All 50 states except New Hampshire require drivers to carry minimum auto insurance, but the rules vary widely. Twelve states use a no-fault system that mandates Personal Injury Protection (PIP), while the rest follow at-fault liability rules. The cheapest state to meet minimums is Wyoming at $294/year, and the most expensive is New Jersey at $1,455/year, according to Bankrate's 2026 rate analysis.
- 49 states plus Washington, D.C. require liability insurance; New Hampshire is the only exception, though uninsured drivers there must still prove financial responsibility after at-fault crashes.
- 12 states operate no-fault systems and mandate PIP: Florida, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Kansas, Kentucky, Hawaii, Utah, and North Dakota.
- New Jersey raised its minimum liability limits to 35/70/25 on January 1, 2026, the only state with planned 2026 changes.
- Florida will eliminate PIP and shift to an at-fault liability system on July 1, 2026, requiring 25/50/10 minimums under House Bill 1181.
- Driving without insurance triggers fines from $150 in California to $5,000 in Massachusetts, plus license suspension and SR-22 filing in most states.
How State Minimum Liability Laws Work
Every state writes its own auto insurance code, and each one publishes a "minimum financial responsibility" limit that legally registered vehicles must meet. The Insurance Information Institute tracks these limits as three numbers separated by slashes, like 25/50/25.
The first figure is bodily injury liability per person, capped at $25,000 in that example. The second is bodily injury liability per accident, capped at $50,000. The third is property damage liability, capped at $25,000.
States with no-fault rules also require Personal Injury Protection. Florida sets PIP at $10,000, New York requires $50,000, and Michigan offers tiered PIP starting at $50,000 and going up to unlimited. Read more about PIP coverage requirements by state for the deeper breakdown of how each system handles medical bills.
Eight states bundle uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage into the minimum: Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, plus a few that require UM only. The case for keeping UM coverage gets stronger as 12.6% of US drivers now operate without insurance.
2026 Minimum Requirements: All 50 States
The table below combines liability limits, fault system designation, additional mandatory coverage, and notable state-specific rules. Limits reflect statutes in force as of May 2026.
| State | Minimum Liability (BI/BI/PD) | Fault System | Additional Required Coverage | Notable Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | At-fault | None | Online Insurance Verification System checks active policies daily |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | At-fault | None | Highest minimum BI per person tied with Maine and Virginia |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 | At-fault | None | Raised from 15/30/10 effective July 2020 |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 | At-fault | PIP $5K (offered, can reject in writing) | PIP must be offered; written rejection required to opt out |
| California | 30/60/15 | At-fault | None | Raised from 15/30/5 on January 1, 2025; Prop 103 caps rate hikes |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | At-fault | None | Switched from no-fault to at-fault in 2003 |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | At-fault | UM/UIM 25/50 | Raised UM limits to match BI on January 1, 2018 |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 | Add-on no-fault | PIP $15K/$30K | Tort allowed; PIP coordinates with health insurance |
| District of Columbia | 25/50/10 | At-fault | UM 25/50, $5K PD UM | 60-day add-on PIP option for medical/wage loss |
| Florida | 10/20/10 | No-fault (changing July 2026) | PIP $10K, PD only | HB 1181 eliminates PIP and adds 25/50 BI on July 1, 2026 |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 | At-fault | None | License suspended 60 days for first-time uninsured offense |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 | No-fault | PIP $10K | Tort threshold $5K for stepping outside no-fault |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 | At-fault | None | Among the cheapest states for minimum coverage |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 | At-fault | UM/UIM 25/50 | Raised UIM limits in 2023 |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 | At-fault | None | Raised from 25/50/10 in 2017 |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 | At-fault | None | Insurance became mandatory in 2018 |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | No-fault | PIP $4.5K, UM/UIM 25/50 | $2K wage loss and $25 daily essential services in PIP |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 | Choice no-fault | PIP $10K | Drivers can opt out of no-fault by filing rejection form |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 | At-fault | None | Highest full-coverage rate at $3,481/year despite low minimums |
