Is car insurance required in Idaho?

You must have car insurance to drive in Idaho. It's also a requirement to register your car. In Idaho, driving with no insurance may result in various penalties that range from fines to jail time.

Do you need car insurance to register a car in Idaho?

You need to prepare several documents when you want to have your car registered in Idaho. Proof of insurance is one of them. Other requirements are: Out-of-state title and application (if applicable) Certificate of title application Social Security number Proof of residency Photo ID Vehicle inspection certificate

What is “basic” car insurance in Idaho?

The minimum car insurance requirements in Idaho include coverage for bodily injury and property damage. Your policy should have liability limits of at least 25/50/15. It means your policy covers up to $50,000 for bodily injuries per accident with a maximum of $25,000 per person. It also helps with expenses up to $15,000 from property damage.

Does insurance follow the car or driver in Idaho?

It follows the car, not the driver. If you lend someone your car, your insurance covers them if they get into an accident. It is an advantage if you have a medical condition that doesn’t allow you to drive. It also applies if you have a personal driver — you’re still protected on the road even if you’re not behind the wheel.

Can you get car insurance without a license in Idaho?

Yes, it’s possible to purchase insurance in Idaho without a driver’s license. Don’t expect the process to be as straightforward, though. Some national insurers won’t allow you to buy a policy if you don’t have insurance, so you may want to consider regional carriers or an independent agent. Another alternative is excluding yourself as a driver in the policy. The risk of that is if you are behind the wheel and pulled over, you will be considered an uninsured driver.

Is Idaho a No-Fault State and What Does This Mean?

Idaho is a tort state. It means if you’re at fault for an accident, you are obligated to cover the other party’s costs from medical fees and property repairs. If their expenses exceed your policy’s coverage, you’ll have to pay the remaining amount out of pocket.

Is PIP Coverage Required in Idaho?

Personal injury protection is not part of Idaho’s car insurance requirements. If you want to purchase this additional coverage, you can ask your insurer about MedPay.

Does Idaho Require Uninsured Motorist Insurance?

Although it’s not part of Idaho’s car insurance requirements, insurers are required to offer uninsured motorist insurance to policyholders. You can choose to waive the coverage, but you must do it in writing.

Does Idaho Allow for Diminished Value Compensation After an Accident?

Idaho is a diminished value state which means you can get compensated for the difference in your car’s market value before and after an accident. The statute of limitation in Idaho is three years. To have a valid claim, you must be insured, not be the at-fault party and your car’s damage must be from a collision.

How Do Car Insurance Requirements Change After a DUI in Idaho?

Having a DUI on your record affects car insurance requirements in Idaho in several ways. You’ll have to file for an SR-22, which categorizes you as a high-risk driver. Although you only pay a one-time processing fee, having an SR-22 form on file raises your car insurance premium considerably. In Idaho, an average driver pays $745 per year. In comparison, car insurance in Idaho after a DUI costs an annual average of $1,144.

What is a CARCO Inspection and is it Required?

Some states require drivers to complete a pre-insurance inspection before they can purchase a policy. CARCO gathers the data, turns it into a comprehensive report and provides insurers with a copy. Insurance providers use it to avoid fraudulent claims since it contains proof of the car’s condition before their policy took effect. Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island are the only states that require a CARCO inspection.

Idaho Minimum Car Insurance Requirements, Penalties and Other Auto Insurance Laws

All drivers must show proof of insurance if they want to operate a car in Idaho. The car insurance requirements in Idaho include liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage with limits of 25/50/15. Being an at-fault state, you will need to cover the other driver’s expenses from medical treatment and property repairs if you cause an accident. You also cannot have your car registered unless you have proof of insurance. Driving with no insurance in Idaho may result in penalties ranging from fees to possible jail time.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Idaho
How Much Does Minimum Car Insurance Cost?
Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Idaho
FAQs

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Idaho?

