Licensed Realtor with 10+ years in personal finance content
Contributor to Nasdaq and USA Today
Daria is a licensed Realtor and resort property manager specializing in personal finance, real estate, and insurance topics. In her spare time, she practices photography.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated November 21, 2024
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
On average, Idaho drivers pay $132 per month for full-coverage car insurance, much lower than the national average of $204. Rates are low partially due to the state’s high number of rural areas and seventh-lowest population density.[1]
Location isn't the only factor that affects car insurance rates. Insurers also consider your age, driving history, vehicle, credit history, and more when determining your premium. Because each insurer weighs those factors differently, it's important to compare car insurance quotes to find the coverage you need at a good price. Here’s what you need to know to find the best car insurance in Idaho.
Idaho car insurance rates are among the lowest in the U.S. Full-coverage car insurance averages $132 per month in Idaho; liability averages $69 per month.
Auto insurers in Idaho can consider your credit history when determining your premium.
Idaho is a fault-based insurance state, meaning the insurance of the driver who caused the accident pays for the other party's damages and injuries.
Best car insurance companies in Idaho
While shopping for the best car insurance in Idaho, you’ll see variance in rates and the specific insurance products and perks companies offer. The company that’s best for you depends on your insurance needs, budget, and how you drive.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Insurify Quality (IQ) Score ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Safeco | Overall | $105 | 8.3 |
Liberty Mutual | Families | $135 | 7.7 |
The General | High-risk drivers | $193 | 7.3 |
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 28,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Best insurance for overall: Safeco
User Reviews | 4.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $64/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $105/mo |
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Drivers appreciate the polite and helpful customer service and fair pricing but dislike the significant rate increases and difficulty reaching agents.
Sarah
November 10, 2024
Too Expensive
Bonnie
November 2, 2024
The Price of Car Insurance
Harris
October 31, 2024
Just Fine
With some of the lowest rates in Idaho and an Insurify Quality (IQ) Score of 8.3, Safeco is a good option for most Idaho drivers. The company offers multiple incentives for good driving, including a diminishing deductible program that lowers your deductible amount for driving claims-free. You can also save by bundling your Safeco auto policy with one of the insurer's other products, like homeowners or renters insurance.
Some of the lowest rates in Idaho
Rewards good drivers with savings
Lower-than-average number of consumer complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Low customer satisfaction ranking in 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study
Doesn't offer gap insurance
Some online reviews suggest there's room for improvement in customer service
Best for families: Liberty Mutual
User Reviews | 3.7 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.7 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $70/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $135/mo |
Drivers appreciate the initial low prices, quick claims handling, and easy account access but dislike the significant price increases over time.
Drivers appreciate the initial low prices, quick claims handling, and easy account access but dislike the significant price increases over time.
Michael
November 19, 2024
Go Elsewhere
Deborah
November 12, 2024
Examine Every Inch of Your Policy
Lee
November 12, 2024
Ugh!
The sixth-largest U.S. auto insurer by market share, Liberty Mutual can be a good choice for families looking for savings and ample coverage options. Liberty Mutual offers a wide array of discounts, including good student, claims-free, multi-car, multi-policy, and homeowner discounts. Besides standard coverages like liability, collision, and comprehensive, Liberty Mutual offers appealing optional coverages like roadside assistance, gap insurance, accident forgiveness, and new car replacement. It also offers a deductible fund that allows policyholders to save up to $100 per year toward a fund they can use to reduce their deductible if they ever need to file a claim.
Numerous discounts
Unique coverage options
Competitive prices for Idaho residents
Lower-than-average rank for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study
Much higher-than-average number of complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' complaint index
Only 1.1 stars (out of 5) on Trustpilot
Best for high-risk drivers: The General
User Reviews | 3.5 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 7.3 /10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $104/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $193/mo |
Drivers appreciate the best rates and good customer service but dislike the high rates and overcharging.
Drivers appreciate the best rates and good customer service but dislike the high rates and overcharging.
Gary
November 7, 2024
Unsatisfactory Service
Jalonda
November 5, 2024
I loved The General. I had them for 3 years. However, I found better rates elsewhere and I'm now paying only half of what The General was offering, so I had to switch. If they had lower rates, I would have stayed with them.
Sheri
November 5, 2024
Would Never Recommend
Idaho drivers whose driver profile or driving history make it difficult to find necessary coverage might find success with The General. The company specializes in providing coverage to difficult-to-insure drivers such as ones who need an SR-22, have a history of violations or accidents, have had a lapse in coverage, or poor credit. Unlike some competitors who offer limited discounts to high-risk drivers, The General has good student, bundling, and other discounts.
