2026 State-by-State Car Insurance Minimums: The Complete Chart

Every U.S. state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry auto liability insurance. The minimum amounts vary widely, from as low as $15,000 per person for bodily injury in Pennsylvania and Louisiana to $50,000 per person in Alaska, Maine, North Carolina, and Virginia (Michigan defaults to $250,000 unless you select a lower limit, and also requires PIP). This chart shows every state's minimum liability requirement, whether uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is mandated, and whether the state operates under a no-fault or at-fault system.

Liability limits are shown in the standard split-limit format: bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage. For example, 25/50/25 means $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.

These are legal minimums, not recommended coverage levels. For most drivers, minimum coverage leaves significant financial exposure. State minimums were designed as a bare legal floor, not as a recommendation. For an interactive, searchable version, see our State Minimum Coverage chart.

Complete state minimum chart

*New Hampshire does not require auto insurance but requires proof of financial responsibility. If you choose to buy a policy, these are the applicable minimums: 25/50/25.

Key 2025-2026 changes

Several states updated their minimum requirements recently:

California raised its minimums from 15/30/5 to 30/60/15 on January 1, 2025, the first increase since 1967.

Massachusetts raised its minimums from 20/40/5 to 25/50/30 on July 1, 2025, its first increase since 1988. UM/UIM moved to 25/50.

Hawaii doubled its minimums from 20/40/10 to 40/80/20 for policies effective on or after January 1, 2026. PIP stays at $10,000.

North Carolina raised its minimums from 30/60/25 to 50/100/50, effective for policies written on or after July 1, 2025. UM/UIM minimums were also increased to match. North Carolina now has one of the highest minimum requirements in the country.

New Jersey completed the final stage of a phased increase that began in 2023, bringing minimum liability to 35/70/25 and UM/UIM to 35/70 for policies effective on or after January 1, 2026.

Virginia increased its minimums from 30/60/20 to 50/100/25 and eliminated the option to pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee in lieu of insurance.

Utah raised its liability floor from 25/65/15 to 30/65/25.

Florida has not changed. Bills to repeal the no-fault PIP system and require bodily injury liability were filed again in 2025 and 2026 but died in committee, so Florida still requires only $10,000 PIP and $10,000 property damage. We cover the broader picture in No-Fault vs. At-Fault States: What It Means for Your Coverage.

How to use this chart

This chart tells you what your state requires. It does not tell you what you should carry. State minimums were designed as a bare legal floor, not as a recommendation. In most states, the minimum bodily injury limit per person ($25,000 to $30,000) would not cover a single ER visit with surgery, let alone a serious injury claim.

If you're reviewing your coverage, use this chart to confirm you meet your state's legal requirements, then read our explainer on no-fault vs. at-fault systems and our deep dive on uninsured motorist coverage to understand what adequate coverage looks like for you.

For a personalized analysis of your specific policy, upload your Dec page to the free PolicyLector analyzer. The tool compares your limits against both state minimums and common adequacy benchmarks.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I drive to a state with higher minimums than my home state?

Your policy generally extends to meet the minimum requirements of whatever state you're driving in. If you carry 25/50/25 and drive through a state that requires 50/100/25, your policy will provide the higher limits while you're in that state. But this only applies to minimums, not to adequate coverage.

Do I need to update my policy if my state raises its minimums?

Most carriers automatically adjust your coverage to meet new minimums at your next renewal. Check your Dec page after any renewal that follows a state law change to confirm. If your policy renews before the effective date of the new law, the change will appear on the following renewal.

Does New Hampshire really not require insurance?

New Hampshire does not mandate auto liability insurance but requires drivers to demonstrate financial responsibility. If you cause an accident and can't pay, your license and registration can be suspended. In practice, most New Hampshire drivers carry insurance.

Why is Michigan's minimum so much higher than other states?

Michigan has a unique no-fault system with unlimited PIP benefits (though recent reforms allow drivers to choose lower PIP limits). The high liability minimums reflect the state's broader no-fault framework and historically high insurance costs.