Idaho Car Insurance (The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need)

Idaho is a unique state. While its reputation may not make it as popular as California or Texas, there’s no denying that the Idaho Potato has bolstered the state’s economy, not to mention its reputation. In fact, 15 percent of the state’s gross product is made up of potatoes.

You’d like that’d be enough for the product to have a place in the state nickname, but Idaho’s state government chose in favor of a shiny moniker: the Gem State.

Even though that nickname suggests wealth and excitement, car insurance rates in Idaho can still cause drivers strife. It takes a lot of time and effort to weed through all of the different offers that the state’s providers can share with you.

Luckily, you don’t have to do that research on your own. Our guide to Idaho’s car insurance providers, driving laws, and minimum required insurance will help you find the best coverage for your lifestyle.

Want to start comparing rates right away? All you have to do is type your ZIP code into our FREE online tool, and you’ll be able to view the rates available to you in your area.

Idaho Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

First thing’s first when it comes to insurance: you need to know what a state like Idaho requires of you in terms of coverage. Let’s break down the minimum required liability coverage along with the documents needed to prove your insurance claims so that you can better be prepared for life on the road in Idaho.

Idaho Minimum Coverage

Idaho’s minimum liability coverage breaks down into a 25/50/15 ratio, as you can see in the table below:

You absolutely need to have this amount of coverage to drive legally on Idaho’s roads. It’s also recommended that you invest in more to keep your bank account safe in case of an accident.

Why the extra concern? Idaho is an at-fault state. That means that, should you happen to get into an accident, either you or the other party involved will be determined to be “at-fault.” The at-fault party will then be responsible not only for their own costs but the costs of the other party, too.

Having more than the state’s required minimum liability coverage prevents you from going broke when supporting another party after an accident.

Forms of Financial Responsibility

In addition to state minimum liability, you’ll need to carry forms of financial responsibility — alternatively known as proof of insurance — on your person while on the road. These forms can protect you from being wrongfully fined in case of a traffic stop or collision.

Forms of financial responsibility accepted by law enforcement in Idaho include:

• An insurance card, electronically-displayed or on paper
• An indemnity bond worth $50,000 or more

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

The cost of your insurance will come out of your per capita disposable income. That per capita disposable income consists of the amount of money you have available to you after you’ve paid your taxes for the year.

In Idaho, residents earn an average of $41,826 per year that they can, in turn, spend on everyday needs.

The average annual cost of car insurance in Idaho is $700. This means that residents living within their means will have to pay 1.7 percent o their per capita income to afford car insurance.

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in ID (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, core coverage in Idaho ranges as follows:

That said, you should also note that these rates were originally determined in 2015. As of 2019 and beyond, you should anticipate paying more for all of these coverage types.

Additional Liability

There’s more to car insurance than just comprehensive and liability coverage. You can learn more about additional forms of coverage in the table below:

• MedPay coverage protects you when you enter into the hospital after an accident, allowing you to see to your medical bills without breaking the bank.
• Uninsured/Underinsured coverage allows you to remain financially stable when you get into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver.

You’ll note that these two factors are judged by their loss ratio. A loss ratio reflects a provider’s ability to pay out on an applicable claim while also maintaining their financial stability. Over the past three years, the loss ratio for MedPay has been on the rise. Comparatively, the loss ratio for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage is on the decline.

Add-ons, Endorsements, and Riders

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You can explore additional, optional coverage by considering some of the add-ons below. Click on the available links to learn more:

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance
• Pay-As-You-Drive or Usage-Based Insurance

Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in ID

The myths surrounding men and women drivers differ. Some sources say that women have to pay more for their car insurance, whereas others suggest that men’s reckless driving will cost them more, in the long run.

Take a look at rate differentiation in Idaho:

As you can see, age has more of an impact on your rates than gender does. The older you get, the more likely it is that you’ll see your rate level out, regardless of your gender. By the time drivers hit middle age, as you can see above, the premiums they’ll see should be balanced. In some cases, women even have to pay more than their male companions.