| Maine | 50/100/25 | At-fault | UM/UIM 50/100, MedPay $2K | Highest minimum BI per accident tied with Alaska |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 | At-fault | PIP $2.5K, UM/UIM 30/60 | PIP can be waived in writing for primary policyholder |
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 | No-fault | PIP $8K, UM/UIM 20/40 | Strict tort threshold; uninsured fines up to $5,000 |
| Michigan | 50/100/10 | No-fault | PIP (tiered $50K to unlimited) | 2019 reform lets drivers choose PIP cap; cut rates 18% |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 | No-fault | PIP $40K, UM/UIM 25/50 | $20K medical plus $20K wage loss inside PIP |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 | At-fault | None | $1,000 fine and 1-year suspension for driving uninsured |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 | At-fault | UM 25/50 | Raised from 25/50/10 on January 1, 2023 |
| Montana | 25/50/20 | At-fault | None | SR-22 required after DUI for 3 years |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 | At-fault | UM/UIM 25/50 | UIM matches UM limits by statute |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 | At-fault | None | Most expensive state for full coverage at $335/month |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/25 (if carrying) | At-fault | UM/UIM, MedPay if carrying | Only state without compulsory insurance; SR-22 after at-fault |
| New Jersey | 35/70/25 | Choice no-fault | PIP $15K, UM/UIM 35/70 | Raised from 25/50/25 on January 1, 2026; basic policy still 10/10/5 |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 | At-fault | None | Raised from 25/50/10 in 2010 |
| New York | 25/50/10 | No-fault | PIP $50K, UM 25/50, 50/100 wrongful death | One of the highest PIP minimums; serious injury threshold for tort |
| North Carolina | 50/100/50 | At-fault | UM/UIM 50/100 | Raised from 30/60/25 on July 1, 2025; UIM mandatory |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 | No-fault | PIP $30K, UM/UIM 25/50 | $30K basic economic loss is among the highest PIP minimums |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 | At-fault | None | Raised from 25/50/25 in 2013 |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | At-fault | None | Compulsory Insurance Verification System tracks lapses |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 | At-fault (PIP add-on) | PIP $15K, UM/UIM 25/50 | PIP required even though state is technically at-fault |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 | Choice no-fault | PIP $5K | Drivers pick "limited tort" or "full tort" at policy purchase |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | At-fault | None | Raised from 25/50/25 in 2010 |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | At-fault | UM 25/50/25 | UM property damage carries $200 deductible |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 | At-fault | UM/UIM 25/50 | UIM mandatory by statute |
| Tennessee | 25/50/25 | At-fault | None | James Lee Atwood Jr. Law expanded enforcement in 2018 |
| Texas | 30/60/25 | At-fault | None | 30/60/25 has been in force since April 1, 2008 |
| Utah | 30/65/25 | No-fault | PIP $3K | Raised from 25/65/15 on January 1, 2025 |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | At-fault | UM/UIM 50/100, $10K UM PD | Cheapest state for full coverage at $128/month |
| Virginia | 50/100/25 | At-fault | UM/UIM 50/100/25 | Raised from 30/60/20 on January 1, 2025; uninsured fee repealed July 2024 |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | At-fault | None | License suspended on first uninsured at-fault crash |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 | At-fault | UM/UIM 25/50 | UIM matches UM limits unless rejected in writing |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 | At-fault | UM 25/50, MedPay $1K | Raised UM/UIM minimums in 2018 |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 | At-fault | None | Cheapest state for minimum coverage at $294/year |
Source: Insurance Information Institute, state Departments of Insurance, and 2026 statutory updates from carinsurance.com and NerdWallet. Limits expressed as bodily injury per person/bodily injury per accident/property damage in thousands of dollars.
State minimums almost always fall short of real accident costs. The average emergency room visit for a serious injury runs $4,500, a hospital stay tops $11,700, and a totaled new car easily exceeds $50,000. Carrying a 100/300/100 policy costs roughly $30 more per month than the state minimum and prevents personal liability for amounts above the cap. See our analysis of where state minimums fall short for the math by state.
