Idaho Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2023)

Idaho law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in Idaho must hold 25/50/15 in liability coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, and uninsured motorist coverage. Drivers can also pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Idaho

The minimum car insurance requirements in Idaho^[1] are:

• $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person

• $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident

• $15,000 for property damage liability per accident

• $25,000/$50,000 for underinsured and uninsured motorist bodily injury protection

Idaho car insurance companies must offer both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Idaho drivers may forgo coverage by rejecting it in writing.

Bodily Injury Liability

Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in Idaho.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars and property involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in Idaho.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured motorist (UM) bodily injury coverage provides compensation for medical injuries sustained by you and your passengers if the at-fault driver is not insured. Coverage limits typically mirror liability state minimums but can be different depending on the company.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Underinsured motorist (UIM) bodily injury covers your and your passenger’s injuries if the other driver doesn’t have high enough liability limits to cover damages. There are two types of UIM policies. Excess UIM policies go beyond the at-fault driver’s insurance, up to coverage limits. Offset UIM policies cover everything up to limits, minus the at-fault driver’s coverage.

Though every car insurance company doing business in Idaho must offer you uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, you do have the right to reject coverage. To do so, you must provide proof of rejection in writing to your insurance company. Your insurer will likely have a form that you can fill out and return.

Is state minimum car insurance enough in Idaho?

The minimum required car insurance coverage in Idaho provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone.

According to the CDC, medical care after a car accident costs $57,000 on average. A serious car accident can cost much more, and you could face additional costs if you are sued for pain and suffering. Raising your coverage limits may cost less than you expect while providing valuable protection. You can also consider adding an umbrella policy to your insurance plan.

Optional Car Insurance Coverage for Idaho

Idaho drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in Idaho, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.

Comprehensive Coverage

Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.

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Other Supplemental Coverage

Depending on your car insurance company, you may add additional coverage options to your policy. The cost of supplemental coverage options varies based on the insurer and the policyholder, but most options are low-cost. Popular add-ons include:

• Medical payments coverage, which covers you and passengers in an at-fault accident

• Roadside assistance, which covers you for towing, lockouts, and other inconveniences

• Rental car reimbursement, which covers some rental car costs when your car is disabled

• Loan/lease payoff, which covers the remaining loan/lease balance when your car is totaled

Penalties for Driving Uninsured in Idaho

It is illegal to drive in Idaho without the minimum car insurance coverage. If you are caught driving without insurance, you can face the following penalties:

• Suspended driving privileges

• Up to a $75 fine for a first offense

• Up to a $1,000 fine for a second or subsequent offense

• Up to six months of jail time for a second or subsequent offense

Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in Idaho

Drivers who commit certain offenses may be flagged as high-risk drivers and subject to proof of insurance reporting (SR-22) and higher insurance costs. An SR-22 form is a proof of insurance form that an insurance company files with the Idaho DMV on behalf of an insured driver. You may be required to file one if you’re convicted of driving without insurance.

Drivers convicted of a DUI may also be required to file an SR-22 after reinstating their licenses, in addition to paying court costs, up to $1,000 in fines, and/or serving up to six months in jail. Similar penalties apply to people convicted of reckless driving. Additionally, drivers who are convicted of multiple smaller offenses could also be ordered to file SR-22 forms.

More Information for High-Risk Drivers in Idaho

DUI Insurance in Idaho

SR-22 Insurance in Idaho

Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in Idaho

Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in Idaho.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Idaho

It’s easy to find cheap minimum coverage when you compare car insurance quotes on Insurify. Fill out a short, confidential form to receive quotes from top insurance companies in your area. Adjust your coverage to easily compare the cost of minimum coverage to standard and premium coverage options.