List of Minimum Car Insurance Liability Requirements by State Explained

July 6, 2024

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the minimum required limits and types of car insurance coverage required for each state in the U.S.:

1. Alabama

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers medical expenses and property damage caused to others if you are at fault in an accident

2. Alaska

Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Higher limits due to the higher cost of medical care and vehicle repairs, especially in remote areas

3. Arizona

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident
Explanation: Basic coverage for third-party injuries and property damage

4. Arkansas

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Provides financial protection against claims for injuries and property damage .

5. California

Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $5,000 per accident
Explanation: Minimum required coverage to ensure that drivers can cover costs of injuries and damages in high-traffic areas .

6. Colorado

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident
Explanation: Ensures financial responsibility for injuries and damages caused to others in accidents .

7. Connecticut

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Protects against financial loss from third-party claims for injuries and property damage .

8. Delaware

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
Explanation: PIP covers medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of fault .

9. Florida

Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $10,000 per person
Explanation: No-fault state requiring PIP to cover personal medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault

10. Georgia

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Provides coverage for medical costs and property damage caused to others in an accident

11. Hawaii

Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $10,000 per person
Explanation: PIP covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in a no-fault situation

12. Idaho

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers third-party medical costs and property damage in accidents where you are at fault .

13. Illinois

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident
Explanation: Ensures that drivers can cover costs for injuries and property damage they cause to others .

14. Indiana

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Provides financial protection for third-party injuries and property damage .

15. Iowa

Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers costs related to injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident .

16. Kansas

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $4,500 per person
Explanation: No-fault state requiring PIP to cover medical expenses for you and your passengers .

17. Kentucky

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $10,000 per person
Explanation: PIP covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in no-fault accidents .

18. Louisiana

Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers costs for injuries and property damage you cause to others .

19. Maine

Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
Medical Payments: $2,000 per person
Explanation: Higher limits and additional coverages for better financial protection .

20. Maryland

Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $2,500 per person
Explanation: PIP covers medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of fault .

21. Massachusetts

Bodily Injury Liability: $20,000 per person / $40,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $5,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $8,000 per person
Explanation: No-fault state with PIP covering medical expenses for you and your passengers

22. Michigan

Bodily Injury Liability: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident (out of state)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Unlimited
Explanation: No-fault state with unlimited PIP coverage for medical expenses

23. Minnesota

Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $40,000 per person
Explanation: No-fault state with PIP covering medical expenses for you and your passengers

24. Mississippi

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Basic liability coverage for injuries and property damage caused to others .

25. Missouri

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers third-party injuries and property damage in accidents where you are at fault

26. Montana

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident
Explanation: Provides basic liability coverage for injuries and property damage caused to others.

27. Nebraska

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Ensures financial responsibility for injuries and damages you cause to others.

28. Nevada

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers costs associated with injuries and property damage to others.

29. New Hampshire

Optional: If purchased: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage
Explanation: Unique in that insurance is not mandatory, but if purchased, minimum requirements must be met.

30. New Jersey

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $15,000 per person
Explanation: Includes PIP to cover medical expenses for the insured regardless of fault.

31. New Mexico

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers third-party injuries and property damage in accidents.

32. New York

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $50,000 per person
Explanation: No-fault state with PIP covering medical expenses for the insured regardless of fault.

33. North Carolina

Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Ensures financial responsibility for injuries and damages caused to others.

34. North Dakota

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $30,000 per person
Explanation: No-fault state with PIP covering medical expenses for the insured.

35. Ohio

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Provides coverage for injuries and property damage caused to others.

36. Oklahoma

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers third-party injuries and property damage.

37. Oregon

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $15,000 per person
Explanation: Includes PIP to cover medical expenses for the insured.

38. Pennsylvania

Bodily Injury Liability: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $5,000 per accident
Explanation: Basic liability coverage for injuries and property damage caused to others.

39. Rhode Island

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Ensures financial responsibility for injuries and damages you cause to others.

40. South Carolina

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers costs associated with injuries and property damage to others.

41. South Dakota

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Basic liability coverage for injuries and property damage caused to others.

42. Tennessee

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident
Explanation: Provides financial protection against claims for injuries and property damage.

43. Texas

Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Higher limits to cover costs associated with injuries and property damage.

44. Utah

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $65,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $3,000 per person
Explanation: Includes PIP to cover medical expenses for the insured.

45. Vermont

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Explanation: Basic liability coverage for injuries and property damage caused to others.

46. Virginia

Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident
Explanation: Ensures financial responsibility for injuries and damages caused to others.

47. Washington

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Explanation: Covers costs associated with injuries and property damage to others.

48. West Virginia

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident
Explanation: Provides financial protection against claims for injuries and property damage.

49. Wisconsin

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $10,000 per accident
Uninsured Motorist Coverage: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Explanation: Includes uninsured motorist coverage to protect against drivers without insurance.

50. Wyoming

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Property Damage Liability: $20,000 per accident
Explanation: Ensures financial responsibility for injuries and damages caused to others.

Car insurance is a critical component of vehicle ownership, offering financial protection in the event of accidents, theft, or other incidents. The cost of car insurance varies widely across the United States, influenced by factors such as coverage type, location, driver profile, and vehicle type.

Average Costs

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in the U.S. ranges from $1,682 to $1,718 per year, or about $140 to $143 per month. Full coverage typically includes liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. Liability insurance covers damages to others, while comprehensive and collision cover damages to the insured’s vehicle from accidents, theft, and other incidents.

Minimum liability insurance, which meets state legal requirements, is significantly cheaper. The national average cost for minimum liability insurance is about $488 to $511 per year, translating to roughly $41 to $43 per month. This coverage is often chosen by drivers looking to meet legal requirements while keeping costs low.

Factors Influencing Costs

Several factors impact car insurance premiums:

Location: Insurance costs vary significantly by state and even within regions of a state. Urban areas with higher traffic density typically have higher premiums due to increased risk of accidents and theft.
Driver Profile: Age, driving history, and credit score heavily influence rates. Younger drivers and those with poor driving records or low credit scores usually pay more.
Vehicle Type: The make, model, and age of the vehicle affect insurance costs. Luxury cars and newer models with expensive parts cost more to insure. Conversely, vehicles with high safety ratings and anti-theft features may qualify for lower premiums.

Additional Coverage Options

Adding extra coverage such as roadside assistance, uninsured motorist protection, and rental car coverage can increase annual insurance costs by up to $1,000. These additional coverages provide further security but come at an added cost.

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