Idaho Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Idaho

State laws impose that all vehicle owners must have a valid insurance policy, highlighting the obvious benefits, should an accident occur. No matter if you are using the respective vehicle for personal or professional purposes, insurance is mandatory. Drivers who operate a vehicle without insurance are liable for fines of up to $1,000 or they might have their driving documents suspended, for up to six months. This is valid for both the driver's license and the vehicle registration. If you are looking to discover more on the topic of auto insurance in Idaho, keep on reading this article.

What type of car insurance do you legally need in Idaho?

All Idaho residents who operate a moving vehicle must possess a valid liability insurance policy, in accordance with the provisions of the Mandatory Liability Insurance Act. Should the mandatory insurance be absent, the respective driving documents are liable for suspension. Idaho has an online insurance verification system, which can be used to verify whether a vehicle owner has insurance or not.

To operate a vehicle in the state of Idaho, the associated auto insurance must comply with several requirements. These include: bodily injury liability ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person), property damage liability ($15,000 per accident), and uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury ($50,000 per accident and $25,000 per person). It is for the best to have full coverage insurance, as this is superior to the minimum liability policy. Drivers are encouraged to choose optional coverages, such as comprehensive and collision insurance. Of course, it is for the best to choose a higher liability coverage limit than the one imposed by the law. In this way, you will benefit from the best possible protection, should the worst-case scenario occur.

The sums mentioned in the paragraph above refer to the amount insurance providers can pay, should an accident for which you are at fault take place. According to the current laws, all drivers must carry a copy of their insurance policy while driving. Naturally, driving without insurance in Idaho is illegal. Consequences include legal fines and the suspension of your driving documents, meaning the driver's license or vehicle registration, as previously stated. Should one repeat the infraction and drive without insurance, jail time might be enforced through legal means.

Average cost of auto insurance in Idaho

How much does car insurance cost in ID? The state minimum auto insurance policy in Idaho has a value of $377. However, a full coverage insurance policy has an average value of $1,338 per year. Collision and comprehensive coverage might not be included in the general policy, which means you will have to be prepared to pay extra for them. Several factors influence the overall insurance rates, including: gender, age, marital status, driving record, vehicle, number of miles driven, location, presence of prior insurance. Always choose the insurance policy that provides the best coverage, not necessarily the one that is affordable.

The average cost of auto insurance varies from one state to the other. You can expect such differences to be valid for both the minimum and full coverage, especially if you opt for additional coverages (comprehensive, collision, etc.). The factors that influence these values include: weather-related accidents, at-fault accidents, number of drivers in accordance with the general population, how many uninsured drivers there are in the city, road conditions.

Idaho has a significantly lower rate for the average car insurance than the national median, which is around $1,770. The states with the most expensive auto insurance policies include: Colorado, California, Florida, Michigan, Louisiana, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania. As for the states with the most affordable policies, these are: Nebraska, Maine, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. New York is the most expensive when it comes to auto insurance, with $1,339 for the minimum coverage and $2,996 for the full one. Maine, on the other hand, is the most affordable, with $876 for the full coverage and $227 for the minimum one.

Within the state of Idaho, you can also expect differences between various cities. Idaho Falls has some of the highest rates to offer, while Boise City is more affordable. The average annual premiums in major cities are as follows: Boise City - $1,079; Meridian - $1,079; Nampa - $1,146; Caldwell - $1,153; Idaho Falls - $1,215.

The age of the driver plays a definite influence on the value of the auto insurance. For instance, it is known that young drivers typically pay more for this type of insurance, as insurance companies see them as irresponsible. A teenage driver will pay around $7,700 for his/her annual premium, while a middle-aged driver will calculate his/her budget for an annual premium of around $2,000. Gender differences are present as well, with men benefitting from more affordable insurance policies. The same goes for married couples, who enjoy better rates, in contrast to those who are single, divorced, or widowed.

In calculating the value of an insurance policy, car insurance companies will analyze other factors as well, including the driver's credit history. Exceptional credit also means that the respective driver will save significant sums on his/her insurance premium, while someone with a poor credit history will struggle to meet the higher rates. The increase in the policy value is also determined by prior driving offenses, including speeding, at-fault accidents, reckless driving, DUI/DWI. The type of coverage influences this value as well. It is also advisable to add options such as comprehensive and collision insurance to the state minimum policy, in order to increase the level of protection offered.

Did not find your city or county on the list? Please use our auto insurance companies search box at the top to locate all the best auto insurance quotes in Idaho. Find car insurance in Idaho by city, zip code or county name.

Finding the right auto insurance in Idaho

Finding the right auto insurance policy can be difficult, especially if you are a new driver. Allow us to offer our expert assistance and match you with the best policy for your needs. In suggesting a particular policy, we make good use of our experience and knowledge accumulated in the field. The options presented are always chosen in accordable with your budget and other specific requirements. Just give us a call and we will gladly offer all the support you need. Remember that the service is 100% free and it will save you valuable time that would have been otherwise invested in the research process.