State guide
Car Insurance in Idaho
Updated August 2026
Idaho is an at-fault state with 25/50/15 minimum liability limits: $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Idaho Code §49-1229 requires every registered vehicle operated in the state to be continuously insured at those levels, and you certify that coverage each time you register or renew.
What sets Idaho apart is price: it is reliably one of the least expensive auto insurance states in the country. The NAIC put Idaho's average annual expenditure at $772.31 in 2022, against a countrywide average of $1,126.94. A low state average doesn't mean every driver gets a low quote, though — carriers still price the same Idaho driver very differently, which is why comparing quotes matters even in a cheap state.
| Coverage | Required minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property damage liability | $15,000 |
| PIP / medical | Not required (at-fault state) |
| No-fault state | No |
| SR-22 used | Yes |
Source: Idaho Code §49-1229, §49-117(20); Idaho Transportation Department
Average annual expenditure for auto insurance in Idaho was $772.31 in 2022. (NAIC 2022 Auto Insurance Database Average Premium Supplement (June 2024))
How Idaho's at-fault system works
After a crash, the at-fault driver's liability coverage pays for the other side's injuries and vehicle damage. Your own injuries are covered by the other driver's policy — or by your own optional coverages when the other driver has no insurance or not enough of it.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is one of those optional layers: Idaho carriers offer it alongside the required liability package, and drivers can decline it. Nationally, 15.4% of drivers were uninsured in 2023 (Insurance Research Council), which is the number to keep in mind when deciding whether to keep that coverage on the policy.
Why Idaho premiums run low — and why quotes still spread
The NAIC notes that high-premium states tend to be highly urban, with greater traffic density and higher wage and price levels. Idaho is the opposite profile, and it shows up in the numbers year after year: the state has ranked among the ten least expensive in the NAIC's average-expenditure tables through 2022.
Within that low average, individual quotes still vary widely by driving record, vehicle, ZIP code, and how much coverage you buy above the 25/50/15 floor. A serious accident can exhaust a $15,000 property damage limit on a single newer vehicle, so many Idaho drivers price higher limits — and the cost of stepping up from the minimum differs more between carriers than the minimum itself does.
SR-22s in Idaho
Idaho uses SR-22 filings to prove financial responsibility after certain suspensions and violations, including driving without insurance. Your insurer files the certificate with the Idaho Transportation Department and must notify the state if the policy lapses during the required period. Because carriers surcharge the underlying violation very differently, SR-22 drivers typically see the widest quote spreads of anyone — comparing several quotes is the practical response.
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Frequently asked questions
What car insurance is required in Idaho?+
Liability coverage of at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage (25/50/15), per Idaho Code §49-117(20) and §49-1229. Idaho is an at-fault state, so no PIP is required.
Is Idaho a no-fault state?+
No. Idaho is an at-fault (tort) state: the driver who causes the accident is responsible for the resulting injuries and damage, paid through their liability coverage.
How much does car insurance cost in Idaho?+
Idaho is consistently among the least expensive states. The NAIC reports Idaho's average annual auto insurance expenditure was $772.31 in 2022, well below the countrywide average of $1,126.94. Individual quotes vary by record, vehicle, location, and coverage level.
Does Idaho use SR-22s?+
Yes — Idaho requires SR-22 filings after certain suspensions and violations, including convictions for driving uninsured. Your insurance company files the certificate with the Idaho Transportation Department.
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