Are state minimums enough?

Almost never. Single hospital ICU stay can exceed $100k. Most attorneys recommend 100/300/100 minimum.

$1M umbrella coverage typically $200-400/yr. Requires you carry 250/500 underlying auto + adequate home liability.

12 states + DC have some no-fault rules. Affects PIP coverage; doesn't eliminate need for liability.

Separate but critical — covers you if hit by uninsured/under-insured driver. Match your liability limits.

Auto Liability Coverage Minimums

State minimums shown vs recommended; coverage shortfall risk.

Result

Coverage gap (BI per accident)

$550000/k

State min: 50k; recommended: 600k.

BI per person$25k
BI per accident$50k
Property damage$25k
Income (assets exposure)$80,000
Net assets$200,000
Total exposure (5×income + assets)$600,000
Recommended BI per accident$600k
Coverage gap$550k under-insured

Step-by-step

State min: 25/50/25 (BI/person, BI/accident, PD in $1000s).
Recommended ≥ exposure (5× income + assets) = $600k.
Gap of $550k. Raise limits or add umbrella policy.

How to use this calculator

Pick state minimum profile.
Enter income + assets.

About this calculator

State minimums are absolute floor. Lawsuit exposure scales with your wealth: high-net-worth defendants attract larger judgments. Rule: BI per accident should at least equal (5× annual income + assets). Or buy umbrella policy (cheap: ~$200-400/yr for $1M coverage). State DOI websites list each state's mandates — most are 25/50/25 or lower (way below modern medical costs).