Utah's Vehicle Insurance Laws: Owner Security

Owners Security, or car insurance, is legally required in Utah. The state has a no-fault insurance system, meaning that your insurance policy covers your medical bills and other losses after an accident, regardless of who caused the crash. Utah's insurance laws apply to bodily injury and vehicle damage claims. The minimum insurance requirements in Utah are $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $65,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 per accident for property damage.

Minimum insurance requirements

In Utah, liability car insurance is mandatory for all drivers. The minimum insurance requirements in the state are as follows:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability to one person in an accident
• $65,000 bodily injury liability to two or more people per accident
• $15,000 property damage liability per accident

In addition to the above, Utah also requires drivers to have personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. The minimum requirement for PIP coverage is $3,000.

Liability insurance covers only the other car and/or that car's driver and passengers when you are found at fault for the accident. PIP coverage, on the other hand, pays for medical treatment and other out-of-pocket losses incurred by anyone covered under the policy, regardless of who caused the accident. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is optional but recommended for insured motorists who want to ensure their losses are covered in the event of an accident with an uninsured motorist.

While these are the minimum insurance requirements in Utah, drivers are not restricted to these limits and may opt for more coverage to protect their financial assets, vehicle, and passengers.

Proof of insurance

In Utah, motorists are required by law to carry proof of insurance and present it to any law enforcement officer upon request. This can be done by providing evidence of owner's or operator's security in an electronic format using a mobile electronic device.

The state also compares its motor vehicle registration file with a database of insurance policies written to Utah residents. If a registered vehicle is found to not have insurance, a letter is sent to the owner requesting information about the vehicle and why it is not insured. If the owner fails to provide the information or proof of current insurance, the DMV is notified, and the vehicle's registration is revoked.

If a person is convicted in court or found through a Department of Public Safety (DPS) administrative hearing to have been operating a motor vehicle without insurance, the DMV may suspend the uninsured vehicle's registration. Failure to provide insurance is a Class B misdemeanour, with fines of at least $400 for a first offence and $1,000 for subsequent offences within three years.

To reinstate vehicle registration, the owner must present evidence of ownership, picture identification, and one of the following as evidence of insurance coverage for the vehicle:

• A current form SR-22 obtained from a Utah-licensed insurance company or agent that shows proof of insurance coverage for the vehicle
• A current insurance policy
• A current insurance binder
• A current insurance declaration
• A current insurance card

A $100 reinstatement fee is also required.

It is important to note that the penalties for driving without insurance in Utah can be costly and result in the loss of driving privileges. Drivers caught without insurance will likely face fines, license suspension, and be required to maintain an SR-22.

No-fault insurance

Owners of vehicles in Utah are required to maintain certain minimum levels of car insurance coverage on vehicles registered in the state. This includes both liability (fault) and personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault coverage.

In Utah, no-fault insurance must be maintained on all passenger vehicles (cars and trucks) throughout the vehicle's registration period if the owner/operator is a Utah resident or a non-resident who has been present in Utah for 90 days during the last 365 days. The minimum amount of no-fault insurance required in Utah is $3,000.

Failure to insure penalties

Failing to carry the minimum level of insurance required by law in Utah can lead to various penalties. These include fines, a suspended driver's license, and personal liability for damages caused.

If a motorist is found to be operating a vehicle without no-fault insurance, Utah's DMV may institute a hearing that could result in the DMV suspending the registration of the uninsured vehicle. The state will also charge the uninsured motorist with a Class B misdemeanour, which can result in jail time and a fine. The specific penalties for a Class B misdemeanour in Utah include a maximum jail term of six months and a fine of at least $400 for a first offence. For subsequent offences within three years, the fine increases to $1,000.

If a defendant is convicted of failure to have car insurance, the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) has the authority to suspend their driver's license. The DPS will not reinstate a suspended driver's license until the driver provides proof of insurance and pays a $100 reinstatement fee. Once convicted, the DPS can supervise the defendant for a period of three years, during which they must maintain insurance coverage. If the defendant does not maintain their car insurance during this time, they will have to surrender their license to the DPS.

Utah also offers compensatory service for Class B misdemeanours, meaning that defendants can work for a state agency, nonprofit organisation, or another approved organisation to pay off their criminal fine. Alternative programs like this are typically offered to first- or second-time offenders.

In addition to the penalties outlined above, drivers who fail to show proof of insurance when pulled over or following an accident may also be subject to a court security surcharge. Drivers who cause an accident while uninsured face harsher penalties, including surrendering their license and registration for a full year.

Reinstating registration

If a vehicle owner in Utah fails to provide proof of insurance, they may face consequences such as revocation of their vehicle registration. To reinstate their registration, the owner must follow several steps:

• Visit the local DMV office: The vehicle owner must go to their nearest DMV office to initiate the reinstatement process.
• Present evidence of ownership: The owner needs to provide documents such as the vehicle's title or registration card to prove their ownership of the vehicle.
• Show picture identification: A valid form of photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, must be presented.
• Provide proof of insurance coverage: The owner must demonstrate that they now have valid insurance coverage for the vehicle. This can be done by presenting one of the following documents:

• A current form SR-22 obtained from a Utah-licensed insurance company or agent.
• A current insurance policy.
• A current insurance binder.
• A current insurance declaration.
• A current insurance card.

Pay the reinstatement fee: A fee of $100 is typically required to reinstate the registration. However, if the owner can provide proof that the vehicle was insured on the date the registration was revoked, this fee may be waived.

By completing these steps, vehicle owners in Utah can reinstate their registration and get back on the road legally. It is important to maintain continuous insurance coverage to avoid future issues and ensure compliance with the state's requirements.

Frequently asked questions