Fault vs No-Fault: The 12 No-Fault States
Twelve states require drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection and limit when injured drivers can sue the at-fault driver: Florida, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Kansas, Kentucky, Hawaii, Utah, and North Dakota. Drivers in these states first file medical claims with their own insurer regardless of who caused the crash.
Some no-fault states use a "monetary threshold" that lets injured parties sue once medical bills cross a set dollar amount. Hawaii sets that threshold at $5,000. Other states use a "verbal threshold" that requires injuries to meet a written description like "permanent disfigurement" or "death."
Three of the 12 no-fault states allow drivers to opt out of the system at policy purchase. Pennsylvania calls it "full tort" versus "limited tort." Kentucky and New Jersey use rejection forms. Read our guide to coverage types for the full breakdown of how PIP differs from MedPay and standard liability.
| No-Fault State | Minimum PIP | Tort Threshold Type | Opt-Out Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (until July 2026) | $10,000 | Verbal (significant injury) | No |
| Hawaii | $10,000 | Monetary ($5,000) | No |
| Kansas | $4,500 | Monetary ($2,000) | No |
| Kentucky | $10,000 | Choice (verbal or none) | Yes (written rejection) |
| Massachusetts | $8,000 | Monetary ($2,000) | No |
| Michigan | $50,000 to unlimited | Verbal | Partial (qualified health plan) |
| Minnesota | $40,000 ($20K med + $20K wage) | Monetary ($4,000) | No |
| New Jersey | $15,000 | Choice (verbal or none) | Yes (rejection form) |
| New York | $50,000 | Verbal (serious injury) | No |
| North Dakota | $30,000 | Monetary ($2,500) | No |
| Pennsylvania | $5,000 | Choice (full or limited tort) | Yes (full tort election) |
| Utah | $3,000 | Monetary ($3,000) | No |
Source: Insurance Information Institute and state DOI filings. Tort thresholds reflect 2026 statutes; Florida's listing reflects current law before HB 1181 takes effect July 1, 2026.
Most Expensive vs Cheapest States for Minimum Coverage
Minimum coverage premiums depend on three factors: the state's required limits, density of urban driving, and the share of uninsured motorists pushing rates up for everyone else. New Jersey's $1,455 average minimum reflects the new 35/70/25 limits plus mandatory PIP and UM. Wyoming's $294 average reflects 25/50/20 limits, low population density, and minimal litigation costs.
| Cheapest 5 States | Annual Min Coverage | Most Expensive 5 States | Annual Min Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Cheapest | $294 | New Jersey | $1,455 |
| Iowa | $306 | Florida | $1,316 |
| Idaho | $324 | Louisiana | $1,253 |
| Vermont | $340 | Nevada | $1,184 |
| Maine | $372 | New York | $1,127 |
Source: Bankrate 2026 average rates analysis using minimum required coverage in each state for a 40-year-old driver with a clean record.
The gap between Wyoming's $294 and New Jersey's $1,455 minimum represents nearly 5x the annual cost for the same legally compliant policy.
Major State Law Changes for 2026
Three states made meaningful auto insurance statute changes in 2025 or have changes scheduled for 2026.
New Jersey: Limits Raised January 1, 2026
New Jersey moved standard policy minimums from 25/50/25 to 35/70/25 on January 1, 2026, the first increase since 1972. PIP stays at $15,000 and UM/UIM follow the new BI limits. The basic policy alternative still allows 10/10/5 with no UM coverage, though this option remains a poor financial choice for any driver with assets to protect.
Florida: PIP Repeal and At-Fault Switch July 1, 2026
House Bill 1181, signed in 2025, eliminates Florida's PIP system on July 1, 2026, and moves the state to mandatory bodily injury liability of 25/50 plus the existing $10,000 property damage limit. The change ends Florida's 50-year experiment with no-fault auto insurance and requires every Florida driver to update their policy before the deadline. Read our Florida car insurance guide for state-specific compliance details.
