Auto Insurance Minimums for Minnesota

The state of Minnesota requires that drivers carry a minimum liability coverage of 30/60/10, in addition to a minimum of 25/50 for uninsured/underinsured motorist protection (UM/UIM).  The first ration translates to $30K of Liability Bodily Injury coverage per person, $60K Liability Bodily Injury coverage per accident, and 10K of Property Damage coverage; the second ratio represents $25K of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per one person, and $50K of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per two people or more.  You are also required to have at least $40K of Personal Injury Protection (PIP).

These amounts minimum amounts are set because of the risk that uninsured/underinsured motorists create.  Approximately 12% of Minnesota drivers are uninsured.  This means that roughly 370,000 motorists are defying state law.  This may seem like a lot of money to put up for the sake of other peoples’ poor judgment, but it is easy to find reasonable auto insurance quotes when you take the time to shop around.

If you choose to drive without coverage, you risk jail time, a minimum fine of $200, the revocation of your driver’s license, and the revocation of your vehicle registration.  This does not include the potential cost of an accident wherein you are at fault and without insurance.

Purchasing car insurance is a very simple process.  If you use resources like Save Today you can find reasonable auto insurance quotes that satisfy all your needs and with very little hassle.  The average motorist in Minnesota pays $1,581 per year, which isn’t much when you consider the potential cost of the alternative.

Minnesota DUI Law

Minnesota takes drunk driving seriously; those who are caught driving under the influence in Minnesota could possibly spend 90 days up to a year in prison, and will have to pay $1,000 up to $14,000 in fines. Minnesota carries out the implied consent law, which means that if you drive on Minnesota roads, you are agreeing to take a chemical test if a police officer asks you to. To refuse this test will result in a suspension of your license for one year.

The blood alcohol content limit (BAC) in Minnesota is 0.08% or higher. Stronger penalties may be given to those who drive with a BAC of 0.15% or more. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and the BAC for teens is 0.02%.

If you are arrested for a DUI in Minnesota, you will face license suspension for 90 days, pay fines up to $1,000 and spend as much as 3 months in jail.

Minnesota Teen Driving Laws/Auto Insurance Requirements

Teen drivers in Minnesota are more likely to be involved in accidents than any other age group. Drivers under the age of 18 must follow “Vanessa’s Law,” which was named for the 15 year old Vanessa Weiss, who was killed in an accident at the fault of another unlicensed 15 year old. Under Vanessa’s Law, teens under the age of 18 who are unlicensed and have been involved in drinking and driving or car crashes may not receive a license until they turn 18.Minnesota also follows the Graduated Driver Licensing program.

Minnesota teens must complete two phases in order to qualify for a full license. First they must be at least 15 years old in order to receive an instruction permit. At 16 they may receive a provisional license after completing driver education and taking a road test. They must also have been in possession of a permit for at least six months. In order to receive a full license, Minnesota teens must be at least 18 years old.

Minnesota follows the “Not a Drop” law when it comes to teens and drunk driving. Anyone under the age of 21 may not have any amount of alcohol in their system, and a BAC of 0.02% may lead to conviction.

Teens in Minnesota must carry the minimum amount of insurance that is mandated by the state, although they are encouraged to carry more than the minimum amount. Students can keep their premiums lower with Good Student discounts and by completing a state approved driver course.