Minnesota Car Insurance Laws (2026)
Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state that requires drivers to carry liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and PIP.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
4.7 / 518K reviews
)
Writer: Theresa Stevens
Writer: Theresa Stevens
Qualifications:
AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor
6 years experience in the personal financial industry
Theresa is a writer and former financial advisor with experience helping clients solve money challenges. She uses her expertise to clarify complex personal finance concepts.
)
Editor: Duncan BrownLicensed P&C Agent, Copy Editor
Editor: Duncan BrownLicensed P&C Agent, Copy Editor
Qualifications:
5+ years of editing experience
4+ years of experience in print and digital media
NPN: 22341021
Duncan is an insurance copy editor with a producer‘s license for property and casualty in Massachusetts.
)
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Updated
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Minnesota requires drivers to carry liability coverage, personal injury protection (PIP), and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
Minnesota has a no-fault insurance system, meaning drivers can receive compensation from their insurer regardless of fault. The state uses “driving under the influence” (DUI) to refer to adults driving under the influence and “driving while impaired” (DWI) for underage drivers under the influence.
Here’s what else you need to know about car insurance laws in Minnesota.
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Minnesota
Liability policies average $93/mo.
Excellent
4.7 out of 5 based on 18,257 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Auto insurance requirements in Minnesota
Minnesota car insurance laws require drivers to carry proof of insurance for the following auto insurance coverage:[1]
Personal injury protection: Minnesota requires all drivers to carry PIP coverage, which helps pay medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages, and replacement services for you and members of your household, up to $40,000 per person, per accident.
Liability insurance: Liability insurance helps cover injuries and damages suffered by the other parties in an accident you cause. Under Minnesota law, drivers must have $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person and $60,000 per accident, as well as $10,000 in property damage liability coverage.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If the other driver doesn’t have liability coverage or enough to cover your medical claims, UM/UIM coverage can help. Minnesota requires drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Minnesota car insurance requirements are comparable to other states, though many states don’t require PIP and UM/UIM coverage. Minnesota is also a no-fault state, meaning drivers can receive financial compensation from their own insurance policy regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
Is state-minimum car insurance in Minnesota enough coverage?
Generally, state-minimum liability coverage isn’t enough to fully protect you financially, and this is true in Minnesota as well. While the state’s minimum coverage is more robust than other states due to its mandatory UM/UIM and PIP coverages, it may not provide sufficient coverage.
If you’d like to better protect your finances, here are some optional coverages to consider in Minnesota:
Collision coverage: Collision insurance covers damages to your own vehicle if you’re in a car accident with another vehicle or object.
Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive insurance covers losses due to non-collision events, like fire, theft, hail, and animal strikes. Comprehensive coverage is important in Minnesota due to the state’s high amount of wildfires.[2] Additionally, about 1,200 deer-related crashes are reported in Minnesota annually.[3]
Gap insurance: If your car’s value is significantly lower than what you owe on your auto loan, consider gap insurance, which can help cover the difference between your vehicle’s value and what you still owe if the vehicle is declared a total loss in an accident.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Minnesota
Driving without car insurance is a misdemeanor in Minnesota and may result in various penalties and fines, as well as possible jail time. A violation becomes a “gross misdemeanor” when it occurs within 10 years of the first of two prior convictions or the uninsured driver causes a crash involving substantial bodily harm or death.[4]
Here’s a breakdown of the consequences for driving without insurance in Minnesota.
Offense | Fine | Possible Jail Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary misdemeanor | $200–$1,000 | Up to 90 days |
| Gross misdemeanor | $200–$3,000 | Up to 364 days |
Compare Minnesota Car Insurance Quotes
Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies
Excellent
4.7 out of 5 based on 18,257 reviews
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Minnesota’s no-fault threshold for pain-and-suffering claims
Minnesota drivers may sue for pain and suffering if their qualifying medical expenses exceed $4,000 or the injury causes death, permanent injury, permanent disfigurement, or disability lasting 60 days or more. Under Minnesota’s statutes, certain medical expenses are excluded from the $4,000 threshold, including diagnostic X-rays and some rehabilitation expenses.
