How much is liability-only car insurance?
The national average for a liability-only policy with limits of 50/100/50 is $829 a year or $69 a month. Premiums can vary based on several factors, including your age, marital status, driving record, credit score, where you live, and the vehicle you drive.
In comparison, a full coverage policy with higher liability limits averages $2,655 a year or $221 a month.
What are the cheapest companies for liability-only car insurance?
GEICO is the cheapest company for liability insuranceLiability insurance covers sums that an insured becomes legally obligated to pay because of bodily injuries or property damage, or financial losses caused to other people. among top companies at $649 annually; USAA offers cheaper coverage, but is only open to military members, veterans and their families. Travelers ranks second for low-cost liability insurance, with an average annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. of $832.
The most expensive insurance company for a liability-only policy is Farmers at $1,147 a year, $498 higher than GEICO for the same coverage.
Compare carriers below to find the most affordable liability-only car insurance.
| Company | Average annual premium | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,093 | $91 |
| Farmers | $1,147 | $96 |
| GEICO | $649 | $54 |
| Nationwide | $982 | $82 |
| Progressive | $819 | $68 |
| State Farm | $1,070 | $89 |
| Travelers | $832 | $69 |
| USAA | $406 | $34 |
While liability-only coverage is cheaper than a full coverage policy, it’s not always an option. If you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, your lender will require that you carry full coverage insurance to protect their investment in your car.
Additionally, a liability-only policy will not pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in an accident or other incident. So while liability-only is cheaper, it offers far less financial protection.
Best cheap liability-only car insurance companies
GEICO is the number one company overall for liability-only car insurance with a score of 4.61 out of 5. It offers the lowest rates among national carriers available to all drivers, has a low complaint volume, and has the highest possible AM Best score for financial stability.
| Company | Survey score (out of 5) | NAIC complaint ratio* | AM Best rating | Average annual rate (50/100/50, liability only) | Overall score (out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 4.35 | 1.2 | A+ | $1,093 | 3.63 |
| American Family | 4.27 | 0.67 | A | $884 | 4.05 |
| Amica | 4.18 | 0.59 | A+ | $1,007 | 3.95 |
| Auto Club Enterprises (AAA) | 4.49 | 1.29 | A+ | $940 | 3.89 |
| Auto Club Group (AAA) | 4.39 | 0.68 | A | $658 | 4.44 |
| Auto-Owners | 4.31 | 0.44 | A+ | $649 | 4.6 |
| CSAA Insurance (AAA) | 4.37 | 1.02 | A | $642 | 4.32 |
| Erie Insurance | 4.5 | 0.77 | A | $627 | 4.5 |
| Farmers | 4.31 | 1.24 | A | $1,147 | 3.43 |
| GEICO | 4.26 | 0.6 | A++ | $649 | 4.61 |
| Mercury Insurance | 4.46 | 1.07 | A | $963 | 3.85 |
| Nationwide | 4.41 | 0.64 | A | $982 | 3.97 |
| Progressive | 4.15 | 0.6 | A+ | $819 | 4.21 |
| State Farm | 4.37 | 0.87 | A+ | $1,070 | 3.81 |
| Travelers | 4.36 | 0.62 | A++ | $832 | 4.36 |
| USAA** | 4.55 | 1.16 | A++ | $406 | 4.53 |
*An NAIC complaint ratio below 1.00 indicates a lower-than-average number of complaints
**USAA is only available to military members, veterans and their families
What is the cheapest liability-only car insurance company in your state?
As the numbers below show, your state impacts how much you pay for coverage. A liability-only policy runs $381 a year with GEICO in Iowa while Florida that same policy with GEICO will cost $1,141.
Each state has its own set of unique risks such as severe weather, crime rates, urban density and local laws which can result in dramatically different insurance rates. For example, Florida, the most expensive state for liability-only coverage, faces severe weather and hurricanes, pushing up the cost of coverage for Florida’s residents.
Below are rates for a liability-only policy by state with limits of 50/100/50.
| Company | Average liability insurance premium | Dollar difference from state average | % difference from state average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $537 | $299 less | 36% less |
| GEICO | $489 | $347 less | 42% less |
| Progressive | $627 | $209 less | 25% less |
| State Farm | $798 | $38 less | 5% less |
| Western National Insurance | $801 | $35 less | 4% less |
| USAA | $336 | $500 less | 60% less |
Cheapest liability-only insurance by driving record
Your driving record has a big impact on what you pay for insurance.
