Compare Auto Insurance in Idaho
Idaho is known as the Gem State because of its abundance of natural resources. Here at QuoteWizard, we’ve compiled useful insurance information from industry and government sources which Idahoans can use to save money on a gem of an insurance policy.
This page will show you which types of coverage are legally required in Idaho and inform you about important insurance laws. It also provides you with information about the cost of driving and some insights about insurance risk.
Average Idaho Car Insurance Rates
How much is car insurance in Idaho? When it comes to car insurance, Idahoans must be doing something right. Drivers here pay less for car insurance than those in any other state. The low number of uninsured motorists could have something to do with it. Only 6.7 percent of the drivers on Idaho roadways are uninsured.
On average, Idaho drivers pay 35 percent less for auto insurance than the average American. The average cost of car insurance in Idaho is $573.83 per year. The national average price is $889.01.
How much you pay may vary depending on your car, driving record, zip code, limits, and the number of claims filed in your neighborhood.
| Coverage | Rates |
|---|---|
| Liability | $344.29 |
| Collision | $219.05 |
| Comprehensive | $116.55 |
| Total Cost Per Year | $573.83 |
| Price Per Month | $47.82 |
The graph below shows the change in average Idaho insurance rates from 2011 to 2015, the most recent year the data is available. According to the III, Idaho car insurance rates increased from $535 in 2011 to $573 in 2015, a jump of $38 dollars, or 7.24 percent.
Finding a reliable auto insurance provider is important these days. But how do you determine which insurer is right for you?
One way is to compare rates from a number of different car insurance companies. Let QuoteWizard help you do that. We’ll get you all the info you need, and connect you to a handful of agents who serve Idaho drivers, so you can find a policy that you, your vehicle, and your wallet will love.
Last year, 13,992 people used QuoteWizard to compare car insurance quotes in Idaho from top companies.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Idaho
Last year, these were the most common car insurance companies reported by QuoteWizard users living in the state of Idaho. Out of the 13,992 Idaho drivers that used QuoteWizard to request insurance quotes last year, 1,794 were uninsured.
Top 10 Vehicles in Idaho
These are the 10 most common vehicles owned by Idaho drivers requesting car insurance quotes through QuoteWizard in the past year.
- Ford F150
- Ford Ranger
- Ford Explorer
- Dodge RAM 1500
- Honda Accord EX/LX
- Chevrolet Blazer
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Cavalier
- Dodge Durango
- Ford Taurus
Idaho State Auto Insurance Laws
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Idaho
If you drive a vehicle registered in Idaho, you must maintain a minimum level of insurance coverage of 25/50/15. This means that you must have at least:
- $25,000 of coverage for bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 of coverage for bodily injury liability per accident
- $15,000 of coverage for property damage liability per accident
Idaho also requires insurance companies to include both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on the policies of its residents to financially protect them if they’re involved in accidents with drivers that have either no insurance or too little coverage. Drivers can opt out of this coverage if they prefer but must do so in writing.
Required Proof of Auto Insurance
All drivers in Idaho must be prepared to show proof of car insurance in the form of a car insurance identification card to law enforcement upon request.
Failure to show valid proof of insurance is a traffic infraction. Knowingly providing false evidence of insurance coverage is a misdemeanor.
Penalties
If you can't prove that you meet the minimum Idaho insurance requirements before conviction, you could face the following penalties for a first offense:
- A fine of $75
If you are caught a second time within 5 years of the first offense, the penalties become more severe. The penalties for a second offense or subsequent offenses are:
- A fine of no more than $1000
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Possibly both a fine and jail time
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State SR-22 Requirements
If you’ve had your license revoked or suspended, you'll need to apply to the Idaho Transportation Department and pay a reinstatement fee of between $25 and $285. Generally, reckless driving and DUI convictions will cost you the most.
In addition, you may also be required to file an SR-22, which is a way of proving financial responsibility. “SR” stands for safety responsibility and it certifies that a driver has the minimum amount of insurance required by state law. Idaho state law requires that an SR-22 be carried for 3 years following a first offense.
State of Idaho Traffic Safety Laws
Distracted Driving Laws
The state of Idaho reports that in 2014 there were 4,781 total accidents involving distracted drivers in which 39 people lost their lives. There were 761 accidents involving distracted drivers, which caused 364 serious injuries during the same period. These statistics represent 22% of all fatalities and 30% of all serious injuries from accidents on Idaho’s roadways.
Idaho has made it a primary law that drivers cannot text while driving. Because it’s a primary law, law enforcement can pull you over and issue a citation if they see you texting behind the wheel.
Idaho has a "Distraction in/on Vehicle (List)" attribute as part of its contributing circumstances element. This means officers are called upon to list any and all distractions in the narrative of the accident report.
Implied Consent Law
Idaho’s Implied Consent law requires that any driver submit to testing to determine the alcohol or drug content of their blood, breath, or urine when arrested by law enforcement for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol. Refuse the test and you’ll face the following penalties in addition to those for a DUI:
- First Offense: suspension of driver’s license for 1 year and $250 fine
- Second Offense: suspension of driver’s license for 2 years and $250 fine
- Third Offense: suspension of driver’s license for 2 years and $250 fine
A restricted driver’s license is available if you install an ignition-interlock system in your car. If granted, this license allows you to drive to and from work or school.
DUI Law and Penalties
If you drive or operate a motor vehicle in the State of Idaho with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, you are guilty of Driving While Under the Influence (DUI).
