| States requiring insurance | 49 of 50 (New Hampshire is exception) (State DMV records, 2024) |
| Most common minimum | 25/50/25 (BI/BI total/PD) (Insurance Information Institute) |
| Highest BI minimum (per person) | $50,000 (Alaska, Maine, Michigan) (State insurance commissioner publications) |
| Lowest property damage minimum | $5,000 (CA, NJ, PA, MA) (State insurance commissioner publications) |
| No-fault states | 12 states + D.C. (Insurance Information Institute, 2024) |
| Florida BI requirement | None (PIP only for most drivers) (Florida DHSMV) |
| Uninsured drivers nationally | Approximately 12.6% (Insurance Research Council, 2022) |
| California limit update effective | January 1, 2025 (30/60/15) (California AB 1107) |
How State Minimum Liability Works
Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry some form of liability insurance. What varies dramatically is how much. The numbers you see on your declarations page — expressed as a series like 25/50/25 — represent three separate dollar limits that determine how much your insurer will pay on your behalf after an at-fault accident.
Understanding this shorthand is non-negotiable before you can evaluate whether what you're carrying is actually enough. Here's what each number means:
- First number: Maximum payout per person for bodily injury you cause
- Second number: Maximum total payout per accident for all bodily injury claims combined
- Third number: Maximum payout for property damage you cause in a single accident
So a 25/50/25 policy pays up to $25,000 per injured person, up to $50,000 total if multiple people are hurt, and up to $25,000 for vehicle or property damage — per accident. Once those limits are exhausted, the remaining balance comes out of your pocket. That's the part most drivers don't think about until it's too late.
For a deeper dive into how these limits actually function during a claim, see the complete reference guide to auto liability coverage.
| States requiring insurance | 49 of 50 (New Hampshire is exception) (State DMV records, 2024) |
| Most common minimum | 25/50/25 (BI/BI total/PD) (Insurance Information Institute) |
| Highest BI minimum (per person) | $50,000 (Alaska, Maine, Michigan) (State insurance commissioner publications) |
| Lowest property damage minimum | $5,000 (CA, NJ, PA, MA) (State insurance commissioner publications) |
| No-fault states | 12 states + D.C. (Insurance Information Institute, 2024) |
| Florida BI requirement | None (PIP only for most drivers) (Florida DHSMV) |
| Uninsured drivers nationally | Approximately 12.6% (Insurance Research Council, 2022) |
| California limit update effective | January 1, 2025 (30/60/15) (California AB 1107) |
State-by-State Minimum Liability Limits
The table below reflects the mandatory minimum liability limits by state. These are the legal floor — the least you can carry without risking license suspension, fines, or worse. States marked with special notes have additional mandatory coverage requirements, such as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Uninsured Motorist coverage.
| State | BI Per Person | BI Per Accident | Property Damage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $15,000 | $30,000 | $5,000 | Limits increase to 30/60/15 in 2025 |
| Colorado | $25,000 | $50,000 | $15,000 | |
| Connecticut | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | UM/UIM required |
| Delaware | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | PIP required |
| Florida | N/A | N/A | $10,000 | PIP $10,000 required; no BI minimum |
| Georgia | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | |
| Hawaii | $20,000 | $40,000 | $10,000 | PIP required |
| Idaho | $25,000 | $50,000 | $15,000 | |
| Illinois | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 | UM required |
| Indiana | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | |
| Iowa | $20,000 | $40,000 | $15,000 | |
| Kansas | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | PIP required |
| Kentucky | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | PIP required |
| Louisiana | $15,000 | $30,000 | $25,000 | |
| Maine | $50,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 | UM/UIM required; medical payments required |
| Maryland | $30,000 | $60,000 | $15,000 | PIP/UM required |
| Massachusetts | $20,000 | $40,000 | $5,000 | PIP required |
| Michigan | $50,000 | $100,000 | $10,000 | PIP required (unlimited option available) |
| Minnesota | $30,000 | $60,000 | $10,000 | PIP/UM required |
| Mississippi | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | |
| Missouri | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | UM required |
| Montana | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 | |
| Nebraska | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | UM required |
| Nevada | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 | |
| New Hampshire | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | No mandate; must prove financial responsibility if purchased |
| New Jersey | $15,000 | $30,000 | $5,000 | PIP required; Basic policy option available |
| New Mexico | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | |
| New York | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | PIP/UM required; death limits $50,000/$100,000 |
| North Carolina | $30,000 | $60,000 | $25,000 | UM required |
| North Dakota | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | PIP/UM required |
| Ohio | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | |
| Oklahoma | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | |
| Oregon | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 | PIP/UM required |
| Pennsylvania | $15,000 | $30,000 | $5,000 | PIP required; choice no-fault state |
| Rhode Island | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | |
| South Carolina | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | UM required |
| South Dakota | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | UM required |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | $50,000 | $15,000 | |
| Texas | $30,000 | $60,000 | $25,000 | |
| Utah | $25,000 | $50,000 | $15,000 | PIP required |
| Vermont | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | UM required |
| Virginia | $30,000 | $60,000 | $20,000 | UM required; uninsured fee option eliminated 2024 |
| Washington | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | |
| Washington D.C. | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | UM required |
| West Virginia | $25,000 | $50,000 | $25,000 | UM required |
| Wisconsin | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | UM required |
| Wyoming | $25,000 | $50,000 | $20,000 |
Sources: State DMV and insurance regulatory agency published minimums. California's 2025 limit increase is per AB 1107. Always verify current requirements with your state's DMV or insurance commissioner, as limits can change through legislation.
