Compare Idaho Car Insurance Rates [2024]

If you’re one of the over 1.68 million individuals residing in the state of Idaho, finding the right Idaho car insurance provider is essential to keep all the drivers in your family safe and secure while on the road.

A recent study found that approximately 8.2 percent of drivers in the state of Idaho are driving without insurance. If you get into an accident with one of these uninsured motorists while on the road, you need to ensure that you are protected and know exactly what your rights are under current Idaho laws.

If you’re on the fence as to why being insured really matters in the first place, this informative guide is also for you. Penalties for being caught driving uninsured range from moderate to heavy fines up to extreme consequences like license suspension and jail time for repeat offenders.

Long story short, if you live in the state of Idaho, you need auto insurance. But what are your options? What are your minimum coverage requirements? What providers offer the best Idaho car insurance rates? What driving laws govern Idaho motorists?

To start things off, compare rates in your area to save big on insurance providers and maximize your future savings. Alright, ready to learn everything you need to know about Idaho car insurance rates? Let’s dive right in.

Idaho Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

Also known as The Gem State for its rich supply of precious minerals, gold, lead, cobalt, zinc, and other natural resources, Idaho offers an endless array of beautiful views with its mixtures of farmland and mountainous regions. In terms of land mass, Idaho ranks number 11 out of all 50 states but 39th for the total population.

Outdoor recreational activities are a significant part of life for Idaho residents, with kayaking, whitewater rafting, skiing, and snowboarding being frequent seasonal pastimes. Idaho is also a hot spot for job seekers, with CNBC ranking the state number four among the top states to find a job in America.

Needless to say, business and life in Idaho are booming. So, whether you’re considering relocating to The Gem State or have lived there all your life, it’s time to get into Idaho car insurance rates so you can find the policy you need without breaking the bank. Ready? Let’s get into it!

Compare Car Insurance Rates in Idaho

Discover the varying car insurance rates across different cities in Idaho, including Boise, Coeur D’Alene, Malad City, and Pocatello. Compare and contrast to make informed decisions on securing the best coverage for your needs.

Idaho Minimum Car Insurance Coverage Requirements

The table above details the minimum coverage amounts required in the state of Idaho. Under Idaho Statutes section 49-1229, all vehicles registered with the state must be covered by adequate liability insurance.

The penalty for failing to carry the required coverages for first-time offenders is a $75 fine.

However, the penalty increases for a second or additional violation within the following five years, including fines up to $1,000 and/or as much as six months in jail.

In addition, under Idaho Statutes Section 41-2502, Idaho car insurance policies are required to also include uninsured motorist coverage equal to the insured’s selected bodily injury liability coverage amount. The exception would be if the policyholder waived the requirement in writing.

Drivers may opt to post an indemnity bond to meet Idaho’s financial responsibility requirements in lieu of taking out liability insurance. However, the risks of driving without auto insurance coverage for your vehicle make this an ill-advised maneuver in most scenarios.

Let’s look at your Idaho car insurance minimum liability coverage requirements closer:

• $25,000 — for bodily injury or death per person resulting from an accident you cause
• $50,000 — for total bodily injury or death liability resulting from an accident you cause
• $15,000 — to cover property damage per accident resulting from a collision you cause

These liability coverage amounts serve to take care of medical expenses, property damage costs, and other bills incurred by any drivers, pedestrians, or passengers in an accident you’re responsible for. Such expenses are covered up to and until your policy limits are exhausted.

It is wise to compare liability car insurance and find a policy above the required limits. In the event that you cause an auto accident and serious injuries ensue for the other parties involved, your personal assets could be on the line. The coverages discussed above do not cover any injuries or property damage you incur following an accident. This is where other coverage options apply, which we will discuss further down.

Remember! Idaho also requires all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage (unless waived in writing), equal to the insureds bodily injury liability coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage covers the cost of medical bills and property damage costs you incur when the at-fault driver in the accident does not have liability insurance.

If you’ve moved from out of the state, you may notice that your premiums for minimum coverage may have changed.

Idaho is a “fault” state, meaning the state’s car insurance laws hold the at-fault driver in an accident responsible for any losses incurred as a result of their negligent driving, such as physical injuries, property damage, lost wages, etc.

If you’re wondering if you have to report a car accident to your insurance company or police, it’s generally in your best interest to do so.

Mandatory Forms of Financial Responsibility in Idaho

Idaho drivers must always keep a valid form of financial responsibility or proof of insurance coverage in their car. Acceptable proof of insurance is the SR-22 (or certificate of insurance) document your insurance carrier issues to you when coverage commences.

