Procurement-grade tool
State Qualification Index™
How hard is it to qualify a motor vehicle accident lead in each U.S. state? We score every state 1–10 on five axes drawn directly from the underlying tort law, insurance code, and bar-advertising regime. Procurement-grade analysis, no marketing-deck fluff.
6.4
Highest-difficulty state — Alabama
4.9
Median across states scored
3.0
Lowest-difficulty state — Missouri
50
States with full qualification framework
The Index
Sort by any axis · click any state for the full framework
Higher score = harder to qualify. Counterintuitively, high-difficulty states are often the most profitable for firms who can engineer for the filter — the friction creates competitive moat. Low-difficulty states have more lead supply but tighter margins.
| AlabamaAL Contributory + Huntsville aerospace federal-contractor overlay. | 10 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6.4 | |
| VirginiaVA Contributory + densest federal-employee coverage overlay in NoVa. | 10 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6.3 | |
| TennesseeTN 1-year SOL — shortest in the US. | 7 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6.1 | |
| North CarolinaNC 1%-fault contributory rule — most claimant-unfriendly in country. | 10 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | |
| MarylandMD Contributory + waivable $2,500 PIP — lowest mandatory PIP in US. | 10 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | |
| PennsylvaniaPA 55% of drivers carry limited tort. | 5 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5.9 | |
| New JerseyNJ Two TV DMAs (NYC + Philly) + 89% limited-tort election. | 5 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 5.9 | |
| TexasTX Largest US market — but 14% uninsured rate hides coverage cliffs. | 5 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 5.8 | |
| KansasKS | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 5.6 | |
| LouisianaLA Civil-law jurisdiction (Napoleonic Code) + 1-year prescription + direct-action statute. | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 5.5 | |
| KentuckyKY Choice no-fault + KMVRA tolling — SOL clock waits for PIP exhaustion. | 2 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 5.5 | |
| FloridaFL Post-SB 236 reform reset every margin. | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5.4 | |
| GeorgiaGA Atlanta produces 41% of statewide volume. | 7 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5.4 | |
| IdahoID | 7 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5.4 | |
| IllinoisIL Cook County concentrates 75% of case-value pipeline. | 5 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 5 | |
| ColoradoCO Strict 50% bar + I-70 mountain corridor + marijuana DUI evidentiary law. | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | |
| ArkansasAR | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | |
| South DakotaSD | 7 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | |
| OhioOH Three-city anchor (Columbus / Cleveland / Cincinnati) = 70% of state volume. | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.9 | |
| IndianaIN ITCA $700K cap on governmental defendants + Chicago DMA spillover in NW Indiana. | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.9 | |
| ConnecticutCT | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.9 | |
| HawaiiHI | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4.9 | |
| IowaIA | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.9 | |
| NevadaNV | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.9 | |
| OklahomaOK | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.9 | |
| West VirginiaWV | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.9 | |
| MichiganMI Four-tier PIP election ($50K / $250K / $500K / unlimited) after 2019 PA 21. | 5 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 4.8 | |
| MassachusettsMA Lowest tort threshold in US ($2,000 medical) + mandatory PIP-first filing. | 5 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4.7 | |
| South CarolinaSC No MVA punitive cap + 1.8x national fatality rate. | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.5 | |
| WisconsinWI Family Purpose Doctrine extends owner liability + 6-year property SOL. | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.5 | |
| MontanaMT | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.5 | |
| New HampshireNH | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.5 | |
| UtahUT | 7 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4.5 | |
| VermontVT | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.5 | |
| CaliforniaCA Pure comparative tailwind undercut by PROP 213. | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 4.4 | |
| ArizonaAZ Pure comparative + 12% uninsured = UM/UIM screening dominates intake. | 2 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 4.4 | |
| DelawareDE | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4.3 | |
| MaineME | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.3 | |
| NebraskaNE | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.3 | |
| North DakotaND | 7 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4.3 | |
| OregonOR | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4.3 | |
| New YorkNY $50K mandatory PIP — highest in the US. | 2 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 4.1 | |
| AlaskaAK | 2 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4.1 | |
| MinnesotaMN | 5 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3.8 | |
| WyomingWY | 5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3.8 | |
| WashingtonWA Pure comparative + IFCA bad-faith leverage (RCW 48.30.015). | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3.6 | |
| MississippiMS | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3.6 | |
| New MexicoNM | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3.6 | |
| Rhode IslandRI | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3.6 | |
| MissouriMO 5-year SOL — longest in US. Older leads still convert. | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 |
Contributory + Huntsville aerospace federal-contractor overlay.
Negligence
10SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
7Contributory + densest federal-employee coverage overlay in NoVa.
Negligence
10SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
61-year SOL — shortest in the US.
Negligence
7SOL pressure
9Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
61%-fault contributory rule — most claimant-unfriendly in country.
Negligence
10SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
7Contributory + waivable $2,500 PIP — lowest mandatory PIP in US.
