Insurance Center

Required Vehicle Insurance Minimums for Idaho

The law requires each and every driver, rider, anyone who will operate a motorized vehicle (registered or not) on Idaho roadways to carry liability insurance with the minimum coverage of:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person

• $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people

• $15,000 for property damage

When looking only for liability insurance rates, you will notice that your agent refers to the minimum coverage as 25/50/15, and that he or she speaks in terms of covering people and property.

Your coverage will, therefore, payout for medical damages as well as the replacement or repair of another vehicle (or property) that you damaged in an accident. These figures refer to your policy's coverage per accident as described above.

Proof of Insurance and Financial Responsibility

Upon vehicle registration, you will be asked to sign a statement certifying that your vehicle is and will be insured as required by Idaho Code, Sections 49-117(18) and 49-1229.

You are not required to show proof of insurance at the time you register or re-register your vehicle. However, your insurer can provide you with a certified statement of liability insurance coverage (SR-22 certificate) should the Idaho DMV decide you must show actual proof if you do not have a "proof of insurance card" handy.

This certificate acts as "proof of financial responsibility" should you cause personal injury or death or property damage to another person or people. The insurance must cover the duration of the annual registration, so be sure your insurance company provides the appropriate (and complete) dates of coverage.

If you fail to carry insurance, you will find that the consequences are far more painful than actually obtaining liability insurance in the first place. For starters, the state's no-insurance laws require you to provide proof of financial responsibility for one year if you are a first-time offender.

The second time you violate these laws within a five-year period, the state requires you to provide proof of financial responsibility for three years. For more information regarding matters such as these, contact the Boise office of the Idaho Transportation Department at (208) 334-8736.

You Better Shop Around

These days comparing prices on auto insurance is a breeze. You can hop online, and key in all the details of your vehicle, your place of residence, age, sex, and driving record, and voila! Online insurance "agents" can give you a rough estimate, rough enough to allow you to compare it to other insurance providers.

The above-mentioned factors play an important role in determining what your premium will cost you. For example, you will pay more if you drive a new car, if you are a young driver (younger than 25), or if your car is not housed in a garage.

Perhaps if you live in the city, where crime plays into the whole equation, then you may pay more than someone who lives in a quiet, rural area. Or maybe you drive a speedy little two-door sports car. All these details can bump up the amount you will pay to be insured.

While the state only requires you to carry liability insurance, it's a good idea to play it safe and purchase more. Shop around and find coverage that makes sense for you and your budget. Inquire about the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage. You may also consider purchasing personal injury protection as well as uninsured motorist coverage.