LiabilityVsFullCoverage.com

Note: Auto insurance laws and rates change frequently. State minimums, named rates and NAIC data verified April 2026. Confirm requirements with your state DMV and a licensed agent.

State Requirements / Last Verified April 2026

State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State (2026)

Complete 50-state + DC table of minimum liability requirements, PIP mandates, and UM/UIM requirements. NJ 2026 update included.

2026 Update

New Jersey Minimum Increased to 35/70/25 Effective January 1, 2026

NJ raised its minimums from 25/50/25 to 35/70/25 -- the first increase in decades. Other recent updates: California (30/60/15 from Jan 2025), North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia (2025). Data sourced from state Department of Insurance websites and NAIC, April 2026.

Why Minimums Are Not Enough

State minimum liability requirements exist to ensure basic financial responsibility. They were not designed to fully compensate victims of serious accidents. The typical minimum of 25/50/25 was adequate when set decades ago. In 2026, a single totaled late-model pickup can exceed the $25,000 property damage limit, and two weeks of hospital care easily exceeds $25,000 per person.

This site recommends 100/300/100 as the baseline for anyone with a home, savings account, or future earnings at risk. The additional annual premium to move from minimum to 100/300/100 is typically $60-$120 -- one of the best risk-adjusted purchases in personal finance. See the full limit recommendations.

All 50 States + DC (2026)

StateBI LIMITSPDPIPUM/UIMNotes
Alabama25/5025kNoNo
Alaska50/10025kNoNo
Arizona25/5015kNoNo
Arkansas25/5025kNoNo
California30/6015kNoNoIncreased from 15/30/5 Jan 2025
Colorado25/5015kNoNo
Connecticut25/5025kNoRequired
Delaware25/5010kRequiredRequiredNo-fault state
FloridaN/A10kRequired $10kNoNo BI required; no-fault PIP state
Georgia25/5025kNoNo
Hawaii20/4010kRequiredRequiredNo-fault state
Idaho25/5015kNoNo
Illinois25/5020kNoRequired 25/50
Indiana25/5025kNoNo
Iowa20/4015kNoNo
Kansas25/5025kRequiredRequired 25/50No-fault state
Kentucky25/5025kRequiredNoChoice no-fault state
Louisiana15/3025kNoRequired
Maine50/10025kNoRequired 50/100Highest min BI in US
Maryland30/6015kRequiredRequired 30/60
Massachusetts20/405kRequiredRequired 20/40No-fault state
Michigan50/10010kRequired (options)NoUnlimited PIP option; no-fault 2020 reform
Minnesota30/6010kRequiredRequired 25/50No-fault state
Mississippi25/5025kNoNo30% uninsured drivers
Missouri25/5025kNoRequired 25/50
Montana25/5020kNoNo
Nebraska25/5025kNoRequired 25/50
Nevada25/5020kNoNo
New Hampshire25/5025kNoRequired 25/50Insurance not required; financial responsibility
New Jersey35/7025kRequiredRequired 35/70Increased from 25/50/25 Jan 1 2026
New Mexico25/5010kNoNo22% uninsured drivers
New York25/5010kRequiredRequired 25/50No-fault state
North Carolina30/6025kNoRequired 30/60Increased from 30/60/25 in 2025
North Dakota25/5025kRequiredRequired 25/50No-fault state
Ohio25/5025kNoNo
Oklahoma25/5025kNoNo
Oregon25/5020kRequiredRequired 25/50
Pennsylvania15/305kRequiredNoChoice no-fault state; low limits
Rhode Island25/5025kNoRequired 25/50
South Carolina25/5025kNoRequired 25/50
South Dakota25/5025kNoRequired 25/50
Tennessee25/5015kNoNo24% uninsured drivers
Texas30/6025kNoNo
Utah25/6515kRequiredNoNo-fault state; updated 2025
Vermont25/5010kNoRequired 50/100Cheapest full coverage in US
Virginia30/6020kNoRequired 30/60Updated 2025; insurance now mandatory
Washington25/5010kNoNo21% uninsured drivers
West Virginia25/5025kNoRequired 25/50
Wisconsin25/5010kNoRequired 25/50
Wyoming25/5020kNoNo
DC25/5010kRequiredRequired 25/50

Sources: NAIC, individual state Department of Insurance websites, verified April 2026. BI limits shown as per-person / per-accident in thousands.

Special Cases: Florida, Michigan, NH, Virginia

Florida is a no-fault PIP state that does not require bodily injury liability coverage -- only $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage. This makes Florida unique in that a driver can be fully "minimum compliant" without any BI liability at all. With 22% uninsured drivers and extreme hurricane/flood exposure, Florida's minimum-compliant drivers represent a massive financial risk to others.

Michigan has a no-fault system with unlimited PIP as an option (partially reformed in 2020). Michigan's unlimited PIP option made it consistently the most expensive state for car insurance; the 2020 reforms let drivers opt for lower PIP levels, which reduced some premiums but added complexity to coverage decisions.

New Hampshire does not require insurance but requires financial responsibility in the event of an accident. Uninsured drivers who cause an accident must still pay damages and can have their license suspended. Most drivers obtain standard insurance anyway.

Virginia moved to mandatory insurance in 2024, ending its long-standing uninsured motorist fee option. As of January 1, 2024, all Virginia drivers must carry minimum liability coverage.

Related:

Limit recommendationsCost by stateUninsured motorist coverage

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Frequently Asked Questions

What state has the lowest minimum car insurance requirements?+
Florida has notably low minimums -- it does not require bodily injury liability coverage at all, only $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage. Pennsylvania requires only 15/30/5 for bodily injury. California moved from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15 in January 2025. However, meeting the legal minimum does not mean you have adequate protection.
When did New Jersey increase its minimum limits?+
New Jersey increased its minimum liability limits from 25/50/25 to 35/70/25 effective January 1, 2026. This was the first increase in New Jersey's minimums in decades. Policies renewed after that date reflect the new requirements. New Jersey is one of the most complex insurance states due to its no-fault system and choice of Standard vs Basic policy.
Which states do not require car insurance?+
Historically, New Hampshire and Virginia did not require car insurance. Virginia changed this in January 2024, making insurance mandatory. New Hampshire still allows financial responsibility in lieu of insurance, meaning if you cause an accident, you must have the ability to pay damages -- most achieve this through standard insurance.
What is a no-fault state?+
In no-fault states, each driver's own insurance pays their medical expenses regardless of fault. No-fault states require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. States with no-fault systems include Florida, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (choice), Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky (choice), Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Utah. No-fault reduces lawsuits but typically increases overall premiums.