Idaho Minimum Insurance Requirements

Idaho Auto Insurance Laws and Regulations

1. Minimum Liability Coverage

In Idaho, drivers are required to maintain Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability coverage for each personal use vehicle registered in the state. Here are the specifics:

• Bodily Injury Liability:

  • $25,000 per person: This covers injuries to a single person in an accident.

  • $50,000 per accident: If multiple people are injured, this limit applies.

• Property Damage Liability:

  • $15,000 per accident: Covers damage to another person’s property caused by you.

These minimum limits ensure that if you cause an accident, your insurance can cover injuries to others and damage to their property. However, higher limits can be purchased for more protection1.

2. Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Idaho insurance companies are required to provide Uninsured Motorist (UM) Bodily Injury coverage and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Bodily Injury coverage, unless a named insured has rejected these coverages in writing. The coverage limits for UM/UIM Bodily Injury coverage generally match the coverage limits you chose for your Bodily Injury Liability coverage. These coverages protect you if you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver1.

3. Importance of Setting Adequate Coverage Limits

While Idaho’s minimum car insurance requirements provide a legal baseline, it’s essential to consider your individual needs. Here’s why:

• Financial Protection: Higher coverage limits prevent you from being on the hook for large sums of money and protect your assets.

• Peace of Mind: Adequate coverage ensures that you and your passengers are safeguarded in case of an accident.

• Customization: You can tailor your policy to match your risk tolerance and financial situation.

Remember that setting your car insurance minimums at an appropriate level makes good financial sense and puts your mind at ease on Idaho’s roads2.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information, explore these official sources:

1. Idaho Department of Insurance - Required Auto Coverage

2. Sargent Law Firm - Idaho Car Insurance Requirements and Laws

3. AutoInsurance.org - Idaho Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements (2024)

Remember to consult a licensed insurance agent to tailor your coverage to your specific needs. Safe travels on Idaho’s scenic roads! 🛣️🌟

If you are a driver in Idaho, you need to have auto insurance to comply with the state law and protect yourself from financial losses in case of an accident. In this blog post, we will explain the state minimum auto insurance in Idaho and the local rates as well as the different types of auto insurance coverage.

State Minimum Auto Insurance in Idaho

According to the Idaho Department of Insurance, Idaho residents are required to maintain Bodily Injury Liability and Property Damage Liability coverage for each personal use vehicle registered in Idaho. These coverages help pay for other drivers’ and passengers’ injuries and property damage when you are at-fault in an accident.

The minimum coverage limits in Idaho are as follows  :

- $25,000 bodily injury per person per accident

- $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident

- $15,000 property damage liability per accident

The coverage limits on your policy are the maximum amount of money the insurance company is obligated to pay to the other person on your behalf. However, higher limits can be purchased for more protection.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

In addition to the state minimum liability coverage, insurance companies are required to provide Uninsured Motorist (UM) Bodily Injury coverage and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Bodily Injury coverage, unless you reject them in writing. These coverages help pay for your own medical expenses when you are injured by a driver who has no insurance or not enough insurance to cover your damages.

The coverage limits for UM/UIM Bodily Injury coverage generally match the coverage limits you chose for your Bodily Injury Liability coverage limits; however, this may differ between insurance carriers. You can also choose between two types of UIM coverage: additive or reduced.

Additive UIM coverage pays the difference between your UIM limit and the at-fault driver’s liability limit. For example, if you have $50,000 UIM additive coverage and the other driver has $25,000 liability coverage, you can receive up to $25,000 from your own policy.

Reduced UIM coverage pays the difference between your UIM limit and the total amount paid by the at-fault driver’s insurer. For example, if you have $50,000 UIM reduced coverage and the other driver has $25,000 liability coverage, but only pays $20,000 for your damages, you can receive up to $30,000 from your own policy.

Other Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

Besides the state minimum auto insurance in Idaho and the optional UM/UIM coverage, there are other types of auto insurance coverage that you can add to your policy for more protection and peace of mind. Some of them are:

- Collision coverage: This pays for the repair or replacement of your own vehicle when it is damaged by a collision with another vehicle or object.

- Comprehensive coverage: This pays for the repair or replacement of your own vehicle when it is damaged by something other than a collision, such as fire, theft, vandalism, hail, or animal collision.

- Medical payments coverage: This pays for your own medical expenses and those of your passengers regardless of who is at fault in an accident.

- Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage: This pays for your own medical expenses, lost wages, funeral costs, and other expenses regardless of who is at fault in an accident. PIP is mandatory in some states but optional in Idaho.

- Gap coverage: This pays for the difference between what you owe on your vehicle loan or lease and what your vehicle is worth if it is totaled in an accident.

Local Rates for Auto Insurance in Idaho

The average cost of auto insurance in Idaho is $1,018 per year for full coverage and $337 per year for minimum coverage, according to NerdWallet’s 2021 rate analysis. However, your actual rate may vary depending on several factors such as:

- Your age

- Your driving record

- Your credit score

- Your vehicle make and model

- Your location

- Your mileage

- Your deductible

- Your coverage limits

- Your discounts

To find the best auto insurance rate for your needs and budget, it is advisable to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. You can use online tools like EINSURANCE.com to get free quotes from different insurers and compare them side by side.

Conclusion

Auto insurance is not only a legal requirement but also a smart investment that can protect you from financial losses in case of an accident. 

We service the following areas in Idaho for Auto Insurance

• Boise: The zip codes for Boise include 83701, 83702, 83703, 83704, 83705, 83706, 83707, 83708, 83709, 83711, 83712, 83713, 83714, 83715, 83716, 83717, 83719, 83720, 83722, 83724, 83725, 83726, 83728, 83729, 83732, 83735, 83756, 8379912345.

• Meridian: The zip codes for Meridian include 83642, 83646, 83680678910.

• Nampa: The zip codes for Nampa include 83646, 83651, 83652, 83653, 83686, 836871112131415.

• Idaho Falls: The zip codes for Idaho Falls include 83401, 83402, 83403, 83404, 83405, 83406, 834151617181920.

• Caldwell: The zip codes for Caldwell include 83605, 83606, 836072122232425.