The Cheapest Car Insurance in Idaho (November 2023)

The most affordable insurance company in Idaho is American National P&C for most types of drivers, although personal factors will make other providers cheaper. MoneyGeek's research found that Auto-Owners Insurance and State Farm have the lowest rates based on these factors.

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

Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, the cheapest car insurance companies offering minimum coverage in Idaho are:

• American National P&C: $167 per year
• State Farm: $203 per year

Dairyland has the most expensive minimum coverage policies in Idaho, costing an average of $827 per year.

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

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

MoneyGeek found the following insurers offer Idaho’s cheapest full coverage policies:

• American National P&C: $421 per year
• State Farm: $491 per year

The most expensive company for full coverage policies in Idaho is Dairyland, with an annual average cost of $1,791.

You will pay more for a policy that includes comprehensive and collision insurance. For instance, American National P&C charges $254 more for full coverage.

A full coverage policy offers protection from various on-road incidents (hitting a tree, a hit-and-run driver) and off-road incidents (flooding or other natural disasters).

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 will also involve entering personal information and comparing rates across various websites.

To save time, use MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator below, which can help you quickly estimate your monthly insurance expenses. You can begin by entering your age, gender and driving record details.

Age has a big influence on car insurance rates in Idaho. State Farm and American National P&C offer the lowest prices on average for various age groups and family members.

MoneyGeek’s analysis identified the companies offering the cheapest car insurance in Idaho for teens as:

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

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

In Idaho and the rest of the U.S., teens enjoy decreasing car insurance rates as they age during their teenage years. This decline in car insurance premiums makes 19-year-olds pay the cheapest rats. Auto-Owners Insurance Co ($937 per year) provides the most affordable rates for 19-year-old males 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 cost is $2,414 less — at $1,667 per year — when the same driver is added to their parent’s policy.

Families can take advantage of various 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.

MoneyGeek’s analysis shows following are the cheapest companies for drivers in their 20s:

• American National P&C: $541 per year
• State Farm: $627 per year

Dairyland charges the most to insure drivers in their 20s. Its policies cost an average of $2,459 per year.

Young drivers in Idaho pay $120 more for a policy than middle-aged drivers.

MoneyGeek found the following insurance companies offer the cheapest rates for senior drivers:

• American National P&C: $428 per year
• State Farm: $453 per year

Dairyland provides the most expensive policy for seniors, costing an average of $1,742 annually.

In Idaho, 40- and 50-year-old drivers will pay slightly less — about $7 — for car insurance than senior drivers. However, rates may significantly increase 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. To find the cheapest insurer, drivers should always compare rates as insurance companies consider factors besides age to determine rates.

Drivers with poor credit will find the lowest rates with Idaho Farm Bureau. Those with sports cars, a ticket or an at-fault accident on their record will find Auto-Owners most affordable.

State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with a DUI.

Insurance companies charge higher rates to insure drivers with bad records because they consider them risky and more likely to file a claim. Improving your driving record over time and comparing rates before choosing an insurer can help you find cheaper policies.

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

• Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $502 per year
• American National P&C: $520 per year

Dairyland charges the most to insure drivers with speeding tickets, an average of $2,187 annually. Drivers with speeding tickets pay as much as $136 more for a policy than drivers with a clean record.

MoneyGeek found that the companies charging the least rates to insure drivers with an accident on their record are:

• Auto-Owners: $576 per year
• State Farm: $595 per year

The most expensive insurer is Dairyland, with an average annual cost of $2,474.

Drivers with accidents on their record pay as much as $256 more per year for car insurance than drivers with clean driving records.

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

• State Farm: $546 per year
• American National P&C: $680 per year

Our research shows that GEICO is the most expensive option, charging an average of $2,272 per year. A DUI in Idaho can increase your insurance premiums by as much as $483 annually.

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

• Idaho Farm Bureau: $1,007 per year
• GEICO: $1,084 per year

Dairyland is the most expensive company for drivers with a weak credit history, charging an average of $2,433 per year.

Insurers will charge higher rates to insure drivers with a credit score below 580. For instance, drivers with bad credit pay $558 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:

• Auto-Owners Insurance Co: $506 per year
• State Farm: $613 per year

The most expensive option to insure sports cars is Dairyland, costing an average of $1,932 per year.

Insurers generally charge higher rates to insure sports cars because they cost more to repair and replace. You would pay around $109 more to insure a Ford Mustang than a Toyota Camry.

MoneyGeek used a Ford Mustang as its sample sports car. Rates can vary based on your car model. Insurance costs are generally higher for luxury, electric and sports vehicles than for other model types.

American National P&C provides the cheapest car insurance policies for veterans and active-duty military members in Idaho, charging an average of $421 per year.

Another affordable alternative for military members and veterans is USAA, which offers policies tailored to military members and is available in all U.S. states.

The cost of car insurance varies based on your location within the state. Your insurance premiums will cost more if you live in an area with high theft, vandalism or accident rates.

American National P&C provides the cheapest car insurance in Meridian, Idaho, charging an average of $424 per year. The insurer is also the cheapest option in Boise City, at $430 per year.

See our list of Idaho cities below to compare average car insurance rates based on your 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 damages 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.

You may have concerns about the cost and quality of car insurance. MoneyGeek answered the following commonly asked questions to help you understand key information.