or other proof of financial responsibility. While some DMVs can use an electronic verification system to access your insurance coverage details, it’s best to assume you’ll need to present your insurance card.

Do you have to have insurance to register a car?

Generally, you will need to purchase an insurance policy that meets or exceeds your state’s minimum liability insurance requirements before you can register your vehicle.

However, there are a few states that do not require insurance to register a car12345:

Even in these five states, you’ll still need to acquire insurance or demonstrate financial responsibility with self-insurance or a cash deposit or bond before you can legally drive a car on public roads.

Plus, if you fail to purchase adequate coverage within 30 to 45 days of registering your vehicle in one of these five states, your vehicle registration and even your driver’s license could be suspended.

The bottom line: While you may be able to register your vehicle without insurance in some states, you’ll still need it to drive the vehicle legally.

How to show proof of insurance for vehicle registration

Most states require

proof of insurance

in the form of an insurance card—physical or digital. Some states can use an electronic verification system to access your coverage details, but check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before counting on this method of insurance verification.

Here’s what proof of insurance usually contains:

Your name

Your address

Names of all covered drivers

Vehicle year, make, and model

Vehicle identification number

Name of insurance company

Dates of coverage

Your policy number

What types of coverage does my state require?

Liability insurance is mandatory in all states except

New Hampshire

, where you still must provide proof of financial responsibility to drive legally. Each state sets its own limits regarding the types and amounts of coverage drivers must have.

Many states require coverage limits of at least 25/50/25—that’s $25,000

bodily injury liability

per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000

property damage liability

Some states require higher or lower liability limits, but most experts recommend drivers purchase significantly higher limits than mandated by any state. Ideally, you should purchase a policy with at least 100/300/100 limits, but even one with 50/100/50 is more likely to offer the financial and legal protection you need if you cause a car accident.

Though, you should keep these things in mind as well:

In addition to liability coverage, drivers in “

no-fault states

,” like

New York

, must also purchase

personal injury protection (PIP)

Some

at-fault states

and no-fault states also require drivers to carry

uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance

as part of their minimum coverage

Medical payments coverage (MedPay)

is a requirement in

Maine

and for New Hampshire drivers who choose to purchase liability coverage.

EXPERT TIP: While a car insurance policy with only state-minimum coverage may be your cheapest bet, it’s not the most cost effective. To ensure you’re fully protected, experts recommend not only higher liability limits and uninsured motorist coverage but also a

full coverage auto insurance policy

that includes both

collision insurance

and comprehensive coverage.

How much will my insurance cost?

Insurance costs vary widely between states and drivers, but the

average cost of insurance

in the US as of February 2024 is $165 per month, or $1,985 per year, for full coverage and $77 monthly or $928 annually for state minimum coverage.

To find out how much your car insurance premiums will be, use the Jerry app. Once you download the free app,

Jerry

will walk you through a few quick questions to set up your driver profile, which we’ll use to

compare real-time quotes

from insurance providers to find you the best, and cheapest, coverage available.

Once you choose a policy you like, just tap “Confirm your rate” to begin the final application process. Most of our insurance partners offer same-day coverage, and you can usually have digital insurance cards in hand within a couple hours of downloading the app.

Save on car insurance

Compare quotes and see if you can save in 45 seconds.

Compare Rates Now

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees

4.717k Ratings

5M+Drivers Joined

7M+Cars Garaged

What else do I need to register my car?

Depending on how you purchased your vehicle, the registration requirements may vary.

If you purchased a new car or a used vehicle from a dealership, the dealership's sales staff will handle the registration process for you and provide you with a 30-day temporary license plate. Depending on how your state handle’s registration fees and sales tax, you may not even have to make a special trip to the DMV.

If you purchased your vehicle from an independent seller, you’ll need to title and register the vehicle yourself. You’ll need a bill of sale and/or signed original title to prove you own the vehicle, as well as confirmation the car has passed any required state inspections or emissions tests.

Like so much to do with vehicles, car insurance, and vehicle registration, what you’ll need will depend on your state’s laws and regulations. Be sure to check with your state’s DMV to make sure you bring everything you need.

FAQ

What do you need to register a car in California?

, you will need the vehicle title, proof of insurance, and payment for applicable fees. You may also need a smog certification or specialized forms for gross vehicle weight declaration.

Do you need proof of insurance to renew registration in California?

If your insurance company electronically reports information to the California DMV, you will not need to provide proof of insurance for registration renewal, and you’ll even be able to renew your registration online. To find out if your insurance provider reports electronically, check with your insurance agent.

Do you need insurance to register a car in Texas?

Yes, drivers must provide proof of insurance to register a vehicle in Texas.

To legally hit the road in Texas, drivers must have at least:

$30,000 per person of bodily injury liability coverage

$60,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage

$25,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage

Do you need Florida insurance to register a car?

Yes, drivers must provide proof of insurance to

. Drivers must have at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability before they hit the road in Florida.

Do you need proof of insurance to register a car in TN?

No, Tennessee is one of only five states that do not require car owners to present proof of insurance when registering a vehicle. However, drivers in the state are required to carry a policy that meets or exceeds the state’s required liability limits to drive legally on public roads:

What do I need to register my car in NY?

you will need the vehicle title, proof of insurance, and payment for applicable fees. Additional forms may be required for used and/or privately sold vehicles.

Does registration and insurance have to match in NY?

Yes, the name on your car insurance policy must match that on your New York vehicle registration for it to be considered valid. Any discrepancies could cause a

lapse in insurance coverage

, which could lead the DMV to suspend your driver license and vehicle registration.

Can you get car insurance without a license?

Most auto insurance companies won’t

sell a policy to an unlicensed driver

, but there are workarounds if you have a suspended license or don’t plan to drive. These include applying for a restricted license or getting a basic state ID card.

Is car insurance mandatory for vehicle registration in Michigan?

Yes, drivers must provide proof of insurance to

Michigan’s liability insurance minimums are:

$20,000 of bodily injury coverage per person

$40,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident

$10,000 of property damage coverage per accident.

Michigan drivers are also required to carry no-fault insurance, which includes personal injury protection (PIP) and property protection insurance (PPI) in addition to state-mandated liability limits.

Is vehicle insurance required for car registration in Massachusetts?

Yes, drivers must provide proof of insurance to

To hit the road legally, Massachusetts drivers will need at least:

$20,000 per person of bodily injury liability coverage

$40,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage

$8,000 per person, per accident of personal injury protection (PIP)

$20,000 per person of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage

$40,000 per accident of uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage

$5,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage.

Is it mandatory to have car insurance before registering a vehicle in Ohio?

Yes, drivers must provide proof of insurance to

Before you hit the road, Ohio drivers must legally have at least:

$25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage

$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage

$25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage

Meet our experts

Sarah Gray

Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Writer and Editor

Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car.

Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.

Maria Cruz

Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.

SOURCES

https://www.dor.ms.gov/tagstitles/motor-vehicle-licensing-faqs

https://www.dmv.nh.gov/vehicles-boats-or-titles/vehicle-registrations/new-resident-new-hampshire#:~:text=How%20do%20I%20register%20my,clerk's%20office%20where%20you%20reside

https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/revenue/title-and-registration/vehicle-registration/registration-current.html

https://www.dol.wa.gov/moving-washington/moving-washington-vehicle-registration-and-plates

https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/online-srvcs/title-vehicle/emvpublicdefault.aspx