Cheapest Rates by ZIP Code

It’s not just age and gender that can impact the premium you’re offered. Your ZIP code can have a significant impact on your initial rate, as you can see on the map below.

ZIP codes affect auto insurance because of factors like traffic, crime to name a few.

Cheapest Rates by City

Your offered car insurance rate will also vary based on the city you live in. Take a look at the top 10 cheapest cities in Idaho.

Below are the top 10 most expensive cities in Idaho for car insurance.

As you can see, there isn’t a huge difference between the cheapest and the most expensive.

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Best State Car Insurance Companies

Now that you know a little more about Idaho’s insurance requirements, let’s consider the different car insurance providers who could help you meet those needs.

The Largest Companies’ Financial Ratings

A.M. Best outlines individual insurance companies’ financial ratings, as you can see below:

In Idaho, State Farm, Geico, and USAA Group all rank well for their ability to serve the needs of their consumers, financially.

Companies with the Best Ratings

Customer experience and satisfaction also contribute to a company’s state-wide reputation, as you can see here:

Now let’s see who is the cheapest car insurance company in Idaho.

Companies with the Most Complaints in Idaho

On the flip side of customer satisfaction comes customer complaints. While we shouldn’t always take complaints at face value, they’re a useful asset to consider when choosing a company to work with:

Cheapest Companies in Idaho

Of course, we know that your budget is one of the biggest factors you have to consider when choosing a car insurance provider. That’s why we’ve gathered a list of the cheapest providers in Idaho for you to peruse.

Commute Rates by Company

The distance of your morning commute is going to impact your car insurance rate, as you can see below:

Six major factors affect car insurance rates in Idaho. Which auto insurance factors will affect rates the most? Find out below:

Coverage Level Rates by Company

Your chosen level of coverage is going to impact the amount you’re expected to pay:

Credit History Rates by Company

Your credit history reflects your ability to pay back the money you owe to different organizations. Naturally, car insurance providers are going to take your credit history into account when offering you a rate.

Driving Record Rates by Company

Your driving history reflects both your knowledge of the rules of the road and your ability to work within them.

As you might guess, high-risk drivers are charged more for their coverage than low-risk drivers.

Largest Car Insurance Companies in Idaho

There are some car insurance providers throughout the state of Idaho who operate more prevalently than others. Take a look at a breakdown of those company’s market share in the table below:

Who are the largest car insurance companies in Idaho?

Number of Insurers in Idaho

Domestic and foreign insurers are titles that don’t use their titular terms in the traditional sense. Domestic providers are providers who are present only in a specific state. Foreign insurers, comparatively, are providers who make their policies available just about everywhere.

You can see Idaho’s breakdown of its domestic and foreign insurers in the table below:

Idaho Driving Laws

One of the best ways to keep your insurance rates down is to remain in line with the driving laws of the state you’re living in. That said, no one expects you to have your state’s driving laws memorized.

Let’s take this opportunity, then, to break down some of Idaho’s most important driving laws so you can stay as safe as possible while on the road.

Car Insurance Laws

Idaho’s car insurance related laws differentiate it from a number of other states. While the state does require its drivers to have a certain level of car insurance, drivers can forgo that need. Instead, those drivers must post an indemnity bond with the Department of Insurance.

When they do, they’ll need to carry proof of that bond on their person to ensure that they don’t get their license revoked while on the road.

Windshield Coverage

Idaho, unfortunately, does not have any legislation in place that would require your car insurance provider to replace your windshield if it is damaged.

However, note that if your windshield does get damaged while you’re on the road, you’re going to need to replace it as soon as possible. Driving with a damaged windshield is illegal in all fifty states.

If you have comprehensive coverage or discuss windshield coverage with the provider of your choice, you’ll be able to utilize used parts to repair your windshield. You should also check in with your provider to see if you can visit any particular garages and receive a discount.

High-Risk Insurance

If you have a spotty driving history, you may have to seek out high-risk insurance. High-risk insurance, or an SR-22, is a type of insurance that high-risk drivers are required to add to their existing coverage after a conviction or similar punishment.

