State Insurance Requirements Checker

What Minimum Coverage Means

Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance. These minimums set the floor for how much your policy will pay if you cause an accident. The standard format is three numbers separated by slashes (e.g., 25/50/25), representing: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage, all in thousands of dollars.

Minimum coverage is liability only. It pays the other party's expenses when you're at fault. It does not cover your own vehicle damage, medical bills, or any costs exceeding your policy limits. If you cause a crash with $80,000 in injuries and carry a $25,000 per-person limit, you are personally responsible for the $55,000 gap.

Why Minimums May Not Be Enough

Most state minimums were set decades ago and have not kept pace with medical costs or vehicle values. A single ER visit can exceed $10,000, and a serious injury can generate six-figure medical bills. Property damage to a newer vehicle routinely exceeds $25,000. When your policy limit runs out, the injured party can pursue your personal assets through a lawsuit.

Five states recently recognized this gap by raising their minimums: California, Hawaii, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia all increased limits between 2025 and 2026. Financial planners generally recommend carrying at least 100/300/100 to protect personal assets, regardless of what your state requires.

When to Consider More Coverage

If you own a home, have savings, or earn above the median income, you have assets worth protecting. Minimum liability coverage is designed for the worst financial situation, not the average one. Collision and comprehensive coverage protect your own vehicle. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when the other driver has no insurance or too little. The cost difference between minimum and full coverage varies by state, but nationwide the gap averages about $78 per month.