# Car insurance by state

> Compare car insurance laws in all 50 states and DC: minimum coverage, no-fault rules, average costs, uninsured drivers and road safety, with sources.

Canonical page: https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/  
Last reviewed: October 28, 2026 by the StateCover Guide editorial team  
General information, not legal or insurance advice.

## Quick answer

Every state writes its own car insurance rules, so what you must buy, how injury claims work and what drivers pay all depend on where your car is registered. 49 states and the District of Columbia require liability insurance, 12 states use a no-fault system, and the average spent per insured vehicle was $1,281 a year nationally in 2023. Choose your state below or compare them all in the tables on this page.

## Key facts

| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Jurisdictions that require liability insurance | 49 states and the District of Columbia |
| States with a no-fault system | 12, including 3 where drivers can choose |
| National average spent per insured vehicle (2023) | $1,281 a year |
| National average premium with collision and comprehensive (2023) | $1,438 a year |
| Drivers who were uninsured (2023) | 15.4% |
| Motor vehicle crash deaths (2024) | 39,254, or 11.5 per 100,000 people |

## Choose your state

Each state guide explains the legal minimum, whether the state is at-fault or no-fault, how personal injury protection and uninsured motorist rules work there, what drivers in that state spend on average, and who to contact at the state insurance department and motor vehicle agency.

