U.S. states, except New Hampshire, require drivers to have a minimum amount of liability car insurance.
However, the specific amount varies by state and the limits may not be adjusted for years--meaning what you pay may not high enough to cover you if you're responsible in a collision.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
Geico auto coverage is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with 16 discounts and add-ons like roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.
Progressive offers an array of riders, including rideshare insurance and a Deductible Savings Bank that deducts $50 each policy period you go without a claim. It also offers mechanical breakdown insurance, which covers unexpected major system failures.
As a rule of thumb, you should have enough liability insurance to cover your net worth. If you have a high net worth, an umbrella insurance policy can increase your liability coverage to $1 million or more.
How much is state minimum car insurance?
Each state sets its own minimum limit: In New York, for example, the minimum is $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 in bodily injury liability per accident and $10,000 in property damage liability per accident.
This is often expressed as "25/50/10."
Here are the minimum amounts of liability car insurance required in each U.S. state and Washington, D.C.:
| Bodily injury liability per person/per accident/property damage liability | Other coverage requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | None |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | None |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 | None |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 | None |
| California | 30/60/15 | None |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | None |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM: 25/50 |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 | PIP: 15/30 |
| Florida | $10,000 property damage | PIP: $10,000 |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 | None |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 | PIP: $10,000 |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 | None |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 | UM/UIM: 25/50 |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 | None |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 | None |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | PIP: $4,500; UM/UIM: 25/50 |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 | PIP: $10,000 |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 | None |
| Maine | 50/100/25 | UM/UIM: 50/100 MedPay: $2,000 |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 | UM: 30/60/15 |
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 | UM: 20/40 PIP: $8,000 |
| Michigan | 50/100/10 | PIP: $50,000 and up |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 | UM/UIM: 25/50 PIP: $40,000 |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 | None |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM: 25/50 |
| Montana | 25/50/20 | None |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM: 25/50 |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 | None |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/25** | UM: 25/50 MedPay: $1,000 |
| New Jersey | 35/70/25 | UM/UIM: 35/70 PIP: $15,000 |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 | None |
| New York | 25/50/10 | UM/UIM: 25/50 PIP: $50,000 |
| North Carolina | 30/60/25 | UM/UIM: 50/100/50 |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM: 25/50 PIP: $30,000 |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 | None |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | None |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 | UM/UIM: 25/50 PIP: $15,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 | PIP: $5,000 |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | None |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | UM: 25/50/25 |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 | UM/UIM: 25/50 |
| Tennessee | 25/50/25 | None |
| Texas | 30/60/25 | None |
| Utah | 30/65/25 | PIP: $3,000 |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | UM: 50/100/10 |
| Virginia | 50/100/25 | None |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | None |
| Washington, D.C. | 25/50/10 | UM: 25/50/5 |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 | UM: 25/50/25 |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 | UM: 25/50 |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 | None |
Source: *Florida only requires $10,000 in property damage liability, ** New Hampshire only requires proof of financial responsibility, either with insurance, a bond or cash deposit
Other state requirements for car insurance
About half of U.S. states have other policy requirements, mainly to offset the costs of underinsured and uninsured drivers.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Twenty-two states require drivers to have some sort of coverage to account for uninsured (UM) or underinsured (UIM) motorists.
- States that require UM coverage: Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.
- States that require UIM coverage: Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin
- States that require both: Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, South Carolina, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. require both UM and UIM coverage.
No-fault states also require personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payment (MedPay) coverage, both of which cover medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
- States that require Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon and Utah. (Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Texas, Washington, and Washington D.C. offer PIP as an optional add-on).
- States that require MedPay: Maine, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
Pros and cons of state minimum car insurance
If you're considering a state minimum car insurance policy, here are some potential benefits and drawbacks you should be aware of.
- Meets legal requirements to drive
- Minimum liability insurance is much cheaper than full coverage
- If you lease or have a car loan, your lender will likely require you to get full coverage.
- Liability insurance won't cover losses to your vehicle
- State minimum car insurance limits can be lower than what's needed to pay for injuries and damages.
State minimum car insurance FAQs
What is state minimum car insurance called?
State minimum car insurance is the least amount of liability coverage you can have and legally drive in your state. Some states have other requirements, like personal injury protection, MedPay coverage and coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists.
What is a "no-fault" state?
States with "no-fault" laws require drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay to cover the cost of medical expenses for themselves and their passengers, regardless of who is responsible for the accident.
Do all states require car insurance?
New Hampshire doesn't have a blanket auto insurance requirement, though it still requires drivers to demonstrate proof of financial responsibility. You can do that with an insurance policy, a bond, or a cash deposit with the state treasurer. If you opt for insurance, the requirement is 25/50/25.
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