Understanding mandatory state minimums, collision and comprehensive coverage, deductibles, and optional roadside protections across the United States.
Auto insurance is required by law in almost every US state, but state minimum liability requirements rarely provide enough coverage to protect modern drivers.
With the average cost of new vehicles exceeding $45,000 and medical bills from serious accidents easily reaching six figures, selecting only state minimum liability can leave your personal savings, home equity, and wages vulnerable in a major lawsuit. FetchMe helps drivers understand how liability limits, collision, comprehensive, and personal injury protection work together.
Insurance policies are built from standardized coverage parts, some mandated by state laws and others chosen by the driver.
Pays medical expenses, lost wages, and legal defense fees for drivers or passengers in other vehicles when you are at fault in an accident.
Covers repairs or replacement of other vehicles, lamp posts, fences, or commercial property damaged by your vehicle in an at-fault collision.
Protects your own vehicle against crash damage, rollovers, theft, animal collisions, hail, and vandalism, subject to your chosen deductible.
Automobile insurance regulations in the United States are governed at the state level rather than federally. Coverage requirements and legal doctrines vary significantly:
In "No-Fault" states (such as Florida, Michigan, New York, and New Jersey), drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to cover their own initial medical bills regardless of who caused the crash.
In certain states, carrying Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is mandatory by law, while in other states it is offered as an optional selection that must be rejected in writing.
Standard personal auto policies strictly exclude commercial business use, parcel delivery (e.g., food delivery apps), and rideshare transportation (driving passengers for hire) while logged into an app. Commercial auto or specific rideshare gap endorsements must be maintained.
