State Regulations

Select your state:

Alabama is a traditional at-fault (tort) state. A claimant's recovery depends on proving the defendant's liability and the available liability limits; there is no PIP requirement. UM/UIM is optional, so it's crucial to check whether the policy includes it, especially in low-limit tortfeasor cases. A major risk in Alabama is the doctrine of contributory negligence: any fault by the plaintiff (even 1%) can bar recovery entirely, making liability fight pivotal to valuation. 

Alaska is at-fault with pure comparative negligence (damages reduced in proportion to plaintiff fault). There is no PIP mandate, and UM/UIM is optional. Because many drivers carry higher limits than the bare minimum, even a modest injury could tap into higher coverage. The strength of medical proof, wage-loss documentation, and provider credibility often determines the line between settlement and zero. 

Arizona uses at-fault with pure comparative negligence. There is no PIP requirement, and UM/UIM is optional (but commonly purchased). In borderline injury cases, the presence of UM/UIM can widen the recovery “pot.” The value will often hinge on permanency, treatment continuity, and causation.

Arkansas is technically a choice or add-on no-fault state: PIP (or MedPay) is available (not mandatory), but you can still sue for damages. The state retains a 50% comparative negligence bar (if plaintiff >50% at fault, no recovery). UM/UIM coverage is optional. In practice, the fight is over liability and fault percentage.

California is at-fault with pure comparative negligence. No PIP requirement; MedPay is optional. Notably, as of Jan 1, 2025, the state raised its minimum liability limits, increasing the available base for many claims. UM/UIM is optional but frequent, and the battle often revolves around reasonableness of medical bills, provider credibility, and lien reductions. Arbitration is common in UIM claims when the tortfeasor is underinsured.

Colorado is at-fault with modified comparative negligence (50% bar). PIP is abolished; MedPay is typically offered but not required. UM/UIM is optional. The recoverable value depends heavily on fault allocation, injury permanence, and coordination with health/other payers.

Connecticut is an at-fault state with modified comparative negligence (51% threshold). There is no PIP requirement, but UM/UIM (bodily injury) is required, which raises the floor of recoverable damages when the tortfeasor is underinsured. Many mild-to-moderate cases hinge on how UM/UIM interacts with the at-fault’s coverage.

Delaware is at-fault but requires PIP (first-party) for medical/wage losses, while you retain the right to sue for non-economic damages. UM/UIM is optional. The sequencing of PIP vs. tort claims matters—PIP may exhaust early, then you make your tort claim. In smaller cases, the PIP cushion may absorb a good share of losses.

Florida is a no-fault state: all drivers must carry PIP ($10,000 minimum), which pays for their own medical/wage losses first. Liability for injuries is limited unless a serious-injury threshold (e.g. permanent loss, major surgeries) is met. BI liability is not universally required (many drive no-liability), so UM/SUM coverage often becomes the key to unlock real value. Disputes often center on whether the injury meets the verbal/serious threshold.

Georgia is at-fault with modified comparative negligence (50% bar). No PIP mandate; UM/UIM optional. Venue is a major valuation lever; policy limits often cap smaller/moderate injuries. Careful liability development and early policy disclosures help frame value.

Hawaii is a no-fault PIP state; drivers must carry PIP (medical/first-party coverage). UM/UIM is often optional, and the right to sue for non-economic damages may be limited by thresholds. The fight is typically over whether the injury exceeds the threshold and how PIP benefits get exhausted.

Idaho is an at-fault jurisdiction. It does not require PIP, though medical payments (MedPay) may be offered. UM/UIM is optional. The fight is over liability, causation, and whether the limits (often modest) will permit real recovery.

Illinois is at-fault with modified comparative negligence (51% bar). UM/UIM (bodily injury) is required by statute, which aids when the tortfeasor has low limits. There is no PIP requirement. The value often hinges on stacking UM/UIM, offsets, and medical proof credibility.

Indiana is at-fault under modified comparative fault (51% bar). It does not require PIP, and UM/UIM is optional. The value is built on liability, medical causation, and whether any UM/UIM is present to absorb excess.

Iowa follows at-fault rules with pure comparative negligence. No PIP requirement; UM/UIM is optional. Because Iowa’s courts often respect longitudinal treatment, persistent injury documentation is critical.

