Cheapest Car Insurance in Idaho (September 2024)

State Farm offers Idaho's most affordable car insurance for most driver types. However, personal factors may make American Family or Idaho Farm Bureau the cheaper options for some.

For a balance of affordability and quality service, consider companies offering the best car insurance in Idaho.

The cheapest car insurance companies offering minimum coverage in Idaho are:

• State Farm: $208 per year
• American National P&C: $210 per year

Dairyland has the most expensive minimum coverage policies in Idaho, costing an average of $906 per year.

Drivers buying a minimum coverage policy in Idaho get only bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage.

A minimum coverage policy covers only damage to other drivers or their vehicles. It won’t cover your injuries or damage to your car. Opt for a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision insurance for extra protection.

These insurers offer Idaho’s cheapest full coverage policies:

• State Farm: $501 per year
• American National P&C: $576 per year

Dairyland is the most expensive company for full coverage policies in Idaho, with an annual average cost of $1,918.

A policy with comprehensive and collision coverage will cost more. For example, State Farm's full coverage costs $293 more than its minimum coverage. Full coverage car insurance provides strong financial protection, including coverage for damage from collisions, theft, vandalism and flooding.

The amount of car insurance you need will significantly affect your rates. MoneyGeek’s sample full coverage policy includes the following coverage limits:

• $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $100,000 in property damage liability per accident

You can save money on your policy by lowering your liability limits, increasing your deductible or dropping comprehensive and collision insurance. However, doing so leaves you with insufficient coverage if you get into an accident.

Many insurance companies provide online quotes; however, the process can take 15 or more minutes. It involves entering personal information and comparing rates across various websites.

To save time, use MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator below to estimate your monthly insurance expenses quickly. Enter your age, gender and driving record details to begin.

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for Idaho teens, young adults and seniors.

The companies offering the cheapest car insurance in Idaho for teens are:

• State Farm: $1,034 per year for female teens and $1,314 per year for male teens
• Nationwide: $1,289 per year for female teens and $1,433 per year for male teens

Travelers is the most expensive company for male teens, charging $2,227 annually, while Farmers is the priciest for female teens at $1,838 per year.

Teens face decreasing car insurance rates as they age, with 19-year-olds paying the lowest premiums. Auto-Owners ($937 per year) provides the most affordable rates for males aged 19 in Idaho.

Car insurance costs significantly increase when teen drivers buy individual policies. For instance, a 16-year-old male teen driver pays an average of $4.081 per year for a policy. However, the policy costs $2,414 less — at $1,667 per year — when the same driver is added to their parent’s policy.

Families can take advantage of discounts car insurers offer to save on premiums. For instance, State Farm offers distant student, driver's education and good student discounts. Nationwide also provides a discount for good academic performance.

The cheapest companies for Idaho drivers in their 20s are:

• State Farm: $639 per year
• American Family: $698 per year

Dairyland charges the highest rates for drivers in their 20s, averaging $2,630 per year. Young drivers in Idaho pay about $233 more than middle-aged drivers.

For senior drivers in Idaho, the cheapest insurance rates are:

• State Farm: $462 per year
• American National P&C: $579 per year

Dairyland offers the most expensive policy for seniors, averaging $1,869 annually.

In Idaho, drivers in their 40s and 50s pay about $25 more than seniors. Rates can increase significantly for drivers in their 70s and 80s.

Seniors can get discounts from GEICO, American Family, Farmers and many other insurers to save on insurance premiums. Drivers should always compare rates to find the cheapest insurer, as insurance companies consider factors besides age to determine rates.

State Farm offers the lowest rates for those with tickets, at-fault accidents or DUIs. Insurance companies charge higher premiums for drivers with poor records due to the perceived risk of claims. Improving your driving record and comparing rates can help you find cheaper policies.

Idaho Farm Bureau offers the lowest rates for drivers with poor credit. Drivers with sports cars will find American Family the most affordable option.