Competitive rates for high-risk drivers
Gap insurance available in some states
SR-22 filing available in most states
No usage-based insurance option to help good drivers save
Higher-than-average number of complaints in NAIC index
Relatively small number of agents (100 across the country)
Cheapest liability-only car insurance
As one of America’s most rural states, Idaho auto rates are among the nation’s lowest due to below-average accident rates. In fact, Idaho ranks 12th-cheapest for liability-only car insurance, according to Insurify’s internal data.
Liability insurance, which is mandatory in Idaho, offers two types of protection for accidents that you cause:
Bodily-injury liability covers other drivers’ and passengers’ medical bills if they’re injured or killed.
Property damage liability covers damage to other drivers’ and passengers’ property.[2]
Cheapest insurers for liability-only
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Idaho
Full-coverage car insurance includes optional coverages to pay for damage to your car and other property. If you lease or finance your vehicle, your leasing company or lender will require you to carry full coverage. It typically consists of:
Collision coverage for car accidents with another vehicle or an object like a tree or light pole
Comprehensive coverage for damage caused by weather events, animals, theft, vandalism, and events other than collision
Depending on your circumstances, it might be a good idea to add additional optional coverages, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, when you purchase full coverage for your car. This coverage also protects you from hit-and-run losses.
Cheapest insurers for full coverage
Cheapest recent rates in Idaho
Drivers using Insurify have found quotes as cheap as $42/mo for liability only and $71/mo for full coverage in Idaho.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on November 21, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
Car insurance requirements in Idaho
As a fault-based insurance state, Idaho law requires all drivers to have bodily injury liability and property damage liability auto insurance coverage.[3] Fault-based insurance means the at-fault driver is responsible for the other parties’ damages.
Here are the minimum coverages you’ll need in Idaho:
Bodily injury liability
$25,000 per person
$50,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$15,000
The Idaho Department of Insurance notes that your insurance company must offer you uninsured motorist bodily injury and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, but you’re not obligated to purchase either.[4]
Cheapest car insurance companies for drivers with an incident
An incident is an event reported to your car insurance company and might result in an increase in your insurance rate. Examples include a speeding ticket, DUI conviction, or at-fault accident.
Insurance companies have two ways to increase rates following a chargeable incident: by imposing a surcharge or by ending any discounts you receive based on a good driving record or absence of claims.
Whether a particular incident actually increases your rate, and if so, by how much, depends on the severity of the incident and your car insurance company’s policies.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket
A speeding ticket may increase your insurance rate for three to five years, especially if you’ve had violations in the recent past and your insurance company identifies you as a high-risk driver. That’s because those behaviors increase your chance of having an accident. In Idaho, the average cost of full-coverage car insurance with a speeding ticket is $202 per month.
Here’s how much you can expect to pay for car insurance each month if you have a speeding ticket on your record in Idaho.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Progressive | $124 | $78 |
Safeco | $145 | $88 |
National General | $145 | $74 |
Direct Auto | $163 | $89 |
Dairyland | $178 | $83 |
Liberty Mutual | $197 | $102 |
Foremost | $247 | $126 |
The General | $267 | $144 |
Bristol West | $278 | $112 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident
Unless you've purchased accident forgiveness coverage, an at-fault accident is likely to result in your insurance company imposing a surcharge for three to five years. How much depends on the circumstances and severity of the crash. A fender bender for which you’re partly responsible is likely to result in a smaller surcharge than an accident for which you’re 100% responsible and which totaled the other driver’s car.
In Idaho, an at-fault accident boosts the average cost of full-coverage car insurance to $202 per month.
Check the rates below to see how much you might pay each month for auto coverage if you have an at-fault accident on your driving record.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Progressive | $130 | $82 |
Safeco | $146 | $89 |
National General | $149 | $76 |
Direct Auto | $172 | $93 |
Dairyland | $182 | $85 |
Liberty Mutual | $201 | $104 |
Foremost | $252 | $128 |
The General | $275 | $148 |
Bristol West | $284 | $115 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI
Idaho drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more (0.02% if you’re under 21) are considered under the influence, according to the Idaho State Police.[5] In addition to resulting in severe legal consequences, a DUI conviction is almost certain to substantially increase your auto insurance rate for three to five years, or even cause insurers to refuse to provide you coverage.
A DUI in Idaho pushes the average monthly cost of full coverage to $229. Liability-only coverage averages $120 per month after a DUI.