If you are pulled over while out on the road or get into an accident, and you are unable to provide proof of insurance, you will be found guilty of committing an infraction for first-time offenses.

A first offense is accompanied by a one-year license suspension while another offense within the following five years is a misdemeanor incurring a three-year license suspension.

The moral of the story is — carry your proof of insurance card in your car or keep an electronic copy with you at all times, and you’ll be good to go!

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What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Idaho?

Penalties for driving without Idaho car insurance include a fine of $75 for a 1st offense and license suspension until you show proof of financial responsibility. Subsequent convictions will result in jail time and fines up to $5,000.

• If you are driving without car insurance in the state of Idaho, you may be responsible for paying a fine
• Your license might be suspended until you can provide proof of financial responsibility
• You are required to show proof of financial responsibility following your conviction
• If you are caught driving without a license after your first offense, you will have to pay higher fines and possible imprisonment

If you are caught driving without insurance in Idaho, you may have to pay a fine and forfeit your license. The fine for a first offense is $75, but it is higher for any subsequent offenses. Your license will be suspended until you can show proof of financial responsibility.

You must maintain proof of financial responsibility for the one-year period following your conviction. If you are in a car accident while you are driving without car insurance, you may still be considered financially responsible for damage you caused.

Compare car insurance quotes today by entering your ZIP code into our free rate comparison tool above. Our tool will help you find the best car insurance in Idaho.

If you’re worried about having your car impounded for driving without insurance, in some states, that could happen.

What is the second offense penalty for driving without car insurance in Idaho?

If you are charged with driving without car insurance a second time, the penalties and fines can greatly increase. If you are convicted of a second violation within five years of the first one, you may have to pay a $5,000 fine.

Your license will be suspended until you can provide proof of financial responsibility.

You can also be punished with a six-month imprisonment sentence. You must also provide proof of insurance and financial responsibility for the next three years following your conviction. The fees for a third offense or any subsequent offenses are the same as the fees for the second offense.

Does Idaho have a mandatory car insurance requirement?

Idaho requires drivers to have insurance or another form of financial responsibility. Car insurance must protect against loss from bodily injury, physical damage, or death.

What is the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage required?

Your insurance must cover the following:

• $25,000 worth of bodily injury or death for an accident involving one person
• $50,000 worth of bodily injury or death for an accident involving two people
• $15,000 worth of physical damage and destruction

You do have the option of posting an indemnity bond with the director of the department of insurance if you do not want car insurance. The bond must ensure that any payments will be disbursed within 30 days of an accident. The indemnity bond must cover $50,000 for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage.

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What do I do when my license is suspended?

What happens if you drive with a suspended license? If your license is suspended because you were driving without insurance, you will have to surrender it to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you choose not to forfeit your license, the department can send an officer to collect the license and return it to the DMV.

After the suspension period is lifted, you can apply for a duplicate license if you meet all of the other requirements.

The penalty for driving without car insurance in Idaho is a fine and a suspended license. The fine for the first offense is $75, while the fine for subsequent offenses can be up to $5,000.

If you are convicted of driving without a license a second time, you may have to serve a prison sentence up to six months long.

Compare car insurance quotes today by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool below.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income in Idaho

As of 2017, the average per capita income for residents of Idaho was $41,826. Your personal income is the amount you keep to pay bills, spend, or save after taxes are taken out of your paycheck.

The average yearly cost of Idaho car insurance is about $700, which is just under 1.7 percent of the average per capita income for residents.

In more succinct terms, Idaho residents have approximately $3,500 a month to cover living expenses, save, etc. Your monthly car insurance bill will subtract somewhere around $58 from that amount. While that figure might seem small, it adds up over time.

By keeping at least the minimum coverage amounts on your policy required under Idaho car insurance laws and following defensive driving tips, you’ll keep your rates down and save big in the long run.

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

The table above displays data gathered from the most recent study conducted by the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners. You should expect Idaho car insurance rates to rise in the year 2019 and moving forward credits to car industry inflation.

Take a look at what people are paying on average for car insurance in Idaho, versus in the other 49 states!

Ready to jump into your additional liability coverage options? Let’s go!

Additional Liability Coverage in Idaho

Take a look at the table above. It reveals the average loss ratio in the state of Idaho, pulled from the NAIC’s most recent data report. The loss ratio is the percentage of loss a car insurance company experiences in comparison to the premiums it earns.

