Car insurance requirements by state
Minimum car insurance requirements by state: liability limits, PIP and uninsured motorist rules, SR-22 filings and penalties for driving uninsured.
How state car insurance laws work
Almost every state requires drivers to prove they can pay for injuries and damage they cause in a crash. Most do this by requiring a minimum amount of liability insurance, written as three numbers such as 30/60/25:
- Bodily injury per person – the most the policy pays for one person's injuries, in thousands of dollars ($30,000 in this example).
- Bodily injury per accident – the most it pays for everyone's injuries in one crash ($60,000).
- Property damage per accident – the most it pays for damage to other people's cars and property ($25,000).
Liability insurance pays for the other people you hurt and the property you damage. It does not pay to repair your own car. That needs collision and comprehensive coverage, which state law does not require but lenders usually do if your car is financed or leased.
At-fault and no-fault states
Most states use an at-fault (tort) system, where the driver who caused the crash, and their insurer, pays for the other people's injuries and damage. About a dozen states, including Florida, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania, use a no-fault system for injuries, where your own policy's personal injury protection (PIP) pays your medical bills first, whoever caused the crash. No-fault states require PIP, and some limit when you can sue the other driver.
Other coverage your state may require
- Personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments – pays medical bills for you and your passengers. Required in no-fault states, and in some at-fault states, such as Texas, it must be included unless you reject it in writing.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) – pays when the driver who hits you has no insurance or too little. Some states require it. Many others require insurers to offer it.
Minimums are a floor, not a recommendation
State minimums were set years ago and are often lower than the cost of a serious crash. A new car can easily cost more than a $25,000 property damage limit, and one hospital stay can exceed a $30,000 bodily injury limit. If a claim is larger than your limits, you can be held personally responsible for the difference. Many drivers choose limits of 100/300/100 or higher when they can afford them.
SR-22 and proof of insurance
If you are convicted of certain offenses, such as driving uninsured or a DUI, your state may require your insurer to file an SR-22 certificate proving you carry the minimum coverage. See our guide: What is an SR-22 and how long do I need one?
Choose your state above for its exact minimums, penalties and SR-22 rules. Each page lists its official sources and the date it was last reviewed.