How do you calculate how much insurance you need?

To calculate how much car insurance you need, first take into account your state’s legal minimum coverage requirements. If you lease or finance your car, you’ll also need full coverage. From there, you can take your risk tolerance, net worth, and car value into account to determine how much extra you want to buy.

What are the best coverage limits for car insurance?

There is no best coverage limit for car insurance. The “best” amount of coverage may look very different from one driver to the next. But generally, insurance professionals recommend buying more than your state’s minimum liability requirements.

What percentage of income should go to car insurance?

Car insurance is just one necessary part of the overall cost of owning a car, so it’s probably more useful to consider how much of your income you should put toward all your vehicle expenses. Experts generally recommend spending about 10%–15% of your monthly income on vehicle expenses, including your loan payment, gas, maintenance, and insurance.

What is the minimum auto insurance coverage required in New York?

In the state of New York, the minimum required auto insurance coverage includes:[4]$50,000 for personal injury protection (PIP)$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability coverage$50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for deaths$10,000 for property damageUninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury

Is having full coverage for your car worth it?

Having full-coverage car insurance tends to be more worthwhile for drivers who have newer or expensive cars that are costly to replace. Drivers who finance or lease their vehicles will also have to buy full coverage, as their lender or leasing company will require it. If you drive an old car that isn’t worth much anymore, you may find that liability-only coverage is sufficient.

How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?

Buying the right amount of car insurance means you have enough coverage to meet your state’s requirements and to provide you with adequate financial protection. Most drivers benefit from having more coverage than their state’s required minimums.

The value of your vehicle, whether you lease or finance it, your location, driving history, and many other factors all play a role in how much coverage you need. Read on for a closer look at how to determine how much car insurance you should buy.

What are the minimum car insurance requirements?

Every state except New Hampshire requires drivers to have car insurance. The types you need depend a lot on where you live. Each state sets its own rules regarding car insurance, but most typically require a combination of some common coverages:

Bodily injury liability coverage: Part of a basic car insurance policy, bodily injury liability insurance covers medical expenses for other people injured in a car accident you cause.^[1]
Property damage liability coverage: If you or someone driving your car damages someone else’s property — such as their vehicle, house, or fence — property damage liability coverage pays those costs, up to your policy’s limits.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If you’re in a car accident with a driver who doesn’t have an auto insurance policy, or who has a policy but not enough coverage, this insurance kicks in. Uninsured/underinsured motorist policies cover your medical bills and damage to your vehicle. They also pay if a hit-and-run driver damages your vehicle.
Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage: No-fault states typically require personal injury protection coverage. PIP coverage can pay medical expenses, lost wages if injuries from an accident keep you out of work, and other related costs for you and your passengers, regardless of who caused a car accident.
Medical payments coverage: Also known as MedPay, this insurance provides coverage for medical expenses for you and your passengers, whether or not you’re at fault. But it won’t cover partial lost wages if injuries from an accident leave you temporarily unable to work.

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Car insurance requirements by state

The state you live in determines the minimum amounts and specific types of car insurance coverage you need to drive legally. Here are the minimum car insurance requirements in every state and Washington, D.C. Keep in mind that if you move states, you’ll need to update your coverage accordingly.

