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Minnesota Minimum Car Insurance Requirements, Penalties and Other Auto Insurance Laws
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What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Minnesota?
How much car insurance do you need in Minnesota? You have to carry a minimum amount of insurance to legally operate your vehicle in Minnesota, which includes:
- $30,000 per person for bodily injury
- $60,000 per accident for all injuries
- $10,000 for property damage
- $40,000 per person for personal injury protection
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident bodily injury liability for uninsured and underinsured motorists
You might see the minimum liability limits expressed as 30/60/10. While these are the minimum requirements, you can pay more for your insurance if you want greater coverage.
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What Does This Minimum Coverage Mean?
Most states, including Minnesota, require liability insurance. This coverage pays for injuries or death sustained by other parties if you cause a vehicle accident. Minimum liability limits in Minnesota are expressed as 30/60/10, which means every driver needs to carry a minimum of $30,000 per person for bodily injury or death with $60,000 per accident. Property damage insurance covers the cost of any property, like another person’s car or home, that you damage during an accident. You need to carry a minimum of $10,000 property damage coverage in Minnesota.
Personal injury protection or PIP insurance will cover your costs for injuries you receive in a car accident regardless of fault. Whether you are a bystander, a passenger or a driver in the accident, you would be eligible to receive benefits up to the limits mentioned in your policy. PIP coverage can help with medical expenses, lost wages and several other costs. In Minnesota, you need a minimum of $40,000 in PIP coverage, $20,000 of which is for medical expenses and the other $20,000 is for non-medical expenses.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protect you if you are involved in an accident with uninsured or underinsured drivers. In Minnesota, your policy must include at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.
How Much Does the Minimum Car Insurance Cost in Minnesota?
Car insurance costs in Minnesota can vary based on several important parameters like your age, driving history, ZIP code, credit standing and other factors. Different companies operating in Minnesota charge different amounts for car insurance.
The cheapest state minimum car insurance rate in Minnesota is offered by USAA and costs about $421 per year. However, USAA policies are only available for military members and their families. The cheapest car insurance in Minnesota available to most people is from AAA and costs about $509 per year.
These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Minnesota driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.
MoneyGeek compared car insurance rates in Minnesota at the state minimum mandated limits of 30/60/10 liability, $40,000 PIP and mandatory UM and UIM coverage for a 40-year-old male sample driver residing in Minnesota with a clean record and good credit standing driving a 2010 Toyota Camry.
MoneyGeek also ranked the best car insurance companies in Minnesota for those who want strong service and affordable rates.
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What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Minnesota While Leasing a Car?
While the state of Minnesota imposes certain minimum insurance requirements, if you lease a car, you would have to conform with the requirements of the leasing company. For most leasing companies, that would be a full coverage car insurance policy with 100/300/50 minimum liability limits. You should consult your leasing company to find out the minimum insurance coverage you need. In addition, be sure to understand the terms of your lease agreement to the fullest extent to ensure that you meet the minimum car insurance requirements specified in the lease.
If you are not sure about how much car insurance you should purchase in Minnesota, MoneyGeek recommends full coverage car insurance with at least 50/100/50 liability limits. Minnesota has a relatively low risk of uninsured motorists at 9.9% of drivers. However, it is still advisable to get full coverage insurance if you want to be covered for your own injuries and property damage.
Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance in Minnesota
Minnesota state laws have several penalties in place for drivers who drive without insurance. You must always carry proof of insurance and produce it on demand when asked by a law enforcement officer. This can be your insurance ID or electronic proof of insurance on your phone.
Failure to produce this proof is classified as a misdemeanor in Minnesota Here are some of the penalties for driving without insurance in Minnesota:
- A minimum fine of $200
- Criminal penalties including jail time
- Revocation of driver’s license and vehicle registration
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in Minnesota
Yes, carrying car insurance is mandatory in Minnesota. All drivers need to carry a minimum of 30/60/10 liability insurance along with at least $40,000 in PIP insurance. Drivers also need mandatory UM and UIM coverage. Failure to carry proof of insurance is considered a misdemeanor and can result in fines, sanctions and jail time.
You need insurance to register a car in Minnesota. You need to produce proof of insurance at the time of registration. It is illegal to drive a car in Minnesota without valid car insurance.
In Minnesota, basic car insurance involves meeting the state minimum insurance requirements, which consist of 30/60/10 liability insurance, PIP coverage and UM and UIM coverage. This is the minimum coverage needed to legally drive in Minnesota.
Car insurance will usually follow the car in Minnesota instead of the driver. This is applicable to liability coverage, personal injury protection coverage and coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists.
While it is not a legal requirement to have a license to purchase car insurance in Minnesota, it is likely that most insurance providers would insist on you having a license before providing coverage.
Minnesota is a no-fault state. This means that PIP coverage is mandatory under state law and drivers need to make a first-party claim with their insurance providers for injuries.
Since Minnesota is a no-fault state, PIP coverage is mandatory. PIP insurance provides financial coverage for drivers when they become injured in a car accident. Drivers in Minnesota must carry at least $40,000 worth of PIP coverage.
Yes, drivers in Minnesota are mandated to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for bodily injuries to the tune of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Yes, Minnesota is a diminished value state, which means that you can get compensation based on the diminished value of your vehicle after an accident.
Car insurance requirements in Minnesota do not change after a DUI. However, since you are classified as a high-risk driver, your car insurance might get a lot more expensive and you might have to purchase SR-22 coverage.
A CARCO inspection is a photographic inspection of your car prior to insurance that ascertains the current condition of your car. This is done by documenting important details like the physical condition, your car’s accessories and the distance traveled, among other details. Minnesota does not require CARCO inspections.
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sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "2020 Insurance Factbook." Accessed September 18, 2021.
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists." Accessed September 18, 2021.
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety. "Auto Insurance." Accessed September 18, 2021.
- Minnesota Legislature. "Statute 169.79." Accessed September 18, 2021.