Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| States that raised minimums on or after January 1, 2025 | California, Utah, Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Hawaii and New Jersey |
| Next scheduled increase | District of Columbia, October 1, 2027: 50/100/20 |
| Later scheduled increase | California, January 1, 2035: 50/100/25 |
| Highest property damage minimum in any state | North Carolina, $50,000 |
| Virginia's uninsured motor vehicle fee | Ended July 1, 2024; every registered vehicle now needs a policy |
| How limits are written | Bodily injury per person / bodily injury per accident / property damage, in thousands of dollars |
Which states raised minimum car insurance limits?
Minimum limits are the smallest amounts of liability coverage a state lets you carry. They are written into each state's financial responsibility law, and they can stay frozen for decades while the cost of medical care and car repairs keeps climbing. The NAIC reports that the average collision claim rose 17.6% in a single year, from $6,113 in 2021 to $7,191 in 2022. A minimum set long ago buys much less protection today, and that gap is what lawmakers have been closing.
The table compares the old and new minimums in each state that changed its law recently. Every figure comes from the state's statute, its motor vehicle agency or its insurance regulator.
| State | Old minimum | New minimum | When the new limits apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 15/30/5 | 30/60/15 | January 1, 2025 |
| California (second step) | 30/60/15 | 50/100/25 | January 1, 2035 |
| Hawaii | 20/40/10 | 40/80/20 | January 1, 2026 |
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 | 25/50/30 | Policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025 |
| North Carolina | 30/60/25 | 50/100/50 | Policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2025 |
| Virginia | 30/60/20 | 50/100/25 | Policies effective on or after January 1, 2025 |
| Utah | 25/65/15 | 30/65/25 | Policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 |
| New Jersey (first phase) | 15/30/5 | 25/50/25 | Policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 |
| New Jersey (second phase) | 25/50/25 | 35/70/25 | Policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026 |
| District of Columbia | 25/50/10 | 50/100/20 | October 1, 2027 |
Look closely at the last column. Some laws apply to policies "issued or renewed" after a date, so a driver in the middle of a policy term keeps the old limits until the next renewal. Others apply to every policy from a fixed date. Your insurer handles the switch either way, but it explains why two neighbors can see the change months apart.
California: a two-step increase
California raised its minimums through SB 1107 (Chapter 717, Statutes of 2022). The old limits of 15/30/5 were among the lowest in the country. From January 1, 2025 the minimum became 30/60/15, and the same law sets a second rise to 50/100/25 on January 1, 2035. Drivers who prove financial responsibility with a cash deposit at the DMV instead of a policy now need $75,000.
California's low-cost program for eligible low-income drivers keeps its own, lower limits. Our guide to low-cost state programs explains who qualifies and what the program covers.
Hawaii: every part of the limit doubled
Hawaii passed Act 138, which raised the minimum from 20/40/10 to 40/80/20 from January 1, 2026. Bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage each doubled. Hawaii is also a no-fault state, so drivers still need personal injury protection of $10,000 on top of liability. Some older consumer pages from state agencies may still show the old limits, so treat the statute and your insurer's renewal documents as the reference.
Massachusetts: a big jump in property damage
Massachusetts changed its limits through Chapter 275 of the Acts of 2024. The minimum went from 20/40/5 to 25/50/30 for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025. The property damage part saw by far the largest change, which matters in a state where a minor crash with a newer car can easily cost more than the old limit. Massachusetts still requires personal injury protection of $8,000 per person and uninsured motorist coverage at least at the compulsory bodily injury limits.
North Carolina: the highest property damage minimum
North Carolina moved from 30/60/25 to 50/100/50 for policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2025. Its property damage minimum of $50,000 is now the highest of any state in our data. North Carolina also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on every policy, and that coverage generally matches your bodily injury limits, so it rose too.
A second, smaller change affects owners whose coverage ends. From October 1, 2026, North Carolina gives vehicle owners 30 days, instead of 10, to answer a DMV notice that their liability insurance was terminated. Missing that window can lead to plate revocation and civil penalties.
Virginia: higher limits and the end of the uninsured fee
Virginia made two changes close together. First, the state ended its Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee option on July 1, 2024. For years, Virginia owners could pay a fee to the DMV instead of buying a policy. The NAIC notes that the fee never bought any insurance; it only let the owner drive uninsured at their own risk. Now every vehicle registered in Virginia must carry a policy that meets the state's limits.
Second, the minimum rose from 30/60/20 (the limits for policies effective in 2022-2024) to 50/100/25 for policies effective on or after January 1, 2025. An owner caught without insurance faces suspension of driving and registration privileges, a $600 noncompliance fee and an SR-22 filing with the DMV for 3 years.