Negligence
10SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
755% of drivers carry limited tort.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
9Bar ads
6Coverage
4Two TV DMAs (NYC + Philly) + 89% limited-tort election.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
9Bar ads
6Coverage
4Largest US market — but 14% uninsured rate hides coverage cliffs.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
8Coverage
8Negligence
7SOL pressure
6Framework
6Bar ads
4Coverage
4Civil-law jurisdiction (Napoleonic Code) + 1-year prescription + direct-action statute.
Negligence
2SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
10Coverage
9Choice no-fault + KMVRA tolling — SOL clock waits for PIP exhaustion.
Negligence
2SOL pressure
9Framework
9Bar ads
4Coverage
4Post-SB 236 reform reset every margin.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
6Bar ads
6Coverage
4Atlanta produces 41% of statewide volume.
Negligence
7SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
7SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Cook County concentrates 75% of case-value pipeline.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
6Coverage
5Strict 50% bar + I-70 mountain corridor + marijuana DUI evidentiary law.
Negligence
7SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
7SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
7SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Three-city anchor (Columbus / Cleveland / Cincinnati) = 70% of state volume.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6ITCA $700K cap on governmental defendants + Chicago DMA spillover in NW Indiana.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
6Bar ads
4Coverage
3Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Four-tier PIP election ($50K / $250K / $500K / unlimited) after 2019 PA 21.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
4Framework
8Bar ads
4Coverage
3Lowest tort threshold in US ($2,000 medical) + mandatory PIP-first filing.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
4Framework
6Bar ads
6Coverage
3No MVA punitive cap + 1.8x national fatality rate.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Family Purpose Doctrine extends owner liability + 6-year property SOL.
Negligence
5SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
5SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
5SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
7SOL pressure
1Framework
6Bar ads
4Coverage
4Negligence
5SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Pure comparative tailwind undercut by PROP 213.
Negligence
2SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
6Coverage
6Pure comparative + 12% uninsured = UM/UIM screening dominates intake.
Negligence
2SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
8Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
3Negligence
7SOL pressure
1Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
7SOL pressure
1Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
7SOL pressure
1Framework
6Bar ads
4Coverage
3Negligence
5SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
3$50K mandatory PIP — highest in the US.
Negligence
2SOL pressure
4Framework
7Bar ads
7Coverage
2Negligence
2SOL pressure
6Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
5SOL pressure
1Framework
6Bar ads
4Coverage
3Negligence
5SOL pressure
1Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Pure comparative + IFCA bad-faith leverage (RCW 48.30.015).
Negligence
2SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
2SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
2SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Negligence
2SOL pressure
4Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
65-year SOL — longest in US. Older leads still convert.
Negligence
2SOL pressure
1Framework
3Bar ads
4Coverage
6Score key: 1–3 low difficulty · 4–6 moderate · 7–8 high · 9–10 maximum
Methodology
How the score is computed
Each state is scored 1–10 on five axes drawn from documented state law — not opinion. The aggregate is a weighted average. Negligence rule and SOL pressure are weighted highest because they are the hardest-to-fix qualification filters at intake. Coverage availability and framework complexity carry standard weight. Bar-advertising restrictiveness is weighted lower because vendor compliance is an operational concern, not a per-lead filter.
01Negligence-rule severity
Weight ×1.5How strictly the state's comparative-negligence rule limits recovery. Contributory states bar recovery at 1% claimant fault; pure-comparative states preserve recovery at any fault level.
02SOL pressure
Weight ×1.2How short the personal injury statute of limitations is. 1-year states (LA, TN) compress lead-vintage tolerance dramatically; 5-year states (MO) give the most case-management runway.
03Liability-framework complexity
Weight ×1How many qualification gates the state's liability framework adds beyond fault. Choice no-fault and modified no-fault add tort-election filters; at-fault states have the cleanest tort math.
04Bar-advertising restrictiveness
Weight ×0.8How strict the state bar's advertising and solicitation rules are. Louisiana's 10-rule framework requires pre-approval; Texas requires Advertising Review Committee sign-off. Most national lead vendors don't comply.
05Coverage-availability difficulty
Weight ×1How hard it is to find recoverable insurance coverage. High uninsured-motorist rates + no PIP mandate = most difficult (LA, TX, AZ). Mandatory high PIP + low uninsured = easiest (NY, MI).
Why this matters for procurement
When a national lead vendor sells you Florida and North Carolina leads at the same CPL, they are pricing two completely different products. Florida has modified-51% comparative negligence (recovery preserved at fault percentages ≤50%); North Carolina has pure contributory negligence (1% fault bars all recovery). Vendors who don't price the state-specific qualification difficulty into their CPL are quietly transferring case-value risk to the buying firm. This index makes that math visible.
Go deeper
Drill down by framework type
The Index aggregates everything into a single score. Our three comparison hubs go deeper on the most consequential framework categories:
Citing the Index
Use the Index in your procurement work
Citation format for RFPs, vendor evaluations, or internal briefings:
Mass Tort Agency, State Qualification Index™, https://www.masstortmarketingagency.com/tools/state-qualification-index (accessed [date]).The Index is updated annually as state insurance code and tort reform legislation evolve. Last full review: May 2026. Major reform events trigger an out-of-cycle re-score (e.g., Florida's SB 236 in March 2023 reset all five Florida axes).