- GEICO has the cheapest liability-only insurance rates after a speeding ticket at $1,030 a year on average, unless you qualify for USAA. Rates can increase by up to 68% due to a speeding ticket, depending on the carrier.
- GEICO has the cheapest liability-only insurance with an at-fault accident at $1,164 a year, unless you qualify for USAA. You'll pay anywhere from 26% to 82% more for liability insurance after an at-fault accident.
- Progressive has the cheapest liability-only rates after a DUI at $1,111 a year on average, unless you're eligible for USAA. A DUI will raise your liability insurance as much as 149%, depending on the company.
| Company | Average annual premium | After speeding ticket | Dollar difference | Percentage difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,093 | $1,393 | $300 | 27% |
| Farmers | $1,147 | $1,585 | $438 | 38% |
| GEICO | $649 | $1,030 | $381 | 59% |
| Nationwide | $982 | $1,652 | $670 | 68% |
| Progressive | $819 | $1,095 | $276 | 34% |
| State Farm | $1,070 | $1,302 | $232 | 22% |
| Travelers | $832 | $1,188 | $356 | 43% |
| USAA | $406 | $487 | $81 | 20% |
| Company | Average annual premium | After at-fault accident | Dollar difference | Percentage difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,093 | $1,934 | $841 | 77% |
| Farmers | $1,147 | $2,083 | $936 | 82% |
| GEICO | $649 | $1,164 | $515 | 79% |
| Nationwide | $982 | $1,696 | $714 | 73% |
| Progressive | $819 | $1,295 | $476 | 58% |
| State Farm | $1,070 | $1,353 | $283 | 26% |
| Travelers | $832 | $1,197 | $365 | 44% |
| USAA | $406 | $621 | $215 | 53% |
| Company | Average annual premium | After DUI | Dollar difference | Percentage difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,093 | $1,907 | $814 | 75% |
| Farmers | $1,147 | $1,951 | $804 | 70% |
| GEICO | $649 | $1,599 | $950 | 146% |
| Nationwide | $982 | $2,442 | $1,460 | 149% |
| Progressive | $819 | $1,111 | $292 | 36% |
| State Farm | $1,070 | $1,850 | $780 | 73% |
| Travelers | $832 | $1,244 | $412 | 50% |
| USAA | $406 | $781 | $375 | 92% |
Cheapest liability-only insurance by age
Even with a liability-only car insurance policy, young drivers pay more.
- At 16, the average cost of a liability-only policy is $3,787 a year
- By 25, it drops to $995 annually
- At 55, drivers pay the lowest annual rate for liability-only insurance at $775
Compare costs by age for full coverage with $500 deductibles and liability-only car insurance, both with 50/100/50 liability limits, below.
| Age | Full coverage (50/100/50. $500 deductibles) | Liability only (50/100/50) | Dollar difference | Percent difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | $9,723 | $3,787 | $5,936 | 157% |
| 17 | $7,964 | $3,092 | $4,872 | 158% |
| 18 | $6,991 | $2,634 | $4,357 | 165% |
| 19 | $5,498 | $2,004 | $3,494 | 174% |
| 20 | $4,958 | $1,771 | $3,187 | 180% |
| 21 | $4,096 | $1,435 | $2,661 | 185% |
| 22 | $3,741 | $1,301 | $2,440 | 188% |
| 23 | $3,459 | $1,195 | $2,264 | 189% |
| 24 | $3,260 | $1,117 | $2,143 | 192% |
| 25 | $2,913 | $995 | $1,918 | 193% |
| 30 | $2,573 | $879 | $1,694 | 193% |
| 35 | $2,479 | $855 | $1,624 | 190% |
| 40 | $2,399 | $836 | $1,563 | 187% |
| 45 | $2,341 | $823 | $1,518 | 184% |
| 50 | $2,231 | $794 | $1,437 | 181% |
| 55 | $2,157 | $775 | $1,382 | 178% |
| 60 | $2,137 | $777 | $1,360 | 175% |
| 65 | $2,170 | $808 | $1,362 | 169% |
| 70 | $2,313 | $870 | $1,443 | 166% |
| 75 | $2,540 | $976 | $1,564 | 160% |
Liability-only vs. full coverage car insurance costs
Full coverage costs more than liability-only car insurance; the main difference between liability-only and full coverage is that it also covers your vehicle. Take a look at the difference between liability and full coverage car insurance rates by state below to see how much more you would pay for full coverage.
