How much car insurance is required in all 50 states

Almost every state requires motorists have car insurance. Unfortunately for those looking for easy answers, each one of those states has a different minimum amount of insurance needed. Some require just liability insurance, which covers bodily injury (BI) and property damage (PD) you do to someone else. Some require extra medical coverage or what’s often known as personal injury protection (PIP), which covers health care bills you or your passengers incur. And some require uninsured and/or underinsured motorist insurance, which cover you if you get into an accident with someone who has no-or-limited coverage of their own.

Collision and comprehensive coverage, which cover damage to your vehicle on or off the road, are optional everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry any.

If you’re confused, there's good news: You really only have to worry about the requirements where you live, so you can jump to your home state and make sure your coverage fits the mandatory minimums. Here’s how much auto insurance is required in all 50 states.

Alabama

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Alaska

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $50,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $100,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Arizona

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $15,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $30,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Arkansas

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Notes: Arkansas also requires car insurance companies to offer a PIP policy with a minimum limit of $5,000. Drivers can choose to reject this coverage.

California

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $15,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $30,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $5,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Notes: California also helps low-income drivers who otherwise would not procure car insurance get a policy through the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan. The minimum liability limits for one of these policies is 10/20/3.

Colorado

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $15,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Connecticut

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $20,000 per person; $40,000 per accident

Notes: The BI and PD minimums are effective as of January 1, 2018.

Delaware

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: $15,000 per person; $30,000 per accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Notes: The BI and PD minimums are effective as of December 13, 2017.

District of Columbia

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 BI per person; $50,000 BI per accident and $5,000 PD per accident

Florida

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: Optional, unless otherwise specified by the state
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $20,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: $10,000
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Georgia

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Hawaii

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $40,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: $10,000
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Idaho

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $15,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Illinois

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $20,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $20,000 per person; $40,000 per accident

Indiana

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Notes: Indiana specifies insurers include UM/UMI at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident unless it is expressly rejected in writing.

Iowa

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $40,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $15,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Kansas

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: $4,500 per accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per accident

Kentucky

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: $10,000 per accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional, but Kentucky specifies the insurer include UM/UMI at $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident unless you expressly reject it in writing.

Notes: BI and PD minimums are effective as of January 1, 2018.

Louisiana

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $15,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $30,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Maine

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $50,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $100,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: While not technically PIP since it applies solely to medical expenses, Maine requires motorists to carry $2,000 in coverage for any injuries they or their passengers incur.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $50,000 per person; $100,000 per accident

Maryland

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $30,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $15,000
• Personal injury protection: $2,500 per incident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $30,000 per person; $60,000 per incident; and $15,000 in PD coverage

Massachusetts

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $40,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $5,000
• Personal injury protection: $8,000 per accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $20,000 per person; $40,000 per incident.

Michigan

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $40,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Amount varies depending on health insurance (see notes)
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Notes: Michigan requires drivers to carry PIP coverage, though the exact amount required depends on the type and amount of health insurance coverage they have. Michigan also requires property protection insurance (PPI), with a minimum limit of $1 million in property damage coverage. PPI can cover damages regardless of who caused the accident, as Michigan is a no fault state.

Minnesota

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $30,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: $20,000 per accident; $20,000 for loss of income per accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per accident

Mississippi

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Missouri

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per incident

Notes: Missouri drivers can comply with these rules without buying car insurance – drivers can instead submit proof of financial responsibility to the Department of Revenue. However, insurance is a much more common and cheaper way to comply with these rules.

Montana

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $20,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Nebraska

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per accident

Nevada

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $20,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Notes: BI and PD minimums are effective as of July 1, 2018.

New Hampshire

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: Legally optional, but, if purchased, $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: Legally optional, but, if purchased, $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: Legally optional, but, if purchased, $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Legally optional, but, if purchased, $1,000 per accident for medical expenses solely.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Legally optional, but, if purchases, must match your liability limits.

Notes: New Hampshire doesn’t mandate drivers carry car insurance. However, motorists are still responsible for paying for bodily injury and property damages if they cause a car accident. (The easiest way to do this? Insurance.) And, if you do choose to buy car insurance in New Hampshire, you must meet the minimums above. If you can’t afford to buy car insurance, you may get coverage through the New Hampshire Automobile Insurance Plan.

New Jersey

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $15,000 for a standard policy (see notes)
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $30,000 for a standard policy
• Property damage liability coverage: $5,000 for a standard policy
• Personal injury protection: $15,000 per accident, plus up to $250,000 for severe injuries for a standard policy
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Must match liability limits if purchasing a standard policy

Notes: New Jersey mandates motorists carry a Standard Policy (outlined above) or a Basic Policy. The Basic Policy, a result of the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act, costs less, but provides limited coverage. It’s an option for motorists with limited family responsibilities. It comes with $5,000 of PD liability coverage, $15,000 of PIP per person, and up to $250,000 of PIP for severe injuries.

New Mexico

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

New York

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $20,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: $50,000 per person
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per accident

Notes: New York also requires motorists carry wrongful death coverage, with minimum limits of $50,000 for one death per accident and $100,000 for multiple deaths per accident.

North Carolina

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $30,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Must match highest BI limit, so $60,000 per accident

North Dakota

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: $30,000 per person
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 per accident

Ohio

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Oklahoma

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Oregon

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $20,000
• Personal injury protection: $15,000 per person
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Equal to the state’s liability minimums, so $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Pennsylvania

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $15,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $30,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $5,000
• Personal injury protection: $5,000 per person in medical benefit coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Rhode Island

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

South Carolina

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Coverage must equal liability limits, so $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

South Dakota

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person; $50,000 person incident

Tennessee

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $15,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Texas

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $30,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $60,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $25,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Utah

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $65,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $15,000
• Personal injury protection: $3,000 per person
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Vermont

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $50,000 per person; $100,000 per accident; and $10,000 PD

Virginia

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000, if purchasing insurance (see notes)
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000, if purchasing insurance (see notes)
• Property damage liability coverage: $20,000, if purchasing insurance (see notes)
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Coverage must match your liability limits, so $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident, if purchasing insurance (see notes)

Notes: In lieu of car insurance, you can pay the Virginia DMV a fee of $500 to drive uninsured. This will not protect you financially, and if you cause a car accident, you are financially responsible for all bodily injuries and property damage that you cause.

Washington

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

West Virginia

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $40,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Coverage must equal liability coverage, so the minimum is $25,000 per person and $40,000 per accident. But there’s also a state maximum in this category of 100/300/50.

Wisconsin

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $10,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: $100,000 per person; $300,000 per accident

Wyoming

• Bodily injury liability coverage per person: $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage per accident: $50,000
• Property damage liability coverage: $20,000
• Personal injury protection: Optional
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: Optional

Information in this article is sourced from the Insurance Information Institute and individual state DMV offices.