State	Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Alabama	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Alaska	$50,000 per person for bodily injury liability $100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Arizona	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $15,000 per accident for property damage liability
Arkansas	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
California	$15,000 per person for bodily injury liability $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $5,000 per accident for property damage liability On Jan. 1, 2025, these limits will increase to: $30,000 per person for bodily injury liability $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $15,000 per accident for property damage liability
Colorado	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $15,000 per accident for property damage liability
Connecticut	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability The same liability limits for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Delaware	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for personal injury protection
Florida	$10,000 per accident for property damage liability coverage $10,000 for personal injury protection
Georgia	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Hawaii	$20,000 per person for bodily injury liability $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability $10,000 for personal injury protection
Idaho	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $15,000 per accident for property damage liability
Illinois	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $20,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage
Indiana	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Iowa	$20,000 per person for bodily injury liability $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $15,000 per accident for property damage liability
Kansas	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage Uninsured/underinsured bodily injury coverage limits must match bodily injury liability limits Personal injury protection, including $4,500 per person for medical expenses, $900/month for one year for disability, $25/day for in-home services, $2,000 for final expenses, and $4,500 for rehabilitation expenses Survivor benefits of $900/month for one year of lost income plus $25/day for in-home services
Kentucky	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Louisiana	$15,000 per person for bodily injury liability $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Maine	$50,000 per person for bodily injury liability $100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $2,000 per person for medical payments coverage
Maryland	$30,000 per person for bodily injury liability $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $15,000 per accident for property damage liability $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $15,000 per incident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage $2,500 for personal injury protection
Massachusetts	$20,000 per person for bodily injury liability $40,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $5,000 per accident for property damage liability $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $8,000 for personal injury protection
Michigan	$50,000 per person for bodily injury liability $100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability for accidents outside Michigan $1 million per accident for property damage liability for accidents in Michigan Personal injury protection (varying limits)
Minnesota	$30,000 per person for bodily injury liability $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $40,000 for personal injury protection
Mississippi	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Missouri	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage
Montana	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $20,000 per accident for property damage liability
Nebraska	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Nevada	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $20,000 per accident for property damage liability
New Hampshire	Insurance isn’t required in New Hampshire if you can meet financial responsibility requirements. If you buy insurance, you need to purchase the following minimum coverages: $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $1,000 for medical payments coverage $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
New Jersey	Minimums depend on whether you buy a Standard Policy or a Basic Policy. For a Standard Policy, minimums are: $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 for property damage liability $15,000 for personal injury protection Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that matches liability limits For a Basic Policy, minimums are: $10,000 optional coverage for bodily injury liability $5,000 for property damage liability $15,000 for PIP UM/UIM coverage not included
New Mexico	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability
New York	$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for deaths $10,000 per accident for property damage liability coverage $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $50,000 for personal injury protection
North Carolina	$30,000 per person for bodily injury liability $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage $25,000 per accident for uninsured motorist property damage coverage Minimum requirements increase on Jan. 1, 2025 to: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $50,000 for property damage liability $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist property damage coverage
North Dakota	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $30,000 for personal injury protection
Ohio	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Oklahoma	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Oregon	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $20,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage $15,000 for personal injury protection
Pennsylvania	$15,000 per person for bodily injury liability $30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $5,000 per accident for property damage liability $5,000 in medical benefits
Rhode Island	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
South Carolina	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability Uninsured motorist coverage equal to liability minimums
South Dakota	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage
Tennessee	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Texas	$30,000 per person for bodily injury liability $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Utah	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $65,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $15,000 per accident for property damage liability $3,000 for personal injury protection After Jan. 1, 2025: $30,000 per person for bodily injury liability $65,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability
Vermont	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $10,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage
Virginia	$30,000 per person for bodily injury liability $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $20,000 per accident for property damage liability $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $20,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage After Jan. 1, 2025: $50,000 per person bodily injury coverage $100,000 per accident bodily injury coverage $25,000 property damage liability Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage limits must match liability limits
Washington	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability
Washington, D.C.	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage $5,000 per accident for uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage
West Virginia	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $25,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage $25,000 per accident for uninsured motorist property damage coverage
Wisconsin	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $10,000 per accident for property damage liability $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for uninsured motorist coverage
Wyoming	$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability $20,000 per accident for property damage liability

What other auto insurance coverages do you need?

Most states require drivers to have bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage, but you may want to consider some optional types of car insurance. Meeting your state’s minimum requirements can help you stay on the right side of the law, but insurance experts advise buying more extensive coverage beyond state minimums.

Full-coverage car insurance combines liability coverage with collision and comprehensive. While liability coverage pays for another driver’s injuries and damages in an accident you cause, full coverage can pay for your own damages. Leasing companies and auto loan companies typically require borrowers to buy full-coverage car insurance.

Collision coverage can pay to repair your vehicle after you collide with another vehicle or a stationary object like a tree, fence, or light pole. It also pays in case of rollover accidents.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damages from non-collision events, like severe weather, vandalism, vehicle theft, or falling objects.

Full-coverage car insurance provides greater financial security in case of an at-fault accident. Insurance companies also sell additional types of coverage that you may need, depending on your situation. These include:

Gap insurance

If you lease or finance your vehicle, totaling it could leave you responsible for paying off your loan or lease balance. Gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s actual cash value — which is the maximum your insurer will pay for a totaled car — and the remaining loan or lease amount.^[2]

Roadside assistance

For some extra peace of mind, consider roadside assistance coverage that provides emergency services like towing, flat-tire changes, and battery jumps.

Accident forgiveness

Accidents can cause your car insurance rates to rise when your policy renews. An accident forgiveness add-on holds your rates steady after your first at-fault accident. You generally need a clean driving record for at least three years to qualify for this coverage.