You may be required to get an SR-22 if you’ve received any of the following:

• DUI conviction
• Reprimand for driving without insurance
• Reprimand for driving with a suspended license
• Reprimand for leaving the scene of an accident

The good news is that Idaho offers its high-risk drivers access to the Idaho Automobile Insurance Plan. High-risk drivers will have the chance to choose between this program and obtaining an SR-22.

To qualify for the IDAIP program, you need to:

• Confirm in writing that you’ve been searching for insurance within the 60 days prior to the submission of your application, and that your requests for coverage have been rejected
• Have been offered rates through providers that are higher than those offered by the IDAIP

If you’re approved through the plan, you’ll need to bring the following materials to be integrated:

• A valid driver’s license
• Your vehicle’s registration
• A completed registration

Low-Cost Insurance

Idaho does not offer car insurance programs for low income families that would ease the pressure of paying for car insurance. However, drivers can seek out discounts to make the cost of insurance more bearable.

Be sure to ask your provider of choice if you or your family are eligible for any of the following:

• Accident-Free Discount
• Affiliation Discount (this would be any discounts through your employer, school, team, etc.)
• Anti-Theft Discounts (i.e. if you have alarms, tracking systems, etc on your vehicle)
• Auto-Pay Discounts (if you were to set up automatic payments from checking – some providers refer to it as a Paper-Saving Discount)
• Good Student Discount
• Homeowner’s Discount
• Multi-car Discount
• Green/Hybrid Car Discount (if you own/lease a hybrid or electric vehicle)

Be sure you shop around in order to find the best coverage for you that is equally cost-effective.

Automobile Fraud in Idaho

It’s difficult to commit insurance fraud by accident.

That said, the insurance industry sees 10 percent of its operating costs go to enduring fraudulent claims or accounts over the course of a year.

There are two different types of automobile fraud.

• Hard fraud sees a driver deliberately falsifying a claim or faking an accident in order to receive compensation
• Soft fraud sees a driver padding a claim or misrepresenting accident information to an insurance provider

Soft fraud is the more common of these two types of fraud.

Even though you may think you’re just telling a white lie, soft fraud is considered a misdemeanor, and lying on your claim is considered a class 5 felony.

Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations describes the amount of time after an accident the injured parties have to submit claims to their insurers.

According to Idaho Statute 5-219, claims regarding personal injuries need to be submitted within two years of the day the relevant accident has occurred. Property damage claims, comparatively, need to be submitted within a three-year deadline.

Vehicle Licensing Laws

There are more laws for you to consider than just those that apply to your car insurance policy. Idaho has particular laws that dictate how you need to consider your license.

Let’s take a closer look at some of this legislation so you can continue to drive around with a proper license.

Real ID

You’d figure that your driver’s license would qualify as a REAL ID without any modifications, right? Not anymore.

Real ID is arriving in 2020. All Idaho drivers — and drivers throughout the United States — will need to have REAL ID to get on a plane, be the flight domestic or international.

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Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

You can face some serious consequences if you’re caught driving in Idaho without car insurance. It’s possible that, upon initial discovery, you may face fines, license suspension, and potential imprisonment.

Let’s break the consequences down:

• First-time offenders will face fines of $75 and will have their licenses suspended until they can present officers with proof of insurance
• Second-time offenders will be fined up to $5,000 and will also have their licenses suspended. These parties may also face a six-month imprisonment. After their release or the application of other consequences, these parties will have to show and maintain their proof of insurance for a minimum of three years.
• If you are caught driving without insurance more than twice, you will face consequences similar to those that you would endure upon your second offense.

To avoid these consequences, you need to have the aforementioned proof of insurance on your person while driving anywhere in Idaho. Just as a refresher, those forms include the following:

• An insurance card, electronically-displayed or on paper
• An indemnity bond worth $50,000 or more

Teen Driver Laws

Teenagers living in Idaho can apply for the licenses as young as 14.5 years old. To obtain a restricted license, these drivers must:

• Maintain a learner’s permit for six months
• Drive a minimum of 50 hours while supervised, 10 of which need to be at night
• Be at least 15 years old

You can learn more about teenage driver’s requirements in the table below:

Older Driver License Renewal Procedures

Older drivers, or drivers who are older than 63 years of age, will have to undergo license renewal processes that differ from those of younger drivers. These processes include:

• Renewal every four years as opposed to every eight
• Proof of adequate vision upon every renewal

In general, drivers who are younger than 63 but who are no longer teenagers will have to renew their licenses between every four to eight years. Likewise, they will also have to submit proof of adequate vision every time they have their license renewed.