Virginia: Mandatory Insurance Effective July 1, 2024
The Virginia General Assembly eliminated the $500 uninsured motorist vehicle fee on July 1, 2024, and raised minimum liability to 50/100/25 effective January 1, 2025. UM/UIM coverage matches BI limits by statute, and as of July 1, 2023 drivers can stack UM/UIM on top of the at-fault driver's policy.
Check your state's DOI filings every January. Eight states have raised minimum requirements since 2020, and the trend continues as medical and repair costs outpace decades-old liability caps. Active policies must reflect current statutory minimums or your registration becomes invalid.
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
Every state except New Hampshire treats driving uninsured as a civil infraction, misdemeanor, or in repeat cases a felony. The 2025 Insurance Research Council study put the national uninsured rate at 12.6%, up from 11.1% in 2019. Eight states have crossed the 20% uninsured threshold, doubling the count from 2022, per our analysis of uninsured driver trends.
| State | First-Offense Fine | License Suspension | SR-22 Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $100 to $200 plus assessments (~$400 total) | Possible | 3 years |
| Florida | $150 reinstatement + suspension | Up to 3 years | 3 years |
| Georgia | $200 to $1,000 | 60 days | If court-ordered |
| Massachusetts | Up to $5,000 | 1 year | 3 years (SR-22 not used; bond required) |
| Michigan | $200 to $500 plus jail up to 1 year | 30 days | Not required |
| Mississippi | $1,000 fixed | 1 year | 3 years |
| New Hampshire | None unless at-fault crash | Triggered by at-fault | 3 years if triggered |
| New York | $150 to $1,500 plus $750 reinstatement | 1 year minimum | 3 years |
| Texas | $175 to $350 | 2 years | 2 years |
| Virginia | $600 fine plus reinstatement fees | Until SR-22 filed | 3 years |
Source: WalletHub 2026 driving without insurance penalties database, state DOI publications, and individual state DMV reinstatement schedules.
Causing an at-fault crash while uninsured triggers personal liability for every dollar of damage you would have paid through insurance. A serious injury crash can produce judgments above $250,000, and 30 states allow wage garnishment to collect. Driving uninsured saves $80 per month in California and costs $250,000 in personal liability after one bad crash.
SR-22 and FR-44 Filing States
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurance company files with the state confirming you carry at least the minimum required coverage. Most states require SR-22 filing for three years after a DUI, license suspension for unpaid tickets, repeated uninsured driving, or causing an uninsured at-fault crash.
Two states use a stricter form called FR-44. Florida and Virginia both require FR-44 after DUI convictions. Florida's FR-44 mandates 100/300/50 coverage, four times the standard PIP-era minimum. Virginia's FR-44 also requires double the standard 50/100/25 limits.
Twelve states do not use SR-22 at all: Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Drivers there still face license suspension and serve out reinstatement waiting periods, but no certificate filing is required. Our SR-22 insurance guide covers cost, duration, and how to find the cheapest carrier in your state.
Buy a compliant policy
Call carriers that accept SR-22 risks: Progressive, GEICO, State Farm, and The General all file SR-22 forms in most states. Expect rates 80% to 200% above standard.
Pay the SR-22 filing fee
Carriers charge $15 to $50 to file the certificate with your state's DMV. The fee is one-time per filing, not annual.
Pay the state reinstatement fee
State fees range from $25 in Wyoming to $750 in New York. Pay through your state DMV portal once your insurer confirms the SR-22 is on file.
Maintain continuous coverage for 3 years
Any lapse during the SR-22 period triggers automatic license re-suspension. Set autopay on the policy and file a non-renewal notice with your state if you sell the vehicle.
How Much Coverage Do You Actually Need Beyond the Minimum?
State minimums protect the state, not the driver. A typical urban accident in 2026 generates $11,700 in medical bills per injured occupant according to NHTSA crash cost data, and average new vehicle prices crossed $48,500 in 2025. The math says minimum liability runs out fast.