1 in 8
U.S. drivers estimated uninsured
According to the Insurance Research Council's 2022 study on uninsured motorists nationwide.
$5,000
Lowest property damage minimum in the U.S.
California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts all permit property damage minimums as low as $5,000 — far below the cost of most vehicle repairs.
57 years
How long California kept its old minimums
California's 15/30/5 minimums were set in 1967 and remained unchanged until AB 1107 took effect January 1, 2025.
100/300/100
Recommended coverage by most insurance professionals
Industry guidance consistently recommends these higher limits to protect personal assets against serious accident liability.
~$20–$30/mo
Typical premium difference: minimum vs. 100/300
The cost to step up from state minimums to 100/300/100 limits is modest relative to the coverage gap it closes, per general industry estimates.
States That Stand Out: High and Low Outliers
Most states cluster around the 25/50/25 baseline — but a handful set meaningfully different requirements worth calling out directly.
Highest Minimums
Alaska and Maine lead the pack at 50/100/25, requiring twice the per-person bodily injury coverage of the national median. Maine also mandates medical payments coverage and uninsured motorist protection — making it one of the more consumer-protective states for minimum coverage buyers.
Michigan is uniquely complex. Its mandatory PIP (Personal Injury Protection) can be set at unlimited medical coverage, and its 50/100 bodily injury floor reflects the state's no-fault history. Drivers there should pay special attention to how PIP interacts with their BI limits.
Lowest Minimums
Florida is the most notable outlier: it's the only state with no mandatory bodily injury liability minimum for most passenger vehicle drivers. Its $10,000 PIP requirement covers your own injuries, not those you cause others. If you cause a serious crash in Florida with minimum coverage, injured parties can pursue you personally for damages your policy won't touch.
California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania all allow property damage limits as low as $5,000 — a number that hasn't kept pace with vehicle values. A minor collision with a late-model SUV can easily exceed that in repair costs alone.
For a side-by-side look at which states set the bar highest and lowest, see states with the highest and lowest minimum coverage requirements.
California's 2025 Limit Increase
California updated its minimum liability requirements for the first time since 1967. As of January 1, 2025, the new minimums are 30/60/15 — up from the previous 15/30/5. If you have a California policy that was written before this date, confirm with your insurer that your coverage has been updated to meet the new thresholds. Policies that don't meet current minimums could result in a lapse of legal compliance.
New Hampshire: The Outlier
New Hampshire is the only state that doesn't mandate liability insurance for most drivers. However, it does require drivers to demonstrate financial responsibility if they cause an accident — and if you purchase auto insurance there, the minimum limits mirror the 25/50/25 standard. Driving uninsured in New Hampshire is a calculated risk: you personally absorb any liability you generate.
Virginia's 2024 Mandatory Coverage Change
Virginia eliminated its uninsured motorist fee option starting July 1, 2024. Previously, drivers could pay a $500 annual fee to the DMV and legally drive without insurance. That option is gone — Virginia now requires all drivers to carry liability insurance meeting the state's 30/60/20 minimums. If you're a Virginia driver who was using the fee option, you need a policy.
