Almost every state requires drivers to carry at least some car insurance. But the minimum car insurance requirements by state vary a lot, and several states have raised their limits in the last two years.
Below you will find a full 50-state and DC table of minimum liability limits, what the numbers mean, and why the legal minimum may leave you exposed.
Key takeaways
- Nearly every state requires liability insurance. New Hampshire is the main exception, and Florida does not require bodily injury liability for most drivers.
- Several states raised their minimums recently, including California, Virginia, Utah, North Carolina, and Massachusetts in 2025, and New Jersey and Hawaii in 2026.
- Many states also require extra coverages, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured motorist coverage.
- Minimum limits are a legal floor. They may not be enough to cover a serious crash.
How to read liability limits
Liability limits are usually shown as three numbers, such as 25/50/25. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the first two numbers are bodily injury limits and the third is property damage, all in thousands of dollars.
- Bodily injury per person: the most your policy pays for one injured person.
- Bodily injury per accident: the most it pays for all injured people in one crash.
- Property damage per accident: the most it pays for damage to other people's property.
So 25/50/25 means $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 for property damage.
Recent changes to state minimums
Several states have increased their minimum limits recently. Here are the changes reflected in the table below:
- California: raised to 30/60/15, effective January 1, 2025, according to the California DMV.
- Virginia: raised to 50/100/25 for policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, according to the Virginia DMV.
- Utah: raised to 30/65/25, effective January 1, 2025.
- North Carolina: raised to 50/100/50 for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.
- Massachusetts: raised to 25/50/30 for policies written or renewed on or after July 1, 2025, according to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance.
- New Jersey: raised to 35/70/25 on January 1, 2026, according to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.
- Hawaii: raised to 40/80/20 for new and renewal policies on or after January 1, 2026, according to the Hawaii Insurance Division.
Minimum car insurance requirements by state
The table shows minimum liability limits in thousands of dollars. It is based on the Insurance Information Institute's state table, updated with the changes listed above. Many states also require PIP, medical payments, or uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which are not shown here.
| State | BI per person | BI per accident | Property damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Alaska | $50,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 |
| Arizona | $25,000 | $50,000 | $15,000 |
| Arkansas | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| California | $30,000 | $60,000 | $15,000 |
| Colorado | $25,000 | $50,000 | $15,000 |
| Connecticut | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Delaware | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| District of Columbia | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Florida (1) | Not required | Not required | $10,000 |
| Georgia | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Hawaii | $40,000 | $80,000 | $20,000 |
| Idaho | $25,000 | $50,000 | $15,000 |
| Illinois | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 |
| Indiana | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Iowa | $20,000 | $40,000 | $15,000 |
| Kansas | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Kentucky | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Louisiana | $15,000 | $30,000 | $25,000 |
| Maine | $50,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 |
| Maryland | $30,000 | $60,000 | $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | $25,000 | $50,000 | $30,000 |
| Michigan (2) | $50,000 | $100,000 | $10,000 |
| Minnesota | $30,000 | $60,000 | $10,000 |
| Mississippi | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Missouri | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Montana | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 |
| Nebraska | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Nevada | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 |
| New Hampshire (3) | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| New Jersey (4) | $35,000 | $70,000 | $25,000 |
| New Mexico | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| New York (5) | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| North Carolina | $50,000 | $100,000 | $50,000 |
| North Dakota | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Ohio | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Oklahoma | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Oregon | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $15,000 | $30,000 | $5,000 |
| Rhode Island | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| South Carolina | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| South Dakota | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Texas | $30,000 | $60,000 | $25,000 |
| Utah | $30,000 | $65,000 | $25,000 |
| Vermont | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Virginia | $50,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 |
| Washington | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| West Virginia | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Wisconsin | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Wyoming | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 |
Table notes
- Florida requires property damage liability and personal injury protection (PIP), but most drivers are not required to carry bodily injury liability.
- Michigan's default bodily injury limits are $250,000/$500,000. Drivers may choose the lower 50/100 limits shown here only by making a written election, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
- New Hampshire does not require most drivers to buy insurance, but drivers must be able to show financial responsibility. The limits shown apply if you buy a policy.
- New Jersey also offers an optional Basic Policy with lower limits and fewer protections. The 35/70/25 limits apply to the Standard Policy.
- New York also requires 50/100 coverage for death resulting from an accident, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Laws change. Before you buy, confirm current requirements with your state's insurance department or DMV.
Other coverages states may require
Liability is only part of the picture. Depending on where you live, your state may also require:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) in no-fault states, which helps pay your own medical bills no matter who caused the crash. Learn more in our guide to no-fault insurance and PIP.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you if the other driver has no insurance or not enough. See uninsured motorist coverage explained.
- Medical payments coverage in a few states.
Why the minimum may not be enough
State minimums are designed to provide basic protection for others on the road. They are not designed to protect your savings.
Consider a crash where you are at fault and someone is seriously hurt. Hospital stays, surgery, and lost wages can quickly exceed a $25,000 or $30,000 per-person limit. If damages go above your limits, the injured person could seek the rest from you directly.
Minimum policies also do not cover:
- Repairs to your own car
- Theft of your car
- Weather damage
That is why many drivers choose higher limits and add collision and comprehensive. Our guides on how much car insurance you need and full coverage vs liability can help you decide what fits.
Find coverage that meets your state's rules
Whether you want a policy that simply meets the law or one with stronger protection, comparing options is the best way to see what fits your budget. Quote4Us connects you with licensed insurance agencies in our network that know your state's rules. We are not an insurance company and do not sell policies.
Start your free auto insurance quote to see what coverage options may be available where you live.
This article is for general information only and isn't legal or insurance advice. Coverage and rules vary by state and insurer.
Frequently asked questions
New Hampshire does not require most drivers to buy auto insurance. Instead, drivers must be able to show financial responsibility if they cause a crash. If you do buy a policy there, it must meet the state's minimum limits. Rules can change, so check with the New Hampshire Department of Safety or Insurance Department for current requirements.
In most cases, insurers update policies that fall below a new minimum at the first renewal on or after the effective date. For example, Hawaii says its new limits apply to new and renewal policies effective on or after January 1, 2026. Still, it is smart to review your declarations page at renewal and confirm your limits meet the current law.
For many drivers, no. Minimum limits are the legal floor, not a recommendation. A serious crash can cause medical bills and vehicle damage that go far beyond these amounts, and you could be personally responsible for the difference. Minimum policies also do not pay to repair your own car. Many drivers choose higher limits to protect their savings and income.