- [Alabama](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alabama/): Alabama's liability minimums, uninsured motorist rules, registration penalties, average costs and crash data in one place.
- [Arizona](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arizona/): Arizona's liability minimums, escalating penalties for driving uninsured, SR-22 rules, UM/UIM offers and average costs.
- [California](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/california/): California's new liability minimums, Prop 103 rating rules, the low-cost auto program, uninsured drivers and average costs.
- [Alaska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alaska/): Alaska's liability minimums, the registration-exempt areas, uninsured motorist offers, average costs and road safety figures.
- [Arkansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arkansas/): Arkansas liability minimums, add-on PIP and uninsured motorist rules, average costs and rural crash data.
- [Colorado](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/colorado/): Colorado's liability minimums, default MedPay and uninsured motorist coverage, deductible and repair rules, costs and crash data.
- [Connecticut](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/connecticut/): Connecticut's required liability and UM/UIM coverage, the DMV lapse penalty, household driver rules, costs and crash data.
- [District of Columbia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/district-of-columbia/): DC's current minimums, the higher limits coming under Law 26-155, optional PIP with a deadline to choose, uninsured drivers and costs.
- [Delaware](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/delaware/): Delaware's required PIP and liability minimums, fines and suspensions for driving uninsured, UM/UIM options and costs.
- [Florida](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/florida/): Florida's PIP and property damage requirement, how no-fault PIP pays, FR-44 after a DUI, lapse penalties, uninsured drivers and costs.
- [Georgia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/georgia/): Georgia's liability minimums, added-on UM coverage, lapse fines and average costs compared with the national figures.
- [Hawaii](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/hawaii/): Hawaii's higher 2026 liability minimums, required PIP, the no-fault lawsuit threshold and average costs.
- [Idaho](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/idaho/): Idaho's required liability limits, UM/UIM rejection rules, no-insurance fines and below-average costs.
- [Illinois](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/illinois/): Illinois liability and uninsured motorist requirements, insurance checks, no-insurance penalties and average costs.
- [Indiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/indiana/): Indiana's liability limits, BMV proof-of-insurance requests, SR22 after a suspension, UM/UIM rules and average costs.
- [Iowa](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/iowa/): Iowa's liability minimums, roadside penalties for no insurance, UM/UIM rejection rules and below-average costs.
- [Kansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kansas/): Kansas no-fault PIP benefits, the lawsuit threshold, required UM coverage, no-insurance penalties and average costs.
- [Kentucky](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kentucky/): Kentucky's choice no-fault system, required PIP and liability, rejecting tort limits, uninsured penalties and costs.
- [Louisiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/louisiana/): Louisiana's liability minimums, the no pay, no play rule, UM coverage choices, impound rules and above-average costs.
- [Maine](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maine/): Maine's higher required limits, mandatory MedPay and UM coverage, penalties for driving uninsured and below-average costs.
- [Maryland](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maryland/): Maryland's required coverages, PIP choices, lapse penalties, the state-run MAIF and how average costs compare.
- [Massachusetts](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/massachusetts/): Massachusetts minimums after the recent increase, no-fault PIP, the Safe Driver plan and how costs compare nationally.
- [Michigan](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/michigan/): How Michigan no-fault works: PIP medical choices, PPI, liability limits, mini-tort, penalties and average costs.
- [Minnesota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/minnesota/): Minnesota's no-fault benefits, required coverages, the threshold for suing and how average costs compare with the U.S.
- [Mississippi](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/mississippi/): Mississippi's liability minimums, the state's uninsured driver rate, penalties for no insurance and how costs compare.
- [Missouri](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/missouri/): What Missouri requires, how the state checks for insurance, penalties for driving uninsured and how costs compare.
