NO! Almost every state requires you to have auto liability insurance. All states also have financial responsibility laws. This means that even in a state that does not require liability insurance, you need to have sufficient assets to pay claims if you cause an accident. If you don't have enough assets, you must purchase at least the state minimum amount of insurance. But insurance exists to protect your assets. Trying to see how little you can get by with can be very shortsighted and dangerous.
If you've financed your car, your lender may require comprehensive and collision insurance as part of the loan agreement.
Below is an example of the state minimum limits for auto liability insurance. The first number refers to liability limits for bodily injury for any one person, the second to limits for all persons injured, and the third refers to property damage liability limits. For example, 20/40/10 means coverage up to $40,000 for all persons injured in an accident, subject to a limit of $20,000 for one individual and $10,000 coverage for property damage.
State
Liability
limits (1)
State
Liability
limits (1)
State
Liability
limits (1)
Alabama
20/40/10
Kentucky
25/50/10
North Dakota
25/50/25
Alaska
50/100/25
Louisiana
10/20/10
Ohio
12.5/25/7.5
Arizona
15/30/10
Maine
50/100/25
Oklahoma
10/20/10
Arkansas
25/50/25
Maryland
20/40/15
Oregon
25/50/10
California (2)
15/30/5
Massachusetts
20/40/5
Pennsylvania
15/30/5
Colorado
25/50/15
Michigan
20/40/10
Rhode Island
25/50/25
Connecticut
20/40/10
Minnesota
30/60/10
South Carolina
15/30/10
Delaware
15/30/5
Mississippi
10/20/05
South Dakota
25/50/25
D.C.
25/50/10
Missouri
25/50/10
Tennessee (3)
25/50/10
Florida (4)
10/20/10
Montana
25/50/10
Texas
20/40/15
Georgia
25/50/25
Nebraska
25/50/25
Utah
25/50/15
Hawaii
20/40/10
Nevada
15/30/10
Vermont
25/50/10
Idaho
25/50/15
New Hampshire (5)
25/50/25
Virginia
25/50/20
Illinois
20/40/15
New Jersey (6)
15/30/5
Washington
25/50/10
Indiana
25/50/10
New Mexico
25/50/10
West Virginia
20/40/10
Iowa
20/40/15
New York (7)
25/50/10
Wisconsin (5)
25/50/10
Kansas
25/50/10
North Carolina
30/60/25
Wyoming
25/50/20
(1) The first two figures refer to bodily injury liability and the third figure to property damage liability. For example, 20/40/10 means coverage up to $40,000 for all persons injured in an accident, subject to a limit of $20,000 for one individual, and $10,000 coverage for property damage. (2) Low-cost policy limits for Los Angeles and San Francisco low-income drivers in the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan are 10/20/3. This is a pilot program effective from July 1, 2000 until January 1, 2004. (3) Although legally defined as financial responsibility, Tennessee's law is similar to a compulsory law because drivers can be fined if stopped by police or after crashes if they cannot show proof of financial responsibility. (4) Only property damage liability is compulsory. (5) Liability insurance not compulsory; limits are for financial responsibility. (6) Drivers may choose a Standard or Basic Policy. Basic Policy limits are 10/10/5. (7) 50/100 if injury results in death.
Source: Alliance of American Insurers; American Insurance Association; National Association of Independent Insurers; Insurance Information Institute.
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