So, if an Idaho car insurance company sustains a loss ratio over 100, this reveals that the carrier is actually paying out more claims than they are getting back in insured premiums. If an insurer continues to have an ongoing loss ratio that exceeds 100, that doesn’t bode well for them.

The table above reveals that Idaho car insurance companies’ average gains to losses are in a healthy range for MedPay coverage.

Remember when we talked about how uninsured motorist coverage is mandatory in Idaho (unless you waive it from your policy in writing)?

Well, the data above shows that car insurance companies might want to consider lowering their uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage premiums because only about 50 percent are being used to pay claims. Currently, Idaho ranks number 40 in the country for uninsured drivers.

The NAIC’s report did not identify personal injury protection (PIP) insurance loss ratios for Idaho car insurance companies from the last few years.

Check out their 2018 Auto Insurance Database Report for additional details. In the state of Idaho, coverage add-ons like PIP, MedPay, and collision coverage are optional. However, that does not mean they are any less critical or should be left off your policy.

Add-ons, Endorsements, and Riders

In addition to coverage options like MedPay and PIP, there are more add-ons you might want to consider including in your Idaho car insurance policy. Let’s take a look!

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance
• Pay-as-You-Go insurance

Average Monthly Idaho Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender

The two tables below include data from top Idaho car insurance companies, revealing whether or not age and gender actually make a difference in the rates insureds are charged. As a rule of thumb, men are usually charged higher annual rates than women because they are seen as higher-risk drivers needing high-risk car insurance.

But, what did we discover about Idaho rates for men and women in the course of our research?

Let’s take a look!

Demographic and Insurance Carrier

As you can see from the table above, there are exceptions to the rule of thumb that insurance carriers charge men higher annual rates. Take a look at Allstate, for instance. Although the margin is small, they actually charge 35-year-old females about $13 more in annual premiums than 35-year-old males!

Along the same lines, while Allstate’s rates for 60-year-old males are slightly higher than for 60-year-old females, the price difference is only about $74. However, the disparity in annual rates between 17-year-old male and 17-year-old female drivers is over $1,300!

If you look at the teen driver annual rates for each company listed above, you will see that they are significantly higher for both male and female drivers than any other age group. Furthermore, car insurance is higher for teenage boys than teenage girls, usually.

It is also interesting to note, that both American Family and State Farm charge 35-year-old and 60-year-old drivers the exact same annual rates, regardless of whether the individual is male or female.

Rank by Demographic and Insurance Carrier

Now, the table above lists out Idaho car insurance companies’ annual rates according to the age demographic by rank from most to least expensive.

As you can see, Travelers charges the highest annual rates across the board for teen male drivers. In fact, they charge 17-year-old male drivers approximately $6,500 more than the carrier with the least expensive male teen driver rates, USAA.

For more information, read our Travelers car insurance review.

Highest and Lowest Rates in Idaho by ZIP Code

Did you know that where you live can directly impact your insurance rates? Take a look;

The table below lists the highest and lowest Idaho car insurance rates by ZIP code. Keep an eye on the average annual rates listed to see how they change based on your address. Use the search bar below to find your ZIP code!

Most Expensive/Least Expensive Carrier Rates by City

Search the table below to see how expensive car insurance carrier rates are for your city! It is interesting to note, that smaller cities like Kamiah actually have higher carrier rates than larger ones like Boise.

Best Idaho Car Insurance Companies

According to J.D. Power, the best car insurance companies in Idaho are PEMCO, The Hartford, and American Family. Financial stability and excellent customer service make these the best car insurance companies in ID. You’ll find that many of the best in Idaho are also the best car insurance companies in the U.S.

Alright, now that you have a better understanding of how factors like age, gender, ZIP code, and city affect your Idaho car insurance rates, let’s take a look at which companies are the best option for consumers and rank highest (or lowest) with insureds.

You won’t want to miss this. Let’s go!

The 10 Largest Idaho Car Insurance Companies’ Financial Ratings

• Idaho is home to many well-known insurance companies such as Allstate, Nationwide, and Easy Auto Tag Insurance
• Remember that when searching for auto insurance, your needs will always be different from the next person. Just because your best friend or brother has gotten insurance from one company, it does not mean that that is the best one for you
• Online comparison shopping is one of the best ways to compare multiple Idaho insurance quotes at one time

There are plenty of options for car insurance in Idaho and each one may work out to be the best for different people. When deciding on an insurance carrier, take the time to make a list of must-haves and wants.

Where do I start?

