Yes, in the vast majority of states, you are legally required to have at least a minimum amount of car insurance before you can register your vehicle. This is a standard procedure enforced by state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) to ensure all drivers meet their financial responsibility requirements. The DMV will typically ask for proof of insurance, often called a proof of insurance card, during the registration process. Without it, your application will be rejected. The only common exceptions are the two states that do not have mandatory insurance laws—New Hampshire and Virginia—though both still have specific financial responsibility requirements you must meet.
The required coverage is usually liability insurance, which pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an accident. States set their own minimum coverage levels, often expressed as three numbers (e.g., 25/50/25). This stands for $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Some states also require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Failing to maintain insurance after registration can lead to severe penalties, including fines, license and registration suspension, and even vehicle impoundment. Many states use electronic verification systems that automatically check your insurance status against a database.
Here is a sample of minimum liability requirements from different states to illustrate the variation:
| State | Bodily Injury Liability (Per Person) | Bodily Injury Liability (Per Accident) | Property Damage Liability |
|---|
| California | $15,000 | $30,000 | $5,000 |
| Texas | $30,000 | $60,000 | $25,000 |
| New York | $25,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 |
| Florida* | Not Required for Registration | Not Required for Registration | $10,000 |
| Alaska | $50,000 | $100,000 | $25,000 |
*Florida is a notable exception, requiring only $10,000 in Property Damage Liability and $10,000 in PIP for registration; Bodily Injury Liability is not required until after a serious accident.
