Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements by State: All 50 States

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: All 50 States at a Glance

Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry minimum auto liability insurance. Limits vary widely — from Florida's unusual structure (no mandatory bodily injury liability) to North Carolina's 50/100/50, the highest in the country. This guide compiles current minimums across all 50 states and D.C. for quick reference.

How to read these limits:

• First number = Bodily injury per person (thousands)
• Second number = Bodily injury per accident (thousands)
• Third number = Property damage per accident (thousands)
• Example: 25/50/25 = $25K per person / $50K per accident / $25K property damage

---

All 50 States + D.C.: Minimum Liability Requirements

The liability column is held to our statute-verified minimums dataset, which cites the law behind each state's limit and the date it was last verified, and can be downloaded as CSV or JSON. The PIP and UM columns are not part of that dataset yet.

---

State-by-State Notes

¹ California (Updated 2025): SB 1107 raised CA minimums from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15 effective January 1, 2025 — the first increase since 1967.

² Florida (Unique Structure): Florida does NOT require bodily injury liability for most drivers. Instead, it requires $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage liability. BI liability is technically optional but is required for commercial drivers and highly advisable for all. FR-44 (post-DUI) requires 100/300/50 BI coverage.

³ Kentucky (Choice State): Kentucky allows drivers to choose between the no-fault PIP system and the traditional tort system. PIP ($10,000) is the default.

⁴ Michigan (Unique PIP): Michigan's 2020 no-fault reform created multiple PIP tiers. Drivers choose $250,000, $500,000 or unlimited PIP medical coverage; a $50,000 level is available only to Medicaid enrollees, and only a named insured with Medicare Parts A and B may opt out of PIP medical entirely. Bodily injury liability defaults to 250/500 unless you choose a lower limit in writing; 50/100 is the lowest you can select, with $10,000 property damage.

⁵ New Hampshire (No Mandate): New Hampshire is the only state with no mandatory auto insurance. However, drivers who cause accidents must demonstrate financial responsibility and face license/registration suspension if they cannot pay damages.

⁶ New Jersey (Complex System): New Jersey has a two-tiered system — Basic Policy (no BI minimum, $5K PD, $15K PIP) and Standard Policy (35/70/25 + $15K PIP since 1 January 2026; the Basic Policy was excluded from that increase). The Basic Policy is designed for low-income drivers but provides minimal protection.

⁷ Pennsylvania (Choice State): Pennsylvania allows drivers to choose between full tort (right to sue for pain and suffering) and limited tort (lower cost but restricted right to sue). Minimum includes $5,000 first-party medical benefits.

⁹ Hawaii (Cars and motorcycles differ): Act 138 (S.B. 2342) doubled the automobile minimum from 20/40/10 to 40/80/20 for policies issued or renewed on or after 1 January 2026, amending HRS § 431:10C-301. Motorcycles and motor scooters are set by a separate statute, HRS § 431:10G-301, which was not amended — they remain at 20/40/10. PIP stayed at $10,000.

⁸ Virginia (Updated 2025): Virginia increased minimums to 50/100/25 for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 (Code of Virginia § 46.2-472). The earlier 30/60/20 tier applied from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024. Separately, Virginia eliminated its $500 Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee on July 1, 2024 — insurance is now mandatory for every registered vehicle.

¹⁰ UM column ("Yes" vs "No"): "Yes" means uninsured motorist coverage must be part of every policy. "No" does not mean the coverage is unavailable or left off by default — in many of those states the insurer must include or offer it and it can only be dropped in writing. Colorado includes UM/UIM in every policy unless you reject it in writing, and New Mexico requires a written rejection that is made part of the policy.

---

States with the Highest Minimum Requirements

These states require significantly more than the typical 25/50 bodily injury floor:

---

States with the Lowest Minimum Requirements

---

No-Fault States: Where PIP Is Required

These 14 states require personal injury protection, which pays your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident:

---

States That Require Uninsured Motorist Coverage

These states require UM coverage — protecting you when an uninsured driver causes an accident:

UM Required (20 states + D.C.): Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, D.C.

Included unless rejected in writing: in states such as Colorado and New Mexico, UM is part of the policy unless you sign a written rejection — see note ¹⁰.

UIM Also Required: Many of the above require UIM coverage as well.

---

How to Use This Comparison

Step 1: Find your state's minimum requirements in the table above.

Step 2: Compare against what a serious accident could realistically cost:

• One serious injury: $50,000 – $500,000+
• Multiple injuries: $200,000 – $2,000,000+
• New vehicle total loss: $25,000 – $80,000+

Step 3: Consider carrying higher limits — 100/300/100 is often recommended as a more realistic safety net.

Step 4: Evaluate optional coverages that provide significant protection in your state:

• Uninsured motorist (if not required)
• Collision and comprehensive
• Medical payments / PIP (if not required)

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the lowest auto insurance minimums?

Florida has the most unusual structure — it does not require bodily injury liability for most drivers. Among states with traditional liability requirements, Louisiana (15/30/25) and Pennsylvania (15/30/5) share the lowest bodily injury minimum at 15/30, and Pennsylvania's $5,000 property damage minimum is the lowest in the country.

Which states have the highest auto insurance minimums?

North Carolina's 50/100/50, in force since 1 July 2025, is the highest minimum in the country. Alaska, Maine and Virginia require 50/100/25 — double the common 25/50 bodily injury floor — and Michigan's lowest selectable liability limit is 50/100/10, on top of its tiered PIP system.

Which states don't require auto insurance?

New Hampshire is the only state with no mandatory insurance law for private vehicles. Virginia previously allowed drivers to pay an annual Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee instead of insuring, but that option was eliminated on July 1, 2024 (though this provided no actual coverage).

Are these minimums enough to be fully protected?

For many accidents, no. State minimums set the legal floor, not the adequate protection level. A single serious accident can generate medical bills and property damage well exceeding typical minimum limits — leaving you personally liable for the difference.

How often do state minimum requirements change?

Minimums change through state legislation and typically increase every several years to reflect rising costs. California, Virginia and Utah increased minimums in January 2025, Massachusetts and North Carolina on 1 July 2025, and Hawaii and New Jersey on 1 January 2026. Always verify your state's current requirements directly with the state insurance department.

Do I need to meet my home state's minimums or the state I'm driving in?

Generally, your home state's policy is valid in all states. Most policies automatically provide at least the minimum required in whatever state you're driving — check your policy's out-of-state coverage provision.

---

Key Takeaways

• 49 states require minimum liability insurance; New Hampshire is the exception
• Florida is unique — it requires PIP and PD liability but not bodily injury liability for most drivers
• No-fault states require PIP coverage in addition to liability; 14 states require PIP
• 20 states plus D.C. require uninsured motorist coverage
• North Carolina has the highest minimum at 50/100/50 (since 1 July 2025); Alaska, Maine and Virginia follow at 50/100/25
• Recent increases: California, Virginia and Utah (January 2025), Massachusetts and North Carolina (July 2025), and Hawaii and New Jersey (January 2026) raised their minimums
• State minimums are a legal floor, not a recommended coverage level — 100/300/100 is often more appropriate

---

Important Disclaimer

This guide provides general information about auto insurance minimums based on publicly available sources compiled as of February 2026. Minimum requirements change through state legislation and can take effect at different times. This is not legal or insurance advice.

Always verify current requirements with your state's Department of Insurance before making coverage decisions. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your situation.

Last verified: September 2026

Sources: State Departments of Insurance, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Insurance Information Institute, Insurance Research Council