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Indiana's minimum liability limits are 25/50/25, and its rules lean on the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to confirm that drivers actually have coverage. Rather than waiting for a roadside stop, the BMV can mail a request for verification of financial responsibility to the address it has on file at any time. Your insurer answers by filing a certificate of compliance electronically, and if no certificate arrives within 90 days of the request, driving privileges are suspended.

Indiana is an at-fault state with modified comparative fault, so you are barred from recovery only if your share of fault is greater than everyone else's combined. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage must be offered but can be rejected in writing, which makes it worth checking what your policy actually includes. Reinstatement after an insurance suspension costs $250, $500 or $1,000 depending on how many times it has happened.

Indiana at a glance
Minimum liability25/50/25 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s)
Other required coverageNone beyond liability
Fault systemAt-fault (tort)
Credit-based insurance scoresAllowed
SR-22 / proof of financial responsibilityFor suspensions tied to insurance, the BMV says the SR-22 requirement is met after 180 consecutive days of SR-22 coverage. If the BMV receives an SR-26 cancellation notice, or no effective SR-22 is on file during the required period, driving privileges are suspended again.

Indiana minimum liability limits

To register and drive a car in Indiana you need at least this much liability coverage:

  • $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
  • $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
  • $25,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.

Indiana requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.

Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.

Other required and offered coverage

Insurers must make uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage available on auto liability policies. It applies unless you reject it in writing; you can reject both coverages or just one, and underinsured motorist coverage must be offered at limits of at least $50,000.

Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.

Is Indiana a no-fault state?

Indiana is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.

Indiana uses modified comparative fault: you are barred from recovering damages if your fault is greater than the combined fault of everyone else who contributed to your damages. Otherwise, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.

Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.

Can insurers use your credit in Indiana?

Status: Allowed.

See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.

Penalties for driving uninsured in Indiana

Indiana law prohibits operating a vehicle without financial responsibility. If you do not provide a certificate of compliance within 90 days of the BMV's verification request, your driving privileges are suspended. Reinstatement fees are $250 for a first suspension, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third or later suspension, although a driver who ends a suspension by submitting proof of future financial responsibility does not pay the fee.

The BMV mails a request for verification of financial responsibility to the address on file, and your insurer files a certificate of compliance (COC) electronically with the BMV. Insurers can also file SR-22, SR-26 and SR-50 forms through the BMV's electronic filing program. The BMV may request proof at any time.

For suspensions tied to insurance, the BMV says the SR-22 requirement is met after 180 consecutive days of SR-22 coverage. If the BMV receives an SR-26 cancellation notice, or no effective SR-22 is on file during the required period, driving privileges are suspended again.

If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.

Tips for Indiana drivers

  • Open BMV mail promptly. A request for financial responsibility verification starts a 90-day clock, and if your insurer has not filed a certificate of compliance in that time, your driving privileges are suspended.
  • Ask your insurer to confirm that it reports your coverage to the BMV electronically. Insurers file certificates of compliance and SR forms through the state's electronic filing program, so a lapse or a cancellation can show up quickly on the BMV side.
  • Look at your declarations page for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Indiana applies it unless you rejected it in writing, and a rejection must say which coverage is rejected and when it takes effect.
  • If you need an SR-22 after an insurance suspension, the BMV says the requirement is met after 180 consecutive days of coverage. A cancellation notice (SR-26) or a gap in the filing can suspend you again, so keep payments current.
  • Information you give an officer at a stop is not sent to the BMV or added to your driving record, but the BMV can ask for proof of financial responsibility on its own at any time, so keep your coverage continuous.

When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.

Official resources

Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.

Frequently asked questions

What are the minimum car insurance limits in Indiana?

Indiana requires $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This is commonly written as 25/50/25. Insurers must also offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which applies unless you reject it in writing.

What happens if I drive without insurance in Indiana?

Indiana law bars operating a vehicle without financial responsibility. If the BMV asks you to verify coverage and you do not provide a certificate of compliance within 90 days, your driving privileges are suspended. Reinstatement fees are $250 for a first suspension, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third or later. You may also be sued for damage you cause.

How does Indiana verify that I have insurance?

The BMV mails a request for financial responsibility verification to the address it has on file. Your insurer files a certificate of compliance electronically with the BMV. If nothing is filed within 90 days of the request, driving privileges are suspended. Insurers can also file SR-22, SR-26 and SR-50 forms through the BMV's electronic filing program.

How long do I need an SR-22 in Indiana?

For suspensions related to insurance, the BMV says the SR-22 requirement is met after 180 consecutive days of SR-22 coverage. Other suspensions can carry longer requirements, and some out-of-state residents may be able to waive a 3-year or 5-year requirement with an affidavit. Ask the BMV which period applies to your situation.

Can I sue if I was partly at fault in an Indiana crash?

Yes, in many cases. Under Indiana's modified comparative fault law, you are barred from recovering only if your fault is greater than the fault of everyone else who contributed to your damages. If you can recover, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney or your insurer can explain how this applies to a specific claim.

Sources

General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Indiana Department of Insurance or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.