What states do not require auto insurance?

Asked by: Prof. Rollin Stroman  |  Last update: August 14, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (28 votes)

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 states can you drive without car insurance?

States that don't require 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.

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 drivers without insurance?

Mississippi has the highest uninsured motorist population

Mississippi had the highest uninsured motorist population in 2019 at 29.4%, followed by Michigan (25.5%), Tennessee (23.7%), New Mexico (21.8%), and Washington state (21.7%).

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.

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26 related questions found

What state does not need insurance?

States that do not require car 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.

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.

What percent of Americans have no car insurance?

As of 2022, the last time the Insurance Research Council collected national data, an estimated 14 percent of drivers in the U.S. lack car insurance. That means over 32 million licensed drivers do not have any financial liability protection when driving, an average of 658,241drivers per state.

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.

Who normally has the cheapest car insurance?

Geico, Nationwide and Travelers are among the least expensive for car insurance. Americans are paying a lot for car insurance these days: Average annual rates for a full coverage policy are up to $2,638 per year, while minimum coverage averages $767 per year.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance in Florida?

Q: What if I lend my car to someone who doesn't have their own auto insurance? Your insurance will typically still cover the driver, as insurance follows the car in Florida. However, if they cause an accident, it could impact your insurance rates.

Can my car be registered in one state and insured in another?

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.

Can someone drive my car if they are not on my insurance Progressive?

While there are exceptions, car insurance generally follows the car and not the driver. Allowing another licensed driver to borrow your vehicle is known as "permissive use," which means you give someone, who isn't listed on your car insurance policy, permission to operate your vehicle.

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

Driving without insurance is against the law in virtually every U.S. state. The consequences of driving without insurance can vary dramatically, with penalties ranging from a slap on the wrist to large fines and even jail time.

What race is the most uninsured?

Uninsured rates are higher among Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN), Black, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) people than among Asian, white, and multiracial people.

What state has the highest amount of uninsured drivers?

Mississippi has a higher percentage of uninsured drivers than any other state, with about 29% of people driving without insurance. Mississippi is one of the cheapest states for car insurance, but it's also the state with the lowest household income. So cost may cause many drivers not to buy insurance.

How many states do not require car insurance?

New Hampshire and Virginia are the only two states that don't require car insurance. That said, there is no one country-wide rule when it comes to how much car insurance you have to have. Each state has a different minimum amount of car insurance that drivers must obtain in order to legally drive on public roads.

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 the most DUIs?

States with the most drunk driving problems (2021)
  • Wyoming ranked worst for drunk driving problems and had more fatalities per 100,000 people than any other state.
  • North Dakota was the state with the most DUIs, trailed by South Dakota and Wyoming.

What happens if the person at fault in an accident has no insurance in New Hampshire?

Consequences of driving uninsured in New Hampshire

If you cause an accident while driving uninsured, the state may suspend your driver's license and vehicle registration until you've paid for any damage and filed an SR-22 form. This form acts as proof you've purchased car insurance.

Can I choose not to use car insurance?

If you're legally obligated to have auto insurance, it's illegal to refuse to use it for at-fault accidents or damages involving another party. However, if you're in a minor single-car accident, you may have the option to pay out of pocket for repairs instead of making an insurance claim.

Does Maryland require car insurance?

All Maryland vehicles MUST be insured at ALL times by a vehicle insurance company licensed in Maryland. Your vehicle insurance must cover, at a minimum: $30,000 for bodily injury.