Is it a law in every state to have car insurance?

Asked by: Prof. Princess Monahan V  |  Last update: May 18, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (36 votes)

Nearly every state, 49 out of 50, requires drivers to have some level of auto insurance. As of July 1, 2024, New Hampshire is the only exception (prior to that date, Virginia allowed drivers to pay a fee in lieu of carrying auto insurance). In New Hampshire, driving uninsured is completely legal for some drivers.

In what states is it illegal to not have car insurance?

New Hampshire is the only state that doesn't mandate car insurance. However, drivers who choose not to buy car insurance must prove they have sufficient funds to meet the state's financial responsibility requirements (PDF) in the event they cause an accident.

What states are mandatory car insurance?

Every state, except for Virginia and remote parts of Alaska, requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability car insurance in order to drive legally.

Is insurance required by law in every state?

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.

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 Auto Insurance Required In All States? - InsuranceGuide360.com

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Is it OK to have car insurance from another state?

Registering a vehicle in one state while holding an insurance policy in another is not permitted for most drivers. This restriction is due to variations in traffic laws and minimum insurance coverage requirements. Attempting to insure a vehicle in a state where you don't live might be insurance fraud.

What insurance is accepted in all 50 states?

Medicare is run by the federal government, which is why Original Medicare coverage is the same in every state and includes nationwide access to providers.

What states is it illegal to not have health insurance?

Presently there are six states with individual mandates:
  • California.
  • D.C.
  • Massachusetts.
  • New Jersey.
  • Rhode Island.
  • Vermont (but there's currently no financial penalty attached to the mandate)

Do all states regulate insurance?

All U.S. insurers are subject to regulation in their state of domicile and in the other states where they are licensed to sell insurance. Insurers who fail to comply with regulatory requirements are subject to license suspension or revocation, and states may exact fines for regulatory violations.

What is the lowest form of car insurance?

The minimum amount of car insurance you'll typically need is state-required liability coverage. This allows you to pay for some, if not all, injuries and damages you're liable for in an accident. The most commonly required liability limits are $25,000/$50,000/$25,000, which mean: $25,000 in bodily injury per person.

What states don't need insurance?

New Hampshire is the only state with no auto insurance requirements, while Florida is the only one that doesn't require bodily injury liability (which pays for the other party's injuries in the event of an accident that you caused). Louisiana has lower liability limits than most other states.

When did car insurance become mandatory by state?

SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court on Monday unanimously upheld the 1984 state mandatory auto insurance law requiring motorists stopped for traffic violations to prove they have liability coverage or eventually face losing their licenses.

What states are fault states?

States With At-Fault Car Insurance
  • Alabama.
  • Alaska.
  • Arizona.
  • Arkansas.
  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Connecticut.
  • Delaware.

What state has no fault lines?

The few states with none or hardly any (ND, SD, NE, KS, OH, WV, DE, FL) are almost entirely covered with sedimentary rocks that have not been faulted since the rocks were deposited. The faults in CA, NV and the coasts of OR and WA are potentially active.

Which states require insurance?

Almost every state in the U.S. requires drivers to have some form of car insurance. The only state that doesn't require car insurance is New Hampshire. Instead, drivers must prove they have enough funds to cover any costs if they cause an accident.

What is twisting in insurance?

Twisting is also called external replacement and is the practice of inducing a person to drop existing insurance to buy similar coverage with another producer or company. Replacing existing life insurance with a new life insurance policy based upon incomplete or incorrect representation is called twisting.

Who enforces a states insurance law?

CDI enforces the insurance laws of California and has authority over how insurers and licensees conduct business in California. License fees, assessments, and Proposition 103 recoupment fees are the primary sources of funding for CDI.

Is car insurance mandatory in the USA?

Car insurance laws are set and enforced at the state level, and 49 of the 50 states in America require all drivers to carry an active car insurance policy. New Hampshire is the only state in which you are not legally required to have car insurance, as long as you can show proof of financial responsibility.

What is cobra insurance?

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, ...

Is it illegal to not have insurance in us?

In 2017, Congress repealed the individual mandate penalties on the federal level, which went into effect in 2019. This effectively repealed the mandate, as there are no longer consequences for not having health coverage.

How many states do not require insurance?

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.

Does my car insurance work in all states?

No matter where you live, your standard car insurance policy will typically cover you in all 50 states and Canada.

Do other states take my insurance?

If you move across state lines, your health insurance coverage may or may not move with you. There are things you can do to make sure you keep your coverage or pick up new coverage to avoid gaps. Learn more about your health care options when you move to a new state or split your time between two or more states.