Cheapest Car Insurance in Idaho

In Idaho, drivers need $25,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person, up to $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 of property damage liability insurance. Idaho does not require uninsured motorist protection, which replaces the liability coverage an at-fault driver should've had and pays for your costs up to your policy limits. Coverage like MedPay or personal injury protection pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers, and MedPay is optional in Idaho. PIP is not available.

Here's How Much Car Insurance Drivers Need in Idaho:

If you lease or finance your car, you may be required to carry coverage types that are not mandatory under Idaho law. Lenders usually require comprehensive and collision insurance. Collision insurance covers repairs to your car when you hit another car or object. If the damage to your vehicle was caused by something other than a collision—like a natural disaster, vandalism, falling objects, or animals—it is most likely covered by comprehensive insurance. You might also have to get gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe on your loan and what the vehicle is worth at the time of a total loss.

Even if you're not required to carry these optional coverage types, you may still need them. You can learn more about when to drop optional coverage and the penalties for driving without insurance in Idaho to make sure you're paying for the coverage you need.

Car insurance in Idaho costs $33 per month, on average, or $394 per year. The average cost of car insurance in Idaho is 45% lower than the national average auto insurance premium, and Idaho ranks 6 out of 50 for the most affordable car insurance rates in the U.S.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Idaho by Category 

• Clean driving record: $416 per year
• After an at-fault accident: $573 per year
• Driver with poor credit: $654 per year
• Teen driver: $1,687 per year
• After a DUI: $652 per year

There are several factors that affect how much you'll pay for car insurance in Idaho, including your driving record, age, location, the amount of coverage that you purchase, and the insurance company you buy it from. On average, the cheapest insurance companies in Idaho are American National, USAA, and Geico. But every insurer has their own way of calculating premiums, so it's a good idea to get quotes from at least three different companies to make sure you find the best deal.

Finally, it's worth noting that car insurance premiums in Idaho are low, compared to the cost of coverage in neighboring states like Washington and Oregon. You can find more details in the table below. 

Cost of Car Insurance in Idaho vs. Neighboring States

Car insurance in Idaho is actually not very expensive compared to the national average, thanks to mostly rural areas and a very few uninsured drivers on the roads. In Idaho, you can expect to pay approximately $1,047 per year for full coverage car insurance or $362 per year for minimum coverage. Car insurance in Idaho is less expensive than the national average, which is around $1,500 annually for full coverage and about $600 per year for minimum coverage.

The cost of car insurance is steadily increasing, too, both in Idaho and nationwide. As the cost of providing insurance goes up, the premiums insurers charge also rise. All insured drivers share the increasing cost of insurance. That is why your rates tend to go up every time your policy is renewed, regardless of whether any individual factors—like your driving record or location—have changed.

There are several unique reasons why car insurance goes up every year in Idaho, too, even if your details remain the same.

Top Reasons Car Insurance Is Expensive in Idaho

• People in Idaho are driving more

As a result, the number of accidents, claims, and payouts is rising, too. In Idaho, there were approximately 223 fatal crashes in 2018, versus 186 fatal crashes in 2014.

• Idaho auto repairs are getting more expensive

Another reason Idaho auto insurance is getting more expensive is that cars are becoming more expensive to repair. In 2016, the average cost of car repairs in Idaho was $599.77, up from $534.56 in 2012. Vehicles today cost more to repair due to all the technology and features inside them now.

• People in Idaho drive uninsured

As the cost of car insurance continues to rise, more drivers take the risk of driving without car insurance. In 2015, 8% of drivers lacked even minimum liability insurance in Idaho. The cost of uninsured drivers is passed on to consumers through higher premiums.

• Healthcare in Idaho is getting more expensive

Car insurance companies are hit hardest when paying out claims involving medical bills, and it's not getting any cheaper. Healthcare spending increases by an average of 7.4% every year in Idaho.

• Idaho is experiencing more severe weather

In Idaho, severe weather events like wildfires, droughts, and flooding are becoming increasingly common. These weather events cause insurers to pay out a higher number of claims, which tend to be more expensive and less predictable. As a result, they have to raise rates to keep pace.

However, there could be other issues elevating your rates.

If your driving record is clean and your rates are still high, your car insurance might be expensive because of your:

Age. Drivers under 25 and older than 65 pay more for auto coverage because they are statistically more likely to be involved in serious and fatal accidents. In Idaho, 16-year-old drivers pay an average of $5,847, 25-year-old drivers pay an average of $1,390, and people over 65 pay an average of $1,054.