New Residents

New residents will have to apply for an Idaho driver’s license within 90 days of moving into the state. You’ll need to bring the following documents to secure your license:

• Proof of Idaho residence (a rental agreement, utility bill, or school enrollment record)
• Proof of age and identity (your passport, birth certificate, or citizen certificate)
• Proof of lawful U.S. presence (permanent resident card, citizenship certificate, or foreign passport with a valid visa)
• Proof of name change (if needed)
• Payment for fees

Rules of the Road

With legislation out of the way, let’s take a look at Idaho’s rules of the road.

Fault vs. No-Fault

As was previously mentioned, Idaho is an at-fault state. The driver who is determined to be responsible for the accident in question will be responsible for all charges applying to that accident.

Because of this, it is all the more important that you consider obtaining more than the state’s minimum required liability insurance. A more comprehensive plan will protect your bank account in the case of an accident.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

According to Idaho law, children who are 6 years old or younger must absolutely be in a child safety seat. State law recommends the following:

• Children 2 years old or younger rest in rear-facing seats
• Children remain in five-point harnesses until the age of 4
• Children between 4-8, or who are taller than 4’5″, need to be in a booster seat

If your child is not properly secured in a car seat, note that you can be pulled over without any other reason needed. Car seat laws are primarily enforced in Idaho, so take care and protect your kiddos in the car.

Comparatively, seat belt laws are secondarily enforced in Idaho, so law enforcement officers can’t pull you over without seeing another reason that they might need to.

Idaho also has no laws in place dictating who and who cannot ride in the cargo area of a pickup truck.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

If you are driving more slowly than the posted speed limit, or if you are not looking to pass a car in front of you, then Idaho law dictates that you must remain in the right-hand lane of the applicable interstate.

You must also move over for vehicles that have their lights flashing, regardless of whether or not they’re clearly marked as emergency vehicles. These vehicles include but are not limited to:

• Police cruisers
• Ambulances
• Firetrucks
• Tow trucks
• Recovery vehicles

Speed Limits

While it’s tempting to put the pedal to the metal while driving down more rural roads, you’ll want to avoid speeding in Idaho. The speed limits range as follows:

• Rural Interstates: 80 MPH, 75 if not specified
• Urban Interstates: 80 MPH, 75 if not specified
• Other Roads (Including Limited Access Roads): 70 MPH

Ridesharing

The rise of Uber and Lyft have made it easier than ever for people to get to the places they need to go. These companies have also created a new industry for drivers across the United States. If you currently work with either company or one of their competitors, or if you’ve thought about using your vehicle for a job before, you’ll need to get ridesharing insurance.

At this point in time, the following providers offer ridesharing insurance:

• State Farm
• American Family
• Farmers Insurance

Safety Laws

DUI Laws

Let’s dive into the legislation that applies to more serious concerns that seat belts and speed limits. If you drive while impaired in Idaho, you’ll likely face serious legal consequences, including those listed in the table below:

Distracted Driving Laws

Distracted driving results in as many fatalities as drinking and driving does a year all across the United States. To better protect drivers on the road, Idaho has instituted a texting ban for drivers of all ages across the state. That said, there is no hand-held device ban for drivers to be wary of.

There are cities, however, that have hand-held bans in place. These cities and counties include:

• Idaho Falls
• Pocatello
• Blackfoot
• Hailey
• Ketchum
• Sand Point
• Blaine County

Driving in Idaho

You’ve got a better understanding, now, of the laws in place to keep Idaho drivers state. There’s a reason, however, that those laws have been introduced. Let’s dive into the dangers of Idaho’s roads so you can better understand the obstacles you’ll have to watch out for.