- [Montana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/montana/): Montana's minimums, UM rules, comparative fault, insurance verification and fines, plus how costs and crash risk compare.
- [Nebraska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nebraska/): Nebraska's required coverages, ways to prove financial responsibility, SR-22 rules after a no-proof ticket and average costs.
- [Nevada](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nevada/): Nevada's minimums, how NV LIVE verifies coverage, lapse fines and SR-22 rules, and how costs compare with the U.S.
- [New Hampshire](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-hampshire/): New Hampshire's financial responsibility rule, what a policy must include, SR-22 triggers, crash reporting and average costs.
- [New Jersey](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-jersey/): New Jersey's three policy types, the higher 2026 minimums, lawsuit and PIP options, and how costs compare nationally.
- [New Mexico](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-mexico/): New Mexico's minimum liability, the UM/UIM rejection rule, MVD insurance checks and how costs and risks compare.
- [New York](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-york/): New York's required liability, no-fault and UM coverage, what a lapse costs per day, plate surrender rules and average premiums.
- [North Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-carolina/): North Carolina's higher minimums since July 2025, required UM/UIM, Safe Driver Incentive Plan points, lapse penalties and costs.
- [North Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-dakota/): North Dakota's no-fault PIP benefits, the serious injury test for lawsuits, required coverages, rural risks and low average costs.
- [Ohio](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/ohio/): Ohio's required liability, the optional UM/UIM decision, financial responsibility penalties, shared fault rules and costs.
- [Oklahoma](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oklahoma/): Oklahoma's required liability, real-time insurance verification, optional UM and MedPay, who is covered and how costs compare.
- [Oregon](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oregon/): Oregon's required PIP benefits, liability and UM/UIM minimums, cancellation rules, the assigned risk plan and average costs.
- [Pennsylvania](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/pennsylvania/): Pennsylvania's tort choice, low liability minimums, medical benefits, UM/UIM and stacking, lapse rules and how costs compare.
- [Rhode Island](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/rhode-island/): Why Rhode Island car insurance costs more than average, its minimums and UM rule, uninsured driving penalties and road safety.
- [South Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-carolina/): South Carolina requires liability and uninsured motorist coverage; see the minimums, insurance checks and what drivers pay.
- [South Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-dakota/): South Dakota requires liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage; see the rules, optional benefits and costs.
- [Tennessee](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/tennessee/): Tennessee's liability minimums, how insurance verification notices and fees work, uninsured driver rates and average costs.
- [Texas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/texas/): Texas minimum limits, the written rejection rule for PIP and UM/UIM, TexasSure checks, fines and what Texans pay.
- [Utah](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/utah/): Utah's no-fault system, required PIP, the threshold for suing, the higher liability minimums, penalties and average costs.
- [Vermont](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/vermont/): Vermont's liability minimums, its higher uninsured/underinsured motorist floor, proof-of-insurance rules, penalties and costs.
- [Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/virginia/): Virginia's higher liability minimums, the repeal of the uninsured motor vehicle fee, penalties, UM/UIM, FR-44 and costs.
- [Washington](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/washington/): Washington's liability minimums, how UIM and PIP work, phantom-vehicle claims, uninsured driver rates and average costs.
- [West Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/west-virginia/): West Virginia's liability and uninsured motorist requirements, optional UIM, how the DMV handles lapses, and average costs.
- [Wisconsin](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wisconsin/): Wisconsin's required liability and uninsured motorist coverage, optional UIM and MedPay minimums, fines and costs.
- [Wyoming](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wyoming/): Wyoming's liability minimums, steep penalties for driving uninsured, UM coverage rules, rural crash data and average costs.
## How car insurance rules differ from state to state

Four decisions made by each state legislature shape almost every policy sold there.

