Compare Auto Insurance Quotes in Idaho to Get the Best Rates

Compare Auto Insurance Quotes in Idaho to Get the Best Rates

Tuesday, May 30 2017 By Larry Canonica

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, inform you about important insurance laws, and provide you with both information about the cost of driving, and some insights about insurance risk in Idaho, all to help protect you and your family.

Average Idaho Car Insurance Rates

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. How much you pay may vary depending on your car, driving record, zip code, limits, and the number of claims filed in your neighborhood.

The average cost of car insurance in Idaho is $571.94 per year. The national average annual cost is $866.31.

Idaho Average Annual Car Insurance Rates

Coverage	Rates
Liability	$348.24
Collision	$210.99
Comprehensive	$114.07
Total Cost Per Year	$571.94
Price Per Month	$47.66

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 and find the cheapest rates.

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.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Idaho

Last year, these were the 10 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.

Idaho State Auto Insurance Laws

Car Insurance Minimum Coverage

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

State SR-22 Requirements

If you’ve had your license revoked or suspended by the state of Idaho, you will need to apply to the Idaho Transportation Department and pay a reinstatement fee of between $25 and $285 (depending on the seriousness of your offense) when the revocation ends. 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, meaning that 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 beginning with a supervised instruction permit and ending 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. Before being issued a driver’s license, teens will need to complete an approved driver’s education program, comply with the requirements of Idaho’s GDL program, and 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 2014, the most recent year for which data was available, was $571.94 compared to a national average of $866.31. 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.

Source: 2013 Idaho General Collision Statistics

	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.

Source: 2013 Idaho General Collision Statistics

	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

1. 2002 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size)
2. 1997 Ford Pick-Up (Full Size)
3. 2003 Dodge Pick-Up (Full Size)
4. 1998 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Small Size)
5. 1990 Honda Accord
6. 1998 Honda Civic
7. 2006 GMC Pick-Up (Full Size)
8. 1989 Ford Pick-Up (Small Size)
9. 2000 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
10. 1995 Toyota Camry

Idaho Department of Insurance

Website:

http://www.doi.idaho.gov/

Insurance Commissioner:

Dean L. Cameron

Contact Consumer Affairs

Hours:

Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Phone:

(208) 334-4319 (In Idaho)

Toll Free:

(800) 721-3272

File an Insurance Complaint

Website:

How to file a complaint

Sources:

• FBI Uniform Crime Report
• NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System
• Insurance Information Institute – Minimum Coverage Levels by State
• American Petroleum Institute
• National Insurance Crime Bureau
• Governors Highway Safety Association
• Insurance Information Institute – Insurance Expenditures by State
• Idaho DMV

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