The Insurance Information Institute recommends 100/300/100 as a baseline for drivers with assets, mortgages, or wage income worth protecting. That moves you from $25,000 BI per person to $100,000, from $50,000 BI per accident to $300,000, and from $25,000 PD to $100,000. Bankrate's 2026 quote analysis shows the upgrade from state minimum to 100/300/100 averages $26 per month nationally.
Source: Bankrate 2026 rate analysis for a 40-year-old driver with a clean record in a mid-cost state.
Underinsured motorist coverage matters more than ever as 12.6% of US drivers operate without coverage. Adding UM/UIM at 100/300 costs roughly $50 to $150 per year and steps in when the at-fault driver carries less than your damages. Read how much liability you actually need for the asset-based formula most agents use.
Find Your State's Specific Requirements
The following deep-dive guides cover state-specific rules, average rates by city, and the cheapest carriers for the largest insurance markets in the country.
10/20/10 limits plus $10,000 PIP through June 2026, then 25/50/10 BI/PD under HB 1181. Florida runs 12.7% uninsured and averages $1,316 for minimum coverage.
Raised to 30/60/15 on January 1, 2025. Prop 103 caps how fast carriers can raise rates, and California has the country's strictest premium review process.
30/60/25 minimums in force since 2008. Texas TexasSure verification system flags lapses within 24 hours and triggers automatic registration suspension.
25/50/10 BI/PD plus $50,000 PIP and $50,000 UM. New York's serious injury threshold limits when no-fault drivers can pursue tort claims.
50/100/10 plus tiered PIP. The 2019 reform cut average rates 18%, per our Michigan reform results analysis.
How to get covered when your license is reinstated. Covers SR-22 filing, the cheapest high-risk carriers, and what each state requires before you can drive again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maine, Alaska, North Carolina, and Virginia tie for the highest minimum bodily injury per accident at 50/100. North Carolina goes further with 50/100/50 since July 1, 2025, and Virginia matches that on the bodily injury side at 50/100/25. New Jersey sits just below at 35/70/25 plus mandatory PIP and UM/UIM.
Florida currently allows 10/20/10 BI/PD with $10,000 PIP, the lowest BI per person in the country, but that changes on July 1, 2026, when HB 1181 raises BI to 25/50. Pennsylvania's 15/30/5 will become the lowest BI/PD combination after Florida's reform takes effect, per Insurance Information Institute filings.
No. New Hampshire is the only state that does not require auto insurance for licensed drivers, though uninsured drivers must prove financial responsibility after at-fault crashes and file SR-22 forms for three years. Virginia removed its $500 uninsured motorist fee on July 1, 2024, making compulsory insurance the rule in 49 states plus Washington, D.C.
The format breaks into three caps. The first $25,000 is the maximum bodily injury liability paid per injured person. The second $50,000 is the maximum bodily injury liability paid for all injured people in one crash. The third $25,000 is the maximum property damage liability paid for damaged vehicles or property. The Insurance Information Institute uses this format for all 50 states.
Twelve states require Personal Injury Protection and limit lawsuits between drivers: Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Florida exits the no-fault system on July 1, 2026, leaving 11 no-fault states.
- Insurance Information Institute : Automobile Financial Responsibility Laws By State
- CarInsurance.com : Minimum Liability Car Insurance Requirements by State (2026)
- NerdWallet : The Minimum Required Car Insurance by State
- Bankrate : Car Insurance Rates by State for 2026
- WalletHub : Driving Without Insurance: State-By-State Penalties for 2026
- Florida House of Representatives : HB 1181 Analysis (PIP Repeal)
- The Zebra : Virginia's Auto Insurance Limits Increasing in 2025
- State Farm Newsroom : Utah's New Auto Liability Coverage Law
- Michigan DIFS : The Impact of Michigan Auto Insurance Reform (Milliman Report)
- Insurance.com : New Jersey 2026 Minimum Insurance Requirement Changes
- MoneyGeek : State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements (2026)