1. **The minimum liability limits.** Most states write them as three numbers, such as 25/50/25, meaning thousands of dollars for injuries to one person, all injuries in one crash and property damage. A few states also accept a single combined limit, and a handful have unusual rules: New Hampshire does not require a policy at all, Florida requires personal injury protection and property damage liability to register a car, and Michigan lets drivers choose from several liability and PIP levels.
2. **The fault system.** In at-fault states the driver who causes a crash, through their liability insurance, pays for the other people's injuries. In no-fault states your own personal injury protection pays your medical bills first, whoever caused the crash, and lawsuits are limited to more serious injuries. Some at-fault states add a requirement to carry or be offered PIP-style benefits.
3. **Uninsured and underinsured motorist rules.** Some states require this coverage, others require insurers to offer it and let you reject it in writing, and some leave it optional.
4. **How insurers may price policies.** States regulate rating factors differently. California, for example, requires driving record, miles driven and years of experience to carry the most weight, and several states limit the use of credit-based insurance scores.

The guides on [liability coverage](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/liability/), [personal injury protection](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/personal-injury-protection/) and [uninsured motorist coverage](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/uninsured-motorist/) explain each piece in more depth.

## Minimum car insurance by state

The table shows each state's legal minimum, its fault system and its rules for personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage. Use the [state minimum lookup](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/tools/state-minimums/) to see one state in detail with the source for every line.

| State | Minimum coverage | Fault system | Personal injury protection | Uninsured motorist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Alabama](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alabama/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Must be included unless the named insured rejects it |
| [Alaska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alaska/) | 50/100/25 | At-fault | Not required | Must be offered in writing; can be rejected by signature |
| [Arizona](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arizona/) | 25/50/15 | At-fault | Not required | Must be offered in writing on an approved form; optional |
| [Arkansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arkansas/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault (add-on PIP) | Must be offered; can be rejected in writing | Included unless you sign a rejection |
| [California](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/california/) | 30/60/15 | At-fault | Not required | Must be offered; can be rejected by signing a waiver |
| [Colorado](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/colorado/) | 25/50/15 | At-fault | Not required | Included unless rejected in writing |
| [Connecticut](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/connecticut/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| [Delaware](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/georgia/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Optional |
| [Hawaii](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/hawaii/) | 40/80/20 | No-fault | Required: $10,000 | Must be offered at liability limits; can be rejected in writing |
| [Idaho](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/idaho/) | 25/50/15 | At-fault | Not required | Included unless rejected in writing |
| [Illinois](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/illinois/) | 25/50/20 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| [Indiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/iowa/) | 20/40/15 | At-fault | Not required | Included unless rejected in writing |
| [Kansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kentucky/) | 25/50/25 | Choice no-fault | Required: $10,000 per person (basic reparation benefits) | Included unless rejected in writing |
| [Louisiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maine/) | 50/100/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $50,000/$100,000 |
| [Maryland](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/massachusetts/) | 25/50/30 | No-fault | Required: $8,000 per person | Required at least at the compulsory bodily injury limits |
| [Michigan](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/mississippi/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Optional |
| [Missouri](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/missouri/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| [Montana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nebraska/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| [Nevada](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nevada/) | 25/50/20 | At-fault | Not required | Must be offered at your bodily injury limits; optional |
| [New Hampshire](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-hampshire/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required if you buy a policy: limits equal to your liability coverage |
| [New Jersey](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-dakota/) | 25/50/25 | No-fault | Required: $30,000 per person (basic no-fault) | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| [Ohio](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/ohio/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Optional: insurers may offer it; you can choose a lower amount or decline it |
| [Oklahoma](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oklahoma/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Optional: not part of the required minimum; can be added to a policy |
| [Oregon](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-carolina/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $25,000 property damage |
| [South Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/tennessee/) | 25/50/25 | At-fault | Not required | Not confirmed |
| [Texas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wisconsin/) | 25/50/10 | At-fault | Not required | Required: $25,000/$50,000 |
| [Wyoming](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/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.
Remember that the minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. A serious crash can cost far more than minimum limits pay, and liability coverage never pays to repair your own car. Our [coverage checklist](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/tools/coverage-checklist/) helps you decide what to add.