Utah: higher limits, same per-accident figure
Utah raised its minimum from 25/65/15 to 30/65/25 for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025. The per-accident bodily injury figure stayed the same, while the per-person and property damage parts went up. Utah also lets drivers use a single combined limit instead of split limits, and that option rose from $80,000 to $90,000. As a no-fault state, Utah also requires personal injury protection of at least $3,000 per person.
New Jersey: two phases for the Standard Policy
New Jersey phased its increase in. The Standard Policy minimum went from 15/30/5 to 25/50/25 for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2023, then to 35/70/25 on or after January 1, 2026. Uninsured and underinsured motorist minimums followed the same schedule, and the same law added uninsured motorist property damage with an aggregate limit of $25,000 per accident.
The increases do not apply to New Jersey's Basic Policy, a stripped-down option that keeps a property damage limit of $5,000. The Department of Banking and Insurance requires insurers to tell policyholders when their limits are raised at renewal.
District of Columbia: increases on the calendar
The District of Columbia passed D.C. Law 26-155, effective August 14, 2026. It raises minimum liability from 25/50/10 to 50/100/20, applying from October 1, 2027. From January 1, 2037, and every 10 years after that, the limits are set to rise again by $5,000 per person, $10,000 per accident and $2,000 for property damage. The same law makes a new, enhanced form of underinsured motorist coverage part of policies unless the policyholder waives it in writing.
Earlier increases worth knowing
The recent wave follows a smaller round of changes a few years earlier. These come from the state law notes in the NAIC's auto insurance database report, which records each state's limits over time.
| State | Change | Applied from |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 25/50/10 to 25/50/25 | January 1, 2017 |
| Delaware | 15/30/5 to 25/50/10 | December 13, 2017 |
| Connecticut | 20/40/10 to 25/50/25 | January 1, 2018 |
| Kentucky | 25/50/10 to 25/50/25 | January 1, 2018 |
| Nevada | 15/30/10 to 25/50/20 | July 1, 2018 |
Arizona changed its law a little later. Minimums rose from 15/30/10 to 25/50/15 for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2020; existing lower UM/UIM limits were raised to 25/50 at renewal.
What changes for drivers at renewal
For most people the change is quiet. If your limits are already above the new minimum, nothing about your liability coverage has to change. If you carry exactly the old minimum, your insurer raises your limits when the new rules reach your policy, which is usually at renewal.
Here is what can shift when that happens:
- Your liability limits. They move up to at least the new state minimum. Your declarations page will show the new numbers.
- Your premium. Higher limits usually cost more, because the insurer can pay out more for each claim. How much more depends on your insurer, your record and where you live. Liability is only one part of the bill, so the change in your total premium can be modest or noticeable.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. In states that tie UM limits to your liability limits, such as North Carolina and Virginia, this coverage often rises along with your liability. See our guide to uninsured motorist coverage.
- Filings and proof. If you carry an SR-22 or FR-44 filing, ask your insurer to confirm the filing reflects the current limits. New proof-of-insurance cards should show the updated policy.
People who move should also check. A driver arriving in a state with a higher minimum needs a policy that meets that state's rules. Our new residents guide covers deadlines for switching.
What to do when your state raises its minimums
- Find your current limits. Open your declarations page and look for three numbers under bodily injury and property damage liability. Our post on how to read your declarations page shows where they are.
- Compare them with the new minimum. Use the state minimum lookup to see your state's current requirement and its sources.
- Read your renewal notice carefully. Look for a line saying limits were increased to meet state law, and compare the new premium with last year's.
- Decide whether the minimum is enough for you. The coverage checklist walks through what your savings and assets mean for how much liability to carry.
- Check your uninsured motorist limits. Make sure they still match what you want after the change.
- Shop around if the price jumps. Insurers price the same limits differently. Our guide to shopping at renewal explains how to compare like for like.
Is the new state minimum enough?
Higher minimums help, but they are still minimums. Your liability limits are the most your insurer will pay for a crash you cause. Anything above them can become your responsibility.
For example, say you carry 50/100/25 and cause a crash that injures two people, each with $80,000 of medical bills and lost wages. Your insurer pays up to $50,000 per person, so $100,000 in total. The remaining $60,000 could be claimed from you personally. If the other car was a newer model worth $40,000, your $25,000 property damage limit would leave $15,000 uncovered. These figures are hypothetical and only show how the limits work.
That is why many drivers choose limits above the minimum, especially those with a home, savings or a steady income to protect. Others keep costs down with the minimum and accept the risk. The trade-off is personal, and a licensed agent or your state insurance department can help you think it through. Our guide to reviewing your coverage has a yearly checklist.
