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State Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage
Most states require vehicle owners to purchase at least some form of car insurance, but the rules and minimum coverage levels vary from state to state. In most cases, drivers will want to purchase more than the minimum coverage, to make sure they are protected from liability, losses and injury in a severe accident.
Find out your state's minimum coverage requirement by requesting a free quote!
Major types of coverage
- Liability Coverage – The most common type of insurance is liability insurance, which protects drivers in case they are at fault for an accident. There are two types of liability coverage: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. These types of insurance are not required in New Hampshire or Wisconsin. Florida requires property damage insurance but no bodily injury insurance.
- Collision and Comprehensive Insurance – These types of insurance protect drivers against damage to their own vehicles in case of theft, natural disasters, or accidents. State laws don't require collision or comprehensive coverage. However, they may be required by a lender or lien-holder, for cars on lease or with an auto loan.
- Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage – This type of coverage protects drivers in case they are hit by other drivers that lack insurance, or if they are victims of a hit-and-run accident. About half of all states require drivers to buy one of these types of insurance.
- Medical Payments Coverage – Only a few states require drivers to buy medical payments coverage, which covers the drivers' and their passengers' medical bills in case of an injury accident. Many people are already covered for their medical costs if they carry a separate health insurance policy.
When is minimum insurance coverage enough?
Unless you drive a very old car and you rarely drive – and only in safe neighborhoods – you will probably find it worthwhile to go above and beyond your state's requirements when buying vehicle insurance.
Some states may require you to prove that you have enough assets to cover any potential damages if you choose not to buy insurance. If you don't have enough assets, then you may be required to purchase insurance. These requirements are generally met with the purchase of a surety bond, or through a deposit with your state's treasury.
Penalties for not maintaining minimum auto insurance
Consider the risks of not having enough insurance: If you are found at fault in an accident, and have to pay to cover another person's medical expenses and car repairs in addition to your own, then you could be liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars unless you have sufficient insurance. You might have to sell other assets you own, such as a house or other property, computers or other equipment, in order to cover these costs.
You might also incur serious legal penalties if you fail to purchase the required amount of insurance. Some states impose a significant fine, jail time or may suspend your license if you are found to be driving without required coverage.
Don't get caught without insurance. Request a quote here!
AL - FL
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GA - LA
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ME - NH
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NJ - RI
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SC - WY
State |
Bodily Injury Liability Required? |
Minimum Coverage Amount Required
*if purchased
(per person / per accident) |
|
| Alabama |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Alaska |
Yes |
$50,000 / $100,000 |
| Arizona |
Yes |
$15,000 / $30,000 |
| Arkansas |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| California |
No |
$15,000 / $30,000 |
| Colorado |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Connecticut |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Delaware |
Yes |
$15,000 / $30,000 |
| District of Columbia |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Florida |
No |
$10,000 / $20,000 * |
| Georgia |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Hawaii |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Idaho |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Illinois |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Indiana |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Iowa |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Kansas |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
|
| Kentucky |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Louisiana |
Yes |
$10,000 / $20,000 |
| Maine |
Yes |
$50,000 / $100,000 |
| Maryland |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Massachusetts |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Michigan |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Minnesota |
Yes |
$30,000 / $60,000 |
| Mississippi |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Missouri |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Montana |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Nebraska |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Nevada |
Yes |
$15,000 / $30,000 |
| New Hampshire |
No |
$25,000 / $50,000 * |
| New Jersey |
Yes |
$15,000 / $30,000 |
| New Mexico |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| New York |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| North Carolina |
Yes |
$30,000 / $60,000 |
|
| North Dakota |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Ohio |
Yes |
$12,500 / $25,000 |
| Oklahoma |
Yes |
$10,000 / $20,000 |
| Oregon |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Pennsylvania |
Yes |
$15,000 / $30,000 |
| Rhode Island |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| South Carolina |
Yes |
$15,000 / $30,000 |
| South Dakota |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Tennessee |
No |
$25,000 / $50,000 * |
| Texas |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Utah |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Vermont |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Virginia |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| Washington |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
| West Virginia |
Yes |
$20,000 / $40,000 |
| Wisconsin |
No |
$25,000 / $50,000 * |
| Wyoming |
Yes |
$25,000 / $50,000 |
|
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Sources
http://www.insure.com/car-insurance/minimum-coverage-levels.html
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/insurance/articles/43773/article.html
http://www.finweb.com/insurance/are-the-minimum-auto-insurance-requirements-enough.html
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Drop+auto+insurance+requirement%2C+feds+urged&articleId=392ee98a-e0b6-4d51-a1b1-7a1bf1853ff0
**Auto Insurance Finder is not an insurance broker or carrier. Content on this site is for comparison and informational purposes only. The products and services listed on this site may not be available in all states.
Last Updated: November 10, 2009
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