There are different companies for each county within the state, which is something that you will need to take into account. Some companies will cover statewide, while others will only cover the county that you are in.

Some of the more well-known insurance companies include Nationwide Insurance, which covers the majority of the state. There is also Allstate Insurance Company and Easy Auto Tag and Insurance. Take your time to search online to get free car insurance quotes for your own needs.

Get started with an Allstate vs. Nationwide car insurance comparison.

Remember that when searching for auto insurance, your needs will always be different from the next person. Just because your best friend or brother has gotten insurance from one company, it does not mean that that is the best one for you.

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Finding the Cheapest Idaho Car Insurance

The first thing that you want is to find car insurance that is affordable and cheap. Every time it comes to renewing your car insurance, you should check to make sure that you are getting the cheapest deal on your auto cover.

Your renewal costs with your current company are not guaranteed to be cheaper than any of the others out there.

You can find the cheapest car insurance options by checking on our price comparison tool. This is a great way to look at each of the companies and just fill out one form, so it takes much less time and effort. The prices of car insurance will fluctuate.

You also need to remember that you cannot make the cover completely tailored to you. There are chances that by going directly to the companies and telephoning them, you can receive a discount.

Finding the Best Deals

However, just because you have found the cheapest car insurance in Idaho, it does not mean that it is the best one for you. Take some time to find out what the next ones about any extras and deals that the companies are able to offer for your money. If you pay a little extra, will you get breakdown cover as well?

You may find that paying 100 dollars more for a different provider will lead to more cover in case you are in an accident.

Of course, you may want to compare short-term car insurance to see if it’s a good fit. You may find that you get 10 months of coverage but still get your year’s no-claim bonus to give you the discount the year afterward.

The Type of Insurance

While looking at the prices, you also need to look at the type of car insurance that you are buying. While you want to be protected, you only need third-party insurance as a minimum.

This will cover the costs of anybody that you hit. However, this will not cover the costs of your car and will not cover the costs if anybody hits you. Third-party coverage is enough for some people and may be enough for you, but you will need to sit down and really think about it before you agree to anything.

You can compare full coverage car insurance to find a policy that will cover first-part damages

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Research the Company

You need to know more about the company that you are thinking about taking insurance out with. Have you ever heard of the company before today? If they do not show up in search results, there are chances that the company is not legitimate.

You also need to look into whether the insurance company is one that can be trusted to pay out when you ask for it. Research into what will happen if you are hit by a driver who is uninsured since the costs may come out of your own pocket!

Idaho Car Insurance Companies with the BEST Customer Ratings

The graph above shows the most recent data released by J.D. Power in their annual auto insurance consumer satisfaction study by region. Take a close look to see how the top carriers rank for consumer satisfaction across the state.

Now, it’s time to find out which Idaho car insurance companies have the most consumer complaints. Let’s dive right in!

Idaho Car Insurance Companies with the MOST Customer Complaints

The table above reveals the most recent data collected from the Idaho Department of Insurance’s consumer complaint section for auto insurance carriers. It not only shows the companies with the most consumer complaints but details their index, market share percentage, and premiums written.

Bear in mind, customer complaints indicate overall customer satisfaction, so use this as one of the multiple factors when deciding which Idaho car insurance company to go with. You should avoid the car insurance companies with the worst customer satisfaction.

Idaho’s Car Insurance Rates by Provider

Of course, rates are going to be one of your most important decision-making tools when selecting an insurance carrier. Check out the chart below, listing the top Idaho car insurance carriers and their average rates as opposed to the state average.

As you can see Allstate charges the highest average annual premiums, which are over $2,000 higher than USAA’s!

For more information, read our in-depth USAA car insurance review.

Commute Rates

The table here juxtaposes the Idaho car insurance rates of top insurers with consumers’ average commute mileage. You’ll notice that Allstate charges the highest premiums to commute rates than any other carrier listed. That said, their premiums are the same for both 10-mile and 25-mile commutes as are those for Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Farmers, and Travelers.

However, car insurance carriers like American Family have an approximate $150 annual rate difference between 10 vs. 25-mile commutes.

For more information, read our in-depth company reviews:

• Allstate car insurance review
• American Family car insurance review
• State Farm car insurance review
• Liberty Mutual car insurance review
• Farmers car insurance review

Coverage Level Rates

Credit History Rates

The table above shows the top-nine Idaho car insurance companies and their average annual rates based on varying credit scores, ranging from poor to fair. In most states, your credit card debt has an impact on your premiums, and Idaho is no exception.