## At-fault and no-fault states

| Fault system | Number | States |
|---|---|---|
| No-fault | 9 | Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Utah |
| Choice no-fault | 3 | Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania |
| At-fault (add-on PIP) | 8 | Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington |
| At-fault | 31 | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |

Each state's sources are listed in the state minimum lookup.
If you move between a no-fault and an at-fault state, your policy has to change with you. The guide for [new residents](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/drivers/new-residents/) covers the deadlines for registering and insuring a car after a move.

## Average car insurance cost by state

These are the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' averages per insured vehicle. They mix drivers who carry only the legal minimum with drivers who carry full coverage, so they show how places compare rather than what any one driver will pay. Your own price depends on your ZIP code, driving record, age, car and the coverage you choose; see [what affects car insurance rates](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/costs/).

| Rank | State | Average spent per insured vehicle (2023) | Average premium with collision and comprehensive |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Florida](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/florida/) | $1,865 | $1,994 |
| 2 | [Louisiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/louisiana/) | $1,754 | $1,983 |
| 3 | [New York](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-york/) | $1,753 | $1,896 |
| 4 | [District of Columbia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/district-of-columbia/) | $1,677 | $1,818 |
| 5 | [New Jersey](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-jersey/) | $1,573 | $1,693 |
| 6 | [Georgia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/georgia/) | $1,555 | $1,746 |
| 7 | [Rhode Island](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/rhode-island/) | $1,540 | $1,710 |
| 8 | [Maryland](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maryland/) | $1,477 | $1,602 |
| 9 | [Delaware](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/delaware/) | $1,462 | $1,569 |
| 10 | [Nevada](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nevada/) | $1,462 | $1,600 |
| 11 | [Colorado](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/colorado/) | $1,453 | $1,655 |
| 12 | [Michigan](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/michigan/) | $1,444 | $1,573 |
| 13 | [Texas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/texas/) | $1,429 | $1,727 |
| 14 | [Connecticut](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/connecticut/) | $1,394 | $1,508 |
| 15 | [South Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-carolina/) | $1,367 | $1,517 |
| 16 | [Arizona](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arizona/) | $1,344 | $1,505 |
| 17 | [Massachusetts](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/massachusetts/) | $1,326 | $1,413 |
| 18 | [California](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/california/) | $1,225 | $1,418 |
| 19 | [Mississippi](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/mississippi/) | $1,200 | $1,395 |
| 20 | [Oregon](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oregon/) | $1,170 | $1,268 |
| 21 | [Utah](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/utah/) | $1,169 | $1,285 |
| 22 | [Missouri](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/missouri/) | $1,155 | $1,323 |
| 23 | [Pennsylvania](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/pennsylvania/) | $1,155 | $1,273 |
| 24 | [Illinois](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/illinois/) | $1,153 | $1,257 |
| 25 | [Washington](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/washington/) | $1,153 | $1,235 |
| 26 | [Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/virginia/) | $1,114 | $1,238 |
| 27 | [Alaska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alaska/) | $1,113 | $1,262 |
| 28 | [Minnesota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/minnesota/) | $1,103 | $1,223 |
| 29 | [Oklahoma](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oklahoma/) | $1,084 | $1,324 |
| 30 | [New Mexico](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-mexico/) | $1,082 | $1,301 |
| 31 | [Alabama](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alabama/) | $1,081 | $1,269 |
| 32 | [West Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/west-virginia/) | $1,063 | $1,227 |
| 33 | [Arkansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arkansas/) | $1,051 | $1,296 |
| 34 | [Tennessee](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/tennessee/) | $1,050 | $1,212 |
| 35 | [Kentucky](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kentucky/) | $1,046 | $1,208 |
| 36 | [New Hampshire](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-hampshire/) | $987 | $1,032 |
| 37 | [Nebraska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nebraska/) | $981 | $1,184 |
| 38 | [Montana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/montana/) | $975 | $1,184 |
| 39 | [Kansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kansas/) | $973 | $1,182 |
| 40 | [Wyoming](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wyoming/) | $948 | $1,180 |
| 41 | [Ohio](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/ohio/) | $947 | $1,038 |
| 42 | [South Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-dakota/) | $937 | $1,158 |
| 43 | [Indiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/indiana/) | $926 | $1,032 |
| 44 | [North Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-carolina/) | $925 | $1,097 |
| 45 | [Wisconsin](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wisconsin/) | $922 | $1,000 |
| 46 | [Vermont](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/vermont/) | $893 | $958 |
| 47 | [Hawaii](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/hawaii/) | $888 | $998 |
| 48 | [Iowa](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/iowa/) | $873 | $1,010 |
| 49 | [Idaho](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/idaho/) | $864 | $981 |
| 50 | [Maine](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maine/) | $856 | $926 |
| 51 | [North Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-dakota/) | $808 | $961 |
|  | United States | $1,281 | $1,438 |

