Idaho Auto Insurance

Searching for Idaho auto insurance can be stressful if you are unsure what to look for in an insurance policy.  This webpage will give a brief rundown of state minimum requirements, general insurance terms, and even a few tips on how to save money on your auto insurance policy in Idaho. After you are comfortable with these basics, you’ll be ready to get some quotes from auto insurance companies that offer coverage right here in Idaho.

Idaho Auto Insurance Fundamentals

Unlike other insurance such as health and homeowners, auto insurance is mandatory by the state of Idaho.  While many options of coverage are available, only two are required to be carried at the following limits:

• Bodily Injury: $25,000/$50,000
• Property Damage: $15,000

This coverage is referred to as liability coverage and provides payment on claims if you cause an accident.  In essence, the state requires you to carry protection to cover those other vehicles or drivers that you might injure or damage. Comprehensive and collision coverage may be required if you have financed your vehicle.  Many lenders will only finance your car if you insure it for certain limits.

Here is a list of quick-hit definitions on these insurance terms:

• Comprehensive:  Coverage for your vehicle for occurrences such as vandalism, theft, glass breakage, wind storms or other acts of nature.
• Collision:  Coverage for your vehicle in the instance that you have caused an accident.  This will cover repairs to your vehicle, hence why a lender may require you to carry this coverage.
• Medical Payments: This coverage pays for medical bills for you and your passengers if you cause an accident.
• Bodily Injury:  This pays for medical bills for the party injured by your at-fault accident.
• Property Damage:  This pays for repairs to the vehicle or other property damaged by your at-fault accident.
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury:  Although not a required coverage, this will pay for you and your passenger’s medical bills if another party causes the accident but does not carry insurance. 

Factors That Impact Your Idaho Auto Insurance Rates 

Another important aspect to understanding your Idaho car insurance policy is to know what can affect your premium.  Hundreds of factors go into computing your insurance premium.  Here are a few to keep in mind while shopping for car insurance in ID:

• Gender:  Statistically, there are differences in accident frequency for men and women at certain ages.  Obviously this is an uncontrollable factor, but it still helps to understand what drives your insurance premium.
• Driving history:  This is a completely controllable factor.  By keeping an accident and ticket free record, you automatically set yourself up for a cheaper insurance premium.
• Geography:  This can work in multiple ways.  If you live in an urban area that typically has a higher frequency of accidents, this can affect your premium.  However, it can also affect your premium if you live in a location that is prone to weather occurrences such as tornados (may increase your comprehensive coverage).
• Age:  As a new driver, you show a higher frequency for accidents.  Unfortunately, as a driver past a certain age, you again show a frequency for accidents.  The middle age bracket will benefit from this factor in their insurance premium.

Idaho Auto Insurance Discounts

Once you have the basics down on what is required by the state of Idaho for auto insurance as well as what is available, it is just as essential to understand what discounts are available in your state.  Believe it or not, some insurance companies may not inform you of some of these potential premium savings!

•  Multi-vehicle discount:  The way this discount works is that if you have more vehicles than drivers, a discount will apply.  For example, if there are 2 vehicles on a policy with only 1 driver, both vehicles can’t be on the road at the same time.
• Good student discount:  For drivers under the age of 24 (with most companies) and going to school full-time, a discount will apply for those with a GPA of a 3.0 or better, or essentially a B average.
• Good driver discount:  Drivers that have been accident or ticket free for over 3 to 5 years (depends on the insurance company) may be eligible for a discount rewarding their good driving.
• Defensive driver discount:  Many states offer defensive driver courses at their local DMVs or even online.  These courses cost a low fee, and many companies reward their customers with a discount sometimes lasting 3 years!

Get Idaho Car Insurance Quotes Now!

Now that you have a better understanding of what insurance is required, use our free Idaho car insurance quote tools to find Idaho auto insurance today!