Current minimum coverage in every state
The table below shows the minimum coverage, fault system, personal injury protection rule and uninsured motorist rule for every state, built from the same sourced facts as our state guides.
| State | Minimum coverage | Fault system | Personal injury protection | Uninsured motorist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Must be included unless the named insured rejects it |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | At-fault | Not required | Must be offered in writing; can be rejected by signature |
| Arizona | 25/50/15 | At-fault | Not required | Must be offered in writing on an approved form; optional |
| Arkansas | 25/50/25 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Must be offered; can be rejected in writing | Included unless you sign a rejection |
| California | 30/60/15 | At-fault | Not required | Must be offered; can be rejected by signing a waiver |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | At-fault | Not required | Included unless rejected in writing |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Delaware | 25/50/10 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Required: $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident | Included unless rejected in writing |
| District of Columbia | 25/50/10 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Must be offered; optional | Required: $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $5,000 property damage |
| Florida | $10,000 PIP + $10,000 property damage | No-fault | Required: $10,000 | Included at bodily injury limits unless rejected in writing on an approved form |
| Georgia | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Optional |
| Hawaii | 40/80/20 | No-fault | Required: $10,000 | Must be offered at liability limits; can be rejected in writing |
| Idaho | 25/50/15 | At-fault | Not required | Included unless rejected in writing |
| Illinois | 25/50/20 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Included unless rejected in writing (minimum $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage) |
| Iowa | 20/40/15 | At-fault | Not required | Included unless rejected in writing |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | No-fault | Required: $4,500 medical, $4,500 rehabilitation, up to $900 a month disability for one year, $25 a day substitution, $2,000 funeral, plus survivors benefits | Required at least $25,000/$50,000; only limits above the minimum can be rejected in writing |
| Kentucky | 25/50/25 | Choice no-fault | Required: $10,000 per person (basic reparation benefits) | Included unless rejected in writing |
| Louisiana | 15/30/25 | At-fault | Not required | Included at bodily injury limits unless rejected, lowered or limited to economic-only on the Commissioner's form |
| Maine | 50/100/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $50,000/$100,000 |
| Maryland | 30/60/15 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Must be offered (at least $2,500); can be waived or limited | Required: $30,000/$60,000 bodily injury and $15,000 property damage |
| Massachusetts | 25/50/30 | No-fault | Required: $8,000 per person | Required at least at the compulsory bodily injury limits |
| Michigan | 50/100/10 (default 250/500/10) | No-fault | Required: choose a PIP medical level (unlimited by default; $500,000; $250,000; $50,000 for Medicaid enrollees; opt-out for Medicare enrollees) | Optional |
| Minnesota | 30/60/10 | No-fault | Required: $40,000 per person ($20,000 medical and $20,000 income loss and other non-medical benefits) | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Mississippi | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Optional |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Montana | 25/50/20 | At-fault | Not required | Included at the bodily injury minimums ($25,000/$50,000) unless you reject it by signing a form |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Nevada | 25/50/20 | At-fault | Not required | Must be offered at your bodily injury limits; optional |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required if you buy a policy: limits equal to your liability coverage |
| New Jersey | 35/70/25 | Choice no-fault | Required: $15,000 per person per accident (up to $250,000 for certain injuries) | Required in a Standard Policy: at least $35,000/$70,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage |
| New Mexico | 25/50/10 | At-fault | Not required | Must be included at the state minimums or higher; the named insured can reject it |
| New York | 25/50/10 | No-fault | Required: $50,000 per person (basic no-fault) | Required: same as the bodily injury minimums ($25,000/$50,000), for accidents in New York |
| North Carolina | 50/100/50 | At-fault | Not required | Required: equal to your bodily injury limits unless you choose otherwise (never below the liability minimums); includes property damage |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 | No-fault | Required: $30,000 per person (basic no-fault) | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Optional: insurers may offer it; you can choose a lower amount or decline it |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Optional: not part of the required minimum; can be added to a policy |
| Oregon | 25/50/20 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Required: $15,000 per person for medical expenses | Required: equal to your bodily injury limits unless you elect lower limits in writing (not below $25,000/$50,000) |
| Pennsylvania | 15/30/5 | Choice no-fault | Required: first-party medical benefits of $5,000 | Must be offered; optional (can be rejected on a separate signed form) |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: equal to your bodily injury limits; can be lowered in writing (not below 25/50), or dropped only if you buy minimum coverage and sign an advisory notice |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Must be offered: supplemental first-party benefits (medical expenses, disability income, accidental death); optional to buy | Required: equal to your bodily injury limits (insurer need not exceed $100,000/$300,000 unless you ask) |
| Tennessee | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Not confirmed |
| Texas | 30/60/25 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Included in every policy unless you reject it in writing (required amount: $2,500 per person) | Must be included (combined UM/UIM) unless you reject it in writing |
| Utah | 30/65/25 | No-fault | Required: $3,000 per person | Included at your liability limits unless you reject it or choose lower limits in writing (not below the bodily injury minimums) |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | At-fault | Not required | Required: at least $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury, plus property damage up to $10,000 ($150 deductible) |
| Virginia | 50/100/25 | At-fault | Not required; optional medical expense and income loss benefits are available | Required: equal to your liability limits unless you reject the extra amount (never below the state liability minimums) |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Must be offered; can be rejected in writing (basic PIP pays up to $10,000 per person for medical costs) | Included at your liability limits unless rejected in writing (Washington's underinsured motorist coverage also covers uninsured and hit-and-run drivers) |
| West Virginia | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: at least the state minimum limits ($25,000/$50,000 bodily injury, $25,000 property damage) |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/10 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 | At-fault | Not required | Must be included at $25,000/$50,000 unless the named insured rejects it |
Liability limits are bodily injury per person / per accident / property damage, in thousands of dollars. Each state's sources are listed in the state minimum lookup.
