How to find the cheapest car insurance quotes in Salt Lake City
The founder of Salt Lake City picked the location for Salt Lake Temple just four days after his arrival, and the town grew around that site. Today, the capital and most populous city in Utah is a well-known destination for religious tourism, but it’s also a hot spot for skiing, outdoor recreation, cultural festivals, and architecture.
It’s also a major transportation hub: the city sits at the crossroads of the north/south I-15 and the east/west I-80. It’s connected by public transportation, intercity Amtrak, a commuter rail, and a light rail with 60,000 daily riders—not to mention an international airport and plenty of bike lanes.
In fact, most of SLC’s car insurance issues stem from its high traffic numbers and population density. On average, it costs more to drive here than in the rest of the state: a minimum coverage policy is about $950 per year or $79 per month, and a full coverage policy is $1,900 per year or $158 per month. These figures are comparable to the national average.
But just because it’s hard to find affordable car insurance in Utah doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The Jerry Insurance Agency provides a fast, free, and easy way to compare local car insurance quotes on your smartphone. It only takes 45 seconds to sign up and less than a minute to compare deals from over 55 top providers.
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Progressive | $157 | 27 | 84115 | Isuzu Rodeo Ls | State Minimum | Yes |
Bristol West | $187 | 51 | 84104 | Honda Civic Ex | State Minimum | No |
The General | $296 | 33 | 84129 | Honda Civic Ex | State Minimum | No |
Progressive | $222 | 68 | 84116 | Dodge Dart Sxt | State Minimum | Yes |
Progressive | $190 | 42 | 84106 | Toyota Corolla Le | State Minimum | Yes |
Best car insurance companies in Salt Lake City
The title of “best car insurance company in Salt Lake City” depends on who’s judging the contest. If affordability is your number one concern, these five providers fit the bill:
Insurance company | Average annual full coverage rate in Aspen | Jerry user rating |
---|---|---|
Clearcover | $1,052 | 4.6 |
Travelers | $1,454 | 4.5 |
Allstate | $1,845 | 4.5 |
Progressive | $1,865 | 4.2 |
Safeco | $2,034 | 4.5 |
However, if you’re more concerned with customer service, claims processing, and more, you should take a look at the results of Jerry’s national survey. We asked over 15,000 verified policyholders across 50 states what they thought of 87 insurance providers.
Utah motorists voted overwhelmingly for Clearcover as the most affordable and best overall choice. However, State Farm scored better for customer service rating, and American Family Insurance did better at handling claims. Larger companies like GEICO, USAA, and Farmers had middling scores.
How’d we get these scores?
Jerry’s experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.
Best cheap auto insurance quotes in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City drivers must obey Utah’s minimum insurance laws, which include liability insurance and personal injury protection. A minimum coverage policy is cheaper, but for better financial protection, it’s wise to raise your coverage limits and explore additional coverage options.
Jerry’s insurance agents recommend carrying a full coverage car insurance policy with liability limits of 100/300/100.
Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Salt Lake City
Utah’s minimum car insurance requirements include liability insurance and Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Liability insurance pays for the other driver’s medical treatments and vehicle repair or replacement bills if you cause an accident. PIP pays for your and your passengers’ medical bills regardless of who’s at fault.
The minimum liability coverage limits in Utah follow a 25/65/15 rule, which means at least:
- $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
- $65,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
- $15,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident
- Plus $80,000 of PIP coverage per accident1
The minimum described above costs an average of $950 per year or $79 per month in Salt Lake City.
Anyone who owns a self-insured, private rental fleet should note that the minimum liability limits are set to increase on January 1, 2025. As of this date, you’ll have to buy 30/65/25 liability coverage plus $90,000 of PIP.2
Do you need more than minimum coverage in Salt Lake City?
Thanks to Salt Lake City’s population density, high auto theft rate, and above-average snowfall, you probably need more than the minimum coverage.
The factors above increase your chances of getting into a car accident that causes severe injuries or a total loss vehicle. If that happens, and the resulting medical bills exceed $65,000—or you have to pay more than $15,000 to replace the other driver’s car—you’ll be on the hook for the rest.
The bottom line: You can better protect your current and future financial assets by raising your coverage limits to 50/100/50, or better yet, 100/300/100.
“A general rule that I recommend is to carry enough coverage to protect your current and future assets – at least $100,000/$300,000 of liability coverage is recommended, but you may need more coverage depending on your financial situation.”