Location and driving patterns. Population-dense cities have higher premiums than rural areas because city living usually means more accidents, more property crime, and more frequent claims. In Idaho, the most expensive locations for insurance are Bonners Ferry, Orofino, and Grangeville. You can also expect rates to change based on your driving patterns—long commutes or regular driving in high-risk areas can cost you.

Financial responsibility. In Idaho, drivers with no credit pay 57% more on their premiums than drivers with excellent credit. You can also demonstrate financial responsibility by maintaining minimum car insurance with no gaps in coverage. Letting your coverage lapse could raise your rate by as much as 11% in Idaho, when you get your next policy.

Claims history. You should avoid filing small claims that can drive up your premiums. In Idaho, the average collision claim raises a driver's rates by $278.80, which amounts to $836 over the course of three years. If you have a $500 deductible and a $1,500 claim, you'll end up paying $1,336 through insurance, versus $1,500 out of pocket. In that case, filing a claim is not the best choice.

How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Idaho

Multiple factors affect the cost of car insurance. Some things you can't control, but you do have a say in most of the contributing factors. Driving safely, obeying traffic laws, and keeping a clean driving record are the best ways to keep your insurance costs down.

Other than that, the best way to lower your car insurance costs is to compare rates from at least three insurance companies. Ideally, you should check your rates every 6-12 months, when you renew your policy. But at a minimum, be sure to check your record and shop for rates every three to five years, since you may be able to get a lower rate if a traffic violation falls off your record.

In Idaho, the most expensive policies cost roughly $1,581, and the least expensive coverage costs around $694, when all driver profile information is the same. That means you could save as much as $887 simply by shopping around. Be sure to confirm you're getting all the discounts you're eligible for, too.

Idaho car insurance laws require $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, up to $50,000 per accident, as well as $10,000 of property damage liability coverage.

Bodily injury liability insurance pays for any injuries that you accidentally cause with your car, while property damage liability coverage helps pay for any material assets that you damage while driving, like another person's car or mailbox. Your insurance company pays up to the limit specified by your policy for each type of car insurance coverage.

You can face multiple penalties if you're caught driving without at least the minimum car insurance required in Idaho, including fines, community service, and license suspension. Another important Idaho car insurance law to note is the grace period for new residents. You have 90 days to register your car when you move to Idaho. You'll need to bring proof of Idaho car insurance when you go to register, with coverage in each of the categories listed below.

Minimum Coverage Required by Idaho Car Insurance Laws:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $10,000
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance: Not Required
• MedPay: any amount

The penalties for driving without insurance in Idaho include fines and the suspension of your driver's license. You can avoid these consequences by meeting Idaho's proof of financial responsibility requirements. Idaho requires that all drivers have at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, up to $50,000 per accident, along with $15,000 in liability coverage for property damage.

Purchasing Idaho's minimum liability car insurance coverage is the easiest way to satisfy the financial responsibility requirement. Drivers in Idaho pay an average of $398 per year to maintain the minimum amount of coverage. That's nothing compared to the consequences of driving without insurance, especially if you get into an accident.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Idaho

Not having car insurance and not being able to prove that you have it are two different violations. If you have insurance but cannot prove it when you get pulled over or at the scene of an accident, you are guilty of an “administrative violation,” similar to a seat-belt ticket. on or before your court date.

Driving without car insurance at all is much more serious, and the penalties are more severe. In addition to the legal consequences, you can also expect your car insurance premium to go up. A single conviction for driving without insurance raises annual premiums by an average of 1%, or $10, in Idaho.

What happens if you get into a car accident without insurance in Idaho?

If you get into an accident while driving without insurance in Idaho, you will be cited and all the penalties for driving without insurance will apply, no matter who is at fault. Driving uninsured can make it difficult to be compensated for damages if you are not at fault and can have long-lasting and life-changing consequences if you are at fault.

If the accident is your fault, you'll have to pay for all the damages out of your own pocket. In addition to the legal consequences for driving without insurance, you could easily be responsible for tens of thousands of dollars or more in damage to your vehicle, the other driver's repair and hospital bills, and your own medical care. Both the other driver and their insurance company can sue you and have future wages and savings garnished to pay for damages. You could face mounting debt or even bankruptcy, especially if the other driver doesn't carry uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection.

Even if the accident is not your fault, driving without insurance leaves you vulnerable to expensive hospital and repair bills. Idaho is an at-fault state. In at-fault states, the other driver is usually responsible for damage to your car and any medical treatment you may need—assuming the other driver is found completely at-fault. Idaho uses a modified comparative negligence system, which means you may not be able to recover all the costs associated with the accident if you are found partially responsible for causing it.