Frequently asked questions
Which states raised their minimum car insurance requirements recently?
The changes in California, Utah and Virginia took effect on January 1, 2025. Massachusetts (policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025) and North Carolina (policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2025) came next. Hawaii's increase and the second phase of New Jersey's took effect on January 1, 2026. The District of Columbia's new limits apply from October 1, 2027.
Will my car insurance go up when the minimum limits increase?
It can, if you carry exactly the old minimum. Higher limits mean your insurer can pay more per claim, so the liability part of your premium often rises. If you already carry limits above the new minimum, the law change alone does not force a change to your coverage. Your insurer's other rate changes can still affect your bill.
Do I have to do anything when my state raises its minimum?
Usually not. Insurers update policies that fall below the new minimum when they are issued or renewed. It is still worth reading your renewal notice, checking the new limits on your declarations page and comparing quotes if the price changes a lot.
When does California's minimum increase again?
California's law sets a second increase to 50/100/25 on January 1, 2035. Until then the minimum is 30/60/15.
Did Virginia get rid of the uninsured motor vehicle fee?
Yes. Virginia stopped offering the option to pay a fee instead of buying insurance on July 1, 2024. Every vehicle registered in the state now needs a policy that meets the minimum limits, which rose to 50/100/25 on January 1, 2025.
Does the New Jersey increase apply to the Basic Policy?
No. The higher limits apply to the Standard Policy. The Basic Policy keeps its lower property damage limit of $5,000 and does not include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
What do the three numbers in a minimum limit mean?
The first number is the most the policy pays for one person's injuries, the second is the most for all injuries in one crash, and the third is the most for property damage, all in thousands of dollars. Our liability coverage guide explains each part with examples.
Sources
- California Senate Insurance Committee, 2021-2022 Legislative Bill Summary SB 1107 old, 2025 and 2035 limits
- California DMV, Insurance Requirements current California minimums
- Hawaii Act 138 (2024) Hawaii's old and new limits and effective date
- Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 431:10C-301 current Hawaii liability and UM rules
- Massachusetts Acts of 2024, Chapter 275 Massachusetts limit changes and applicability
- North Carolina DMV, Insurance Requirements North Carolina limits, UM/UIM rule and termination notice change
- Virginia DMV, Insurance Requirements Virginia limits and penalties for uninsured owners
- Virginia DMV, New Laws Take Effect, July 1, 2024 end of the Uninsured Motor Vehicle fee
- Utah Code 31A-22-304 Utah limits before and after the change
- New Jersey P.L.2022, c.87 New Jersey phased liability, UM/UIM and UMPD changes
- New Jersey DOBI, Bulletin No. 25-06 second-phase limits, Basic Policy and renewal notices
- D.C. Law 26-155 D.C. limits from 2027 and later scheduled increases
- NAIC, 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report earlier state limit changes, Virginia fee description, collision claim costs
- Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 431:10C-103.5 (personal injury protection benefits; limits) as of October 28, 2026
- Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 34A (motor vehicle liability policy defined) as of October 28, 2026
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Auto Insurance New Jersey Buyer's Guide as of October 28, 2026
- Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 28-4009 (motor vehicle liability policy requirements) as of October 28, 2026
- Utah Legislature, Utah Code 31A-22-307 (personal injury protection coverages and benefits) as of May 3, 2023
Last reviewed by the StateCover Guide editorial team. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.