The reason for this is that insurance companies look at a potential insureds credit history to pinpoint how likely they are to incur debt by not paying their car insurance bill on time.

A study conducted by Experian found that Idaho residents have an average VantageScore of 681, with 2.88 credit cards each and an average balance of $5,817.

Besides being important for other things like acquiring loans, having a good credit score could make the difference between an affordable car insurance rate and an exorbitant one. For instance, as you can see in the table above, Allstate charges insureds with poor credit scores about $2,000 more in annual premiums than individuals with good credit scores. That really adds up!

Alright, let’s take a look now at how your driving record affects your rates! Ready?

Driving Record Rates

Your driving record can have a huge impact on an insurance company’s assessment of your annual premiums.

If you look at the table above, you can see that there’s often a significant jump in rates from insureds with clean records to those who have a DUI on their record.The chart below shows how different factors, including a DUI, can impact your car insurance rates.

For example, USAA charges individuals with one DUI violation approximately $1,300 more in premiums than those with a clean record. However, companies like State Farm don’t have such a wide gap. As you can see when you compare car insurance rates after a DUI compared to those with a clean record, a DUI will make premiums increase $160 higher.

The 10 Largest Car Insurance Companies in Idaho

Below, we can see how the market share is divided up between Idaho’s major car insurance companies.

Number of Car Insurance Providers in Idaho

Driving Laws in Idaho

If you want to keep your rates down and stay safe whenever you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, it’s imperative to have a good understanding of the current driving laws in place.

From general car insurance laws to vehicle licensing laws to Idaho’s rules of the road, we’ve got you covered. If you follow the law, you won’t have to deal with car insurance rates after a speeding ticket.

So, let’s get down to business.

Idaho Car Insurance Laws

One essential aspect of Idaho’s auto insurance laws that is different from many other states is that despite their minimum liability insurance requirements, a resident can opt to forego liability insurance by posting an indemnity bond with the department of insurance.

Again, it is advisable to always carry at least the minimum required coverage amounts to protect yourself and your assets in the event you get into an accident.

Idaho also adheres to comparative negligence, meaning that the damages you recover from the other party if you get into an accident would be reduced by any percentage of fault allocated to you. We’ll talk about all this, and more, further down.

Let’s get into it!

High-Risk Idaho Car Insurance

If you have a history of speeding violations or bad credit, or DUIs, even if you refuse a breathalyzer test, you might find it difficult to secure Idaho car insurance coverage from your preferred carriers. This is where high-risk auto insurance can become a viable option.

Idaho’s high-risk insurance plan is known as the Idaho Automobile Insurance Plan (or IDAIP). Originating in 1949, IDAIP assigns insurance companies to high-risk drivers. In fact, insurance carriers in the state of Idaho are not permitted to even operate unless they are willing to take on the part of the high-risk driver base.

If you are a high-risk driver and are getting astronomical quotes from insurance companies due to your driving history, IDAIP could be a good option for you. Bear in mind, the plan does not allow you to pick the insurer you want. Insureds are assigned a carrier directly through the IDAIP program. To qualify for IDAIP, you must:

• Confirm in writing that you have searched for coverage in the 60 days prior and were rejected, OR
• Been offered carrier rates higher then IDAIP’s

If you are eligible, to proceed with applying for the program, you’ll need to:

• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Have your vehicle registered in Idaho
• Fill out the application

If you skipped any payments to an auto insurance carrier in the 12 months prior or had your policy canceled because you failed to fulfill your car’s safety inspection requirement, your application will be rejected.

The high-risk program allows you similar coverage choices to regular insurance, but rates will still probably cost more than they would if you had a clean driving record. After being approved for IDAIP and being assigned an insurer, your coverage will last for three years. If this scenario applies to you, use this period to better your driving record so you have more affordable options later on.

Almost any Idaho insurance agent or broker can provide you with additional information about applying for coverage through Idaho’s high-risk plan. You can also reach out to the Idaho Department of Insurance.

Low-Cost Insurance

A handful of states offer low-income car insurance for individuals who are disabled or meet a certain income threshold. Idaho, however, is not one of these states and offers no such program.

Windshield Coverage

A number of states require a waived deductible for windshield repairs while some mandate that you use manufacturer replacement parts only. Idaho does not have laws specific to windshield coverage. Used parts are acceptable for repairs if they are of similar type and quality.