Cheapest full coverage car insurance quotes in Salt Lake City
Full coverage auto insurance is the best protection against all the potential disasters of life on the road. Full coverage in Salt Lake City pays for the costs to repair or replace your own vehicle after a covered incident.
A full coverage car insurance policy in Salt Lake City includes both:
- Collision coverage: Covers the cost of collision-related damage, such as broken bumpers or bodywork, to your vehicle
- Comprehensive coverage: Pays for non-collision damage, such as vandalism, theft, or even damage from hail or falling branches
If you lease or finance your car, check the fine print of your agreement. Almost every dealership and finance company asks drivers to carry collision, comprehensive, and gap insurance to protect their investment.3
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State Minimum | Yes | Progressive | $157 | 27 | 84115 | Isuzu Rodeo Ls |
State Minimum | No | Bristol West | $187 | 51 | 84104 | Honda Civic Ex |
State Minimum | No | The General | $296 | 33 | 84129 | Honda Civic Ex |
State Minimum | Yes | Progressive | $222 | 68 | 84116 | Dodge Dart Sxt |
State Minimum | Yes | Progressive | $190 | 42 | 84106 | Toyota Corolla Le |
Average cost of car insurance in Salt Lake City
The average cost of car insurance in Salt Lake City is about $950 per year or $79 per month for minimum insurance coverage. Full coverage costs about $1,900 per year or $158 per month.
Utah auto insurance costs slightly less, on average, but you can blame SLC’s high rates on:
- Auto theft rates: While the number of motor vehicles stolen in Salt Lake City has recently dipped, there were still about 1,700 cars stolen in 2022.4 The increased risk of paying a crime-related claim causes insurers to raise their rates.
- Congestion: SLC is the 124th most congested city in the US. Every driver loses 12 hours to congestion per year.5 The number of vehicles on the roads contributes to a high rate of accidents, which in turn causes high insurance rates.
- Extreme temperatures: Salt Lake City isn’t just sunny and hot in the summer; it also gets an above-average amount of snowfall, with about 13.5 inches falling in January. Both temperature extremes cause vision issues and poor road conditions, which lead to more accidents.6
- High population: The math is easy: nearly 200,000 city residents (as of 2020) means more cars on the road, which means more accidents, which means higher premiums.7
- Motor crash fatalities: The number of car accident fatalities per 100,000 residents in Utah is only slightly below average. Lower is better because car insurance companies are averse to risk.8
- Urban roads: The data shows that more crash deaths happen on urban roads than on rural ones. Urban interstate highways and freeways are also more deadly than local and collector roads, and SLC has two major freeways nearby.9
Average cost of car insurance in Salt Lake City by ZIP code
The cost of car insurance in Salt Lake City can greatly differ depending on your specific zip code. Each individual zip code within Salt Lake City has its own unique driving risks which directly factor into your insurance quotes. Living in a neighborhood notorious for higher rates of car thefts and accidents increases its risk profile, thereby increasing premiums.
In short, the degree of risk tied to your zip code is a key determinant of whether your coverage will come with a higher or lower price tag.
Here are the three least expensive ZIP codes in Salt Lake City, followed by the three most expensive:
ZIP Code | Monthly minimum coverage cost |
---|---|
84124 | $63 |
84108 | $64 |
84107 | $64 |
84102 | $112 |
84138 | $118 |
84120 | $177 |
Car insurance quotes in Salt Lake City by rating factors
Insurance companies in Salt Lake City use many rating factors when calculating your auto insurance premiums:
- Your credit score: Good credit scores are generally associated with lower insurance rates, even for identical coverage.
- Your demographics: Your age, gender, and marital status can all influence the cost of your insurance rates.
- Your driving history and claims history: A history full of accidents or violations will generally get you higher premiums than a clean driving record.
- Your location: City dwellers often encounter higher premiums compared to rural residents due to factors like increased crime rates and higher population density.
- The make/model of your car: Luxury, sport, and high-performance vehicles typically cost more to insure since replacement parts are more expensive.
- Your mileage: High annual mileage can result in higher insurance costs.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Salt Lake City after driving violations
Traffic violations can have a major impact on how much you pay for car insurance in Salt Lake City—especially if you have more than one on your record. With a pattern of violations, insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver and charge you higher rates to compensate for the risk of insuring you.
Cheap car insurance in Salt Lake City after a speeding ticket
A Utah speeding ticket could increase your car insurance rates by an average of 24%. Depending on how fast you sped over the limit, you’ll also have to deal with increased fines, driver violation points, and other penalties.
