State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements (2026)

State minimum car insurance requirements determine what coverage you must legally carry. This guide shows you your state's minimum car insurance requirements as of January 2026 and explains what each coverage type covers.

See your states minimum car insurance requirements below.

Written by Mark Fitzpatrick

Updated: January 10, 2026

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Key Takeaways

All states except New Hampshire require liability car insurance. State minimum requirements vary widely, from as low as $15,000/$30,000 in some states to $50,000/$100,000 in others.

22 states require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and 12 states require personal injury protection as part of state minimums.

California, Hawaii, New Jersey, North Carolina, Utah and Virginia increased minimum requirements.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State

The table below is the state minimum car insurance in every state.

What do the numbers mean? State minimum car insurance is listed as three numbers: bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage. For example, $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 means your insurance pays up to $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 total per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Why do requirements vary by state? Each state sets its own minimum coverage limits. Some states require higher limits to protect drivers and accident victims, while others set lower minimums. A few states also require additional coverage like uninsured motorist protection or personal injury protection.
What should I do next? Once you find your state's requirements, use MoneyGeek to compare quotes from top insurers. See how much you can save by getting the right coverage at the best price for your state's minimum requirements.


Alabama	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	—
Alaska	$50,000 / $100,000	$25,000	—
Arizona	$25,000 / $50,000	$15,000	—
Arkansas	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	—
California	$30,000 / $60,000	$15,000	UM/UIM if purchased: $30,000/$60,000
Colorado	$25,000 / $50,000	$15,000	—
Connecticut	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
Delaware	$25,000 / $50,000	$10,000	PIP: $15,000/$30,000
Florida	No BI required	$10,000	PIP: $10,000 (required)
Georgia	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	—
Hawaii	$40,000 / $80,000	$20,000	PIP: $10,000 (required)
Idaho	$25,000 / $50,000	$15,000	—
Illinois	$25,000 / $50,000	$20,000	UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
Indiana	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	UM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
Iowa	$20,000 / $40,000	$15,000	—
Kansas	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	PIP: $4,500 medical; UM: $25,000/$50,000
Kentucky	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	PIP: $10,000 (required)
Louisiana	$15,000 / $30,000	$25,000	—
Maine	$50,000 / $100,000	$25,000	UM/UIM: $50,000/$100,000; MedPay: $2,000
Maryland	$30,000 / $60,000	$15,000	PIP: $2,500; UM: $30,000/$60,000
Massachusetts	$25,000 / $50,000	$30,000	PIP: $8,000; UM: $25,000/$50,000
Michigan	$50,000 / $100,000	$10,000	PIP: Required (various levels)
Minnesota	$30,000 / $60,000	$10,000	PIP: $40,000; UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000
Mississippi	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	—
Missouri	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	UM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
Montana	$25,000 / $50,000	$20,000	—
Nebraska	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
Nevada	$25,000 / $50,000	$20,000	—
New Hampshire	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	Insurance optional but FR amounts apply
New Jersey	$35,000 / $70,000	$25,000	PIP: $15,000; UM/UIM: $35,000/$70,000
New Mexico	$25,000 / $50,000	$10,000	—
New York	$25,000 / $50,000	$10,000	PIP: $50,000; UM: $25,000/$50,000
North Carolina	$50,000 / $100,000	$50,000	UM/UIM: $50,000/$100,000 (required)
North Dakota	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	PIP: $30,000; UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000
Ohio	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	—
Oklahoma	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	—
Oregon	$25,000 / $50,000	$20,000	PIP: $15,000; UM: $25,000/$50,000
Pennsylvania	$15,000 / $30,000	$5,000	MedPay: $5,000 (required); UM available
Rhode Island	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	—
South Carolina	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	UM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
South Dakota	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	UM/UIM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
Tennessee	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	—
Texas	$30,000 / $60,000	$25,000	—
Utah	$30,000 / $65,000	$25,000	PIP: $3,000; UM/UIM if purchased: $30,000/$65,000
Vermont	$25,000 / $50,000	$10,000	UM/UIM: $50,000/$100,000 (required)
Virginia	$50,000 / $100,000	$25,000	UM/UIM if purchased: $50,000/$100,000
Washington	$25,000 / $50,000	$10,000	—
West Virginia	$25,000 / $50,000	$25,000	UM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
Wisconsin	$25,000 / $50,000	$10,000	UM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)
Wyoming	$25,000 / $50,000	$20,000	—
Washington D.C.	$25,000 / $50,000	$10,000	UM: $25,000/$50,000 (required)

State Minimum Coverage Requirements Explained

State minimum requirements include different types of coverage depending on where you live. Understanding what each type covers helps you meet your state's legal requirements and identify any gaps in your protection.

