Compare Best Cheap Car Insurance Quotes in Idaho, 2023
Idaho drivers save as much as $481/year when switching with Jerry. Compare quotes from top insurance companies including Progressive, Allstate, and AAA for free today!
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
The average cost of basic liability car insurance in Idaho is $1,650 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in Idaho will leave you with an average cost of $1,910 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
Compare best car insurance quotes in Idaho
What goes into setting car insurance rates? It’s a slightly different list from company to company, but typically your credit score, marital status, vehicle type, driving history, ZIP code, age, and gender will all impact your annual premium.
Here are some real quotes and savings from customers in Idaho who switched with Jerry:
State Farm, GEICO, and Progressive offer some of the best rates on auto insurance policies for Idaho drivers. But you might find even lower quotes from USAA or Allstate, or a smaller company like Auto-Owners or American Family.
That’s because every auto insurance company uses a slightly different methodology to set your car insurance premium. For instance, homeowners or high-risk drivers with poor credit might find better rates from Progressive, while drivers with good credit and no car accidents on their record can find better quotes with Allstate or Nationwide.
Yes! Idaho is the fifth-least expensive state in the nation for auto insurance, with most drivers paying around 30% less than the national average.
Is $200 a lot for insurance in Idaho?
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In general, an Idaho car insurance policy that costs $200 per month should be considered expensive. However, if you have points on your license, or if you’ve committed a serious traffic violation like reckless driving or driving under the influence, then $200+ per month might be a reasonable rate.
Does Idaho have car taxes?
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Yes. The state of Idaho collects a 6% sales tax on every automobile purchase. You may also have to pay additional taxes based on the county you live in.
How much is registering a car in Idaho?
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It costs $69 per year to register a car in Idaho that’s less than two years old. To register a car that’s between three and six years old, you’ll pay $57 per year, and $45 to register a car that’s more than six years old. Electric cars have an additional registration fee of $140 per year, while plug-in hybrids cost an additional $75 per year.
How much does auto insurance cost in Idaho?
The average annual rate for auto insurance coverage in Idaho is well below the national average—but that doesn’t mean that everyone in the Gem State pays low rates.
What contributes to high car insurance prices in Idaho? Urban growth in places like Caldwell, Meridian, and Nampa can drive up insurance rates as more cars on the road leads to higher accident rates. Idaho’s extreme weather can also impact insurance costs, as providers charge more to drivers whose vehicles are at risk of damage due to wildfires or blizzards.
Idaho also ranks in the top 50% of U.S. states when it comes to uninsured motorists—approximately 13.2% of the state’s drivers don’t carry the state minimum required insurance coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
Despite these factors driving insurance rates up, Idaho has seen a dropping property crime rate in recent years, which could lead to lower premiums across the state.
Take a look at the graphs below to see how Idaho’s average car insurance rates compare to those in neighboring states—and how Jerry could help you save.
How much coverage you purchase also determines the cost of your Idaho car insurance policy.
You’ll pay less if your policy only meets Idaho’s minimum insurance requirements—$25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, $15,000 per accident in property damage liability, and $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in uninsured motorist coverage. But liability car insurance will only pay for other drivers’ expenses if you’re in an at-fault accident—and your uninsured motorist coverage only applies to accidents where an uninsured driver is at fault.
How much insurance do I need in Idaho?
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Idaho requires $25,000 per person for bodily injury liability, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $15,000 of property damage liability per accident. You will also need uninsured motorist coverage covering $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
What do you need if you’re pulled over?
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If an officer pulls you over, you are required to show your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. Thankfully, digital insurance ID cards are accepted by police and the DMV so you will always have your stored proof of insurance available 24/7 in the Jerry app.
Is Idaho a no-fault state?
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No, Idaho is an at-fault state. This means the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for the not-at-fault driver’s and passengers' injuries, once the at-fault driver’s insurance company accepts liability and confirms that there is enough coverage.
That’s why experts recommend going beyond minimum liability and purchasing a full coverage policy—i.e., one that includes comprehensive and collision insurance, which will pay for your medical expenses and repairs due to a range of incidents, from car theft to a collision.
The graph below compares the costs of liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance in Idaho—so you can make the best decision for yourself.
Cheap car insurance in Idaho with a DUI or speeding ticket
Getting a traffic ticket isn’t just a pain—if you get enough, it can have a devastating effect on your insurance rates. A DUI will raise your rate the most, but even a speeding ticket or other minor infraction could cause your premium to increase.
Take a look at what Jerry users with past violations saved.
Idaho ranks 36th for teen driver safety—which is bad news for younger drivers trying to find affordable insurance.
In general, young drivers tend to see rates above the state average because insurance companies see drivers with less experience on the road as a higher risk. Statistics don’t necessarily back this up—in 2019, Idaho drivers aged 35 to 44 had the highest driver fatality rate—but drivers under 25 still have to live with higher average rates.