| State | Liability only (50/100/50) | Full coverage (50/100/50. $500 deductibles) | Average dollar difference | Average percent difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $597 | $1,942 | $1,345 | 225% |
| Alabama | $597 | $1,823 | $1,226 | 205% |
| Arkansas | $660 | $2,260 | $1,600 | 242% |
| Arizona | $847 | $1,915 | $1,068 | 126% |
| California | $1,066 | $3,109 | $2,043 | 192% |
| Colorado | $692 | $2,576 | $1,884 | 272% |
| Connecticut | $1,235 | $2,713 | $1,478 | 120% |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,209 | $3,694 | $2,485 | 206% |
| Delaware | $1,102 | $2,311 | $1,209 | 110% |
| Florida | $1,554 | $2,606 | $1,052 | 68% |
| Georgia | $1,105 | $2,363 | $1,258 | 114% |
| Hawaii | $548 | $1,573 | $1,025 | 187% |
| Iowa | $516 | $2,415 | $1,899 | 368% |
| Idaho | $619 | $1,637 | $1,018 | 164% |
| Illinois | $600 | $1,867 | $1,267 | 211% |
| Indiana | $523 | $1,933 | $1,410 | 270% |
| Kansas | $807 | $2,588 | $1,781 | 221% |
| Kentucky | $792 | $2,345 | $1,553 | 196% |
| Louisiana | $1,198 | $3,335 | $2,137 | 178% |
| Massachusetts | $935 | $2,664 | $1,729 | 185% |
| Maryland | $1,069 | $2,499 | $1,430 | 134% |
| Maine | $477 | $2,011 | $1,534 | 322% |
| Michigan | $786 | $3,349 | $2,563 | 326% |
| Minnesota | $776 | $2,444 | $1,668 | 215% |
| Missouri | $773 | $2,169 | $1,396 | 181% |
| Mississippi | $633 | $1,828 | $1,195 | 189% |
| Montana | $500 | $2,134 | $1,634 | 327% |
| North Carolina | $599 | $1,936 | $1,337 | 223% |
| North Dakota | $621 | $2,560 | $1,939 | 312% |
| Nebraska | $613 | $2,324 | $1,711 | 279% |
| New Hampshire | $585 | $1,586 | $1,001 | 171% |
| New Jersey | $1,418 | $2,864 | $1,446 | 102% |
| New Mexico | $635 | $2,228 | $1,593 | 251% |
| Nevada | $1,538 | $2,729 | $1,191 | 77% |
| New York | $1,591 | $3,099 | $1,508 | 95% |
| Ohio | $475 | $1,629 | $1,154 | 243% |
| Oklahoma | $606 | $2,535 | $1,929 | 318% |
| Oregon | $1,109 | $2,372 | $1,263 | 114% |
| Pennsylvania | $588 | $2,229 | $1,641 | 279% |
| Rhode Island | $1,018 | $2,901 | $1,883 | 185% |
| South Carolina | $747 | $1,913 | $1,166 | 156% |
| South Dakota | $677 | $2,513 | $1,836 | 271% |
| Tennessee | $585 | $1,868 | $1,283 | 219% |
| Texas | $1,101 | $2,842 | $1,741 | 158% |
| Utah | $974 | $2,096 | $1,122 | 115% |
| Virginia | $731 | $1,831 | $1,100 | 150% |
| Vermont | $465 | $1,708 | $1,243 | 267% |
| Washington | $655 | $1,908 | $1,253 | 191% |
| Wisconsin | $665 | $2,170 | $1,505 | 226% |
| West Virginia | $681 | $2,302 | $1,621 | 238% |
| Wyoming | $349 | $2,299 | $1,950 | 559% |
When to get liability-only car insurance
You should consider liability-only car insurance if you own your vehicle outright (don't have a loan), you drive an older, low-value vehicle, you don't drive often, and you can afford to pay for damage to your vehicle.
- You own your vehicle outright and aren't required to carry full coverage insurance
- You have an older, low-value vehicle that is not worth insuring with full coverage
- You drive very little and just want to ensure you meet legal requirements
- You can afford to pay for repairs or replacement of your car
It's important to note that state minimum liability limits are often too low to provide good coverage. It doesn't cost much to increase your liability limits, and we highly recommend it.
How to find the cheapest liability-only car insurance
To get cheap liability-only car insurance, shop around and compare rates, consider usage-based insurance, take a driving course and ask about discounts.
- Shop around and compare rates. Shopping around is the best way to save on car insurance, no matter what coverage you are buying. Rates can vary by hundreds of dollars a year.
- Sign up for a usage-based insurance program. Allowing your insurer to monitor your driving habits can earn you a big discount on your car insurance.
