The Best Cheap Car Insurance in Idaho for 2021

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Liability coverage is necessary for Idaho drivers to cover possible medical expenses and property damage if you are at fault in an accident. While the minimum liability coverage of 25/50/15 offers some protection, it may not be enough for all motorists. In Idaho, drivers also must have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage unless they specifically opt-out of this coverage. You may also include optional collision and comprehensive coverage.

For most Idaho drivers, State Farm may be the cheapest option. A policy from State Farm for the state minimum requirement costs an average of $284 per year. Upgrading to the 50/100/50 coverage level from State Farm will increase that rate to $337.

Average Cost for Liability Coverage

To determine the best car insurance companies in Idaho, MoneyGeek considered several factors, like financial strength, claims experience, affordability and customer satisfaction.

In addition to these criteria, MoneyGeek looked at information from J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study and AM Best’s financial strength ratings. Each factor is weighted equally to arrive at a final score out of 100.

While USAA scores highly in many areas, this provider is only available to military members, veterans and their families.

Market Share by Company

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that State Farm Group currently operates as the largest auto insurer in Idaho. Other major insurers in the state are shown on the table below.

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Several personalized factors influence car insurance premiums. As an example, MoneyGeek calculated the average prices for comprehensive and collision coverage for a typical 40-year-old male who owns a Toyota Camry with a clean driving record. Your prices may vary due to your age, location and driving history, among other factors, resulting in premiums that can be higher or lower than these rates.

• Average Driver: $745
• DUI: $1,144
• Speeding Ticket: $872
• Poor Credit Score: $1,237
• Seniors: $794
• Students: $2,140

Finding cheap car insurance with a DUI in Idaho can be difficult due to insurance companies taking on a higher level of risk when insuring drivers with this type of offense on their records. The state takes DUIs seriously; those convicted of driving under the influence face up to six months in jail, fines, fees and license suspension. Between 2009-2018, 612 people in Idaho died in fatal crashes involving drunk drivers. 1.4% of drivers in Idaho report driving after drinking too much within the last 30 days. If you have a DUI on your record, know that everyone makes mistakes and you can improve your situation with time and effort. The following table looks at the range of approximate costs for insurance in Idaho.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a DUI

The Idaho Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor states that a DUI remains part of an offender’s criminal record forever but these individuals are only required to hold high-risk insurance for three years. After this time, assuming the driver doesn’t receive any other penalties, they may be able to switch to a more cost-effective option. You can learn more about the real costs of a DUI by reviewing MoneyGeek’s comprehensive guide.

Finding cheap car insurance with a ticket in Idaho may be more difficult, but it can be done. The high cost of distracted driving should not be underplayed, but individuals with tickets on their records can find financial relief if they change their ways. Review the table below to get a sense of approximate costs for auto insurance after getting a ticket.

Average Car Insurance Rates With a Ticket

The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles uses a points-based system to track driving violations. Drivers can reduce the points on their license once every three years by participating in a defensive driving course or a traffic safety education course.

Some Idaho auto insurance companies penalize individuals with low credit scores as they are seen as a higher risk to insure. The good news is that insurance companies tend to weigh credit scores differently when creating premiums, making it important for consumers to shop around for the best price. Experian identifies any score above 670 as “good.” As of 2018, Idahoans maintained an average statewide credit score of 711. The following table looks at how approximate costs for car insurance with bad credit can vary by company.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Drivers With Bad Credit

Low credit scores can be a nuisance in many situations. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to improve your credit score. It may take some patience and discipline, but know that it can absolutely be done.

Cheap car insurance for seniors in Idaho can easily be found, provided these older drivers meet specific requirements for their age group. Because drivers aged 65 and older accounted for 19.9% of fatal crashes in 2017, auto insurers may assess this population as a higher risk than some other age groups. To negate these impacts, seniors should ensure they apply for the type of insurance befitting their stage of life. Make sure you include factors such as age, type of car and typical amount of driving when asking for a quote. Check out the following table to see how insurance rates vary for seniors in Idaho.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Seniors

According to AAA, the Idaho DMV requires all drivers over the age of 63 to renew their license every four years. Once they reach the age of 70, residents must apply for renewal in person. Buying cheap car insurance as a senior can be done and MoneyGeek is here to ensure you get the best rates.

Drivers aged 21 or below must hold minimum mandatory insurance as required by Idaho law. By agreeing to a higher deductible with the insurance company, younger drivers (or their parents) may be able to keep their auto insurance premiums reasonably low.

Out-of-state college students are not required to get an Idaho driver's license, but they must meet the state's minimum car insurance requirements. Many insurance companies offer discounts to students who maintain good college grades. Students can also stay on their parents' policies if they live at home. The Idaho Department of Insurance advises college drivers to:

• Tell the insurance company in writing if a car will be driven in another state for more than 30 days per year.
• Think twice about letting friends borrow the car. The owner remains liable for any accidents.

Idaho auto insurance companies typically charge higher premiums for young drivers due to this population possessing less driving experience. The Idaho Transportation Department’s 2017 Traffic Crashes Report found that drivers aged 19 and younger were twice as likely to be involved in a crash resulting in injuries or fatalities when compared to other age groups. You can review the table below to see how approximate costs add up for insuring high school and college drivers in Idaho.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Students

When shopping for auto insurance in Idaho, veterans and those on active duty should look for discounts available specifically to them. Many insurance companies offer reduced rates and some work exclusively with military families and vets.

Idaho has more than 10,000 active, reserve and civilian-military personnel living in the state but does not grant extensions on vehicle registration while military members are deployed. Be sure to renew by sending the registration fees to the assessor's office in your county.

Average Rates for Idaho service members

25 years$947
50 years$737

25 years$1,026
50 years$728

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About the Author

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Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Katy McWhirter specializes in researching and writing about education, health, travel and history. She holds a bachelor's degree in social entrepreneurship from Belmont University and a master's degree in history from the University of York. Prior to transitioning into her current role as a writer, McWhirter worked with numerous educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. More of her work can be found at www.thenative.me.

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