Ranked from highest to lowest average expenditure. Figures are yearly averages per insured vehicle, rounded to the nearest dollar, not quotes.
States at the top of the list tend to combine dense traffic, high medical and repair costs, frequent lawsuits or theft, or rich no-fault benefits. States at the bottom are often rural with lower claim costs. The guide on [how your ZIP code affects your price](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/costs/zip-code/) explains why location matters so much.

## Uninsured drivers by state

The Insurance Research Council estimates the share of drivers with no insurance by comparing uninsured motorist claims with bodily injury claims. Where the share is high, [uninsured motorist coverage](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/coverage/uninsured-motorist/) matters more.

| Rank | State | Estimated share of uninsured drivers (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Mississippi](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/mississippi/) | 28.2% |
| 2 | [New Mexico](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-mexico/) | 24.1% |
| 3 | [District of Columbia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/district-of-columbia/) | 23.1% |
| 4 | [Michigan](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/michigan/) | 22.3% |
| 5 | [Tennessee](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/tennessee/) | 21.3% |
| 6 | [Missouri](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/missouri/) | 20.7% |
| 7 | [Florida](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/florida/) | 20.6% |
| 8 | [California](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/california/) | 20.4% |
| 9 | [Colorado](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/colorado/) | 19.7% |
| 10 | [Washington](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/washington/) | 19.1% |
| 11 | [Georgia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/georgia/) | 19.0% |
| 12 | [Ohio](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/ohio/) | 18.5% |
| 13 | [Delaware](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/delaware/) | 17.6% |
| 14 | [Maryland](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maryland/) | 16.9% |
| 15 | [Alabama](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alabama/) | 16.8% |
| 16 | [Wisconsin](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wisconsin/) | 15.6% |
| 17 | [Illinois](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/illinois/) | 15.2% |
| 18 | [Oregon](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oregon/) | 14.7% |
| 19 | [Texas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/texas/) | 14.5% |
| 20 | [Kentucky](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kentucky/) | 14.1% |
| 20 | [New Jersey](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-jersey/) | 14.1% |
| 22 | [Indiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/indiana/) | 14.0% |
| 23 | [Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/virginia/) | 12.9% |
| 24 | [Alaska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alaska/) | 12.5% |
| 25 | [Rhode Island](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/rhode-island/) | 12.4% |
| 26 | [Arkansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arkansas/) | 12.1% |
| 27 | [Kansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kansas/) | 12.0% |
| 27 | [Oklahoma](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oklahoma/) | 12.0% |
| 29 | [Connecticut](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/connecticut/) | 11.8% |
| 29 | [North Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-carolina/) | 11.8% |
| 29 | [Vermont](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/vermont/) | 11.8% |
| 32 | [Louisiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/louisiana/) | 11.7% |
| 33 | [Iowa](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/iowa/) | 11.4% |
| 34 | [Minnesota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/minnesota/) | 11.3% |
| 35 | [Nevada](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nevada/) | 11.1% |
| 36 | [Pennsylvania](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/pennsylvania/) | 11.0% |
| 37 | [Arizona](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arizona/) | 10.6% |
| 37 | [North Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-dakota/) | 10.6% |
| 39 | [South Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-carolina/) | 10.3% |
| 40 | [New Hampshire](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-hampshire/) | 10.0% |
| 41 | [Hawaii](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/hawaii/) | 9.6% |
| 42 | [Nebraska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nebraska/) | 9.5% |
| 43 | [South Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-dakota/) | 9.4% |
| 44 | [New York](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-york/) | 8.6% |
| 45 | [Massachusetts](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/massachusetts/) | 7.9% |
| 46 | [West Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/west-virginia/) | 7.8% |
| 47 | [Montana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/montana/) | 7.2% |
| 48 | [Wyoming](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wyoming/) | 6.7% |
| 49 | [Idaho](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/idaho/) | 6.4% |
| 50 | [Utah](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/utah/) | 6.2% |
| 51 | [Maine](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maine/) | 5.7% |
|  | United States | 15.4% |

