State guide
Car Insurance in North Dakota
Updated August 2026
North Dakota asks more of a minimum policy than most states: 25/50/25 liability ($25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage), $30,000 per person of basic no-fault (PIP) coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000/$50,000 — with UIM required to equal UM. Four mandatory coverages, per the state's financial-responsibility and no-fault statutes and the North Dakota Insurance Department.
Here's the twist: despite requiring one of the fuller coverage stacks in the country, North Dakota posted the lowest average auto insurance expenditure of any state in 2022 — $729 per the NAIC, against a $1,127 countrywide average. Low traffic density and low claim costs do a lot of that work. But a low average doesn't mean uniform prices: carriers still rate the same Fargo or Bismarck driver differently, which is what comparing quotes is for.
| Coverage | Required minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property damage liability | $25,000 |
| PIP / medical | $30,000 basic no-fault (PIP) per person |
| Additional requirements | Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000/$50,000 required; UIM limits must equal UM limits |
| No-fault state | Yes |
| SR-22 used | Yes |
Source: N.D.C.C. §39-16.1-11; N.D.C.C. ch. 26.1-41 (no-fault); North Dakota Insurance Department
Average annual expenditure for auto insurance in North Dakota was $729 in 2022, per the NAIC — the lowest of any state that year. (NAIC 2022 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement (June 2024))
How North Dakota's no-fault coverage works
North Dakota is one of roughly a dozen no-fault jurisdictions — and much smaller than most of the others. After a crash, your own policy's basic no-fault benefits pay your economic losses — medical expenses, work loss, and similar costs — up to $30,000 per person, regardless of who caused the accident. That keeps smaller injury claims out of court entirely.
Fault still matters for everything else: vehicle damage claims and lawsuits for serious injuries run through the at-fault driver's liability coverage. The no-fault system limits suits for non-economic damages like pain and suffering to injuries that cross the statutory seriousness threshold.
Why UM and UIM are built in
Unlike most states, North Dakota doesn't leave uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to choice — both are required at $25,000/$50,000 minimum, and your UIM limit must match your UM limit. UM pays when the at-fault driver has no insurance (including hit-and-run scenarios); UIM covers the shortfall when their limits can't cover your injuries.
Nationally, 15.4% of drivers were uninsured in 2023 (Insurance Research Council). North Dakota's mandate means the minimum policy already answers that risk — the open question worth shopping is what each carrier charges to raise those limits alongside your liability coverage.
SR-22s in North Dakota
North Dakota does use SR-22 filings — formally, a certificate of financial responsibility your insurer files with the Department of Transportation (the state's form SFN 2243) after a DUI or certain suspensions. The filing period is typically set by the offense, and a coverage lapse during it triggers re-suspension.
The certificate itself costs little; the violation behind it is what moves premiums. Because carriers price an SR-22 history very differently — some specialize in it, some surcharge heavily — drivers who need a filing tend to see the widest quote spreads in the state.
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Frequently asked questions
What car insurance is required in North Dakota?+
Four coverages: liability of at least 25/50/25, basic no-fault (PIP) of $30,000 per person, and uninsured plus underinsured motorist coverage of $25,000/$50,000, with UIM equal to UM — per N.D.C.C. §39-16.1-11 and chapter 26.1-41.
Is North Dakota a no-fault state?+
Yes. Your own policy's basic no-fault benefits pay your medical expenses and work loss up to $30,000 per person regardless of fault. Vehicle damage and serious-injury claims still go through the at-fault driver's liability coverage.
Does North Dakota require an SR-22?+
After a DUI or certain suspensions, yes — your insurer files a certificate of financial responsibility (form SFN 2243, commonly called an SR-22) with the North Dakota DOT for a set period. A lapse during that period leads to re-suspension.
Why is car insurance relatively inexpensive in North Dakota?+
Low traffic density and low claim frequency keep costs down: the NAIC put North Dakota's average annual expenditure at $729 in 2022, the lowest in the nation. Individual prices still vary meaningfully between carriers, so comparing quotes remains worthwhile.
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