Car Insurance In Idaho

If you are looking for car insurance in Idaho, you may have a number of concerns.  For example, what does the Idaho State Department of Insurance have to say about car insurance?  Why must car insurance be purchased in Idaho?  What are the specific requirements that a person must fulfill in purchasing car insurance in Idaho?  Are there other options?  If you are looking to purchase a new policy or find a better rate on car insurance in Idaho, you have many choices before you.

What does the Idaho Department of Insurance Have to Say about Car Insurance in Idaho?

By visiting your state’s Department of Insurance, you can not only learn the basics of car insurance in Idaho, but you can also get answers to major problems or questions.  There on the Idaho Department of Insurance website you can find answers to questions on coverage, claims, and credit scoring and get tips on how to purchasing car insurance in Idaho.  Your state’s Department of Insurance is a great place to begin your car insurance shopping.  This department is the ultimate authority on all types of insurance sold within the state and, thus, can be a reliable source of information to you both while you shop for the car insurance and while you maintain your policy or file any necessary claims.

Is Car Insurance Necessary in Idaho?

In Idaho, you must provide proof of financial responsibility by purchasing liability insurance, signing an indemnity bond, or by being self-insured.  Liability insurance is the most frequently purchased of the two types of insurance that insurance companies offer their customers:  liability and property damage.  Most states, like Idaho, only require the liability insurance, though opting for the additional property damage coverage may be a wise decision.  In order to have coverage against the legal liability of any bodily injuries and property damages involved in an accident you may be in, you may purchase liability car insurance in Idaho from an insurer licensed in the state.

If you are interested and can afford it, you may instead sign a state-approved indemnity bond through an Idaho-licensed surety company.  In this bond you must promise to pay at least $50,000 per registered vehicle per accident (including $15,000 toward property damages) up to $120,000 (for 5 motor vehicles or more).  If you own 25 vehicles or more and can prove a net worth of $0.5 million, than you may be approved in Idaho for self-insurance.  While the national average car insurance premium is about $1800 per annum, Idaho’s average in 2009 is just under $1450.  When you register your vehicle with the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicle, you will need to provide proof of financial responsibility.

If you do not qualify for and have proof of self-insurance, this may include your insurance identification car or documentation of your indemnity bond.  After registering your vehicle, you are required to keep these proofs in your vehicle at all times.  Failure to do so, may subject you to $75-$1000 in fines and/or 6 months’ imprisonment.  Since Idaho maintains a Tort system of insurance, a party involved in an accident must be found responsible for the accident.  That party and (if he or she has liability coverage) his or her insurance company is responsible to pay for all damages caused by the accident.  Obviously, one accident may quickly prove the value of car insurance in Idaho, if you are found at fault.

How Much Liability Coverage is Necessary in Idaho?

The state of Idaho requires that any liability coverage within that state include at least $25,000 per person for bodily injuries with at least $50,000 per accident and at least $15,000 for property damage.  Personal injury protection and uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage are also available, but they are not required by the state.

This article provides a general introduction to car insurance in Idaho.  Hopefully, you are now better informed and, thus, better prepared to secure the coverage that will best meet your needs.  Be sure to visit the Idaho Department of Insurance for more valuable information.  If you choose to purchase car insurance in Idaho (instead of securing an indemnity bond or acquiring proof of self-insurance), you will probably want to compare several different insurers to see which will provide you the best coverage for you. To begin a free comparison car insurance quote, please enter your zip code at the top of this page.