How can young drivers save money on car insurance in Idaho?
Build your credit history to avoid a low rate for bad credit
Idaho auto insurance rates by city
While Idaho’s car insurance rates are generally lower than the national average, you might pay more than the state average based on your ZIP code.
Here’s an example: Idaho Falls, a commuter city in Boise County, has some of the state’s most expensive insurance premiums despite a population of fewer than 500 people because of the number of vehicles that pass through its freeways every day. On the other hand, Boise insurance costs are fairly low, because its drivers are relatively safe and its crime rate is low.
Here’s a more specific breakdown of insurance prices for Jerry across Idaho:
Conversely, Hailey has the cheapest premiums in Idaho. Drivers in Hailey can expect average rates of $576 per year.
City With Highest Rates of Accidents in Idaho
Nampa has the highest accident rates in Idaho, as 12.86% of drivers in Nampa have a prior accident on their record. Drivers in a Nampa zip code can expect higher accident rates to raise their premium.
Cities With the Longest Commute Times in Idaho
With an average commute time of 33.2 minutes, Victor has the longest commute in Idaho. Drivers in Victor could see increased rates due to increased mileage and risk of accidents.
Cost to insure your car in Idaho
The vehicle you drive is another major factor that determines your insurance costs. In general, more expensive vehicles cost more to insure—but it gets more complicated than that.
Let’s take an example. The Ford F-150 pickup truck is the most popular vehicle in Idaho. Ford F-150 insurance costs are typically lower than the national average, thanks to the vehicle’s overwhelming popularity making replacement parts affordable and easy to find. But if you buy a pricier trim, such as the F-150 Raptor, you’ll pay more to insure it: the Raptor’s higher value means higher repair costs, and its V8 engine raises the potential for speeding.
Want to see how much your vehicle might cost to insure in Idaho? Take a look at the table below.
The most popular vehicle in Idaho is the Ford F-150. Ford F-150 drivers pay an average of $1,180 a year in car insurance. This is relatively cheap when compared to insurance costs for other trucks, but drivers can save even more by using Jerry to find the cheapest quotes.
Do you need more than the minimum car insurance in Idaho?
Most states have minimum insurance requirements that you must meet to hit the road.
Keep in mind that the coverage limits listed above are just the minimum starting requirement. If you drive without proof of insurance that meets those minimums, it’s a serious violation—but minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage alone won’t give you all the protection you (and your wallet!) need.
That’s why it’s a good idea to go beyond the stipulations of Idaho law and purchase full coverage car insurance. Typically, this includes:
Liability coverage
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Collision coverage
Comprehensive coverage
Even safe drivers can benefit from these coverages—and they’re not the only options worth considering on top of minimum coverage! The features below outline the risk factors that make additional coverage worth it in Idaho.
It’s not uncommon for drivers to need the occasional repair—after all, accidents happen. Whether it’s a full on car crash or a bump in the parking lot, it’s a good idea to get collision coverage to cover what liability won’t.
1,767 vehicles in Idaho were stolen in 2020. Though this is much lower than the national average, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and only comprehensive coverage will cover a stolen vehicle. Plus, it’ll cover other non-collision damages, like hail or vandalism.
In Idaho, it’s actually required that you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This will protect you from at-fault drivers who don’t carry liability insurance.
Idaho residents rate their roads a decent 7.44/10. Roads in Idaho could use an improvement, but in the meantime, don’t let a stray pothole or flat tire leave you stranded. Get roadside assistance to help with all your roadside needs.
How to find the best cheap car insurance in Idaho
Even with Idaho’s lower-than-average insurance costs, saving money is easy—and worth it!
Shop around for quotes
The easiest way to save on car insurance is by comparing quotes from multiple insurance providers. Experts recommend getting quotes from a least three insurance companies and re-shopping every six months.
Look for discounts
Most insurance companies offer a range of discounts that can help you lower your monthly insurance costs—but they won’t always advertise them! That’s why it’s important to do your own legwork to find the discounts that you could be eligible for.
Here are some popular discounts in Idaho:
Clean Driving Record Discounts
Drivers with clean driving records can get a discount for their safe driving habits. Because they’re less likely to file a claim, insurance companies save money and reward a discount in return.
Bundling Discounts
Drivers who bundle their insurance, such as auto, home, and renters, are usually eligible for bundling discounts.
Customer Loyalty Discounts
Insurance companies like loyal customers, so ask about a customer loyalty discount. You can often get discounted insurance from your carrier because they want you to stay.
Increase your deductible
Another way to save on your monthly premium is by increasing your deductible, or the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in on a collision or comprehensive claim.
Increasing your deductible allows you to pay less each month, but you’ll be on the hook for more money if you do need to make a claim. Make sure you can cover the cost of the full deductible every time you need to make a claim.