Here's what you need to know when driving in Idaho
The average car insurance rate in Idaho is $1,338 per year — 12% less than the U.S. average. Car insurance rates are impacted by more than just your location. Auto insurance rates comprise many factors, including a driver's age and driving history. The Zebra's experts analyzed average Idaho car insurance rates for these rating factors in an effort to help you find an affordable policy.
Read on to learn how much auto insurance costs in Idaho based on these variables, or submit your ZIP code above to receive personalized quotes from top insurers.
The best car insurance companies in Idaho
Based on data from J.D. Power's 2021 Auto Satisfaction Study and The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey, we have compiled a list of the best car insurance companies in Idaho.
Along with topping The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey, USAA received a score of 884 (out of 1,000) in J.D. Powers' 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the state of Idaho.
State Farm scored an 844 on J.D. Power's 2021 auto study and placed third in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey with a score of 4.4 stars out of 5.
PEMCO Insurance placed third in this region with a score of 835 in J.D. Power's 2021 Auto Insurance Study.
- Idaho drivers pay about 12% less for car insurance on average
- The cheapest major car insurance company is Auto-Owners
The cheapest car insurance companies in Idaho
These companies offer the cheapest rates in the following scenarios.
Costing an average of $56 per month, Auto-Owners is significantly cheaper than the statewide average for full coverage.
After an at-fault accident, Auto-Owners is the most affordable insurer in Idaho.
If you have a DUI on your record, check out State Farm for the cheapest average rates.
Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|
USAA | $785 |
State Farm | $932 |
Nationwide | $1,288 |
GEICO | $1,356 |
Farmers | $1,597 |
Allstate | $1,893 |
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
Idaho auto insurance laws
Car insurance is mandatory in almost every state, including Idaho. If you choose the legal minimum coverage level in Idaho, expect to pay an average of $377 annually. This expenditure is less expensive than the nationwide average by 75%.
If you choose the legal minimum coverage level in Idaho, expect to pay an average of $377 annually.
State minimum coverage
In order to drive legally in the state of Idaho, you must carry at least the minimum liability limits listed below:
Liability coverage:
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury: $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage: $15,000 per accident
Optional coverage in Idaho (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Medical Payments
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
If you opt for better coverage, you can choose a policy with comprehensive and collision, which will protect against the costs of car accidents, theft, vandalism or weather incidents. But better coverage comes with a cost: in Idaho, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,168, 210% more than liability-only car insurance. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 281% more than you would for basic coverage.
In Idaho, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,168, 210% more than liability-only car insurance.
The Zebra's guide to Idaho car insurance laws
Learn more about car insurance requirements in the state of Idaho with our helpful guide.
Compare car insurance rates from the best companies in Idaho.
Idaho car insurance premiums by rating factor
Your rates are determined by a number of individual factors, including your coverage level, driving history, location and more. Explore average premium costs by rating factor below to get a better sense of how much you should be paying for auto insurance in Idaho.
Cheap auto insurance in Idaho for minimum coverage
You can save a significant amount by choosing the minimum level of liability coverage required to drive legally in Idaho, but it can leave you at risk. In Idaho, the average cost for minimum coverage is $31 per month, or $377 yearly — a savings of $1,059 compared to full coverage.
Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|
USAA | $232 |
State Farm | $292 |
GEICO | $347 |
Allstate | $437 |
Farmers | $458 |
Nationwide | $459 |
Cheap auto insurance in Idaho with bad credit
Your credit history is an important factor in determining your car insurance rates. Many carriers see those with a poor credit score as being higher risk, meaning you could pay more for your policy. On average, Idaho drivers with poor credit pay $1,967 more per year than those with exceptional credit. Have a look at some common rates by credit tier below.
Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|
USAA | $1,465 |
Nationwide | $1,794 |
GEICO | $1,892 |
Farmers | $2,579 |
Allstate | $2,626 |
State Farm | $3,071 |
Cheap auto insurance in Idaho with an at-fault accident
Your driving history plays a big part in how much you pay. Insurance companies look for previous accidents for which you have been at fault to gauge the level of risk you pose as a customer. An at-fault accident in recent years could see your car insurance rates increase by as much as $515 per year.
Safe driver discounts
In addition to having a cheaper premium, some companies offer a safe driving discount. While the amount varies based on your company, it can range between 5 and 10%.
Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|
State Farm | $1,081 |
USAA | $1,104 |
GEICO | $1,899 |
Nationwide | $1,981 |
Farmers | $2,281 |
Allstate | $2,650 |
Cheap auto insurance for young drivers in Idaho
Young drivers — aged between 16 and 25 — pay very high car insurance rates, with those aged 16 to 19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teen drivers pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Idaho, teen drivers pay especially high rates: $4,852 per year — $3,323 more than the nationwide average and over three times as much as a 30-year-old Idaho driver.
Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|
State Farm | $3,227 |
USAA | $3,249 |
GEICO | $3,426 |
Nationwide | $4,103 |
Allstate | $5,835 |
Farmers | $7,232 |
Idaho auto insurance rate by violation
In Idaho, a bad driving record will cause your rates to skyrocket. If you receive a ticket or citation, your auto insurance premiums will probably rise. How much depends on the violation, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations and risks. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
See below average auto insurance rates in Idaho after a few common citations.
Idaho DUI laws
In Idaho, a DUI offense can increase your annual car insurance premium by an average of 65%. Finding affordable auto insurance in the wake of a DUI violation isn’t simple. In fact, a DUI often brings about a bigger premium increase than any single road violation — more than an at-fault accident, racing or reckless driving.
Low-cost car insurance after a DUI in Idaho
If you're convicted of a DUI or DWI violation in Idaho, it’s key to mull over each of your insurance choices carefully. Auto insurance premiums following a DUI can vary substantially by insurer. For example, the least expensive car insurance company with a DUI in Idaho, State Farm, advertises annual rates 37% less than the statewide average insurance rate with a DUI. The second-cheapest insurer for auto insurance after a DUI in Idaho is Auto-Owners, while the priciest firm is Nationwide, with prices 27% above average.
Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|
State Farm | $1,241 |
USAA | $1,659 |
Farmers | $2,160 |
Allstate | $2,271 |
GEICO | $2,426 |
Nationwide | $2,515 |
There is no car insurer in particular that offers inexpensive DUI car insurance. The recommended way to save in the wake of a DUI citation is to shop around.
Idaho SR-22 insurance
An SR-22 is a routine legal requirement triggered by a violation such as a DUI conviction, a ticket for driving without insurance, an at-fault collision, driving with a suspended license or accumulating too many points on your license. It is not a type of insurance policy, but a form issued by your insurance company with the state of Idaho to ensure that you remain insured.
Finding cheap auto insurance with an SR-22 in Idaho might require some research, but it could pay off in the end.
How to acquire an SR-22 in Idaho
For currently insured drivers
If you already have auto insurance, getting an SR-22 certificate is straightforward. Contact your car insurance company and ask the company to file an SR-22 request for you. If your insurer isn’t willing to file a request, you'll need to look for a new insurer.
For uninsured drivers
When filing for a new policy, you might be saddled with an upfront fee to have your prospective insurer file an SR-22 request for you and to cover your high-risk driving profile. Needing an SR-22 might disqualify you from purchasing insurance from some companies, while others would be happy to sell you a policy.
For drivers without a vehicle
Not owning a vehicle makes it more difficult to obtain an SR-22, as you will need to furnish proof of insurance to receive the certificate. In this scenario, purchase a non-owners car insurance policy before filing an SR-22 request. Non-owners auto insurance is typically less expensive than traditional coverage since it doesn't protect against material damage to your vehicle.
Find an affordable policy in Idaho in minutes!
Rates by city
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, the location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Mountain Home and the most expensive in Eastport, Idaho.
Have a look at the table below to see average car insurance costs in some of Idaho's biggest cities.
City | Avg. Annual Premium |
---|---|
Boise City | $1,079 |
Meridian | $1,079 |
Nampa | $1,146 |
Caldwell | $1,153 |
Idaho Falls | $1,215 |
Car insurance price trends in Idaho
In Idaho, average annual auto insurance costs increased by $82 in the past year. A typical Idaho driver pays an average of $1,338 per year.
The recent pricing trend in Idaho leans toward slightly pricier car insurance costs but remains lower than the national average. The steepest decrease occurred from 2017 to 2018, while the highest surge took place from 2016 to 2017. At the same time, car insurance rates across the United States have stayed relatively steady in the past few years, moving from $1,521 in 2018 to $1,529 in 2021.
Year | Avg. Annual Premium —Idaho | Yearly Change —Idaho | Avg. Annual Premium — US | Yearly Change — US |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | $1,338 | $82 | $1,529 | $46 |
2020 | $1,256 | $93 | $1,483 | $61 |
2019 | $1,163 | $94 | $1,544 | $23 |
2018 | $1,069 | -$727 | $1,521 | $84 |
2017 | $1,796 | $234 | $1,437 | $69 |
2016 | $1,562 | -$323 | $1,368 | $88 |
2015 | $1,885 | $216 | $1,280 | $51 |
2014 | $1,669 | $155 | $1,229 | $34 |
2013 | $1,514 | -$63 | $1,195 | -$80 |
2012 | $1,577 | $323 | $1,276 | $82 |
If your rates are rising faster than the average in your state, compare quotes and find a better deal. The Zebra's car insurance comparison engine furnishes quotes based on your specific profile — enter your ZIP below to get started.