Kansas is a no-fault state with mandatory PIP coverage, after which you can sue if you exceed thresholds. UM/UIM is required. The battle often lies in whether the injury meets the no-fault/litigation threshold and then maximizing tort recovery beyond PIP. Insurance Business Asia+2Nationwide+2

Kentucky is a choice no-fault state: drivers must purchase PIP (or waive it in writing), and you may choose tort option. UM/UIM is required. The strategy often involves whether to stay in no-fault or elect tort, and how UM/UIM integrates with tort recovery.

Louisiana is strictly at-fault (tort) and does not require PIP. UM/UIM is optional. Because many drivers carry only minimal coverage, the liability limits often cap recovery. A heavy focus is on causation, medical documentation, and whether you can negotiate past minimal-policy boundaries.

Maine is an at-fault state with modified comparative negligence (51% bar). It requires both UM and UIM, and often MedPay as well. There’s no PIP requirement. Because UM/UIM is mandatory, even moderate damages may often trigger UM/UIM layers. Offsets and stacking become central in mid-tier cases.

Maryland is a no-fault state requiring PIP (though waivable in some cases). It also requires UM/UIM. If injuries exceed the no-fault threshold, full tort recovery is allowed. The key valuation contest is whether the injury triggers tort rights and how UM/UIM layers combine. Insurance Business Asia+2Allstate+2

Massachusetts is a no-fault PIP state. Drivers are required to carry PIP. UM is required, but UIM is typically not required. You can pursue tort recovery if injury meets the state’s threshold. The threshold fight is key to accessing non-economic damages. Insurance Business Asia+2NerdWallet+2

Michigan is a unique no-fault state. Drivers must carry PIP (with options for benefit levels or opt-out in some cases), and tort access is limited to serious injuries. UM/UIM is generally optional. A major factor is how much PIP is selected (some elect unlimited), which directly affects value. Wikipedia+3Insurance Business Asia+3NerdWallet+3

Minnesota is a no-fault state requiring PIP, and it requires UM/UIM. Only injuries beyond the threshold allow tort claims. The threshold fight and interplay between no-fault benefits and tort layer determine true value. Insurance Business Asia+2NerdWallet+2

Mississippi is an at-fault state; there is no PIP requirement, and UM/UIM is optional. Because many drivers carry minimal limits, liability caps often govern mid-size claims. The valuation contest centers on medical proof, causation, and negotiating past modest limits.

Missouri is an at-fault jurisdiction with pure comparative negligence. UM is required, but UIM is optional. Because UM is mandatory, it often provides a meaningful fallback when the tortfeasor’s limits are exhausted. The key valuation work is stacking UM and arguing causation and medical necessity.

Montana is an at-fault state. No PIP requirement; UM/UIM is optional. Because of rugged terrain and serious crashes, injury cases can sometimes outsize policy limits. The challenge is proving causation and maximizing finance from available coverage layers.

Nebraska is an at-fault jurisdiction with pure comparative negligence. UM/UIM is required, which boosts the recovery floor. No PIP requirement. Many moderate-to-high injury cases use UM/UIM layering to capture extra value beyond tort limits.

Nevada is at-fault. No PIP mandate; UM/UIM is optional. Because of the state’s comparative negligence system, value depends heavily on fault apportionment, medical credibility, and whether UM/UIM is present as backup.

New Hampshire is unusual: it has a financial responsibility regime, not a full insurance mandate. Drivers may qualify by other means. When insurance is obtained, UM/UIM is required. There is no PIP requirement. The valuation contest is narrower due to fewer layers, so proof of liability and causation govern.

New Jersey is a choice no-fault state: drivers must purchase PIP, but may choose full tort election. UM/UIM is required. Non-economic damages require stepping outside no-fault. The narrative is often whether election was made, threshold proof, and maximizing UM/UIM. Insurance Business Asia+2Thompson Law Injury Lawyers+2

New Mexico is an at-fault state. There is no PIP requirement, and UM/UIM is optional. Many cases stay within tort limits, so damage proof, causation, and liability clarity are the drivers.

