State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements: What You Need in Each State
If you don't have enough car insurance coverage, an unforeseen car crash can wreck your financial affairs. That's why many states require drivers to retain and provide proof of a minimum level of coverage. The specific requirements will depend on your particular state or commonwealth. In this article, you'll discover a comprehensive overview of state minimum car insurance requirements, plus helpful definitions and clarifications to ensure you find the best coverage for you.
What Does ‘State Minimum Car Insurance’ Really Mean?
The state or commonwealth where you drive the most likely has minimum car insurance requirements. These minimum coverage limits vary from state to state, but they serve a similar purpose: preventing drivers from incurring major financial loss. Imagine you're driving when you get rear-ended by another driver. State minimum car insurance laws aim to decrease the prevalence of uninsured motorists, meaning both you and the other party are more likely to possess minimum liability insurance coverage. The specific minimum dollar amount for coverage varies from state to state.
Key Types of Mandatory Coverage by State
Mandatory insurance coverages can be broken down into four critical, but distinct types of insurance:
- Bodily Injury Liability: Bodily injury liability protects you from the personal injury claims of another driver, should you cause an accident that leaves the other driver with medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Medical payment coverage
- Property Damage Liability: Property damage liability pays claims if you are at fault for damaging the property of another person, including not only their car, but also damaged walls, fences, or buildings.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Uninsured motorist insurance is required by many, but not all, states. This insurance type protects you if you're involved in an auto accident with a driver who does not possess proper insurance or flees the scene.
- Personal Injury Protection: Personal injury protection provides financial coverage for the medical bills of the policyholder, family members living in the household, and passengers in your vehicle, should they be injured in an accident. Medical payment coverage also varies by state.
At-Fault vs. No-Fault States: What’s the Difference?
State laws differ in how a claim is treated following an accident. In at-fault states, the financial responsibility falls on the driver who caused the accident. In no-fault states, both insurance companies pay the claims of their respective drivers. In the U.S., 38 states utilize at-fault claims, while the remaining 12 states offer a no-fault approach meant to streamline the completion of claims.How to Read State Coverage Limits (And What They Mean)
When you investigate your state's minimum coverage limits, you'll find shorthand phrases like "25/50/25". Each of these numbers corresponds to a different insurance type and minimum prescribed coverage. For instance, drivers in Missouri are required to maintain $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 per accident for property, AKA 25/50/25.State-by-State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
The minimum state car insurance varies from state to state, but you can find your state or commonwealth's requirements below.| State | Minimum Liability Coverage |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 |
| California | 30/60/15 |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 |
| Florida | 10/20/10 |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 |
| Maine | 50/100/25 |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 |
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 |
| Michigan | 20/40/10 |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 |
| Montana | 25/50/20 |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/25 |
| New Jersey | 25/50/25 |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 |
| New York | 25/50/10 |
| North Carolina | 30/60/25 |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 |
| Tennessee | 25/50/15 |
| Texas | 30/60/25 |
| Utah | 25/65/15 |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 |
| Virginia | 30/60/20 |
| Washington | 25/50/10 |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 |
Why Minimum Coverage Might Not Be Enough
It's important to remember that minimum coverage amounts are just that... the bare minimum. If you only carry the minimum amount of liability coverage, you could be stuck with costly, out-of-pocket repairs if you're in an accident. For that reason, many people add collision coverage, which pays expenses if your vehicle is involved in an accident. Likewise, some people also opt for comprehensive coverage, which extends protection in the event your car is damaged in a fire or stolen. Pairing an umbrella insurance policy with comprehensive and collision insurance ensures you're protected from whatever may come.Need More Than the Minimum? Compare Quotes Today
Minimum liability insurance is designed for the protection of others. If you want to ensure you have proper coverage for yourself, you'll likely need to seek additional coverage. It's important to request a specific quote, since car insurance rates can vary based on your age, driving history, and zip code. Reach out to Everquote today to find the best insurance coverage to help you move beyond the minimum.