Minnesota Personal Lines Law & Coverage Rules
This chapter covers the Minnesota-specific personal lines rules that sit on top of the shared national property & casualty fundamentals: who regulates insurance in Minnesota, the state's no-fault auto system and mandatory PIP (basic economic loss benefits), the minimum liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist limits, and the notice rules for cancellation and nonrenewal. The coverage figures below were checked against Minnesota Statutes this session; always confirm current numbers with the Department of Commerce before advising a client.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce
Insurance in Minnesota is regulated at the state level by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which houses the state's insurance regulatory function led by a Commissioner. The department licenses producers, reviews policy forms and rates, investigates complaints, and enforces the insurance laws. There is no federal insurance department — knowing that Minnesota's own Department of Commerce, not a bank or a federal body, oversees personal lines is a common exam point. Official site: https://mn.gov/commerce/.
Minnesota Is a No-Fault Auto State (PIP Required)
Minnesota is a no-fault auto insurance state: after a crash, an injured person turns first to his or her own policy's PIP (called basic economic loss benefits) for medical and income-loss benefits regardless of fault. Under Minn. Stat. 65B.44 the required minimum is $40,000 per person — split as $20,000 for medical expense loss and $20,000 for income loss and other economic loss (replacement services, funeral, survivor's benefits). Every Minnesota auto policy must include these benefits. Source: Minn. Stat. 65B.44; verify current figures with the Department of Commerce.
Minimum Liability and UM/UIM Limits (30/60/10; UM/UIM 25/50)
Beyond PIP, a Minnesota auto policy must carry residual bodily-injury and property-damage liability of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage (30/60/10), plus uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage of at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident. Minnesota is one of the few states mandating UM and UIM on every auto policy. Source: Minn. Stat. 65B.49; verify current figures with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
Cancellation and Nonrenewal Notice
State law limits the reasons an insurer may cancel a personal auto or homeowners policy mid-term (for example nonpayment of premium or material misrepresentation) and requires advance written notice of cancellation or nonrenewal to the insured. The exact number of days depends on the reason and the line of business; do not memorize a single number — verify the current Minnesota notice periods directly with the Department of Commerce.