When are you required to have liability insurance?

Liability insurance is a mandatory requirement when operating a vehicle on public roads to ensure that drivers can cover costs associated with damages or injuries they may cause in an accident. This requirement exists to protect not just the drivers but also passengers, pedestrians, and other road users involved in potential accidents.

When driving on public roads, the risk of collisions increases due to the higher traffic volume and various driving conditions, which is why this insurance is essential. Liability insurance helps in fulfilling the legal responsibilities a driver has towards others in the event of an accident, ensuring that a driver can pay for damages or medical expenses resulting from their actions.

Unlike the assumptions that one might only need insurance in residential areas or while commuting to work, liability coverage is not limited to specific situations or locations; it is required whenever a vehicle is in operation on any public roadway. Additionally, crossing state lines does not change the requirement for this insurance; all states require a minimum level of liability insurance for public road use.