Car Insurance Requirements by State (2026): Minimum Coverage Guide
Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry some form of car insurance — but the minimums vary widely. Driving without the legally required coverage can result in fines, license suspension, and personal liability for any accidents you cause.
Here’s what your state requires in 2026.
Understanding the Numbers: What 25/50/25 Means
State minimums are expressed as three numbers: bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage. For example, 25/50/25 means:
- $25,000 maximum for one person’s injuries
- $50,000 maximum for all injuries in one accident
- $25,000 maximum for property damage
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State (2026)
| State | Min Liability | PIP Required? | UM/UIM Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | No | No |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 | No | No |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| California | 30/60/15 | No | No |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | No | No |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | No | Yes |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 | Yes | No |
| Florida | No injury liability required; 10K property damage | Yes ($10K) | No |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| Hawaii | 40/80/20 | Yes ($10K) | No |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 | No | No |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 | No | Yes |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 | No | No |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | Yes ($4.5K) | Yes |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 | Yes ($10K) | No |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 | No | No |
| Maine | 50/100/25 | No | Yes |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 | Yes ($2.5K) | Yes |
| Massachusetts | 25/50/30 | Yes ($8K) | Yes |
| Michigan | 50/100/10 (lowest you can elect; default is 250/500/10) | Yes (you choose a level; unlimited is one option) | No |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 | Yes ($40K) | Yes |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 | No | Yes |
| Montana | 25/50/20 | No | No |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 | No | Yes |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 | No | No |
| New Hampshire | None required | No | Yes (if purchased) |
| New Jersey | 35/70/25 | Yes ($15K) | Yes |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 | No | No |
| New York | 25/50/10 | Yes ($50K) | Yes |
| North Carolina | 50/100/50 | No | Yes |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 | Yes ($30K) | Yes |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 | Yes ($15K) | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 | Yes ($5K) | No |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | No | Yes |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 | No | Yes |
| Tennessee | 25/50/25 | No | No |
| Texas | 30/60/25 | No | No |
| Utah | 30/65/25 | Yes ($3K) | Yes |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | No | Yes |
| Virginia | 50/100/25 | No | Yes |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | No | No |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 | No | Yes |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 | No | Yes |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 | No | No |
How many drivers in your state carry no insurance at all? See our uninsured drivers by state data, which pairs each state’s uninsured rate with its minimum coverage.
Why State Minimums Are Often Not Enough
Most financial experts recommend carrying significantly more than the state minimum. Here’s why:
- A single serious accident can easily exceed $25,000 in medical bills — often by a factor of 5–10x
- If you’re at fault and your liability coverage runs out, you’re personally responsible for the remainder
- Pennsylvania’s $5,000 property damage minimum is below the average property damage claim ($6,770 in 2024, per Triple-I)
- Minimum coverage doesn’t protect YOUR vehicle — you’d need collision coverage for that
Most insurance professionals recommend at least 100/300/100 liability limits for drivers with any assets to protect.
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Car Insurance by State
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- Ohio car insurance
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- Pennsylvania car insurance
- Illinois car insurance
- Georgia car insurance
- North Carolina car insurance
- Michigan car insurance
- New Jersey car insurance
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