Indiana's minimum auto liability requirement is written as 25/50/25. It is legal to drive with it. It is not designed to protect you.
The Indiana minimums, in plain terms
| Coverage | Indiana minimum | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability, per person | $25,000 | Injuries you cause to any one person |
| Bodily injury liability, per accident | $50,000 | Total injuries you cause in one accident |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 | Vehicles and property you damage |
All three are liability coverages. They pay other people when you are at fault. None of them repair your own vehicle or pay your own medical bills.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Indiana requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage with your policy. You are allowed to turn it down, but only by signing a written rejection.
UM pays for your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance or leaves the scene. UIM pays the difference when the other driver has insurance, but not enough to cover your injuries. We recommend keeping both. If you ever signed a rejection form without thinking about it, it is worth reviewing.
Indiana is an at-fault state
Indiana does not use a no-fault system. The driver who causes an accident is responsible for the damages. If your share of the damages exceeds your policy limits, the injured person can pursue you personally for the rest, including your savings and future wages.
Why the minimum runs out fast
Consider a realistic example. You rear-end a newer pickup at a stoplight on US 41, and two people in the truck are hurt.
- Many new full-size pickups cost well over $50,000. A heavy repair or total loss can use up the full $25,000 property damage limit on its own.
- An ambulance ride, emergency room visit, imaging, and follow-up care for one person can pass $25,000 quickly. Two injured people can exhaust the $50,000 per-accident limit.
Anything beyond those limits is your responsibility. That is the gap most drivers never think about until they are in it.
Many drivers are better protected with liability limits of at least 100/300/100, matching uninsured and underinsured motorist limits, and an umbrella policy if they own a home or have significant savings. The added cost for higher limits is often smaller than people expect.
Coverages that protect you, not the other driver
- Collision repairs your car after an accident, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive covers theft, hail, fire, flooding, and deer strikes, which are common on rural Wabash Valley roads.
- Medical payments helps with your own and your passengers' medical bills.
- Rental reimbursement and roadside assistance keep you moving while your car is in the shop.
If your vehicle is financed or leased, your lender will almost always require collision and comprehensive.
Motorcycles follow the same minimums
Registered motorcycles in Indiana need the same 25/50/25 liability coverage. Because motorcycle injuries tend to be severe, UM and UIM coverage matter even more for riders. See our motorcycle insurance page for details.
Get your current policy reviewed
Pull up your declarations page and look at your liability limits. If you see 25/50/25, or you are not sure whether you have uninsured motorist coverage, call us at (812) 234-0766. We will compare quotes across carriers for higher limits so you can see the real price difference. You can also start with our auto insurance overview.
This guide is general information, not a statement of coverage. Every policy's terms, limits, and exclusions differ by carrier and by state filing. Talk with a licensed agent about your specific situation before making coverage decisions.