Driving uninsured doesn't negate the other driver's fault entirely, but you're almost certainly going to be penalized and unable to recover everything you would be entitled to if you had insurance.

You can get car insurance in Idaho, even if you are…

Uninsured: Unless you're a newly licensed driver, having a history of driving without insurance or lapses in coverage is a risk to insurers. To insurance companies, it's similar to a bad driving record, which is why drivers who let their insurance lapse for 60 days pay about 11% more than the average premium in Idaho.

USAA, State Farm, Nationwide, and Geico tend to have the lowest rates for drivers who want to regain coverage.

Driving someone else's car: It's not illegal to drive someone else's car if you do not have insurance, but non-owner car insurance can protect you if you don't have a car but still drive regularly. If you borrow a car from someone living in your own home, you should be listed on the car owner's policy. But you may want to explore non-owner coverage if you need to reinstate a driver's license, you rent or borrow cars frequently, or you want to maintain continuous auto coverage between vehicles.

Geico, State Farm, Nationwide, and The General good places to shop if you need non-driver car insurance.

High-Risk: If you're a high-risk driver who has been denied coverage from traditional insurance companies, check out Idaho's assigned risk program. Whether you require an assigned risk program or still qualify for high-risk insurance from conventional providers, you'll pay more. In Idaho, drivers with just two speeding tickets pay an average of 63% more on their annual car insurance premiums, for example.

Depending on your driving record and the seriousness of your infractions, you could pay even more. Still, even though rates may be higher, at least you can drive legally and avoid more penalties.

Final Thoughts: How to avoid driving without insurance in Idaho

To avoid the penalties of driving without insurance, shop around for at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, up to $50,000 per accident, along with $15,000 in liability coverage for property damage In Idaho, you can find basic liability auto insurance for around $398 per year if you have a clean driving record. The consequences of driving without insurance are ultimately more costly than purchasing minimum auto insurance coverage.

No matter what your unique needs are, the best way to get accurate quotes and the best prices is to comparison shop.

You can get car insurance discounts in Idaho based on how you drive, the car you own, and your relationship with your insurance company. In Idaho, car insurance companies are allowed to consider factors like employment, residential, and marital status when setting premiums. That means there are also discounts available for being married, owning a home, or being affiliated with certain employers or educational institutions.

Almost anyone can get a discount on car insurance in Idaho because most insurance companies make it easy to qualify for a variety of savings. Idaho insurers typically offer discounts that fall into one of three categories—policy discounts, driver discounts, and vehicle discounts.

Policy discounts typically reward customer behavior that is desirable to the insurance company. For example, most Idaho drivers can save by registering for paperless billing or getting both home and auto policies from the same company. Driver discounts are available to Idaho residents who are lower-risk to insure, like those with clean driving records. And vehicle discounts help drivers save if their car has certain safety features or anti-theft systems.

Car Insurance Discounts in Idaho

Remember, discounts vary among different insurance companies, so it's always best to contact the provider directly to determine which discounts you qualify for.

Drivers in Idaho can find cheap car insurance with “no deposit” or “no down payment,” but all that really means is you only have to pay the first month's premium to get coverage. You cannot get car insurance in Idaho without paying something upfront. But you can minimize the cost of coverage in Idaho, which ranks 6 for the cheapest car insurance rates in the country. The average monthly premium in Idaho is about $97 for full coverage and around $33 for state minimum coverage. Drivers in Idaho should expect to pay about that much in advance each month to keep their car insurance policy active.

The biggest drawback of paying for auto insurance monthly is that it's almost always more expensive than paying in full for six or 12 months of coverage upfront. Some Idaho insurance companies charge slightly more for month-to-month premiums, and there can also be payment processing fees. Most car insurance companies also discount rates for customers who pay in advance.

You can still find cheap car insurance options if you can't afford a big deposit, though. The best no-down-payment car insurance keeps rates low and only requires the first month's payment to start your policy.

High-risk auto insurance in Idaho will not be cheap, as premiums for high-risk policies in the state average $1,087 per year. That's about 48% more than the average cost of car insurance in Idaho overall. Nevertheless, high-risk drivers in Idaho should still be able to find suitable car insurance options after comparison shopping.

Drivers defined as high-risk typically have a history of serious driving violations and face higher rates because they are statistically more likely to cost insurers more than the average driver. For this reason, many insurance companies won't even sell coverage to high-risk drivers. However, other insurers specialize in high-risk coverage, so drivers with a checkered record have options.