So, if you want to have broken windshield car insurance on your policy, you will need to purchase comprehensive Idaho car insurance coverage. See the Idaho Department of Insurance’s Claim Page for additional information regarding windshield repairs.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Idaho

Insurance fraud is when a person or organization makes an untrue or exaggerated claim to receive compensation for damages that did not actually occur. Insurance fraud takes various shapes and forms, but all are considered a punishable felony under Idaho law.

Let’s take a closer look.

Idaho Statutes 41-293 governs insurance fraud in the state. Anyone who violates these laws will be found guilty of committing a felony. Instances of insurance fraud include:

• Knowingly misrepresenting material facts to an insurer when making a claim or seeking any type of benefit
• Assisting another individual in knowingly misrepresenting material facts to an insurer when making a claim or seeking any type of benefit
• Making a false statement to an insurer regarding an insurance transaction or claim
• Accepting incentive to make a false statement to an insurance company or engaging another individual to do the same
• Giving a different address to get cheaper car insurance

The penalty for insurance fraud in the state of Idaho is:

• An imprisonment term of up to 15 years, and/or
• A $15,000 fine

In addition, offenders will be required to offer restitution to the insurance entity against whom fraud was committed or anyone else who experienced a loss as a result of their illegal activities.

Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations is the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit with the courts. The deadline for a potential case’s statute of limitations depends on the type of damages incurred and the nature of the case itself.

This is not to be confused with the amount of time you have to file an insurance claim with your Idaho car insurance company following an accident.

Across the board, car insurance companies typically require you to file your claim or at least provide notice to the insurer within a reasonable period following the accident. The period is anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, but it is advisable to notify the insurer as soon as possible.

In the state of Idaho, under Idaho Statute 5-219, the statute of limitations for personal injury matters is two years from the date of the accident. This means that any lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date the accident occurred, whether the injured party is the driver, a pedestrian, passenger, cyclist, or otherwise.

Find out if Idaho is one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians by reading our study.

The same statute of limitations applies to wrongful death claims when an individual is killed due to an auto accident and the family wishes to file a lawsuit on that party’s behalf.

For property damage matters stemming from an auto accident, your statute of limitations to file a lawsuit is three years from the date of the incident, according to Idaho Statutes 5-218.

Comparative Negligence Rule

Remember earlier when we mentioned that Idaho adheres to the comparative negligence approach? Now, it’s time to delve into this a bit deeper. Different states have different approaches to comparative negligence, so it’s essential to understand what applies to you under Idaho auto insurance laws to know what your rights are if you get into an accident.

Under Idaho Statutes 6-801, you can still recover damages from the at-fault driver if you are partially to blame for the collision. However, any percentage of fault you bear in the accident will reduce the overall amount of damages you can expect to recover. What’s more, you cannot recover any damages if you are 50 percent or more at fault for the accident.

As such, Idaho adheres to the modified comparative negligence doctrine. Allow us to give a brief example.

Let’s say you were driving just over the speed limit when suddenly, another driver runs a red light and turns right in front of you. Because you have insufficient time to react, a collision results.

Later on, the other party is found to be 70 percent at fault, but the jury or insurance adjuster allots you the 30 percent remaining fault. If you were awarded $10,000 in damages, that amount would actually be reduced to $7,000, based on the percentage of fault allocated to you.

If you need to learn how to dispute a car insurance claim, read our guide to learn more.

Idaho’s Vehicle Licensing Laws

Alright, ready to dive into Idaho’s vehicle licensing laws? You won’t want to miss these.

Let’s go!

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

If you are found driving without insurance in the state of Idaho, you may be subjected to a fine, license suspension, and even imprisonment. First-time offenders will be fined $75 and have their license suspended until they offer proof of financial responsibility. Upon conviction, you must maintain your proof of financial responsibility for a year.

If you have a second violation within five years after the initial one, you could be charged a fine of $5,000, plus license suspension. Another possible penalty is a six-month prison sentence. In addition, you will be required to show and maintain proof of insurance for three years.

Any following violations are subject to the same penalties .

Remember! If you do not intend to carry auto insurance, in order to avoid these penalties, you must post an indemnity bond with the director of the Idaho Department of Insurance. The bond must encompass $50,000 for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage.

Under Idaho Statutes 49-1232 acceptable proof of insurance may be shown in either paper or electronic form to the responding officer.