Vehicle Theft in Idaho

There are certain types of vehicles that are more likely to be stolen in Idaho than others, as you can see in the table below:

Road Fatalities in Idaho

There are other roadway concerns you’ll need to keep an eye out for beyond theft. As you’re driving through Idaho, make sure you watch out for the other drivers on the road to better avoid becoming a statistic.

Here’s what you need to know to drive safely on Idaho’s interstates.

Most Fatal Highway in Idaho

According to GeoTab, Idaho’s most dangerous highway is its US-95. Over the past ten years, this highway has seen 142 of the state’s deadliest accidents. Some of this can be blamed on the construction that the highway is currently undergoing. The state hopes that, in opening up additional lanes on the highway, the number of fatalities the highway sees can decrease.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Condition and Light Condition

Different weather and light conditions can impact the way that drivers are able to operate on the road. Take a look at how both factors cause fatalities throughout Idaho:

Traffic Fatalities

Location also impacts the likelihood of a car accident, as you can see in the table below:

Fatalities by Person Type

Person type is also likely to impact fatality statistics. “Person type” here refers to a person’s relationship to a vehicle as opposed to any other demographic statistics.

As you can see, passengers are the people most frequently involved in fatalities. Motorists are also high up on the list of potential fatality victims.

Fatalities by Crash Type

There are also specific crash types that most frequently result in fatalities:

Five-Year Trend for the Top 10 Counties

The table below relays the top 10 counties in Idaho that happen to see the most accidents over the course of a year.

Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

Idaho sees its fair share of wanna-be Speed Racers, and subsequently, speeding-related fatalities over the course of a year, as you can see below:

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver

Drinking and driving is never a good decision. Luckily, Idaho doesn’t see too many drinking-related accidents over the course of a year. You can take a look at the tables below to get a better understanding of which counties see the most intoxicating driving and which are the safest to drive through on game days:

Teen Drinking and Driving

It’s worth noting that the aforementioned statistics don’t include teenagers who have been arrested for drinking and driving. To see those statistics, you only need to look at the table below:

Unfortunately, the rate at which teenagers are arrested for drinking and driving in Idaho is higher than the national average. This is part of the reason Idaho has such strict DUI laws. The state hopes to deter teenagers from putting themselves in danger on the road, especially after illegally drinking.

EMS Response Time

The response time of most EMS professionals will vary based on whether you’ve been in an accident in an urban or rural area. Either way, it’s good to have an estimate on their arrival time so you can approach the scene of an accident with a greater sense of calm.

You’ll notice that EMS responders in Idaho will arrive much more quickly to the scene of an accident in an urban area than to one in a rural area, but that both parties will make it to the hospital within an hour.

Transportation

But what does day-to-day driving in Idaho look like? Let’s examine the life and driving time of the average Idaho resident so you can get a feel for how long you’ll be spending on the road each day.

Car Ownership

As is the case with most states across America, Idaho is home to drivers who tend to keep two cars in their garage.

That said, two-car owners are less prevalent in Idaho than they are across the United States, as you can see by the differentiation between the gray and orange bars in the graph above.

Commute Time

Average Idaho commute rates tend to settle between 10 and 19 minutes. This brings Idaho far below the national average, which comes in at 25.3 minutes.

Commuter Transportation

Finally, as is the case in most states, Idaho is home to a plethora of drivers who want to make their way to and from work on their own. While carpooling is not non-existent in the state, you may have a difficult time finding a coworker interested in helping you get to work on time in the morning.

Traffic Congestion in Idaho

While none of Idaho’s cities rank on international congestion lists, you may still want to give yourself extra time to get to work in the morning if you happen to live in Boise. Boise drivers see an average congestion of 20 percent, with mornings peaking at 22 percent. Evenings, unfortunately, are no better, peaking at 34 percent congestion.

While driving in Idaho may not be a dream, you can still do so safely and with comprehensive car insurance. Hopefully, our guide to Idaho’s car insurance providers, state laws, and premiums can help you find the coverage that best suits your lifestyle in the near future.

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