New York is a no-fault PIP state requiring PIP ($50,000 minimum). UM/UIM is required; UIM (SUM) optional. A key barrier: to recover non-economic damages, injury must satisfy the “serious injury” threshold or exceed the basic economic loss floor. Many smaller claims never leave PIP. Wikipedia+3Insurance Business Asia+3Insurance Business Asia+3

North Carolina is a fault (tort) state. There is no PIP requirement, but UM/UIM is required. As of 2025, NC raised its minimum liability limits (to 30/60/25), which increases base exposure. When the tortfeasor’s limits are low, UM/UIM can supply extra value. Allstate

North Dakota is a no-fault state requiring PIP, and it also mandates UM/UIM. Tort access is tied to thresholds. The contest is often proving threshold crossing and then layering tort above PIP/UM. Insurance Business Asia+1

Ohio is an at-fault state with pure comparative negligence. No PIP mandate; UM/UIM is optional. Because UM is not mandatory, many recoveries rest solely on tort limits, making liability and medical causation arguments central.

Oklahoma is an at-fault state. No PIP requirement; UM/UIM is optional. In many cases, settlements are limited by the tortfeasor’s policy, so stacking UM/UIM (if bought) and establishing permanency are key.

Oregon is a no-fault PIP state requiring PIP, and it also mandates UM/UIM. Tort action is allowed when injury exceeds defined thresholds. The claim often turns on threshold proof, PIP exhaustion, and layering of UM. Insurance Business Asia+2NerdWallet+2

Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state: drivers must carry PIP, but they can elect limited tort (waiving broader rights). UM/UIM is optional. The battle often centers on whether the tort election was made and whether the injury satisfies serious-damage exceptions. Nationwide+2Allstate+2

Rhode Island is an at-fault state. There is no PIP requirement, and UM/UIM is optional. Value is generally limited by the tortfeasor’s limits, so causation, permanency, and liability evidence carry most weight.

South Carolina is an at-fault state with pure comparative negligence. UM is required, but UIM is optional. Because UM is mandatory, it often provides extra recovery when the tortfeasor’s limits are maxed out. The fight is medical proof, fault division, and leveraging UM.

South Dakota is at-fault. There is no PIP requirement, and UM/UIM is optional. Because few policyholders carry high limits, the struggle is maximizing recovery under often limited policies. Strong liability and medical proof are critical.

Tennessee is at-fault with modified comparative negligence (50% bar). No PIP requirement; UM/UIM is optional. Because of the 50% limit, close attribution fights matter. Policies are often low, so credible injury proof is vital.

Texas is a choice / add-on no-fault system: drivers must be offered PIP, but may reject it in writing. UM/UIM is optional (but often accepted). Because many waive PIP, tort recovery is common. The value battle hinges on whether PIP was waived, liability proof, and the presence of UM/UIM as extra.

Utah is a no-fault PIP state requiring PIP, and UM/UIM is typically required or offered. Tort access is controlled by thresholds. In 2025, Utah also raised its minimum liability limits, altering ceiling effects. The fight involves showing injury meets thresholds and layering beyond PIP/UM. WalletHub

Vermont is at-fault. It does not require PIP, but UM/UIM is required. The mandatory UM/UIM raises the baseline for recoveries beyond tort limits. Disputes often center on medical causation and offset coordination.

Virginia is at-fault (tort). It doesn’t require PIP, but UM/UIM is effectively required unless the driver opts into a fee option (uninsured motor vehicle fee) to drive uninsured. As of 2025, Virginia also raised its minimum liability limits. Good value depends on whether the individual opted out, and on how UM/UIM coverage layers. III+1

Washington is at-fault. It does not mandate PIP, but insurers must offer PIP, and UM/UIM is optional. Because many decline extra coverage, tort recovery is the usual path. Battle is over causation, medical legitimacy, and stacking optional coverages.

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West Virginia is at-fault. There is no PIP requirement, but UM/UIM is required. Because UM is mandatory, it often supplies additional recovery when the tortfeasor’s limits are low. Disputes tend to center on offsets, stacking, and causation.

Wisconsin is at-fault. There is no PIP requirement, but UM is required; UIM may also be required or strongly offered. Because UM is mandated, it often matters deeply in mid-tier injuries. The battle is over coverage limits, offsets, and causation credibility.

Wyoming is an at-fault state. There is no PIP requirement, and UM/UIM is optional. Many claims settle against relatively low policy limits, so strong medical proof, causation, and liability clarity drive value.