Teen Driver Laws

To earn your learner’s permit in Idaho you must be at least 14 years and 6 months of age. To earn a restricted license, you must:

• Hold a learner’s license for at least six months
• Have a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving time, 10 of which should be at night
• Be at least 15

Restrictions during the intermediate licensing stage include:

• Nighttime driving restrictions between sunset and sunrise
• Drivers 16 and younger may only drive family members and can have no more than one passenger under the age of 17

The minimum age at which these restrictions can be lifted are:

• 16 years old for nighttime driving restrictions
• 17 or after holding intermediate license for 6 months for passenger restrictions

It is important to note, that in the state of Idaho, teen drivers under the age of 17 applying for their license must go through driver education. Learner’s licenses have three classes:

• Training permits for individuals that are at least 14 years and 6 months
• Supervised permits for nonprofessional supervised driving
• Instruction permits for individuals under the age of 17 who have finished driver’s education and supervision, OR
• Who are 17 and up without the driver’s education or supervision

While young drivers aren’t required to to take driving education classes, driver’s ed car insurance discounts are available for teens who complete the course.

Older Driver and General Population License Renewal Procedure

The license renewal procedures for older drivers are:

• Renew every four years for individuals 63 years old and up
• Proof of adequate vision must be provided at each renewal

The license renewal procedures for the general population are:

• Renew every 4-8 years, the choice is yours
• Proof of adequate vision must be provided at each renewal

New Residents

If you’ve just moved to The Gem State, you’ll need to apply for your Idaho driver’s license within 90 days of when you establish residency to convert your older driver’s license over. Below are the documents you’ll need to provide to apply for your Idaho driver’s license:

• Proof of Idaho residence
• Proof of age and identity
• Proof of lawful U.S. presence
• Proof of name change (if needed)
• Payment for necessary fees

Acceptable proof of residence documents are:

• A rental agreement
• A utility bill
• School enrollment records

Acceptable proof of age and identity documents are:

• Your passport
• Your birth certificate
• Your citizenship certificate

Acceptable proof of lawful U.S. presence documents are:

• Foreign passport with I-94 printout and your valid visa
• Permanent resident card
• Citizenship certificate

If you need to provide proof of name change, acceptable documents are:

• Court order
• Certified divorce documents
• Certified marriage certificate

Driver’s license fees are as follows:

• 18-21 years of age: $30 with a three-year license validity
• 20 years of age: $15 with a one-year license validity
• 21 years of age and up: $30 with a four-year license validity
• 21-62 years of age: $55 with an eight-year license validity

Additional fees for taking DMV tests are:

• $3 for the written knowledge test
• $28.50 in testing fees for the driving test
• $6.50 in county fees for the driving test

Visit the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicle’s website for additional details.

Don’t let your license expire because it may be hard to get car insurance with an expired license.

Negligent Operator Treatment System

In the state of Idaho, reckless driving is categorized as a misdemeanor crime. Drivers can be convicted for reckless driving for:

• Driving thoughtlessly in a way that causes danger to other individuals or property
• Passing another car when the lane has a line showing restrictions on sight distance

The associated penalties for reckless driving are:

• First offense: Up to six months imprisonment and/or up to $1,000 in fines
• Following offenses (within five years): Up to 1 years imprisonment and/or up to $2,000 in fines

If convicted, drivers also face a 30-day license suspension for the first offense, a 90-day license suspension for another offense within two years, and a one-year license suspension for a third offense within three years.

Idaho also categorizes inattentive driving as a misdemeanor, although it is a lesser offense than reckless driving. The difference between inattentive driving and reckless driving is that the former is more careless, while the latter involves driving a vehicle in a clearly dangerous way.

Penalties for inattentive driving are also less grave than those for reckless driving. Find out if Idaho makes the list of states with the most reckless drivers.

If convicted of inattentive driving, the penalties are:

• 90 days of imprisonment and/or
• Up to $300 in fines
• 3 demerit points on the driver’s record

If a driver is given 12 or more demerit points in a year’s time, this will result in having their license suspended.

Idaho’s Rules of the Road

Want to know more about Idaho’s rules of the road? You’ve come to the right place. Here’s a detailed overview of rules like fault vs. no-fault, keep right and move over laws, state speed limits, and so much more.

Check it out!

Fault vs. No-Fault

Like most states, Idaho adheres to the fault system regarding damages incurred from an auto accident, such as property damage, injuries, lost wages, etc. Whoever is at fault for the auto accident, their insurance company will compensate the injured party or parties up to and until policy limits are exhausted.

The states that have no-fault driving laws require no-fault car insurance.