Driving without a license is illegal in Idaho. To avoid penalties, you need to ensure your policy meets Idaho’s car insurance requirements. It means carrying a policy with liability limits of at least 25/50/15, which provides the following coverage:

$25,000 for bodily injury per person
$50,000 for bodily injury per accident
$15,000 for property damage per accident

These limits fulfill Idaho’s car insurance requirements, but they may not provide enough protection during an actual collision. If you’re at fault and other driver’s costs exceed your policy’s limits, you’ll have to cover the remaining amount from your pocket. It’s something to consider when calculating how much insurance you need in Idaho.

What Does This Minimum Coverage Mean?

A minimum policy in Idaho lists its liability limits as 25/50/15. It means if you cause an accident, your insurance provider can help cover third-party property damage costs up to $15,000. Your policy also covers bodily injuries, up to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Since these are Idaho’s minimum car insurance requirements, they do not protect you against your own costs should you or your passengers get injured. It also doesn’t cover any damage to your car. If you want additional protection, you may want to consider a policy that has comprehensive and collision insurance.

How Much Does the Minimum Car Insurance Cost in Idaho?

Car insurance companies consider several factors when setting premiums. These include personal information such as your age, driving history and experience. Your ability to manage your credit score is also a determinant, along with where you live in Idaho.

The average car insurance cost for an Idaho driver is about $745 per year, but comparing quotes from several providers helps you find more affordable rates. USAA offers the cheapest minimum car insurance in Idaho at $182 per year on average, but it's only available to former or present military members and their families. State Farm, which offers more widely affordable insurance, is also an affordable option. A policy with similar coverage costs an average of $284 annually.

These prices are only estimates based on rates for an average Idaho driver and should not be used to compare insurance prices.

The rates above are for policies with Idaho’s minimum car insurance requirements for liability coverage of 25/50/15. MoneyGeek used a driver profile of a 40-year-old male driving a 2010 Toyota Camry with a clean record and good credit.

If you're instead looking for a policy that balances quality with affordability, MoneyGeek also ranked the top car insurance companies in Idaho.

What Is the Minimum Car Insurance Requirement in Idaho While Leasing a Car?

In Idaho, car insurance requirements for leased cars may differ from the state’s requirements because the lender determines them. Most leasing companies prefer you carry a full coverage car insurance policy because it provides more protection for their assets. Besides having collision and comprehensive insurance, they may also require minimum liability coverage of 100/300/50.

You should reach out directly to your lender to get their requirements. You can also ask about their payment terms and other regulations, which play a significant part in your agreement with them.

When deciding how much car insurance you need, consider the following things. It’s better to have a full coverage insurance policy with at least 50/100/50 liability coverage in Idaho since it affords better protection if you get into an accident. You may also want to consider including uninsured motorist insurance in your policy. Idaho currently ranks 20th among the states with the most number of uninsured drivers. Although it’s illegal to drive without insurance in Idaho, around 13.2% of drivers don’t have coverage.

Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance in Idaho

It’s illegal to drive in Idaho if you cannot show proof of financial responsibility. Driving with no insurance may result in various penalties, such as:

Fine of $75 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses
Jail time up to six months for the second and subsequent offenses
License suspension until you show proof of insurance per offense

You need to pay a fee of $85 each time you want to have your license reinstated. You also have to carry SR-22 insurance for a year after your first offense. For subsequent offenses, drivers need to maintain their SR-22 for three years.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Insurance in Idaho

Most drivers have questions about car insurance laws in Idaho. Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Learn More About Car Insurance

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick is a senior content director at MoneyGeek with over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, conducting original research and creating content that can be personalized for every buyer. He has been quoted on insurance topics in several publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Mark earned a master’s degree in Economics and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his economics and insurance knowledge to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.

sources

Idaho Department of Insurance. "Required Auto Coverage." Accessed September 20, 2021.
Idaho Legislature. "Chapter 25. Casualty Insurance Contracts." Accessed September 20, 2021.
Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured Motorists." Accessed September 20, 2021.