Car Insurance Minimums by State, 2026
Last reviewed June 2026
Quick answer. Northeast minimum auto liability for 2026 ranges widely. New Jersey rose to 35/70/25 on January 1, 2026. Maine is highest at 50/100/25. Massachusetts is lowest at 20/40/5. New Hampshire does not require most drivers to carry liability insurance at all.
Minimum liability coverage is the floor a driver must carry, and it caps what the at-fault driver’s policy will pay before other coverage has to fill the gap. Here is where each Northeast state stands for 2026.
Minimum Liability by State (2026)
| State | Minimum (BI/BI/PD) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 20/40/5 | 20,000 / 40,000 / 5,000, plus 8,000 PIP and 20/40 uninsured motorist |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | 25,000 / 50,000 / 25,000, plus uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | 25,000 / 50,000 / 25,000 |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | 25,000 / 50,000 / 10,000, plus uninsured motorist coverage |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/25 (only if insurance is carried) | 25,000 / 50,000 / 25,000 if the driver chooses to carry insurance; insurance is not mandatory in New Hampshire |
| Maine | 50/100/25 | 50,000 / 100,000 / 25,000, plus medical payments and uninsured motorist coverage, among the highest minimums in the region |
| New York | 25/50/10 | 25,000 / 50,000 / 10,000 (50/100 where death results), plus no-fault and uninsured motorist coverage |
| New Jersey | 35/70/25 | 35,000 / 70,000 / 25,000 as of January 1, 2026 (up from 25/50/25), with UM/UIM minimums of 35/70, the final phase of a multi-year reform |
The New Jersey 2026 Increase
The headline change this year is in New Jersey. As of January 1, 2026, the minimum bodily injury liability rose to 35,000 dollars per person and 70,000 dollars per accident, up from 25/50, with property damage at 25,000 and UM/UIM minimums also at 35/70. The increase was the final phase of a multi-year reform designed to keep coverage in line with modern medical costs.
The New Hampshire Outlier
New Hampshire does not require most drivers to carry liability insurance. Drivers must instead demonstrate financial responsibility. When an uninsured at-fault driver causes a crash, your own uninsured motorist coverage often becomes the primary path to recovery.
BI/BI/PD. Shorthand for the three parts of a liability limit: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident, and property damage. A 25/50/25 policy pays up to 25,000 per injured person, 50,000 per accident, and 25,000 for property damage.
Talk to an Accident Attorney
Get a free, no obligation case review. There is no cost to speak with an attorney about your options, and you pay nothing unless your case results in a recovery.
By submitting your information or calling, you consent to be contacted by phone, text message, and email at the number provided, including by automated dialing technology and prerecorded messages, about your inquiry. Consent is not a condition of any purchase or service, and message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Minimum Car Insurance in the Northeast for 2026?
Minimums vary. New Jersey raised its minimum to 35,000 / 70,000 / 25,000 as of January 1, 2026. Maine is among the highest at 50,000 / 100,000 / 25,000. Massachusetts is among the lowest at 20,000 / 40,000 / 5,000. New Hampshire does not require most drivers to carry liability insurance at all.
What Changed in New Jersey in 2026?
As of January 1, 2026, New Jersey’s minimum bodily injury liability rose to 35,000 dollars per person and 70,000 dollars per accident, up from 25/50, and UM/UIM minimums rose to 35/70. It was the final phase of a multi-year reform.
What If the At-Fault Driver Only Had the Minimum?
Minimum limits are often not enough to cover a serious injury. When the at-fault driver’s coverage runs out, your own underinsured motorist coverage can bridge the gap, which is why carrying robust UM/UIM is widely recommended.
Related Guides
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage explained
- Hit by an uninsured driver, what to do
- New Jersey car accident laws
Attorney advertising. autoaccident.co is a legal marketing and attorney referral service, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. This is general information, not legal advice, and laws and deadlines change. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Submitting a request does not create an attorney client relationship.