Idaho In-State Auto Insurance Requirements: What You Need To Know

Idaho requires all drivers to have a minimum level of auto insurance. The minimum coverage includes $25,000 for bodily injuries to, or the death of, one person in one accident, $50,000 for bodily injuries to, or the deaths of, two or more people in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage in one accident. This is often referred to as 25/50/15 liability coverage.

Idaho is a fault state, meaning that the driver at fault for an accident is responsible for covering the damages through their insurance. This can influence insurance premiums, as the driver's insurance company considers their risk of being at fault when determining rates.

Bodily injury liability coverage

In the state of Idaho, drivers are legally required to have auto liability coverage, which includes Bodily Injury Liability Coverage. This type of insurance coverage helps pay for the other driver's and passengers' injuries when the policyholder is at fault in an accident. It typically covers the other person's medical bills.

The state of Idaho requires a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for Bodily Injury Liability Coverage. These coverage limits are the maximum amounts that an insurance company will pay to the other person on your behalf. However, it is recommended to purchase higher limits for more protection. If the other driver's total medical costs exceed your coverage limits, you will be responsible for the difference out of pocket.

In addition to Bodily Injury Liability Coverage, Idaho drivers are also required to have Property Damage Liability Coverage. This type of insurance covers damage to someone else's property, such as their vehicle, fence, or telephone pole, when you are at fault for that damage. The minimum requirement for Property Damage Liability Coverage in Idaho is $15,000, but higher limits can also be purchased for more comprehensive protection.

Property damage liability coverage

In the state of Idaho, it is mandatory for residents to maintain property damage liability coverage for each personal vehicle registered in the state. This type of insurance covers damage to someone else's property when the policyholder is at fault. This typically includes damage to another person's vehicle, but it can also extend to other types of property, such as a fence or telephone pole.

The minimum property damage liability coverage required by Idaho law is $15,000 per accident. This means that if you are at fault in an accident, your insurance company is obligated to pay up to $15,000 towards the other person's property damage. It is important to note that this is the minimum requirement, and you may choose to purchase higher limits for more protection. The availability of higher limits may vary depending on the insurance provider.

When deciding on the amount of property damage liability coverage you need, it is essential to consider your personal circumstances. For example, if you own a home or other expensive items, travel in high-traffic areas, or live in an area with many expensive vehicles, you may want to consider increasing your coverage. Additionally, it is worth noting that if the cost of damages exceeds your coverage limit, you will be responsible for paying the remaining amount out of pocket.

In summary, property damage liability coverage is a crucial aspect of auto insurance in Idaho. By understanding the requirements and considering your personal circumstances, you can ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect yourself and your assets in the event of an accident.

Uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage

In Idaho, insurance companies are required to provide Uninsured Motorist (UM) Bodily Injury coverage, unless a named insured has rejected the coverage in writing. This coverage helps provide protection for an accident with an uninsured at-fault driver. It can also cover a hit-and-run, depending on the state.

UMBI coverage pays for your injuries, up to your chosen limit. It can also cover lost wages if you can't work due to the accident and pain and suffering compensation. The amount of coverage you need depends on your situation and state requirements. In Idaho, the minimum requirements for Bodily Injury Coverage are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. You can, however, purchase higher limits for more protection.

In addition to UMBI, there are three other types of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages:

• Underinsured Motorist Coverage
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD)
• Underinsured Motorist Property Damage (UIMPD)

While not all states require UMBI coverage, it can be beneficial to have, especially if your health insurance has a high deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. It can help cover medical costs that your health insurance might not, and provide additional benefits such as lost wages and pain and suffering compensation.

Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage

In Idaho, insurance companies are required to provide underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, unless a named insured has rejected the coverage in writing. This coverage will help pay for medical injuries sustained by you and/or your passengers if the at-fault driver's insurance coverage is insufficient.

For example, if you have $25,000 in underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage and the at-fault driver has $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, your coverage will increase the available bodily injury coverage to $50,000. On the other hand, if you have $100,000 in underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage and the at-fault driver has $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage, your coverage will provide additional protection up to your coverage limit of $100,000.

It's important to note that underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage may have different limits and conditions depending on your insurance carrier. In Idaho, the minimum requirement for bodily injury coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Penalties for driving without insurance

Driving without insurance in Idaho is considered an infraction or a misdemeanour. If you violate the code, you could be subject to fines, licence suspension, and even jail time.

First Offense

The first time you are caught driving without insurance, it is considered a traffic infraction. You will need to appear in court and pay a fine of $75, as well as several administrative fees:

• $85 license reinstatement fee
• $5 county justice fund fee
• $15 police officers training fee
• $10 technology fund fee
• $10 emergency surcharge

Your driver's license will be suspended until you can provide proof of insurance coverage, either with a car insurance ID card or an SR-22 form filed by your insurer with the Idaho Transportation Department. The SR-22 must remain on file for one year.

Second and Subsequent Offenses

If you violate this law again within five years, it is treated as a misdemeanour. Upon conviction, you may be required to serve jail time of up to six months, pay a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The state will also suspend your license until you have fulfilled all of your penalties.

To get your driving privileges back, you will need to complete your penalty period and appear in court with proof of insurance coverage. This time, your SR-22 filing will need to be on file for three years. After paying the $85 reinstatement fee and securing the official receipts for the administrative fees, your license suspension will be lifted.

Frequently asked questions