Ranked from the highest to the lowest estimated share of uninsured drivers.
## Road safety by state

Crash risk is one of the things insurers price. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety publishes crash deaths for every state, both per person and per mile driven, which helps compare states with very different amounts of driving.

| Rank | State | Crash deaths (2024) | Per 100,000 people | Per 100 million miles driven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Mississippi](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/mississippi/) | 753 | 25.6 | 1.81 |
| 2 | [Arkansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arkansas/) | 603 | 19.5 | 1.53 |
| 3 | [New Mexico](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-mexico/) | 409 | 19.2 | 1.43 |
| 4 | [South Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-carolina/) | 1,038 | 18.9 | 1.67 |
| 5 | [Alabama](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alabama/) | 962 | 18.7 | 1.32 |
| 6 | [Wyoming](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wyoming/) | 107 | 18.2 | 1.1 |
| 7 | [Montana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/montana/) | 206 | 18.1 | 1.49 |
| 8 | [Tennessee](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/tennessee/) | 1,197 | 16.6 | 1.52 |
| 9 | [Louisiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/louisiana/) | 752 | 16.4 | 1.36 |
| 10 | [Arizona](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/arizona/) | 1,229 | 16.2 | 1.74 |
| 11 | [South Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/south-dakota/) | 146 | 15.8 | 1.4 |
| 12 | [Oklahoma](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oklahoma/) | 645 | 15.7 | 1.39 |
| 13 | [Kentucky](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kentucky/) | 707 | 15.4 | 1.44 |
| 14 | [Missouri](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/missouri/) | 955 | 15.3 | 1.17 |
| 15 | [North Carolina](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-carolina/) | 1,619 | 14.7 | 1.24 |
| 16 | [West Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/west-virginia/) | 256 | 14.5 | 1.49 |
| 17 | [Florida](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/florida/) | 3,138 | 13.4 | 1.26 |
| 18 | [Texas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/texas/) | 4,160 | 13.3 | 1.35 |
| 19 | [Nevada](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nevada/) | 417 | 12.8 | 1.47 |
| 20 | [Maine](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maine/) | 177 | 12.6 | 1.17 |
| 20 | [Oregon](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oregon/) | 538 | 12.6 | 1.44 |
| 22 | [Georgia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/georgia/) | 1,403 | 12.5 | 1.15 |
| 22 | [Nebraska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nebraska/) | 251 | 12.5 | 1.15 |
| 24 | [Delaware](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/delaware/) | 126 | 12 | 1.27 |
| 24 | [Indiana](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/indiana/) | 832 | 12 | 0.94 |
| 26 | [Idaho](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/idaho/) | 238 | 11.9 | 1.19 |
| 27 | [Colorado](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/colorado/) | 689 | 11.6 | 1.25 |
| 28 | [Kansas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/kansas/) | 339 | 11.4 | 1.07 |
| 29 | [North Dakota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/north-dakota/) | 90 | 11.3 | 0.9 |
| 30 | [Iowa](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/iowa/) | 356 | 11 | 1.05 |
| 31 | [Michigan](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/michigan/) | 1,098 | 10.8 | 1.1 |
| 32 | [Virginia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/virginia/) | 917 | 10.4 | 1.04 |
| 33 | [Wisconsin](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/wisconsin/) | 595 | 10 | 0.86 |
| 34 | [California](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/california/) | 3,876 | 9.8 | 1.19 |
| 35 | [Ohio](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/ohio/) | 1,157 | 9.7 | 1 |
| 36 | [Alaska](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/alaska/) | 70 | 9.5 | 1.27 |
| 37 | [New Hampshire](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-hampshire/) | 133 | 9.4 | 0.96 |
| 38 | [Illinois](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/illinois/) | 1,177 | 9.3 | 1.13 |
| 39 | [Maryland](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/maryland/) | 578 | 9.2 | 1.01 |
| 39 | [Washington](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/washington/) | 730 | 9.2 | 1.21 |
| 41 | [Vermont](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/vermont/) | 59 | 9.1 | 0.82 |
| 42 | [Pennsylvania](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/pennsylvania/) | 1,127 | 8.6 | 1.18 |
| 43 | [Connecticut](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/connecticut/) | 310 | 8.4 | 1 |
| 44 | [Minnesota](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/minnesota/) | 477 | 8.2 | 0.81 |
| 45 | [Utah](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/utah/) | 277 | 7.9 | 0.77 |
| 46 | [Hawaii](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/hawaii/) | 102 | 7.1 | 0.96 |
| 46 | [New Jersey](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-jersey/) | 670 | 7.1 | 0.84 |
| 48 | [District of Columbia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/district-of-columbia/) | 47 | 6.7 | 1.33 |
| 49 | [New York](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-york/) | 1,101 | 5.5 | 0.91 |
| 50 | [Massachusetts](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/massachusetts/) | 363 | 5.1 | 0.59 |
| 51 | [Rhode Island](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/rhode-island/) | 52 | 4.7 | 0.68 |
|  | United States | 39,254 | 11.5 | 1.19 |

