The Complete Guide to Minnesota Car Insurance

Lemonade is on the way to the Land of 10,000 Lakes and we’ll let you know as soon as we arrive! In the meantime, we’ll help you navigate all things MN car insurance like rates, requirements, and throw in smart shopping tips.

Join the Car waitlist

How much does car insurance cost in Minnesota?

Car insurance in Minnesota averages $222/month for full coverage, but your actual rate depends on where you live, what you drive, and your driving record.
Here’s what drivers pay in major cities:

City	Average cost of car insurance
Minneapolis	$271
St. Paul	$268
Rochester	$193
Bloomington	$229
Brooklyn Park	$248

Source: ValuePenguin

Why is car insurance so high in Minnesota?

Minnesota drivers face unique risks that drive insurance costs

Uninsured drivers

While only 9.9% of drivers in Minnesota are uninsured (vs. 13% nationally), other factors like repair costs and claim frequency drive premiums higher.

Car theft

FBI data shows there were 12,388 reported motor vehicle thefts in 2024 in MN, down 19% from the previous year.

Natural disasters

MN has a relatively moderate FEMA disaster rating of 66, with the highest risks of inland flooding and tornado, driving up comprehensive coverage costs.

What car insurance do I need in Minnesota?

All Minnesota drivers must carry minimum insurance coverage to legally drive.
Here’s what the state requires:

Required minimum coverages for Minnesota drivers	Minimum amount required	What’s covered	What’s not covered
Bodily injury liability	$30,000 (per person) $60,000 (per accident)	Medical bills, lost wages, and other costs when you hurt someone else in an accident	Your own injuries, damage to your car, amounts above your policy limits
Property damage liability	$10,000	Damage you cause to other people’s cars, fences, buildings, and property	Damage to your own car, your own property, amounts above your policy limits
Personal injury protection (PIP)	$40,000	Your medical bills and often lost wages after any car accident, regardless of who’s at fault	Car damage, pain and suffering, may have limits on who’s covered
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury	$25,000 (per person) $50,000 (per accident)	Your injuries caused by drivers with no insurance OR not enough insurance	Car damage, amounts above your limits

What additional car insurance coverages are offered in Minnesota?

Beyond state minimums, these optional coverages provide
extra protection for Minnesota drivers

Collision coverage

Pays to repair or replace your car if it's damaged in an accident with another vehicle or object like a fence or guardrail.

Comprehensive coverage

Covers damage to your car from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, hail storms, flooding, or hitting an animal.

Rental car reimbursement

Pays to cover alternative transportation while your car's being repaird. Specific coverage varies by insurer

What does (and doesn’t) car insurance cover in Minnesota?

Car insurance protects you financially in many situations, but it does not cover everything.

Vandalism
Fire damage
Weather damage
Theft
Injuries to other people
Damage to property
Damage from a collision
Fender benders
Rental car reimbursement
Towing
Roadside assistance
Windshield damage

Your insurance won’t cover oil changes, engine problems, stolen personal items like your purse, or damage from trail riding at the cabin

How much car insurance do I need in Minnesota?

You need enough coverage to protect yourself financially when accidents happen. If your car needed major repairs, could you afford these local Minnesota labor rates? Keep in mind, parts and materials cost extra.

City	Body repair	Frame repair	Mechanical repair	Paint repair
Minneapolis	$134	$198	$264	$89
Saint Paul	$89	$132	$176	$89
Rochester	$89	$141	$162	$89
Lakeville	$89	$132	$176	$89
Mankato	$89	$125	$151	$89

Source: Caliber

What happens if I drive without insurance in Minnesota?

Minnesota takes uninsured driving seriously, and the penalties add up fast.

Fines

$200-$1,000 for first two offenses, $200-$3,000 for third offense.

Suspension

License, registration and plates suspended up to one year for any offense.

Jail time

First two offenses keep you out of jail. Third offense? Up to 90 days behind bars.

What do you need to get a car insurance quote in Minnesota?

You’ll need some basic information like your driver’s license number and your car’s VIN, but with the right details handy, getting quotes is quicker than your morning coffee run. Here’s your checklist:

Your Details

Driver's license number
Social Security number (for credit check)

Your Car

VIN number (found on your dashboard or door frame)
Current registration or title

Your History

Any accidents or tickets from the past 5 years
Current insurance company and policy number (if you have coverage)

Your Preferences

How much coverage you want
Deductible amount you're comfortable with
Monthly budget range

How does car insurance work in Minnesota?

Think of car insurance as a financial safety net for when things go wrong on the road.

Pick your protection

Shop around and choose coverage that fits your budget.

Make payments

Keep up with monthly payments and you’re covered.

When S%!t happens

File a claim, pay your deductible, and your insurer covers the rest up to your limits.

Minnesota car insurance FAQs

Is Minnesota a no-fault state?

Yes, Minnesota is a no-fault state. You’re required to carry PIP insurance to cover medical expenses and lost wages after an accident. The no-fault system limits lawsuits for less severe injuries, claims against other drivers are only allowed if injuries meet legal thresholds.

Do I need insurance to register a car in Minnesota?

Yes, Minnesota requires proof of auto insurance to register a vehicle. You must carry minimum liability coverage and no-fault PIP insurance. Insurance is verified electronically — vehicles can’t be registered without meeting these requirements.

What are the top risks for driving in Minnesota?

Minnesota’s extended winter weather creates snow, ice, and poor visibility conditions for much of the year. Rural roads combined with frequent wildlife crossings increase collision risks, while distracted driving contributes to a growing number of preventable accidents.

How long do I have to report an accident in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, accidents involving injury, death, or property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported to police immediately. If law enforcement doesn’t respond, you must file a report with the Department of Public Safety within 10 days. Timely reporting is required to avoid penalties. Insurance claims should be reported quickly.

What are the top safety tips for driving in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, winter driving means slowing down and braking early. Keep an emergency kit in your car during the cold months. Watch for wildlife on rural roads. Stay focused when visibility is poor.

All coverage is subject to individual policy limits, terms, and conditions. Any hypothetical examples used in Lemonade editorial content are purely expositional.
*Uninusured driver rate sourced from ValuePenguin: https://www.valuepenguin.com/auto-insurance/uninsured-motorist-statistics sourced February, 2026
**Theft rate sourced from the FBI’s crime data explorer: https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/query sourced February, 2026
***Disaster risk rating sourced from FEMA’s Disaster Resilience Hub: https://resilience-fema.hub.arcgis.com/datasets/national-risk-index-states-expected-annual-loss/explore sourced February, 2026