Minnesota (MN) auto insurance
VIU by HUB offers expert advice to help you obtain the level of coverage you need at monthly and annual rates you can afford.
Severe winter weather and high traffic citation rates make auto insurance a must-have in Minnesota. As of 2019, the North Star State ranks sixth in the country for bad drivers, down from second place in 2017. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro has an extensive public transit network, but most Minnesotans of driving age have licenses to operate private passenger vehicles. Our VIU by HUB comparison tool makes finding the best deal on Minnesota auto insurance quick and easy.
Over 4 million Minnesotans have driver's licenses, or 954 people out of every 1,000 residents of driving age. Although Minneapolis-Saint Paul offers residents the option to travel by bus or light rail, much of the state has limited public transit coverage. Minnesota ranked as the ninth-safest state in a 2022 TOP study with the best transportation and infrastructure safety in terms of highway accidents, road conditions and bridge safety. However, the dangers that winter weather and reckless drivers pose make auto insurance a necessity.
Here are three reasons why Minnesotans should carry at least the minimum mandated amount of coverage:
• An estimated 9.9% of motorists in Minnesota are uninsured.
• The average annual precipitation in Minnesota ranges from 20 inches up to 35 inches.
• Annual snowfall ranges from 35 inches a year in southwestern Minnesota up to 70 inches in the northeast.
There were 488 traffic fatalities on Minnesota roads in 2021, which is the highest yearly total since 2007. Excessive speed, unbuckled seatbelts, drunk driving or distracted driving are factors in most fatalities. Some of the most dangerous roadways in Minnesota include US-169, I-94 and US-10.
Minnesota is a no-fault state, which means that car insurance covers costs from accidents regardless of who causes collisions. The requirements for minimum liability protection in this state are more extensive than in many at-fault states.
Drivers in Minnesota must have policies with limits that meet or exceed a minimum mandated level of coverage set by the state government. In addition to liability coverage for bodily injuries and property damage, Minnesota auto insurance also requires personal injury protection and coverage for uninsured or underinsured motorists. Here are the minimum coverage requirements for every driver in Minnesota:
• $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability.
• $10,000 per accident for property damage.
• $40,000 per accident for personal injury protection.
• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injuries caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists.
Personal Injury Protection coverage must also include coverage for medical costs for injuries that uninsured or underinsured motorists cause in collisions. This limit breaks down to include $20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses, such as lost wages, after an accident.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage pays for expenses when you are hit by an at-fault driver who either didn’t carry insurance (uninsured) or didn’t carry enough insurance to address all the medical bills or car repair costs (underinsured) .
Even with the extensive level of protection that drivers need to have in Minnesota, the average monthly premium is about $35 less than the national average. The average monthly quote for a driver in Minnesota is $195, compared to $235 nationwide.
Many factors go into developing auto insurance rates, and some factors can result in higher rates. For instance, insuring young drivers in Minnesota costs a lot more than policies that only cover middle-aged drivers. Traffic citations or recent insurance claims can also result in higher insurance premiums. Here are the key factors that insurers use to establish rates:
• Driver age.
• Driving record.
• Garage location.
• Vehicle specifications.
• Credit score.
Some of the most expensive monthly Minnesota auto insurance quotes based on location are in South Saint Paul, whereas Mankato is one of the least expensive locations.
The make and model of your vehicle, along with any relevant safety features, can also raise or lower quotes. And Minnesotans who have excellent credit can get quotes that are 30-40% lower than drivers with poor credit.
Drivers in Minnesota can select auto insurance policy options such as higher limits, Collision Coverage or more comprehensive protection. Find out more from VIU by HUB about several ways to increase your level of financial protection from auto accidents.
Drivers in Minnesota should consider policies that have higher Liability and Personal Injury Protection limits. When the costs associated with an accident exceed policy limits, drivers must pay out of pocket. Higher limits can lighten the burden of financial responsibility.
Without Collision Coverage, you may be responsible for paying to repair damage or replace your totaled vehicle out of pocket. If you do not have enough savings on hand to cover these considerable costs, it can be worthwhile to spend slightly more per month for full auto insurance. Minnesota auto insurance quotes that include coverage for collision damage are often only nominally more expensive.
Get even more peace of mind by adding Comprehensive Coverage, which pays for damage to your vehicle for damage caused by something other than collision. Examples include vandalism, flood, theft or fallen tree limbs.
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
United States Department of Transportation
Insurance Information Institute
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