Liability insurance

Liability insurance covers damage and injuries you cause to others in an accident. It's split into two parts. Bodily injury liability pays for the other person's medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Property damage liability pays to repair or replace the other person's vehicle and property.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

This coverage protects you when you're hit by a driver with no insurance or insufficient coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage covers damage to you when the at-fault driver has no insurance at all. Underinsured motorist coverage kicks in when the at-fault driver's coverage isn't enough to cover your injuries and damages. Coverage limits usually match your state's liability requirements.

*Required in 22 states

Personal injury protection (PIP)

Personal injury protection pays for your own medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused it. This is required in 12 no-fault states: Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota and Utah.

Benefits include medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, a percentage of lost wages, and essential services like childcare and housekeeping.

Medical payments coverage (MedPay)

Medical payments coverage covers medical and funeral expenses from car accidents, regardless of fault. Unlike personal injury protection, it has lower limits ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 and doesn't cover lost wages or other benefits. It supplements your health insurance and is required only in Maine, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

No-Fault vs. At-Fault States

Your state uses either a no-fault or at-fault insurance system, which determines what minimum coverage you must carry. In no-fault states, each driver's insurance pays for their own medical expenses and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused it. This is why 12 no-fault states require personal injury protection (PIP) as part of their minimum requirements. In at-fault states, the driver responsible for the accident pays for everyone's injuries and damages through liability insurance.

No-Fault States: Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota and Utah.

State Minimum Car Insurance Changes for 2025 and 2026

Six states increased minimum car insurance requirements in 2025 and 2026. If you live in one of these states, verify your current policy meets the new requirements.

2025 Changes

California (Effective January 1): Increased from $15,000/$30,000/$5,000 to $30,000/$60,000/$15,000. This marks the first increase since 1967. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage also increased to match the new liability limits.
North Carolina (Effective July 1): Increased from $30,000/$60,000/$25,000 to $50,000/$100,000/$50,000. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is now required to match the new liability limits.
Utah (Effective January 1): Increased from $25,000/$65,000/$15,000 to $30,000/$65,000/$25,000. Personal injury protection of $3,000 is required.
Virginia (Effective January 1): Increased from $30,000/$60,000/$20,000 to $50,000/$100,000/$25,000. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is now mandatory.

2026 Changes

Hawaii (Effective January 1): Increased from $20,000/$40,000/$10,000 to $40,000/$80,000/$20,000. Personal injury protection of $10,000 is required.
New Jersey (Effective January 1): Increased from $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 to $35,000/$70,000/$25,000. This completes the second phase of New Jersey's auto insurance reform.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements: FAQ

We answer common questions about state minimum car insurance requirements:

What happens if you only have minimum coverage in an accident?

If you cause a serious accident with damages exceeding your policy limits, you're personally liable for the difference. For example, if damages reach $100,000 but you only have $25,000 in coverage, you owe $75,000 out of pocket. The other party can sue you, potentially resulting in wage garnishment or asset seizure. Minimum coverage also doesn't include comprehensive or collision, so your own vehicle repairs won't be covered.

What if I only have minimum coverage and get hit by an uninsured driver?

Your coverage depends on your state’s rules for uninsured motorist protection. In states where this coverage is required, your policy pays for injuries and vehicle damage up to your limits. If it’s not required and you didn’t add it to your policy, you’ll need to cover your own medical bills and repair costs or take legal action against the uninsured driver to recover expenses.

What's the difference between state minimum and full coverage?

State minimum includes only required liability insurance, covering other driver's damages, and mandatory coverage like PIP or uninsured motorist protection. Full coverage adds comprehensive and collision to protect your car.

Is minimum car insurance enough?

Minimum car insurance provides basic legal compliance but is often less than the car insurance coverage you need. State minimums are designed to ensure all drivers have some coverage, not to provide adequate asset protection for serious accidents. You will also need higher amounts of coverage for financed and leased vehicles.

Minimum Car Insurance Coverage: Related Articles

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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