If you drive more than 105 MPH, you can be charged with reckless driving in Utah. In addition to the financial and legal consequences of a speeding ticket, your car insurance rates are likely to skyrocket after a ticket.
Here are the average car insurance costs in Utah following a speeding violation:
Violation | Monthly coverage cost |
---|---|
Speeding 6-10 mph over the limit | $83 |
Speeding 11-15 mph over the limit | $201 |
Speeding 16-20 mph over the limit | $257 |
Cheapest car insurance in Salt Lake City after DUI
Salt Lake City is subject to Utah’s strict DUI laws. Any DUI conviction in Salt Lake City—or elsewhere—will trigger very high premiums, and it’s even possible that an auto insurance company could deny you coverage.
You can find affordable car insurance after a DUI conviction, but you’ll need to shop around and compare quotes to find the best rate for your situation.
Jerry has helped real Salt Lake City drivers find affordable rates after a DUI.
Cheapest car insurance in Salt Lake City after an at-fault accident
Do you have an at-fault accident on your record? This will negatively affect your car insurance rates—especially if it was a recent one.
Accident type
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
At Fault With No Injury | The General | $296 | 33 | 84129 | Honda Civic Ex | State Minimum | No |
At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $222 | 68 | 84116 | Dodge Dart Sxt | State Minimum | Yes |
Not At Fault | Bristol West | $316 | 39 | 84106 | Toyota Tundra Crewmax Sr5 | State Minimum | Yes |
At Fault With No Injury | Bristol West | $134 | 41 | 84129 | Honda Civic Lx | State Minimum | No |
At Fault With No Injury | Progressive | $84 | 27 | 84121 | Toyota Corolla Le | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheapest car insurance in Salt Lake City after other driving violations
Your premium could go up after infractions such as careless driving or improper passing. Break a law, suffer the consequences!
Luckily, Jerry helps drivers find affordable coverage even with a spotty driving record.
Violation
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Failure to Obey Signal | Bristol West | $134 | 41 | 84129 | Honda Civic Lx | State Minimum | No |
Careless Driving | Progressive | $283 | 23 | 84107 | Kia Rio Lx | State Minimum | Yes |
Other Minor | Progressive | $67 | 59 | 84115 | Chevrolet Impala Ls | State Minimum | No |
Improper Passing | Progressive | $185 | 52 | 84107 | Toyota Corolla Le | State Minimum | Yes |
DUI | Bristol West | $791 | 39 | 84106 | Dodge Ram 1500 Slt | 50/100 | Yes |
Cheap car insurance quotes in Salt Lake City by age
No matter where you live, your age is a key determinant in calculating your rate. The age group that pays the least for insurance coverage is 25-75 years old. Younger drivers pay more for coverage due to the risks associated with their lack of experience, while older drivers pay more due to their increased vulnerability to injuries.
Cheapest car insurance in Salt Lake City for young drivers
In Salt Lake City, new drivers under 19 years old—or those with a Utah learner’s permit—pay the most for car insurance. According to some data, drivers under the age of 25 pay almost three times as much as a 55-year-old driver for the same coverage in 2023.10
The reason why is simple: teen drivers have the least experience behind the wheel, and they’re also more vulnerable to accidents and distracted driving.11 As a result, full coverage is a good choice for insuring a young teen in Salt Lake City who is driving a newer vehicle.
Cheapest car insurance in Salt Lake City for senior drivers
Older drivers over the age of 70 have an increased risk of getting into a car accident as their hearing, vision, and reflex time decline. If they do get into a car accident, they’re also more vulnerable to suffering serious injuries.12
Insurance companies in Salt Lake City tend to charge a lot for car insurance for senior drivers as a result.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Salt Lake City based on insurance history
Like your driving record and claims history, your insurance history plays a significant role in deciding your premiums.13 Providers look at how long you’ve been insured and whether you’ve experienced any car insurance lapses that could indicate missed payments or risky behavior.
Drivers who have had recent or past lapses in coverage may face higher auto insurance rates.
Cheap car insurance quotes in Salt Lake City for drivers with poor credit
Low credit scores don’t necessarily make you a bad driver, but they can still push up your insurance costs. Statistically, a low credit rating is associated with a higher rate of insurance claims.
