Do any states not require insurance?

Asked by: Mrs. Carolyne Gibson  |  Last update: January 5, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (71 votes)

Although leasing or financing offices may require one or the other. New Hampshire and Virginia are the only states that do not require auto insurance. However, if you choose not to purchase car insurance in these states, you would still be held liable for any property damage or bodily injury caused by their vehicle.

Which US state does not require car insurance?

New Hampshire, the only state that does not require auto liability insurance, requires drivers to show that they are able to provide sufficient funds in the case of an at-fault accident (i.e., financial responsibility).

Which state does not require health insurance?

New Jersey, California, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia require their residents to have health insurance coverage or face penalties. Vermont recommends that residents have coverage, but there's no noncompliance penalty.

Is insurance required by law in all states?

Car insurance is required by law in all states, except in New Hampshire and Virginia. In New Hampshire, drivers are only required to show proof of their financial capability to cover for injuries and damages for accidents that they cause.

What state has the most drivers without insurance?

Key takeaways
  • Minimum levels of auto insurance coverage are required in 49 states and the District of Columbia before someone can legally drive a vehicle.
  • The uninsured motorist population has increased by 1.2% to roughly 28 million drivers.
  • Mississippi has the highest uninsured motorist rate at 29.4%.

Secret, Insurance isn't required in some states!

42 related questions found

Why does Florida have so many uninsured drivers?

This might be because car insurance in Florida is among the most expensive in the country, up to an average monthly cost of $115 for minimum-liability coverage and $270 for full coverage. The national average for minimum coverage is $52 per month or $627 per year—much lower than Florida's annual average of $1,385.

What state has the safest drivers?

The Safest States for Drivers

According to recent data: Massachusetts consistently ranks as the safest state, with only 4.9 fatalities per 100,000 residents in 2023. The state benefits from stringent traffic laws, excellent infrastructure, and a high rate of seatbelt usage.

Why are we forced to have car insurance?

By requiring car insurance in almost every state, U.S. car insurance laws help financially protect individuals in the event they cause or are involved in an accident. These laws attempt to ensure that every driver has insurance to cover a minimum level of costs for injuries and property damage they're responsible for.

Why don't you need car insurance in New Hampshire?

Unlike most states, New Hampshire doesn't mandate auto insurance for all drivers. Instead, it requires proof of financial responsibility, meaning you must show you can cover costs for bodily injury and property damage if you cause an accident. Understanding these laws is crucial.

Does Florida require car insurance?

Any vehicle with a current Florida registration must: be insured with PIP and PDL insurance at the time of vehicle registration. have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL.

What state has the most people without health insurance?

Texas is home to the country's largest share of Americans under 65 without health insurance, according to new Census Bureau data, with 18.8% of residents uninsured as of 2022.

Can you legally not have health insurance?

Most people in California are required to have health coverage. If you do not have health coverage you may have to pay a tax penalty. This is called the “individual mandate.”

What states offer free health insurance?

  • California. State offers public health coverage to all adults regardless of immigration status.
  • Colorado. State offers private health coverage with state subsidies to all adults regardless of immigration status.
  • Illinois. ...
  • Minnesota. ...
  • New york. ...
  • Oregon. ...
  • Washington. ...
  • District of columbia.

Is it illegal to have out of state car insurance?

In general, your car must be registered and insured in the same state, since both vehicle registration and auto insurance are based on your permanent residence.

Is life insurance required?

While not mandatory, life insurance is important if others depend on your income or if you have financial obligations like a mortgage or debts. It helps provide financial security for your loved ones, covering expenses and helping ensure their future stability in your absence.

What states do not require auto insurance?

Although leasing or financing offices may require one or the other. New Hampshire and Virginia are the only states that do not require auto insurance. However, if you choose not to purchase car insurance in these states, you would still be held liable for any property damage or bodily injury caused by their vehicle.

Can you drive without insurance in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, section 34J prohibits driving a motor vehicle without insurance in Massachusetts.

Is NH a no-fault state?

New Hampshire is a “fault” state, which means that at-fault motorists may be held liable for the injuries and damages they cause. Therefore, victims of negligent drivers must prove who was responsible for the accident in order to pursue compensation for their losses.

Is it illegal to not have car insurance in the US?

Much like having a license plate on your car and having a valid drivers license, insurance is a requirement for driving in nearly every state. You're legally required to have auto insurance for any car registered in your name, unless you live in New Hampshire.

Can you refuse to use insurance?

You may choose not to use insurance if the service you need isn't covered, or it's less expensive if you pay out of pocket.

Is requiring car insurance constitutional?

On the other hand, the federal government has powers that are limited and can only make laws as they relate to the constitution. This structure is the reason why states can require its licensed drivers to have car insurance but the federal government cannot mandate that everyone in the country have health insurance.

What is the hardest state to drive in?

Massachusetts has the worst drivers in the U.S. From Nov. 5, 2023, through Nov. 4, 2024, Massachusetts drivers had 61.1 incidents (accidents, DUIs, speeding and citations) per 1,000 drivers. The next worst drivers are in Rhode Island (60.6) and California (55.0).

What is the strictest state for driving?

Strictest driving laws and car accidents by state

Alaska and Oregon take the No. 1 rank for the strictest driving laws, based on our analysis of drunk driving, seatbelt and speeding laws. If you're caught zooming above the speed limit in Alaska, you could be pinned with fines anywhere from $250 to $2,000.

What state has most car accidents?

1. Mississippi. Mississippi is the state with the most deaths per 100,000 people from car accidents.