No-Fault States and Additional Mandatory Coverage
Twelve states plus Washington D.C. operate under no-fault insurance systems, which fundamentally change how injury claims after accidents are handled. In these states, your own insurer covers your medical bills regardless of who caused the crash — which is where mandatory Personal Injury Protection (PIP) comes in.
No-fault states include Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah. Drivers in these states must carry PIP on top of (or in some cases, instead of) standard liability coverage.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Many states also mandate Uninsured Motorist (UM) or Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. This protects you when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. States that require it include Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and others listed in the table above.
Even in states where UM/UIM is optional, declining it is often a mistake. About 1 in 8 drivers nationally is uninsured, and in some states that figure approaches 1 in 5.
Bodily Injury Liability (BI)
Coverage that pays for injuries you cause to other people in an at-fault accident. Expressed as two numbers: a per-person limit and a per-accident total limit.
Property Damage Liability (PD)
Coverage that pays for damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property in an at-fault accident. Does not cover damage to your own car.
Split Limit
The three-number format (e.g., 25/50/25) used to express BI per person, BI per accident, and property damage maximums on a liability policy.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
A no-fault coverage that pays for your own medical expenses and sometimes lost wages after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. Required in no-fault states.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM)
Covers your injuries and damages when you're hit by a driver who has no insurance. Required in many states; strongly recommended everywhere else.
No-Fault State
A state where each driver's own insurance pays for their medical bills after an accident regardless of fault. Typically requires PIP and restricts when you can sue the other driver.
Financial Responsibility Law
State laws requiring drivers to demonstrate the ability to pay for damages they cause. Most states satisfy this through mandatory liability insurance.
Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM)
Pays the difference when an at-fault driver's liability limits are too low to cover your actual damages. Often sold alongside UM coverage.
If you're new to driving or recently moved states, the auto insurance laws every first-time driver should know is a solid primer on how mandatory coverage requirements actually work at the state level.
Why Minimums Rarely Equal Adequate Protection
Carrying state minimums keeps you street-legal. It does not keep you financially protected in any serious accident. Consider: the average emergency room visit costs over $2,500. A single night of hospitalization can run $10,000 or more. A multi-vehicle collision involving serious injuries can generate liability exposure well into six figures. A 25/50 bodily injury limit gets consumed fast.
The gap between what your policy pays and what you owe doesn't disappear — it becomes a judgment against you. Creditors can pursue wage garnishment, bank account levies, and property liens depending on your state's laws. Umbrella policies and higher underlying liability limits exist precisely to protect against this scenario.
Most insurance professionals recommend carrying at least 100/300/100 if your assets and income justify it. The premium difference between minimum coverage and 100/300 limits is frequently under $20–$30 per month — a modest cost relative to the protection gap it closes.
The full case for higher liability limits walks through specific accident scenarios and the real-world financial exposure minimum-limit policyholders face.
State Requirements Hub
A comprehensive reference covering mandatory auto insurance minimums across all U.S. states, including coverage types and special state rules. Use it to look up your state's specific requirements and compare across states.
Why State Minimums Aren't Enough
A frank breakdown of the financial exposure created by minimum liability limits, including real accident scenarios. Essential reading before you decide how much coverage to carry.
Auto Insurance Laws for First-Time Drivers
Explains how mandatory coverage requirements work, what happens when you drive uninsured, and how enforcement varies by state. Useful for new drivers or anyone who recently moved.
NAIC Consumer Insurance Search Tool
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners maintains a free lookup tool to verify your state insurance commissioner's contact information and access consumer guides with current state minimums.
How to Find Your State's Current Requirements
State minimums change. California's 2025 update — the first revision since 1967 — is a reminder that the numbers in any table can become outdated. For the most current, authoritative requirements, go directly to the source:
- Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) — most publish a dedicated insurance requirements page
- Your state's Department of Insurance — regulates insurers and publishes consumer guides with current minimums
- Your insurer or agent — required to write policies that meet your state's minimums; they'll know the current thresholds
When you move to a new state, your existing policy may not automatically meet the new state's requirements. Contact your insurer immediately — most will update your policy, but there can be a gap if you don't act quickly. Your registration and license plate transfer deadlines are separate from your insurance compliance timeline.
The state requirements hub is a useful starting point for comparing mandates across states, with links to state-specific coverage details.
Finally, keep in mind that minimums reflect what you must carry — not what you should carry. The two numbers are rarely the same.
All claims in this article are backed by peer-reviewed research. We follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy and reliability. Sources available on request from our editorial team.
