Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements by State
Prevent Lawsuits by Complying with the Law & Insuring Vehicles
Aug 30, 2009
Auto insurance is tricky business. The numbers can be difficult to read, the plans can be expensive, and the effects of not purchasing auto insurance can be detrimental.
All drivers should take the time to learn more about auto insurance to avoid losing more than their cars and licenses: not holding enough insurance could result in losing personal assets due to injury lawsuits.
Hold the Minimum Required or Coverage Equal to Your Assets
Most states require some form of liability insurance, and many states require personal injury insurance as well. Before choosing an insurance policy, drivers should see what is required by their state.
While it is usually a good idea to have enough insurance coverage to equal to the total value of a policyholder’s assets, if nothing else, he or she should be sure to hold the minimum coverage to avoid potential lawsuits and accident attorneys seeking money for the injuries and damages sustained in an accident.
Understanding How to Read Insurance Coverage Figures
The numbers are arranged in thousands of dollars by amount of insurance coverage for personal injuries/insurance coverage for injuries of all injured in the vehicle/insurance coverage for vehicle damages and repairs. Some states also require uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and this information is included following the state's minimum required liability insurance.
For example, Louisiana's minimum requirements are $10,000 for the driver's injuries/$20,000 for all injuries within the vehicle/$10,000 coverage for property damage, and this state does not require uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Remember that liability does not cover any personal injuries or personal property damage, just the injuries and damages of the other vehicles involved in the accident.
Amount of Liability Coverage Required by State
- Alabama 25/50/25, No
- Alaska 50/100/25, No
- Arizona 15/30/10, No
- Arkansas 25/50/25, No
- California 15/30/5, No
- Colorado 25/50/15, No
- Connecticut 20/40/10, Yes
- Delaware 15/30/10, No
- D.C. 25/50/10, Yes
- Florida 10/20/10, No
- Georgia 25/50/25, No
- Hawaii 20/40/10, No
- Idaho 25/50/15, No
- Illinois 20/40/15, Yes
- Indiana 25/50/10, No
- Iowa 20/40/15, No
- Kansas 25/50/10, Yes
- Kentucky 25/50/10, No
- Louisiana 10/20/10, No
- Maine 50/100/25, Yes
- Maryland 20/40/15, Yes
- Massachusetts 20/40/5, Yes
- Michigan 20/40/10, No
- Minnesota 30/60/10, Yes
- Mississippi 25/50/25, No
- Missouri 25/50/10, Yes
- Montana 25/50/10, No
- Nebraska 25/50/25, No
- Nevada 15/30/10, No
- New Hampshire 25/50/25 Financial Responsibility only, Yes
- New Jersey 15/30/10, Yes
- New Mexico 25/50/10, No
- New York 25/50/10, Yes
- North Carolina 30/60/25, Yes
- North Dakota 25/50/25, Yes
- Ohio 12.5/25/7.5, No
- Oklahoma 25/50/25, No
- Oregon 25/50/10, Yes
- Pennsylvania 15/30/5, No
- Rhode Island 25/50/25, Yes
- South Carolina 25/50/25, Yes
- South Dakota 25/50/25, Yes
- Tennessee 25/50/10, No
- Texas 25/50/25, No
- Utah 25/50/15, No
- Vermont 25/50/10, Yes
- Virginia 25/50/20, Yes
- Washington 25/50/10, No
- West Virginia 20/40/10, Yes
- Wisconsin 25/50/10 Financial Responsibility only, Yes
- Wyoming 25/50/20, No
*figures from "State Auto Insurance - What Are The Requirements?"
Although these figures represent the minimum insurance required by law, policyholders should purchase enough coverage to prevent personal property loss from potential lawsuits. For people who own older cars and do not have many assets, the minimum required insurance might be the best policy and a great way to save money.
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