This is different from no-fault benefits under PIP because you don’t need to meet the $4,000 threshold to file a PIP claim in Minnesota.
While meeting the $4,000 threshold allows you to sue for pain and suffering in Minnesota, there are no guarantees that all your losses will be covered.
Minnesota insurance laws FAQs
If you want more information about Minnesota’s insurance laws, you can explore the frequently asked questions and answers below.
Is Minnesota a no-fault state?
Yes. Minnesota is a no-fault state for car insurance. Under Minnesota’s system, drivers can get financial compensation from their own insurance policy, even if they caused the car accident.
Does Minnesota require uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage?
Yes. Minnesota requires all drivers to carry UM/UIM coverage with policy limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Does Minnesota require insurers to lower premiums for drivers 55 and older?
Minnesota requires car insurance companies to lower premiums by at least 10% for drivers 55 and older if they complete an approved accident prevention or refresher course.
Do Minnesota no-fault insurance disputes go to arbitration?
Under Minnesota law, no-fault insurance disputes of $10,000 or less must go through mandatory arbitration.[5]
Sources
- Minnesota Commerce Department. "Auto Insurance Guide."
- Midwestern Regional Climate Center. "Wildfires."
- US Department of Transportation. "Identifying Deer Vehicle Collision Concentrations in Minnesota."
- Minnesota Legislature. "2025 Minnesota Statutes."
- Minnesota Legislature. "MISCELLANEOUS."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Related articles
)
Average Car Insurance Cost in Minnesota
Drivers in Minnesota pay an average of $138 per month for car insurance.
)
Car Insurance Requirements in Minnesota
Minnesota drivers must carry at least 30/60/10 limits for liability coverage in addition to personal injury protection and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
)
Best Car Insurance in Minnesota
Farmers, GEICO, and State Farm are three of the best car insurance companies in Minnesota.
Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Minnesota
State Farm offers the most affordable car insurance in Minnesota, with an average premium of $51 per month for minimum coverage. Shop real-time Minnesota car insurance quotes and buy your policy online in minutes with Insurify.
)
6-Month vs. 12-Month Car Insurance: Which Term Is Better?
If you’ve got a cheap rate and clean driving record, a 12-month policy locks in your low rate for longer. But a six-month term could help you take advantage if rates drop.
)
Free Car Insurance Quotes Online From Top-Rated Companies
Getting multiple quotes from Insurify for top insurance companies could help you save up to $1,100 per year.
)
The 10 Largest Auto Insurance Companies in the U.S.
Top insurers State Farm, Progressive, GEICO, and Allstate account for more than half the total car insurance market.
)
How Long Does It Take to Get Car Insurance?
You can have a new car insurance policy within minutes of receiving a quote.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Duluth, Minnesota
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Duluth, with minimum-coverage policies as low as $40 per month.
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Minneapolis (November 2026)
State Farm offers the cheapest liability coverage in Minneapolis, with rates of $60 per month. Harsh winters, heavy traffic on I-94 and I-35W, and elevated vehicle theft in some neighborhoods all affect Minneapolis car insurance prices.
)
Cheapest Auto Insurance in Rochester, Minnesota
State Farm offers the cheapest rates in Rochester, starting at $43 per month.
)
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in St. Paul, Minnesota (November 2026)
The cheapest insurer in St. Paul is State Farm, with an average premium of $58 for liability-only coverage. Overall, rates in the city are higher than the Minnesota state average due to heavy traffic congestion on Interstate 94 and I-35E.
Writer: Theresa Stevens
Writer: Theresa Stevens
Qualifications:
AFCPE Accredited Financial Counselor
6 years experience in the personal financial industry
Theresa is a writer and former financial advisor with experience helping clients solve money challenges. She uses her expertise to clarify complex personal finance concepts.
Editor: Duncan BrownLicensed P&C Agent, Copy Editor
Editor: Duncan BrownLicensed P&C Agent, Copy Editor
Qualifications:
5+ years of editing experience
4+ years of experience in print and digital media
NPN: 22341021
Duncan is an insurance copy editor with a producer‘s license for property and casualty in Massachusetts.
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Reviewer: John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Qualifications:
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.