Rental car reimbursement

This coverage pays for a rental car while your vehicle undergoes repairs following a covered accident.

Custom parts and equipment value

If you’ve customized your vehicle with expensive features, you might consider this coverage. It pays to repair or replace aftermarket modifications, such as custom wheels, sound systems, and paint jobs.

Rideshare coverage

If you drive for a rideshare app, your personal car insurance isn’t sufficient protection. And insurance the rideshare company provides may not cover you at all times while you’re working. Rideshare insurance extends your personal auto insurance to cover accidents while working.

Factors to consider when deciding how much coverage you need

When you go to buy a new car insurance policy, consider these factors to help you find the right amount of coverage:

State requirements: You must buy at least your state’s minimum required coverages. But most drivers can benefit from getting higher liability limits and — depending on your situation — optional coverages like collision, comprehensive, and accident forgiveness.
Value and age of vehicle: The more it costs to replace a car, the more auto insurance coverage you need. If your vehicle is older and low in value, you may need less coverage.
Financial situation: Once you meet the legal requirements, deciding how much car insurance coverage to buy may depend on how much you can afford to spend. Buying less coverage can result in a lower premium, but you’ll face higher out-of-pocket costs in case of an at-fault accident.
Frequency and purpose of use: Keep how often and when you plan to drive in mind when buying car insurance. For example, a homebody retiree may not need as much coverage as a working professional who commutes to a big city during rush hour traffic every day.
Location: Do you live in an area prone to car thefts? Does extreme weather tend to cause damage to vehicles in your city? Where you live can affect the types of auto insurance coverage you need.
Risk assessment: How well-equipped are you to handle the financial risks of driving with a minimum amount of insurance?

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How does your deductible affect insurance costs?

A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in to pay for a covered claim. When you purchase a full-coverage car insurance policy, you choose a deductible amount for your collision and comprehensive coverages — liability insurance has no deductible.

Your deductible affects how much you spend on your premium. Generally, a higher deductible gives you a lower premium, as your insurer is taking on less risk.^[3] A lower deductible usually means a higher premium but less out of your pocket in case of an accident.

How much car insurance you need FAQs

To learn more about your car insurance options and how much you need, check out these frequently asked questions on the topic.

How do you calculate how much insurance you need?
To calculate how much car insurance you need, first take into account your state’s legal minimum coverage requirements. If you lease or finance your car, you’ll also need full coverage. From there, you can take your risk tolerance, net worth, and car value into account to determine how much extra you want to buy.
What are the best coverage limits for car insurance?
There is no best coverage limit for car insurance. The “best” amount of coverage may look very different from one driver to the next. But generally, insurance professionals recommend buying more than your state’s minimum liability requirements.
What percentage of income should go to car insurance?
Car insurance is just one necessary part of the overall cost of owning a car, so it’s probably more useful to consider how much of your income you should put toward all your vehicle expenses. Experts generally recommend spending about 10%–15% of your monthly income on vehicle expenses, including your loan payment, gas, maintenance, and insurance.
What is the minimum auto insurance coverage required in New York?
In the state of New York, the minimum required auto insurance coverage includes:^[4]
- $50,000 for personal injury protection (PIP)
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability coverage
- $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for deaths
- $10,000 for property damage
- Uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
Is having full coverage for your car worth it?
Having full-coverage car insurance tends to be more worthwhile for drivers who have newer or expensive cars that are costly to replace. Drivers who finance or lease their vehicles will also have to buy full coverage, as their lender or leasing company will require it. If you drive an old car that isn’t worth much anymore, you may find that liability-only coverage is sufficient.

Sources

Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "What is Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance?."
Texas Department of Insurance. "Ways to save money on car insurance."
New York State Department of Financial Services. "Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements."

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Written byJacqueline DeMarcoFreelance Insurance Writer

Jacqueline DeMarcoFreelance Insurance Writer

13+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Insurance, lending, and retirement expert

Jacqueline has contributed content, and her personal finance passion, to dozens of noteworthy financial brands, including Credit Karma, Bankrate, and MagnifyMoney.

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Jacqueline has contributed content, and her personal finance passion, to dozens of noteworthy financial brands, including Credit Karma, Bankrate, and MagnifyMoney.

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What are the minimum car insurance requirements?

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Factors to consider when deciding how much coverage you need

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How does your deductible affect insurance costs?

How much car insurance you need FAQs

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