State Minimum Car Insurance, Explained
Almost every state sets a minimum amount of car insurance you must carry to drive legally. Here is what that minimum is and what it is not.
What the minimum usually means
In most states the minimum is liability coverage. Liability pays for injury or damage you cause to other people, up to your policy limits. The exact limits, and whether other coverages are required, differ by state.
What it usually does not cover
- Repairs to your own car after an accident you caused
- Your own medical bills in many states
- Damage from theft, hail, flood, or a falling tree
- Costs above your limits, which can become your own responsibility
Why some drivers choose higher limits
A serious accident can cost more than a minimum policy pays. Drivers with a home, savings, or income to protect often ask about higher liability limits. Whether that makes sense depends on your situation, and an agent can show you how the cost changes.
Other coverages to know
- Collision: your car after a crash
- Comprehensive: theft, weather, animals
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist: if the other driver has too little or none
- Medical payments or personal injury protection: required in some states
Check your own state
Rules change, so confirm the current minimums with your state department of insurance or motor vehicle office. We list our state pages as a starting point, but your state agency is the official source.
Next step
A licensed agent can compare options by phone, from the legal minimum up to more protection, and explain the difference in plain words.
General information only, not financial, legal or insurance advice. Rules, prices and benefits vary by state and by policy. A licensed professional can explain what applies to you.