The following companies are the cheapest options for drivers with a speeding ticket in Idaho:

• State Farm: $557 per year
• Auto-Owners: $666 per year

Dairyland charges the most to insure drivers with speeding tickets, an average of $2,341 annually. Drivers with speeding tickets pay up to $150 more for a policy than drivers with a clean record.

The companies charging the lowest rates to insure drivers with an accident on their record are:

• State Farm: $606 per year
• American Family: $697 per year

The most expensive insurer is Dairyland, with an average annual cost of $2,652.

Drivers with accidents on their record pay as much as $282 more per year for car insurance than drivers with clean driving records.

The following companies offer the cheapest policies for drivers with a DUI in Idaho:

• State Farm: $557 per year
• American Family: $697 per year

GEICO is the most expensive option, charging an average of $2,336 annually. A DUI in Idaho can increase your insurance premiums by as much as $542 per year.

The companies providing the cheapest car insurance in Idaho for drivers with bad credit are:

• Idaho Farm Bureau: $1,086 per year
• GEICO: $1,114 per year

Dairyland is the most expensive company for drivers with a weak credit history, charging an average of $2,605 annually.

Insurers will charge higher rates to insure drivers with a credit score below 580. For instance, drivers with poor credit pay $637 more for a car insurance policy than drivers with credit scores above 750.

Idaho’s laws permit insurance companies to use credit scores when determining rates. Data shows that drivers with bad credit tend to file more claims, so insurers charge them higher rates.

You can save money on car insurance by improving your credit score. In the meantime, compare different insurers and benefit from various discounts to save money.

The following insurance companies offer the cheapest rates for sports car drivers in Idaho:

• American Family: $611 per year
• State Farm: $625 per year

Dairyland is the most expensive option to insure sports cars, costing an average of $2,068 per year.

Insurers generally charge higher rates to insure sports cars because they cost more to repair and replace. You would pay around $107 more to insure a Ford Mustang than a Toyota Camry.

MoneyGeek used a Ford Mustang for this analysis, but insurance quotes can vary widely depending on the model. Luxury, electric and sports car insurance is usually more expensive than other vehicle types.

USAA provides the cheapest car insurance policies for veterans and active-duty military members in Idaho, charging an average of $412 annually.

Car insurance costs vary by location. Areas with high theft, vandalism or accident rates typically have higher premiums.

American National P&C offers the cheapest insurance in Meridian, averaging $573 annually. State Farm is the most affordable in Boise City, at $560 per year, $13 less than in Meridian.

Check the list of Idaho cities below to compare average car insurance rates by location.

Drivers in Idaho must buy coverages like bodily injury liability and property damage liability. As an alternative to car insurance, drivers can obtain a certificate of self-insurance from the Idaho Transportation Department.

Idaho’s laws require drivers to buy a policy that meets the state’s minimum requirements. As a driver, you must have coverage for bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

A minimum coverage policy will cost you less, but it won’t offer enough protection in case of an accident. The choice is yours; however, MoneyGeek recommends adding more liability coverage to your policy for extra protection.

You must file an SR-22 in Idaho after serious driving violations, and your required coverage will likely increase.

MoneyGeek recommends purchasing a policy that includes at least $100,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person, $300,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident and $100,000 in property damage insurance per accident.

You’ll also likely have to buy comprehensive and collision insurance if you finance your vehicle. Comprehensive insurance protects you against vehicle damage due to theft, vandalism or weather-related events. Collision insurance pays for repair or replacement costs if your car hits another vehicle or an object.

You should always opt for comprehensive and collision insurance if you own a sports or luxury car.

An alternative to car insurance in Idaho is a certificate of self-insurance from the Idaho Transportation Department. A self-insurance certificate makes you responsible for paying all the damage in case of an accident.

You can get a certificate of self-insurance in Idaho by providing the following documents to the transportation department:

• List of vehicles registered and titled in Idaho with all the relevant information
• A statement signed by a certified public accountant attesting that your net worth is not less than $500,000
• Request for a TIN and W-9 certificate

You can renew the certificate yearly by submitting information about the vehicles registered in your name and proof of financial capability.

MoneyGeek has answered some common questions to help you understand car insurance costs and quality in Idaho.