As a result, Utah drivers with “bad credit” may face increased premiums. According to our data, drivers with fair credit (710-740) pay 49% more for car insurance than drivers with excellent credit (823+). And drivers with poor credit (524-577) pay 44% more than drivers with fair credit and 115% more than drivers with excellent credit.14
Credit Range
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Car
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
550-659 | Progressive | $157 | 27 | 84115 | Isuzu Rodeo Ls | State Minimum | Yes |
750+ | Bristol West | $187 | 51 | 84104 | Honda Civic Ex | State Minimum | No |
<550 | The General | $296 | 33 | 84129 | Honda Civic Ex | State Minimum | No |
550-659 | Progressive | $222 | 68 | 84116 | Dodge Dart Sxt | State Minimum | Yes |
550-659 | Progressive | $190 | 42 | 84106 | Toyota Corolla Le | State Minimum | Yes |
Cheap car insurance quotes in Salt Lake City for popular cars
Your Salt Lake City car insurance rates are partially determined by the make and model of your vehicle. That’s because some cars cost less to repair, have more safety features, or are more vulnerable to theft.
Here are a few of the most popular cars in Salt Lake City:
- Ford F-150
- Dodge RAM 1500
- Chevy Silverado
- Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota RAV4
Popular Car
|
Insurance Company
|
Premium (monthly)
|
Age
|
Zip Code
|
Liability Limits
|
Has Full Coverage
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford F-150 | Bristol West | $312 | 54 | 84107 | State Minimum | Yes |
Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Lt | The General | $253 | 39 | 84118 | State Minimum | No |
Ford F-150 | Progressive | $97 | 29 | 84107 | 100/300 | Yes |
Toyota Rav4 | National General | $161 | 35 | 84119 | State Minimum | No |
Toyota Rav4 Xle | Progressive | $71 | 29 | 84107 | 100/300 | Yes |
Learn more: How to get car insurance before buying a car
How to lower car insurance costs in Salt Lake City
1. Shop around and compare quotes
Finding the most competitive car insurance rate means checking out the competition. However, the dozens of providers in Salt Lake City make comparison shopping a tedious chore.
2. Hunt for car insurance discounts
Every provider offers car insurance discounts, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include:
- Good driver discounts: Get insurance discounts for drivers with one or fewer points on their license who have continuously held a license for three years with no at-fault accidents responsible for injury or death.
- Good student discounts: Are you a full-time student in either high school or college? Do you have a B average or better? You probably qualify for a discount from your insurance company.
- Telematics discounts: Many companies offer easy-to-win discounts to drivers who use telematics to track their driving habits. You might even get a discount just for signing up!
If you need more than one insurance product, look for bundling discounts. You could save up to 25% on the right home and auto insurance bundle!
3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage
Raising your deductible lets you hold onto full-coverage car insurance while lowering your monthly bills. You could save between 7% and 28% each year.15
However, you should only raise your deductible to an amount you can comfortably afford.
FAQ
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How much is car insurance in Salt Lake City?
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What is the cheapest car insurance in Salt Lake City?
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What is the minimum car insurance in Salt Lake City, Utah?
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What is the best car insurance in Salt Lake City?
Sources
- https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title31A/Chapter22/31A-22-S304.html ↩︎
- https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title31A/Chapter22/31A-22-S304.html ↩︎
- https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/guides/insurance-for-leased-car-vs–owned-car-whats-the-difference-458114.aspx ↩︎
- https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend ↩︎
- https://inrix.com/scorecard-city-2022/?city=Salt%20Lake%20City%20UT&index=689 ↩︎
- https://www.city-data.com/city/Salt-Lake-City-Utah.html ↩︎
- https://data.census.gov/profile/Salt_Lake_City_city,_Utah?g=160XX00US4967000 ↩︎
- https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state ↩︎
- https://www.iii.org/article/what-determines-price-my-auto-insurance-policy ↩︎
- https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/guides/a-guide-to-cheap-car-insurance-for-new-drivers-459484.aspx ↩︎
- https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-teen-drivers ↩︎
- https://www.iii.org/article/background-on-older-drivers ↩︎
- https://www.iii.org/article/what-if-i-cant-find-auto-coverage ↩︎
- https://consumerfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Official-CFA-Credit-Score_2023-FINAL-REPORT.pdf ↩︎
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/savings-by-raising-car-insurance-deductible/ ↩︎
Jasmine Kanter is a non-fiction writer specializing in comprehensive content that\\\\\\\’s accessible to beginners, experts, and everyone in between. Since joining the Jerry team, Jasmine has penned over 300 articles on car insurance requirements, driving tips, and car maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry, Jasmine worked as a graphic designer, storyboard artist, and French customer service representative. She enjoys collecting hobbies and babysitting ducks in her spare time.
Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.
As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.
Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.