Ranked by deaths per 100,000 people, highest first.
## City guides

Our city guides add local data such as commuting times, households without a car and metro-area vehicle theft to the state rules.

- [New York City](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/new-york-city/): How car insurance works in New York City: no-fault rules, plates, car-free households, theft and statewide cost data.
- [Los Angeles](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/los-angeles/): What drives car insurance costs in Los Angeles: commute miles, theft, California rating rules and ways to pay less.
- [Chicago](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/chicago/): Chicago car insurance basics: Illinois requirements, theft in the metro area, transit and parking, and ways to pay less.
- [Houston](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/houston/): Houston car insurance explained through flood and storm risk, metro theft data, Texas rules and ways to pay less.
- [Phoenix](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/phoenix/): Phoenix car insurance: what Arizona requires, why uninsured motorist choices matter, road safety data and ways to pay less.
- [Philadelphia](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/philadelphia/): Philadelphia car insurance: the limited or full tort choice, Pennsylvania minimums, theft and transit data, and savings.
- [San Antonio](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/san-antonio/): San Antonio car insurance for a fast-growing city: Texas rules, advice for military households, commuting and theft data.
- [San Diego](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/san-diego/): San Diego car insurance: California rules, uninsured drivers, border trips, military moves, commuting and theft data.
- [Dallas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/dallas/): Dallas car insurance through two local risks, theft and uninsured drivers, plus Texas rules and ways to lower your premium.
- [Atlanta](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/atlanta/): Georgia's required liability, statewide cost and theft data, and commuting facts for Atlanta drivers.
- [Charlotte](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/charlotte/): North Carolina's raised minimums, required UM/UIM coverage and local driving data for Charlotte drivers.
- [Columbus](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/columbus/): Ohio's required liability, the UM/UIM choice and local commuting and theft data for Columbus drivers.
- [Denver](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/denver/): Colorado's required and default coverages, statewide theft trends and commuting data for Denver drivers.
- [Detroit](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/detroit/): Michigan's PIP medical choices, liability defaults and local driving data, explained for Detroit drivers.
- [Indianapolis](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/indianapolis/): Indiana's liability minimums, default UM/UIM coverage and local commuting data for Indianapolis drivers.
- [Jacksonville](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/jacksonville/): Jacksonville car insurance under Florida's no-fault law: required coverage, uninsured drivers, storms, lapses and savings.
- [Las Vegas](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/las-vegas/): Nevada's required liability, offered coverages, and statewide cost and crash data for Las Vegas drivers.
- [Miami](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/miami/): Florida's PIP-based rules, hurricane and flood cover, and local driving data for Miami drivers.
- [Nashville](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/nashville/): Tennessee's required liability, uninsured-driver and crash data, and local commuting facts for Nashville drivers.
- [Oklahoma City](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/oklahoma-city/): Oklahoma's required liability, optional coverages, and statewide crash and cost data for Oklahoma City drivers.
- [San Francisco](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/san-francisco/): California's coverage and pricing rules, metro vehicle theft data and commuting facts for San Francisco drivers.
- [Seattle](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/seattle/): Washington's coverage rules, Seattle-area theft figures and commuting data, explained for Seattle drivers.
- [Washington, DC](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/washington-dc/): DC's current minimums, the scheduled increase under D.C. Law 26-155, and local data for drivers and car-free households.
- [Austin](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/austin/): Austin car insurance for newcomers and remote workers: Texas rules, commuting and crash data, and ways to lower the premium.
- [Fort Worth](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/fort-worth/): Fort Worth car insurance for car-dependent households: Texas rules, multi-car and teen driver tips, theft and crash data.
- [San Jose](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/location/san-jose/): San Jose car insurance: California rules, Bay Area theft, the city's Vision Zero targets, commuting data and ways to save.
## FAQ

### Which state requires the most car insurance?

It depends on how you measure it. Some states set high liability limits, others require personal injury protection or uninsured motorist coverage on top of liability. Compare the minimum coverage, PIP and uninsured motorist columns in the table above, or open a state guide for the full list.

### Which states do not require car insurance?

New Hampshire does not require drivers to buy a policy, but drivers must be able to pay for damage they cause, and anyone who buys insurance there must meet the state's minimum limits. Every other state and the District of Columbia require liability insurance.

### Why is car insurance so much more expensive in some states?

Prices follow claim costs. States with more traffic, more crashes, higher medical and repair bills, more theft, more lawsuits or generous no-fault benefits tend to have higher averages. Each state guide explains the main reasons for that state.

### Does my car insurance work in other states?

Yes. Your policy covers you when you drive anywhere in the United States, and most policies automatically meet another state's minimum limits while you drive there. If you move, you will need a policy that meets your new state's rules once you register your car there.

### Which state's rules apply to my policy?

The state where your car is registered and usually kept (the garaging address) decides which rules your policy must follow and which state insurance department regulates it.

### How often do state minimums change?

Several states have raised their minimums recently, and more increases are scheduled. Each state guide notes recent and upcoming changes we found, and the [state minimum lookup](https://mail.statecover-guide.com/tools/state-minimums/) lists the effective dates.

## Sources

- [Insurance Information Institute, Background on: No-fault auto insurance](https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-no-fault-auto-insurance) — no-fault and choice no-fault systems
- [NAIC, Insurance Departments](https://content.naic.org/state-insurance-departments) — contact details for every state insurance department
- [IIHS, Fatality Facts 2024: State by state](https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state), as of June 1, 2026
- [NAIC, 2022/2023 Auto Insurance Database Report](https://content.naic.org/article/naic-releases-20222023-auto-insurance-database-report), as of February 13, 2026
- [Insurance Research Council, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists: 2017–2023 (press release)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250220231032/en), as of February 20, 2025