Cheap car insurance in Idaho
Idaho is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the nation, from backcountry roads to mountain passes. Legally driving in Idaho begins with securing a car insurance policy and understanding the state’s rules of the road. Here’s what you need to know.
What's required of all drivers in Idaho?
If you’re a new driver who hasn’t gotten a driver’s license before, you’ll need to do the following to get your Idaho driver’s license:
Pass a certified driver's education course
Receive a driving permit
Complete state-required hours of supervised driving
Pass written and driving tests
If you already have a license and you’re moving to Idaho, you’ll need to apply for an Idaho driver's license once you establish your residency. In addition, any vehicle you plan to drive must be registered with the state.
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Idaho?
Idaho, like most states, requires drivers to meet minimum car insurance coverage limits for bodily injury liability and property damage liability. These coverages can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses if you’re at-fault in an accident in which the other party is injured or killed, and/or their vehicle or property is damaged. Idaho's mandatory coverage limits are:
$25,000 for bodily injury liability or death of one person
$50,000 for bodily injury liability or death per accident
$15,000 for property damage liability per accident
Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM-BI)
Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM-BI) coverage can help with your medical payments if you’re injured in an accident in which the at-fault driver is uninsured. In Idaho, car insurance providers are required to add this coverage to your policy. If you don’t want it, you’ll need to reject it in writing.
Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIM-BI)
Underinsured motorist bodily injury (UIM-BI) coverage applies when you’re injured in an accident in which the at-fault driver has liability insurance—but not enough to pay for your covered expenses. As is the case with UM-BI coverage, your car insurance provider is required to add UIM-BI coverage to your policy, but you can reject it in writing.
Stay covered
Learn why driving without insurance in Idaho isn't worth the risk.
What optional car insurance coverages are available in Idaho?
Purchasing the required car insurance coverages listed above can help keep you legal behind the wheel in Idaho, but those coverages alone can still leave you vulnerable to potentially expensive covered losses following an accident. For additional protection, consider adding the following optional coverages to your policy:
Uninsured motorist property damage (UM-PD)
Uninsured motorist property damage (UM-PD) can help pay for repairs if your vehicle is damaged in an accident in which the at-fault driver is uninsured.
Medical payments
If you and/or your passengers are injured in a covered accident, medical payments coverage can help pay for certain related medical expenses—even funeral expenses, in worst case scenarios. This coverage applies regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
Comprehensive
Comprehensive coverage can help pay for covered damages to your vehicle from non-collision-related incidents, like fire, theft, vandalism, and hailstorms.
Collision
If your vehicle is damaged in a collision with another vehicle or a stationary object—like a tree or street sign—collision coverage can help pay for covered damages, regardless of who was at fault.
Rental reimbursement
Let’s say you’re in a covered accident and your car is in the shop for repairs. If you need to rent a vehicle temporarily, having rental reimbursement coverage can help pay for your rental costs.
Named non-owner
This liability-only coverage can help protect you if you cause an accident while driving a covered vehicle you don’t own. If you frequently borrow someone else’s car, this secondary coverage might make sense for you. Just be aware it doesn’t apply to vehicles owned by someone you live with; a few other limitations also apply.
Roadside assistance
Basic and expanded roadside assistance coverage offers emergency services if you experience a mechanical or electrical breakdown out on the road. Services include towing, battery jumps, tire changes, fluid fills, and locksmithing.
Idaho car insurance discounts
As an Idaho resident, you have access to a range of car insurance discounts. Talk to your Dairyland® agent to see how many you qualify for:
Multi-car
Homeowners
Transfer
Paid in full
Advanced quote
Quarterly payments
Defensive driver course
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Need more than Idaho car insurance?
Getting Idaho car insurance is obviously important, but there’s more to being a resident of the Gem State than driving. Here are some additional helpful resources:
Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)
The ITD website has the information you need regarding traffic laws, road conditions, and even resources you might need when moving to Idaho.
Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
At the Idaho DMV site, you'll find everything you need to know to get a new driver's license, renew your license, find DMV locations near you, and more.
Idaho.gov
Idaho’s official website gives you access to state and government services you’ll need as a resident, including state laws, healthcare, job search tools, recreation, and more.