The best high-risk auto insurance companies in Idaho are Geico, State Farm, American Family because they are financially strong and have few customer complaints. Deficiencies in either area could be a sign you'll have a hard time getting payouts if you need to file a claim. Some of the most common complaints about car insurance companies concern denials, low settlements, and delays in processing claims. These companies also tend to be among the most affordable in Idaho for high-risk drivers, but you should always shop around to compare rates.

Pro Tip: Look for an insurer with at least an “A” grade for financial stability and a complaint score close to or below the national median of 1.

How much more high-risk drivers pay for auto insurance in Idaho depends on why they are classified as high-risk. Your combination of risk factors determines how much more you'll pay for high-risk auto insurance in Idaho. Car insurance companies decide if you are a high-risk driver based heavily on driving factors like accidents, speeding tickets, reckless driving, racing, and DUI/DWI.

For example, Idaho drivers with two accidents in their claims history see their rates jump by an average of 86%. If you're convicted of a DUI, you'll see an increase of about 43%. And if you're caught going more than 20 MPH over the speed limit, expect your rates to go up by about 17%, on average.

Non-driving factors like your age, location, insurance history, credit score, and vehicle can also affect how much more high-risk auto insurance costs in Idaho. If you get caught driving without insurance, the coverage lapse alone could raise your premium by about 1%. If you have no credit, you can expect to pay about 57% more than drivers with excellent scores.

In other words, your individual combination of risk factors determines how much more you specifically will pay for high-risk auto insurance in Idaho.

• Comparison shop. The best way to get affordable car insurance is to compare rates from at least three insurance companies. In Idaho, the most expensive policies are around $1,581, and the least expensive cost about $694. That means drivers could save as much as $887 simply by comparing quotes. At a minimum, check rates three and five years after a traffic violation to get a lower rate when it falls off your record.
• Avoid filing claims. Claims can dramatically increase your premium. In Idaho, the average collision claim raised rates $279. Before filing a claim, calculate whether the cost of the damage exceeds your deductible plus future premium surcharges.
• Have a practical car or go car-free. Some vehicles are more expensive to insure than others. Your car's make, model, year, safety features, and price tag all impact how much you'll pay. Consider a practical vehicle that's more affordable to insure if you're already high-risk. If the premium is still more than you can afford, you could switch to non-owner car insurance or go car-free for a while.
• Drive safely. The easiest way to avoid traffic violations is to obey traffic laws and drive safely. You can't undo the past, but you can make good choices now. Focus on keeping a clean driving record and consider a driver safety course to potentially lower your premiums right away.

If you've been denied coverage from traditional insurers, look into Idaho's assigned risk program. With assigned risk insurance, drivers who cannot get accepted normally are assigned to insurance companies that collectively pool together to take the risk of insuring them. It's a last resort, and you'll have to prove that you've tried and failed to get insurance multiple times to qualify.

In the end, the need for high-risk car insurance is a temporary situation. Serious violations like DUIs are on your record for 10 years in Idaho, but most violations fall off your record within three to five years. No matter how long it takes, your high-risk status will eventually change with time if you can prove you're a safe and responsible driver again.

You can get your SR-22 removed in Idaho after 3 years by notifying your insurance company, which will cancel the SR-22 filing with the state. Sometimes, the Transportation Department will send you a notice letting you know when your SR-22 period is over.

If you're not sure whether you've satisfied your SR-22 certification requirement, you can find out when you'll be able to remove the high-risk SR-22 label from your driving record by contacting the Transportation Department. Drivers who cancel their SR-22 coverage too early risk having their license suspended or facing fines.

Once you cancel your SR-22, your insurance premiums will likely go down because you are no longer considered as high-risk. As a result, you should get quotes from different insurance companies to make sure that you're still getting the best deal. Additionally, if you do not own a car but were previously required to file a non-owner SR-22, you are free to cancel your insurance altogether.

A car is considered a classic in Idaho if it's at least 30 years old, does not qualify as an "Idaho Old Timer," and has been unaltered from the original manufacturer's specifications. When a vehicle in Idaho meets these requirements, the owner can register it as a classic vehicle, which will limit the car's use. Specifically, classic cars in Idaho can only be used for purposes unrelated to commercial or everyday transportation.

Classic Car Qualifications in Idaho

• At least 30 years old
• Not an "Idaho Old Timer" (manufactured prior to 1943)
• Unaltered from the original manufacturers specifications
• Not for commercial or regular transportation

Keep in mind that even if your vehicle is registered as a classic car in Idaho, it might not qualify for classic car insurance from certain companies. Each classic car insurer has its own eligibility requirements, so your car will need to meet those standards in order to qualify.

To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to the best classic car insurance companies.