The penalties for a first offense DUI conviction are:
- Up to 6 months in jail
- A fine of up to $1,000
- 90 to 180-day suspension of driver’s license
The penalties for a second offense DUI conviction are:
- 10 days to 1 year in jail
- A fine of up to $2,000
- 1-year suspension of driver’s license
- Required installation of an ignition-interlock device
The penalties for a third offense DUI conviction are:
- Between 30 days and 5 years in jail
- A fine of up to $5,000
- 1 to 5-year suspension of driver’s license
- Required installation of an ignition interlock device
Child Restraint Law
Idaho’s Child Passenger Safety Law requires that all children younger than 7 years of age use appropriate child safety restraints. Children up to 40 pounds should use child safety seats and all other children under 7 years old should use belt-positioning booster seats.
If you are pulled over by law enforcement and it’s discovered that children are not legally secured, you will be fined $79 for a first offense. Because this is a primary law, law enforcement may pull you over and issue a citation without any other cause.
Graduated Driver’s License Program
Idaho has implemented a 3-tier graduated driver's license system. It begins with a supervised instruction permit and ends with full driver privileges once all conditions are met.
Teens are allowed to apply for a supervised instruction permit (SIP) when they have reached 14 ½ years of age. To get a driver’s license, teens must complete an approved driver’s education program and comply with the requirements of Idaho’s GDL program. They must also complete a 6 month supervised instructional period without acquiring any violations.
During this period, young drivers are also required to:
- Have a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older in the seat next to them
- Make sure all occupants of the vehicle wear seat belts or use appropriate child safety seats
- Have the Supervised Instruction Permit with them at all times
- Obey all laws regarding alcohol and illegal drugs
- Accrue a minimum of 50 hours supervised driving time, with at least 10 hours occurring at night
If a driver receives a citation while operating under the Supervised Instruction Permit, violates any restrictions, or has their driving privileges suspended, the SIP will be canceled and a new one must be applied for. In addition, the 6 month supervised driving period will start over on the day a new SIP is issued.
Drivers that meet the requirements of the GDL program, and are at least 15 years of age, may take both the knowledge and skills tests. If a driver passes both tests, they will be issued a driver's license. If a driver fails either test, they must wait 3 days before retaking the test.
Even with a driver's license, some restrictions remain for young drivers:
- Drivers under the age of 16 cannot drive at night unless a licensed driver 21 years of age or older is sitting in the front seat next to them
- Drivers under the age of 17 can only have one other passenger in the vehicle with them who is under 17 for the first 6 months unless related by blood, marriage, or adoption
Senior Drivers
The license renewal cycle for drivers in Idaho is every 8 years through their 62nd year. When Idahoans reach the age of 63, they are required to renew their license every 4 years.
Seat Belt Laws
Idaho requires that all passengers 8 years of age and older wear seat belts in both the front and back seats. Failure to comply will result in a fine of $10 plus administrative fees. Drivers under 18 years of age are required to pay $51.50 plus court costs.
Vehicles Registered in Another State
When you drive a vehicle in Idaho that is required to be registered in another state, you must have the type of insurance required by that state. You must be able to provide proof of this insurance to law enforcement upon request.
The Cost of Driving in Idaho
Average Idaho Car Insurance Rates
The average cost of car insurance in Idaho in 2015 was $573.83 compared to a national average of $889.01. Idaho is the least most expensive state (51st including Washington D.C.) for car insurance.
Fuel Taxes
As of January 2016, the state of Idaho taxes gasoline a 32 cents per gallon. Federal fuel taxes of 18.4 cents per gallon brings the total tax Idahoans pay at the pump to 50.40 cents per gallon. Idaho also taxes diesel fuel at 32 cents per gallon and, when the Federal diesel tax of 24.4 cents per gallon is applied, the total tax on a gallon of diesel fuel in Idaho is 56.40 cents.
Car Insurance Risk in Idaho
Uninsured Motorists
In 2012 it was estimated that 6.7% of all drivers on Idaho roads had no car insurance. This number is much lower than the national average of 12.6% and ranks Idaho 45th in the nation for uninsured motorists. This makes sense given that car insurance in Idaho is cheaper than any other state.
Traffic Crashes
In 2014, there were 22,134 car accidents, a 1% decrease from the 22,347 crashes reported in 2013.
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | Change 2013-2014 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crashes | 20,833 | 21,402 | 22,347 | 22,134 | -1% |
Traffic Fatalities
In 2014, there were 186 traffic fatalities in Idaho, a 13.1% decrease from the 214 traffic fatalities reported in 2013.
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | Change 2013-2014 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatal Crashes | 152 | 169 | 200 | 175 | -12.5% |
| Persons Killed | 167 | 184 | 214 | 186 | -13.1% |
Vehicle Thefts
Idaho had 1,661 vehicle thefts reported in 2014, a 8% increase compared to 2013 when 1,538 vehicles were reported stolen. In 2014, the vehicle theft rate was 101.6 per 100,000, an increase of 6% over the 2013 rate of 95.4 per 100,000.
The vehicle theft rate in Idaho is significantly lower than the overall US vehicle theft rate, which was 216.2 per 100,000 in 2014.
Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Idaho
Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau - Hot Wheels Report 2014
- 2002 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size)
- 1997 Ford Pick-Up (Full Size)
- 2003 Dodge Pick-Up (Full Size)
- 1998 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Small Size)
- 1990 Honda Accord
- 1998 Honda Civic
- 2006 GMC Pick-Up (Full Size)
- 1989 Ford Pick-Up (Small Size)
- 2000 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
- 1995 Toyota Camry
Idaho Department of Insurance
- Website:
- Homepage
- Insurance Commissioner:
- Dean L. Cameron
- Insurance Hotline:
- (800) 721 – 3272
- Office Hours:
- Monday - Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- File a Consumer Insurance Complaint
- Complaint Page
Sources:
- NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System
- Insurance Information Institute – Minimum Coverage Levels by State
- National Insurance Crime Bureau
- Governors Highway Safety Association
- Insurance Information Institute – Insurance Expenditures by State
- Idaho DMV
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