Cheap Auto Insurance in Idaho 2023

Idaho drivers enjoy relatively affordable auto insurance rates. With an average rate of $167 per month, the Gem State ranks as the 15th-cheapest state for buying car insurance.

Idaho motorists can maximize their chances of finding affordable car insurance by comparing quotes online. By providing basic information about your driving record, vehicle, and more, you can easily compare quotes from multiple top insurance companies.

Best cheap car insurance in Idaho: Travelers

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Travelers

Best Cheap Car Insurance

Car insurance companies decide on premiums by using unique methodologies that factor in driving history, personal information, vehicle type, and more. Drivers in Idaho pay a wide range of car insurance rates, with the average monthly rate starting as low as $80 with Travelers and reaching as high as $220 with The General. Compare quotes and ICS ratings below.

Insurify Composite Score (ICS)

To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.

Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.

What to know about minimum car insurance requirements in Idaho

Even though 88% of all land in Idaho is considered rural, according to the state government, you’ll still need to insure your vehicle. Idaho requires insurance for all motor vehicles operated or parked on state roadways. You’ll also need to carry proof of insurance in your car at all times. It must be available when someone in law enforcement asks to see it, you renew your registration, or you’re involved in an accident.

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Idaho are:^[1]

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Idaho is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who is responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

• $15,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

• $50,000 per accident for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage: Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage pays for costs caused by a driver with little or no insurance after a car accident. In Idaho, this coverage is optional but recommended for all drivers.

Idaho DMV information

Drivers can obtain or renew a driver’s license, register a car, transfer a title, and tackle most other vehicle-related paperwork online or in person at the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).^[2] More specific information is available through online resources from the Idaho DMV, and in-person offices are spread throughout the state.

Public transportation in Idaho

Idaho has very limited public transportation options in the vast majority of the state. However, bus and other transportation options are available in more populous areas, like Nampa, Boise, and Twin Falls.^[3] In many cases, operating a vehicle of your own will be the most efficient way to travel throughout your city and state.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Idaho

When determining your annual premium for car insurance, companies consider a wide variety of factors, including your age, credit history, driver profile, and driving record. Depending on your circumstances, you might find your rates are different from the average car insurance rates in Idaho. Compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best deal for you.

You can also look into discounts, like bundling your home and auto policies with just one insurance company, or enrolling in an insurer’s telemetrics program that monitors and rewards good driving habits.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Idaho

Most states have minimum insurance requirements, and each sets its own minimums for liability. If you choose liability-only auto insurance, your coverage will only pay for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Generally, liability-only insurance is the cheapest you can buy, and it may be a good choice for you if:

• Your vehicle is fully paid for.

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

Full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage, provides greater protection, and may be a good choice if you have a high-value vehicle, couldn’t afford to repair or replace it out of your own pocket, and your car’s actual cash value is more than your annual premium costs. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident.

If you leased or financed your car, your lender or leasing company will likely require you to carry full coverage. 

Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Idaho by policy type.

How your driving history affects Idaho car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. If you have a clean driving record that’s free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving, you may be able to get the best car insurance rates in Idaho. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Idaho based on driving and accident history.

SR-22 insurance in Idaho

If you have a DUI on your driving record, your license might be suspended. In that case, the state of Idaho requires you to file proof of your car insurance policy. To complete this requirement, you can file an SR-22 form with the Idaho Transportation Department’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).^[4] You’ll also need to file a reinstatement fee to get back on the road.

How credit scores affect Idaho car insurance quotes

Some states bar insurers from considering credit information when making decisions about insurance premiums. But in Idaho, insurers can consider credit scores because auto insurers view it as an indicator of risk. Generally, drivers with good and excellent credit scores pay less for car insurance than those with average or poor credit scores.

How your city affects Idaho car insurance quotes

Where you live within the state of Idaho impacts your auto insurance rates. Location-based factors like crime rates, average commuting times, population, and more can affect how much you pay. In general, drivers in cities pay more for car insurance than those in rural areas. In Idaho, the cities with the highest rates include Cocolalla, Mountain Home AFB, and Horseshoe Bend.

How your age affects your Idaho car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.

Quotes for younger drivers

Idaho has a graduated licensing program for teenagers, designed to help them gain experience safely before they’re fully licensed. Drivers younger than 17 must complete classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel instruction, and in-car observation. They also must complete at least six months of supervised driving.

As in virtually every state, Idaho teen drivers face higher insurance rates than motorists over the age of 25.

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

Generally, once you’ve passed age 25 and logged more driving hours, your car insurance rates will likely begin to decline, especially if you maintain a clean driving record.

Quotes for senior drivers

Senior drivers in Idaho enjoy some especially low insurance rates. For example, minimum coverage with Liberty Mutual can be as cheap as $41 per month. However, infractions like an accident or DUI will significantly increase rates for senior drivers.