These are the monthly averages you might pay in Idaho if you’ve been convicted of driving under the influence.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Progressive | $156 | $98 |
Safeco | $165 | $101 |
National General | $179 | $91 |
Direct Auto | $203 | $110 |
Dairyland | $221 | $103 |
Liberty Mutual | $228 | $118 |
Foremost | $286 | $145 |
The General | $326 | $176 |
Bristol West | $343 | $139 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors
Age is an influential factor in determining insurance rates. Young drivers tend to have high rates, which decline up until around age 35. However, once you reach age 70, you’re likely to see them climb again. The primary reason for this increase is that drivers over age 70 are more vulnerable to being injured in a crash, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[6]
Here’s how much senior drivers in Idaho might pay each month for car insurance coverage.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Progressive | $42 | $27 |
National General | $58 | $30 |
Direct Auto | $67 | $36 |
Safeco | $72 | $44 |
Dairyland | $78 | $36 |
Liberty Mutual | $85 | $44 |
Foremost | $102 | $52 |
The General | $119 | $64 |
Bristol West | $120 | $49 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens
Young drivers’ relative immaturity makes them riskier drivers. As a result of their higher accident rates, they’re costlier than older drivers to insure. That’s true whether they have their own auto insurance policy or are on their parents’ policy.
Despite the overall higher rates, most insurance companies give teen drivers several ways to save on their premiums. For example, you’ll pay less if you’re insured under a parent’s policy. And you can earn discounts for being a good student and taking a defense driver course.
Explore the average monthly rates for teen drivers in Idaho in the table below.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Quote: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Quote: Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Progressive | $169 | $106 |
Safeco | $211 | $128 |
National General | $217 | $111 |
Dairyland | $221 | $103 |
Direct Auto | $229 | $124 |
Liberty Mutual | $242 | $126 |
Foremost | $314 | $160 |
The General | $321 | $173 |
Bristol West | $358 | $145 |
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Idaho
Finding cheap car insurance starts with assessing your coverage needs. If you live in a rural Lewis County ZIP code and you work from home, you might only need liability insurance. If you live and work in a more congested area of Madison County, on the other hand, you’ll probably want a full-coverage policy.
Once you’ve decided on the type of coverage you need, use the following tips to get the best deal:
Compare quotes. Call a few companies directly or request quotes online to see which has the cheapest rates.
Select a high deductible. Select the highest deductible you can afford to pay out of pocket.
Bundle coverage. Bundling your auto insurance with a homeowners or renters insurance policy can earn you a discount.
Have your teen drive an inexpensive car. Consider having your teenager drive the lowest-value car in your household.
Idaho car insurance quotes by credit tier
Idaho insurance companies can use credit-based insurance scores to determine insurance rates.[7] While credit is just one factor that insurance companies consider, it can have a significant effect on how much you’ll pay for coverage. Below, you can see how full-coverage car insurance quotes can change depending on your credit score.
Rates by Credit Tier
Idaho car insurance FAQs
It can be challenging to find the right car insurance. Below, you’ll find answers to some commonly asked questions about how to find the best car insurance in Idaho.
How much is car insurance in Idaho?
Car insurance in Idaho averages $132 for full coverage and $69 for liability-only policies. Your specific rate will depend on your insurer, driving record, age, credit history, vehicle type, chosen coverage level, and more.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Idaho?
National General, Progressive and Dairyland are the cheapest insurers in Idaho. National General's liability rates start at $54 per month. Progressive and Dairyland offer liability rates as low as $58 and $61, respectively.
Ultimately, the best company for you will be the one that provides the coverage you need at a rate you can afford.
Is car insurance required in Idaho?
Yes. Car insurance is required in Idaho. Drivers must carry $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, as well as $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.
Is Idaho a no-fault state?
No. Idaho is an at-fault state. This means that drivers responsible for an auto accident are responsible for covering the costs of resulting damage and injury for the other driver and their passengers.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Idaho
Sources
- Idaho Department of Health & Welfare - Division of Public Health. "Overview of Idaho."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance basics—understanding your coverage."
- Nolo. "Idaho Car Insurance Laws."
- Idaho Department of Insurance. "Required Auto Coverage."
- Idaho Transportation Department. "Idaho's 0.08% BAC Law."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Older Adult Drivers."
- Idaho State Legislature. "TITLE 41 INSURANCE CHAPTER 18 THE INSURANCE CONTRACT."
Daria Uhlig is a freelance writer and editor with over a decade of experience creating personal finance content. Her work appears on USA Today, Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, GOBankingRates and AOL. As a licensed Realtor and resort property manager, she specializes in real estate topics, including landlord, homeowners and renters insurance. In her spare time, Daria can be found photographing people and places on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
Featured in
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.