Car Insurance Minimum Coverage by State

Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry minimum auto liability insurance. Limits are written as three numbers, for example 25/50/25, which means $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage. State minimums are almost always too low to cover a serious accident. Most insurance professionals recommend at least 100/300/100, which costs only slightly more than the legal minimum in most states.

How to read coverage limits

Liability is written as three numbers (or sometimes called combined single limit).

• First number: bodily injury per person (max paid for one injured person).
• Second number: bodily injury per accident (max paid total across all injured people).
• Third number: property damage per accident (max paid for the other party's vehicle and property).
• Example: 25/50/25 means $25k / $50k / $25k.
• Combined Single Limit (CSL): one number like $300,000 covering all three categories pooled.

State minimum liability limits (selected states)

• Alabama: 25/50/25.
• Alaska: 50/100/25.
• Arizona: 25/50/15.
• California: 30/60/15 (raised from 15/30/5 effective 2025).
• Colorado: 25/50/15.
• Florida: 10/20/10 (PIP-focused, no BI required for property-damage owners).
• Georgia: 25/50/25.
• Illinois: 25/50/20.
• Massachusetts: 20/40/5 (plus PIP).
• Michigan: 50/100/10 plus PIP.
• New Hampshire: No mandate (but proof of financial responsibility required after at-fault accident).
• New Jersey: 25/50/25 (standard) or 15/30/5 (basic).
• New York: 25/50/10 plus PIP and UM.
• Ohio: 25/50/25.
• Pennsylvania: 15/30/5 plus PIP.
• Texas: 30/60/25.
• Utah: 30/65/25.
• Virginia: 30/60/20 (raised effective 2022).
• Washington: 25/50/10.

Other commonly required coverages

Several states require more than just liability.

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): required in 22 states.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): required in 12 no-fault states including FL, MI, NY, NJ, PA, MA, KS, MN, ND, UT, KY, HI.
• Medical Payments (MedPay): required in ME, NH.
• Property Damage Liability: required in all 49 mandating states.

How to verify your state's current minimum

1. Search your state DMV website.Search "[your state] minimum auto insurance requirements." Bookmark the .gov page.
2. Check your state department of insurance.Every state DOI publishes a consumer auto insurance guide listing current minimums.
3. Ask your agent in writing.Email is best. Confirm the limits stated and the effective date of any recent statute change.
4. Re-check at every renewal.States raise minimums by statute every few years. Old policies sometimes remain at old limits until you update.

📚 Legal & Regulatory References

• State Vehicle Codes - Financial Responsibility / Compulsory Insurance Provisions.
• Insurance Information Institute (III) state-by-state minimum coverage table.
• NAIC Auto Insurance Database Report.
• California Vehicle Code 16056 (CA limits).
• Florida Statutes 627.7407 (FL PIP and limits).
• Michigan Compiled Laws 500.3009 (MI limits).

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions