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Minnesota is a true no-fault state, and its required coverage reaches far beyond liability. Every policy must pay basic economic loss benefits of at least $40,000 per person, split into $20,000 for medical expense and $20,000 for income loss, replacement services and funeral or survivor losses. It must also carry separate uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at 25/50, along with 30/60/10 liability.
Because your own insurer pays no-fault benefits first, lawsuits for pain and suffering are limited: in general you need more than $4,000 in medical expense or a listed serious injury. Fault still matters for what you can recover from another driver, and Minnesota bars recovery if your fault is greater than the other party's. With harsh winters and icy roads, comprehensive and collision coverage are optional but often discussed with a licensed agent.
| Minimum liability | 30/60/10 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | Basic economic loss (no-fault/PIP) benefits: at least $40,000 per person, made up of $20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for income loss, replacement services, funeral and survivor losses; Uninsured motorist coverage: at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident; Underinsured motorist coverage: at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Fault system | No-fault |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Allowed |
Minnesota minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Minnesota you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $30,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $60,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $10,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Minnesota requires $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $10,000 for property damage, on top of no-fault benefits and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
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
Besides liability, Minnesota requires:
- Basic economic loss (no-fault/PIP) benefits: at least $40,000 per person, made up of $20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for income loss, replacement services, funeral and survivor losses
- Uninsured motorist coverage: at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Underinsured motorist coverage: at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is Minnesota a no-fault state?
Minnesota is a no-fault state. After most crashes, your own personal injury protection (PIP) pays your medical bills and some lost income first, whoever caused the accident. You can usually step outside the no-fault system and claim against the other driver only if injuries pass a legal threshold.
Minnesota is a no-fault state: your own insurer pays basic economic loss benefits regardless of fault. To recover non-economic damages from an at-fault driver, you generally must have medical expenses above $4,000 or meet other listed serious-injury conditions. Minnesota also uses modified comparative fault, which bars recovery if your fault is greater than the other party's.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Minnesota?
Status: Allowed.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Minnesota
Driving, or letting someone drive, a vehicle you know is uninsured is a misdemeanor, with a mandatory fine of at least $200 plus any jail sentence the court imposes. It becomes a gross misdemeanor for a third offense within ten years or if an uninsured driver causes a crash with death or substantial bodily harm. Drivers also consent to license revocation if they do not produce proof of insurance by their first court date.
Drivers must produce proof of insurance to the court administrator by the date and time on the citation if asked by a peace officer. If you do not produce proof by the first court appearance, or within ten days of a written notice, your license can be revoked. A driver who is the owner and produces proof of coverage in time is not convicted.
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for Minnesota drivers
- Understand what your no-fault benefits are. Minnesota's required basic economic loss coverage provides $20,000 for medical expense and $20,000 for income loss, replacement services and funeral or survivor losses, and it pays regardless of fault.
- Keep track of your medical bills. In Minnesota, noneconomic damages from an at-fault driver generally require more than $4,000 in medical expense or another listed serious-injury condition, so documenting treatment matters.
- Remember that Minnesota requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as separate coverages, each at least $25,000/$50,000. Check your declarations page for both.
- If you are cited for no insurance, produce proof of coverage to the court administrator by your first court date; the law says an owner who does so in time is not convicted.
- Because Minnesota applies modified comparative fault, your fault can reduce or bar a claim against another driver. Keep photos, a police report and witness details after a crash.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Motor vehicle agency: Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What does Minnesota require for car insurance?
Minnesota requires liability of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage; basic economic loss (no-fault) benefits of at least $40,000 per person; and separate uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident each. Every owner of a registered vehicle must maintain these coverages.
How much no-fault coverage does Minnesota require?
Basic economic loss benefits must provide at least $40,000 per person. Of that, $20,000 is for medical expense loss and $20,000 is for income loss, replacement services loss, funeral expense loss and survivor's losses. These benefits are paid regardless of who caused the crash, and they are deducted from any later recovery from an at-fault driver.
When can I sue for pain and suffering in Minnesota?
To recover non-economic damages, the law generally requires that medical expense benefits exceed $4,000, or that you meet other listed conditions, such as permanent injury. Economic losses not covered by no-fault benefits can still be pursued through a negligence action. A lawyer can explain how the thresholds apply to a particular injury.
What are the penalties for driving without insurance in Minnesota?
It is a misdemeanor to drive, or let someone drive, a vehicle you know or have reason to know is uninsured. The court must impose a fine of at least $200 in addition to any jail sentence. A repeat offense within ten years, or causing a crash with death or substantial bodily harm, can be a gross misdemeanor.
Can I avoid a conviction if I have insurance but cannot show it?
Yes, if you are the owner and produce proof that insurance was in force for the vehicle you were driving to the court administrator by the date and time on your citation, you will not be convicted. If the charge is not made by citation, present proof at your first court appearance. Not producing proof can lead to license revocation.
Sources
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor - Minnesota Statutes 65B.44 (no-fault benefits)
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor - Minnesota Statutes 65B.49 (liability and UM/UIM)
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor - Minnesota Statutes 65B.51 (tort limits)
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor - Minnesota Statutes 169.797 (penalties)
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor - Minnesota Statutes 169.792 (proof of insurance)
- Minnesota Office of the Revisor - Minnesota Statutes 604.01 (comparative fault)
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Minnesota Department of Commerce or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.