Quick answers
- New Hampshire is the only state where auto insurance is not mandatory. Virginia closed its opt-out on July 1, 2024.
- Minimums run from 15/30/5 in Pennsylvania to 50/100/50 in North Carolina.
- A state minimum policy only pays for damage you cause to others. It never fixes your own car.
In this article
Decode the shorthand
- 25/50/25: up to $25,000 for one injured person
- 25/50/25: up to $50,000 for everyone injured in the accident
- 25/50/25: up to $25,000 for property you damage, like the other car
- Florida is different: $10,000 of PIP plus $10,000 of property damage liability
Limits are in thousands of dollars. Check your state insurance department or DMV for the official rules.
Minimum auto insurance requirements are set state by state, and every state except one sets a floor for how much liability insurance you must carry. That floor is written in a shorthand like 25/50/25, and it varies a lot from state to state.
The tool below turns your state's numbers into plain English. Below it is the full 50-state table, the changes that took effect in the last two years and an honest look at whether the minimum is enough.
Look up your state
Choose your state to see its required liability limits and any extra coverage it requires, such as personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured motorist coverage.
What changed recently
- July 1, 2024 Β· VirginiaEnded its uninsured motor vehicle fee. Every driver must now carry insurance.
- January 1, 2025 Β· CaliforniaRaised its minimum from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15, the first increase in decades.
- January 1, 2025 Β· VirginiaRaised its minimum to 50/100/25.
- July 1, 2025 Β· North CarolinaRaised its minimum to 50/100/50, now the highest in the country.
- July 1, 2025 Β· MassachusettsRaised its minimum to 25/50/30, the first increase since 1988.
- January 1, 2026 Β· New JerseyFinished phasing in 35/70/25 for Standard Policies.
Insurers update policies at renewal to meet new minimums, but it is worth confirming your declarations page shows the current numbers for your state.
Compare minimum and higher-limit quotes
SponsoredMinimum auto insurance requirements in all 50 states and DC
| State | Minimum limits |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 |
| California | 30/60/15 |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 |
| District of Columbia | 25/50/10 |
| Florida | $10,000 PIP + $10,000 property damage |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 |
| Maine | 50/100/25 |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 |
| Massachusetts | 25/50/30 |
| Michigan | 50/100/10 |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 |
| Montana | 25/50/20 |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 |
| New Hampshire | Not required (25/50/25 if you buy a policy) |
| New Jersey | 35/70/25 (Standard Policy) |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 |
| New York | 25/50/10 |
| North Carolina | 50/100/50 |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 |
| Tennessee | 25/50/25 |
| Texas | 30/60/25 |
| Utah | 30/65/25 |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 |
| Virginia | 50/100/25 |
| Washington | 25/50/10 |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 |
Many states also require uninsured motorist coverage or PIP on top of these limits.
No-fault states: the PIP piece
In no-fault states, your own policy pays your medical bills through personal injury protection (PIP), whoever caused the crash. States that require PIP include Florida, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, Utah, Delaware and Oregon. Maryland policies include PIP unless you waive it in writing.
The amounts vary enormously, from $3,000 in Utah to options up to unlimited lifetime medical coverage in Michigan.
The minimum meets a real crash
A 25/50/25 policy and a two-car crash
Jordan has a 25/50/25 policy and runs a stop sign, hitting a newer SUV. The other driver's medical bills reach $40,000 and the SUV needs $31,000 of repairs.
Jordan's policy pays $25,000 toward the injuries (the per-person limit) and $25,000 toward the SUV. That leaves $21,000 unpaid, and the other driver can sue Jordan personally for it.
Jordan's own car? The minimum policy pays nothing toward it.
Illustrative example. Names and numbers are made up to show how it works.
That is why many experts suggest at least 100/300/100 if you have savings or a home. The step up often costs less than people expect, so price both before you decide.
Need more than the minimum? Check prices near you
Enter your ZIP code to see insurers and quote options available where you live. It takes about a minute and there is no obligation.
Driving uninsured: what it can cost you
- β Fines that often run from a few hundred to several thousand dollars
- β A suspended license or registration, plus reinstatement fees
- β An SR-22 filing, which usually means higher rates for years
- β Paying every dollar of damage you cause yourself
- β In some states, an impounded car
Frequently asked questions
Which state does not require auto insurance?
New Hampshire is the only state that does not require auto insurance, as long as you can show you are able to pay for an accident you cause. Virginia ended its exception on July 1, 2024.
What does 25/50/25 mean?
It means up to $25,000 for injuries to one person, $50,000 total for injuries in one accident and $25,000 for damage to other people's property.
Is state minimum insurance enough?
It keeps you legal but rarely covers a serious accident. You are personally responsible for costs above your limits, so many drivers choose higher limits such as 100/300/100.
Does the minimum cover my own car?
No. State minimum coverage is liability only. To cover your own car you need collision and comprehensive coverage.
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