Car Insurance by State
Last updated: October 2026 · Source: CarInsuranceRatesCompare.com editorial team
Quick Answer
Car insurance rules and prices are set state by state. Every state except New Hampshire requires minimum liability insurance, limits range from roughly 15/30/5 to 50/100/25, and no-fault states also require personal injury protection. Pick your state below for its requirements, typical rates, cheapest companies, and high-risk and short-term options.
Choose Your State
- Cheap car insurance in Connecticut
- High-risk & SR-22 in Connecticut
- Temporary insurance in Connecticut
Cities: Bridgeport, Stamford, New Haven
Cities: Wilmington, Dover, Newark
Cities: Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa
- Cheap car insurance in Massachusetts
- High-risk & SR-22 in Massachusetts
- Temporary insurance in Massachusetts
Cities: Boston, Worcester, Springfield
Cities: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren
Cities: Billings, Missoula, Great Falls
- Cheap car insurance in New Hampshire
- High-risk & SR-22 in New Hampshire
- Temporary insurance in New Hampshire
Cities: Manchester, Nashua, Concord
- Cheap car insurance in North Carolina
- High-risk & SR-22 in North Carolina
- Temporary insurance in North Carolina
Cities: Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro
- Cheap car insurance in North Dakota
- High-risk & SR-22 in North Dakota
- Temporary insurance in North Dakota
Cities: Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks
Cities: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati
Cities: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman
- Cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania
- High-risk & SR-22 in Pennsylvania
- Temporary insurance in Pennsylvania
Cities: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown
- Cheap car insurance in Rhode Island
- High-risk & SR-22 in Rhode Island
- Temporary insurance in Rhode Island
Cities: Providence, Cranston, Warwick
- Cheap car insurance in South Carolina
- High-risk & SR-22 in South Carolina
- Temporary insurance in South Carolina
Cities: Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston
- Cheap car insurance in South Dakota
- High-risk & SR-22 in South Dakota
- Temporary insurance in South Dakota
Cities: Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen
Cities: Houston, San Antonio, Dallas
- Cheap car insurance in West Virginia
- High-risk & SR-22 in West Virginia
- Temporary insurance in West Virginia
Cities: Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown
How State Rules Shape Your Car Insurance
Minimum liability limits. Each state sets the least amount of bodily injury and property damage liability you must carry. These minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation — a serious crash can easily exceed them, leaving you personally responsible for the difference.
Fault vs. no-fault. Most states use an at-fault (tort) system, where the driver who caused the crash pays through their liability coverage. About a dozen states use no-fault rules, requiring personal injury protection (PIP) that pays your own medical costs regardless of fault.
High-risk filings. After serious violations, most states require proof of insurance through an SR-22 filing. Florida and Virginia require an FR-44 with higher limits after a DUI, and a few states use other proof-of-insurance processes instead of the SR-22.
Rating factors. States also decide which factors insurers may use. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan restrict or ban the use of credit-based insurance scores, while most other states allow them.
Car Insurance by State: FAQ
Why does car insurance cost different amounts in each state?
Each state sets its own minimum coverage requirements, fault system, and insurance regulations, and states differ in traffic density, accident and theft rates, weather losses, repair costs, and lawsuit frequency. No-fault states such as Michigan, New York, and Florida also require personal injury protection, which adds cost. Together these factors can make the same driver's premium differ by more than double between states.
Which states have the cheapest car insurance?
States with lower population density, fewer claims, and lower repair costs — such as Maine, Vermont, Idaho, Ohio, and North Carolina — are consistently among the cheapest for car insurance. Rates within any state still vary widely by ZIP code, so comparing quotes for your exact address matters more than the state average.
What does 25/50/25 mean on a car insurance policy?
25/50/25 describes liability limits: $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of property damage coverage per accident. Many states use 25/50/25 or similar numbers as their legal minimum. Higher limits such as 100/300/100 are commonly recommended because serious accidents often exceed minimum limits.
Do I need new car insurance if I move to another state?
Yes. When you move and register your car in a new state, you need a policy that meets that state's minimum requirements and is rated for your new address. Most states expect you to update your registration and insurance within roughly 30 to 90 days of establishing residency. Contact your insurer before the move, since your premium will likely change.