- Take a defensive driving course: Many insurance companies will offer a discount on your premium if take and pass a defensive driving course. Check if you would qualify, as there are often age restrictions.
- Compare discounts: Compare the available discounts for each insurance company and look for ones that offer the most discounts for you.
How much liability-only car insurance do I need by law?
The amount of liability insurance you need by law varies by state. Only New Hampshire has no law requiring car insurance, although there are minimum limits for those who purchase it.
Required minimums can range from 10/20/10 in Florida and up to 50/100/25 in states like Alaska. Below are the required minimum liability levels by state.
| State | Minimum Liability Coverage Limits | Other Types of Insurance Required |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 25/50/25 | None |
| Alaska | 50/100/25 | None |
| Arkansas | 25/50/15 | None |
| Arizona | 25/50/25 | None |
| California | 30/60/15 | None |
| Colorado | 25/50/15 | None |
| Connecticut | 25/50/25 | UMBI |
| Washington, D.C. | 25/50/10 | PIP |
| Delaware | 20-Oct-10 | PIP |
| Florida | 25/50/25 | None |
| Georgia | 20/40/10 | PIP |
| Hawaii | 25/50/15 | None |
| Iowa | 25/50/20 | UMBI, UIMBI |
| Idaho | 25/50/25 | None |
| Illinois | 20/40/15 | None |
| Indiana | 25/50/25 | PIP, UMBI |
| Kansas | 25/50/25 | PIP |
| Kentucky | 15/30/25 | None |
| Louisiana | 50/100/25 | Medical Payments, UMBI |
| Massachusetts | 30/60/15 | PIP, UMBI, UMPD |
| Maryland | 25/50/30 | PIP, UMBI, UIMBI |
| Maine | 50/100/10 | PIP, Property Protection |
| Michigan | 30/60/10 | PIP, UMBI, UIMBI |
| Minnesota | 25/50/25 | None |
| Missouri | 25/50/25 | UMBI |
| Mississippi | 25/50/20 | None |
| Montana | 25/50/25 | UMBI, UIMBI |
| North Carolina* | 25/50/20 | None |
| North Dakota | 25/50/25 | Medical Payments, UMBI |
| Nebraska | 25/50/25 | PIP, UMBI, UMPD, UIMPD |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/10 | None |
| New Jersey | 30/70/25 | PIP, UMBI, UIMBI |
| New Mexico | 50/100/50 | UMBI, UMPD |
| Nevada | 25/50/25 | PIP, UMBI, UIMBI |
| New York | 25/50/25 | None |
| Ohio | 25/50/25 | None |
| Oklahoma | 25/50/20 | PIP, UMBI |
| Oregon | 15/30/5 | PIP |
| Pennsylvania | 25/50/25 | None |
| Rhode Island | 25/50/25 | UMBI, UMPD |
| South Carolina | 25/50/25 | UMBI, UIMBI |
| South Dakota | 25/50/25 | None |
| Tennessee | 30/60/25 | None |
| Texas | 30/65/25 | PIP |
| Utah | 25/50/10 | UMBI, UMPD, UIMBI |
| Virginia | 50/100/25 | Medical Payments, UMBI, UMPD |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | None |
| Washington | 25/50/10 | UMBI, UMPD |
| Wisconsin | 25/50/25 | UMBI, UMPD |
| West Virginia | 25/50/10 | UMBI, UIMBI |
| Wyoming | 25/50/20 | None |
It is important to remember that the required liability coverage is generally not enough if you are responsible for a serious car accident. Once your coverage levels are exceeded, you will need to cover any additional costs.
Methodology
Rate data is fielded by Quadrant Information Services in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 50/100/50 liability and $500 deductibles.
The sample rates are based on :
- Bodily injury liability of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per incident
- Property damage liability of $50,000 per incident
- Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500, for full coverage
- 40-year-old driver
- Honda Accord LX
- Good credit
- A clean driving record
- 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage
Additional rate data is drawn based on:
- Rates with a speeding ticket
- Rates with a DUI
- Rates with an at-fault accident.
Learn more about our data and methodology.
FAQ: Cheapest liability-only car insurance
Should I get liability-only car insurance?
You can buy liability-only car insurance if you don't have a loan on your car, if your vehicle is older and has a low resale value, and you can afford to handle repairs or buy a new car out of pocket. However, you will have the most robust financial protection with a full-coverage car insurance policy.
What does liability insurance cover if you're not at fault?
Nothing; liability insurance only covers damages for others when you are at fault. If the other driver is at fault, their liability insurance is responsible for paying your damages.
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