Minnesota Car Insurance Regulations & Required Coverage
Minnesota insurance law requires all drivers to maintain an insurance policy to driver on their roads. The insurance laws within the state vary from other no-fault states and should be reviewed to ensure you have appropriate coverage. Penalties for not maintaining insurance can result in fines, loss of driving privileges and even time in jail.
Minnesota is a no-fault insurance state. Their insurance laws state that regardless of who is found at fault in an accident, each driver’s respective insurance company will pay for damages resulting from an accident. The specifics of a no-fault system can vary from state to state but in general, the claim process is quicker, the legal rights of drivers are lower and the insurance premiums are higher. State law also says that if your expenses are greater than what your personal injury protection coverage limits, you can then go after the at-fault party to recover the excess damages.
Required Coverage
All personal vehicles in Minnesota require the following liability coverage requirements:
- Bodily Injury
- Property Damage
Additionally, Minnesota requires:
- Uninusred / Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
| Minimum Minnesota Car Insurance Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | $30,000 / $60,000 Limit | ||
| Property Damage Liability | $10,000 Limit | ||
| Uninsured/Underinsured Bodily Injury | $25,000 / $50,000 Limit | ||
| Personal Injury Protection | $40,000 Limit | ||
Additional insurance coverage can include:
- Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
Collision and comprehensive insurance can help fill coverage gaps. Collision will pay for expenses related to repairing or replacing your vehicle after an accident. Comprehensive will cover non-accident related damage such as damage from a fire or having your car stolen. A list of the most stolen vehicles in Minnesota shows which cars could benefit most from this.
Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility
Establishing proof of insurance and financial responsibility
- Get a standard liability car insurance policy
- Get a policy through the Minnesota Automobile Insurance Plan
Required Documentation
In order to provide proof of insurance, you can provide one of the following:
- Insurance ID Card
- Proof of insurance through the Minnesota Automobile Insurance Plan
You must maintain proof of insurance and financial responsibility and present it:
- When asked by a police officer
- After an accident
- When registering or renewing your vehicle’s registration
- Anytime you are operating a vehicle
Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility Penalties
If you are unable to show proof of insurance, you can face the following penalties:
- Charged with a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor if it is a subsequent offense within 10 years of a prior offense
- Fines between $250 – $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail
- Suspension or possible revocation of your license
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