If you get into an auto accident caused by another driver, you have a few options to proceed:

• File a claim with your own auto insurance company in the event that the loss is covered (in which case your insurance carrier will probably file a subrogation claim with the at-fault party’s insurer)
• File a claim straight with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier
• File a civil suit for personal injuries against the other driver

Remember! If you are at fault for the accident, your insurance company will compensate any individuals injured for damages they incur up to your policy limits. It is wise to consider maintaining coverages above the minimum Idaho car insurance requirements, to ensure your assets don’t end up on the line in the event of a serious accident.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

According to Idaho Statutes 49-630, the state’s keep right law, drivers must keep right if they are driving slower than the average speed of traffic around them.

The state’s move over law, requires drivers to move a lane over or slow their speed under the posted speed limit if nearing stationary emergency services or a police vehicle.

A breach of these statutes is considered a moving violation, with three demerit points assessed for each. A $90 citation could also apply. (For more information, read our “Will an expired vehicle inspection citation increase my car insurance rates?“)

Speed Limits

In Idaho, the maximum posted speed limit on rural interstates is typically 75 mph on most roads, increasing to 80 mph in certain areas. The same goes for urban interstates.

Trucks must adhere to slightly lower speed limits of 70 mph on rural interstates and 65 mph on urban interstates. For all other roads and limited access roads, the speed limit is 70 mph.

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

Do seatbelt laws affect your insurance? If you violate the law, you may pay higher insurance rates. In the state of Idaho, all passengers seven years old and up must be restrained with a seat belt. A first-time violation carries a $10 fine.

All children six years of age and under must be fastened in a child restraint and may not use an adult seat belt. A first-time violation carries a $79 fine.

While some states impose pickup truck passenger restrictions, besides Idaho’s seat belt and car seat laws, there are no legal restrictions on passengers riding in truck cargo areas.

Ridesharing

Rideshare services like Uber require drivers to carry personal car insurance policies that either match or exceed state required minimum coverages. Uber has a one-million-dollar commercial policy in place for drivers in Idaho. They also provide contingent coverage limits of $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 if the driver’s personal policy does not cover any portion of a driving period.

Lyft provides the same coverage options. The commercial and contingent coverage limits are great news for drivers and passengers since rideshare drivers rarely carry their own commercial policy, although they should have a rideshare car insurance rider from their private insurer.

Automation on the Road

The state of Idaho does not currently have any legislation in place regarding autonomous vehicles. Back in January 2018, the governor created the Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment Committee to promote further study of automation on the road.

While autonomous vehicles are a ways off from being a regular fixture on Idaho interstates, who knows what lies in store?

Idaho’s Safety Laws

Alright, ready to dive into Idaho’s key safety laws? Keep reading and you’ll find out.

DUI Laws

Check out the video above for more information on Idaho’s DUI insurance laws, then look at the table below for more in-depth details you need to know.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

While some states allow the legal use of marijuana, Idaho has very strict laws prohibiting the drug. In fact, if you are found to possess over three ounces of marijuana, you will be charged with a felony.

Anyone found selling marijuana could face up to 10 years in prison and $30,000 in fines. While there are no specific laws in place regarding driving under the influence of marijuana, it’s certainly not advised.

Distracted Driving Laws

With regard to distracted driving laws, Idaho does not impose any specific legal bans on hand-held devices. However, there is a texting ban in place for all drivers.

Idaho Fascinating Facts You Need to Know

OK, now it’s time for Idaho’s fascinating facts ALL drivers need to know. Let’s get this show on the road!

Vehicle Theft in Idaho

The table below shows the top 10 stolen vehicles in Idaho. In 2013, there were over 200 motor vehicle thefts in Boise alone. Visit the FBI Crime Report for Idaho to see where your city ranks.

When you understand how cars are stolen, you can better protect yourself.

Risky/Harmful Driving Behavior

Another key component to staying safe on the road is understanding common risky driving behaviors in your state.

Here’s what you need to know…

2017 Traffic Fatalities

Fatalities by Person Type

Fatalities by Crash Type

Five Year Trend for the Top 10 Counties

Fatalities Involving Speeding by Top 10 Counties

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver by Top 10 Counties

Teen Drinking and Driving

EMS Response Time

Transportation

Residents of Idaho have shorter commute times than most workers in the U.S., hitting about 19.7 minutes on average. Only about 1.79 percent of Idaho’s working population have what is known as a “super commute”, or commutes exceeding 90 minutes.

From its impressive outdoor playground for a wide range of recreational activities to its exquisite water views to its beautiful, mountainous cities and towns, The Gem State has a lot going for it.

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