Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes and Options in Idaho
The average cost of car insurance in Idaho is $877 per year. While car insurance costs in Idaho tend to be lower than the national average of $1,311 per year, everyone’s car insurance rates will be different based on where they live and their personal risk factors.
An independent insurance agent can help you find the right car insurance for your needs and budget.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Idaho
You can purchase car insurance in Idaho from numerous insurance companies. But which insurance company offers the best mix of coverage and value for your unique needs? We’ve selected some of the best car insurance companies in Idaho to help you get started.
- Best Idaho car insurance company overall: USAA
- Best Idaho car insurance company for minimum liability: USAA
- Best Idaho car insurance company for full coverage: Nationwide
- Best Idaho car insurance company for young drivers: USAA
- Best Idaho car insurance company for accident history: USAA
An independent insurance agent in Idaho can help you determine if any of these companies have the right car insurance policy for your needs and budget.
Best Idaho Car Insurance Company Overall: USAA
Our pick for the best overall car insurance company in Idaho is USAA. The carrier ranks high for claims satisfaction, ease of interaction, customer service, trust, and other important factors.
USAA was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers who decided to insure each other's vehicles. Over time, the organization grew to serve millions in the military community, offering a variety of personal insurance products as well as other financial products and services.
USAA’s net worth has surpassed $40 billion. The carrier has more than 13 million members and 37,000 employees. USAA consistently receives high marks for financial stability, including an A++ rating from AM Best, the highest available.
Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of USAA’s superior performance. Only active duty and retired military members and select family members are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Car Insurance Policy |
| $65 | $785 |
Best Idaho Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: USAA
If you’re looking for minimum liability coverage, USAA is again a top choice for Idaho residents. The carrier allows customers to get bare minimum auto insurance at around $232 per year.
Highly affordable coverage combined with high customer satisfaction ratings makes USAA an easy choice for eligible members.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability Policy |
| $19 | $232 |
Best Idaho Car insurance Company for Full Coverage: Nationwide
The best car insurance company in Idaho for full coverage is Nationwide. The insurance company offers affordable full coverage policies with premiums starting at just $79 per month. It offers broad coverage, numerous discounts, and has an average customer satisfaction rating.
Founded in 1926 as the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, Nationwide today is one of the largest insurance and financial services corporations in the world. Nationwide offers a variety of personal and business insurance products. The company is financially stable, earning A+ ratings from AM Best and Standard & Poor’s.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Policy |
| $79 | $951 |
Best Idaho Car insurance Company for Young Drivers: USAA
Drivers between ages 16 and 25 typically pay very high car insurance rates because of the extra risk presented by their inexperience behind the wheel. While insuring a teen driver is never cheap, USAA is one of the best insurance companies for young drivers in Idaho.
Car insurance for young drivers in Idaho can cost around $271 per month with a policy from USAA. The company also offers a good student discount so students with good grades can save on their car insurance.
Unfortunately, not everyone can take advantage of USAA’s superior performance. Only active duty and retired military members and select family members are eligible for USAA membership and insurance coverage.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Young Drivers | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Young Drivers |
| $271 | $3,249 |
Best Idaho Car Insurance Company for Accident History: USAA
Your driving record is one of the most important factors in what you pay for car insurance in Idaho. All insurance companies want to know if you’ve been at fault for an accident in the past in order to determine how risky you might be to cover.
In these cases, USAA again earns a spot on our list of top picks. USAA is one of the best Idaho car insurance companies for drivers with an accident history. The company is highly-rated for its claims response and for offering affordable policies for drivers with bad records. If you’ve had an at-fault accident, you can get a car insurance policy in Idaho from USAA for about $92 per month.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Drivers with Accident History | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Drivers with Accident History |
| $92 | $1,104 |
Idaho Car Insurance Requirements
Idaho residents must maintain car insurance for each personal use vehicle registered in the state. Your policy must meet the state's minimum coverage requirements. In Idaho, you must have the following coverage, at a minimum, in order to comply with state law and avoid penalties:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Helps pay for other drivers’ and passengers’ injuries when the policyholder is at-fault in an accident. In Idaho, you must have this coverage in the amount of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, at a minimum.
- Property damage liability coverage: Pays for damage to someone else’s property when you are at-fault for that damage (i.e. another party’s vehicle, a fence, etc.). In Idaho, you must have this coverage in the amount of at least $15,000 per accident.
Optional car insurance coverages in Idaho include:
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Protects you if you are hit by a hit-and-run driver or a driver who does not have auto liability coverage. It takes the place of liability insurance that the other driver should have but does not.
- Underinsured motorist coverage: Protects you if another motorist is at fault for a collision but does not have enough insurance to cover your losses.
- Medical payments coverage: Helps pay for medical, dental, and funeral expenses for you or your passengers, regardless of who is at fault for an accident.
- Collision coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
- Roadside assistance coverage: Pays for help if you are locked out of your vehicle, run out of gas, or face some other type of problem while out on the road. Your insurance company will help you contact tow trucks, locksmiths, or other forms of assistance as needed, and will reimburse you for the costs of these services up to certain limits.
- Rental reimbursement coverage: Provides payment for a rental car if your vehicle is damaged and you must rent a vehicle while it is being repaired.
- Loan/lease or gap coverage: Pays the difference between what you owe on a vehicle and its cash value if it is totaled.
An independent insurance agent in Idaho will help you find a car insurance policy that includes the coverage you need.
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Average Cost of Car Insurance in Idaho
The average cost of car insurance in Idaho is $877 per year, which is less than the national average of $1,311 per year.
Everyone’s car insurance costs are a little different depending on your personal risk factors (e.g., your age, gender, accident history, etc.) and the types and amounts of coverage you select. You can find ways to reduce your car insurance costs in Idaho by taking advantage of car insurance discounts that you may be eligible for.
Average Idaho Car Insurance Costs by City
The city you live in is one of the most important factors in what you’ll pay for car insurance in Idaho. This is because the city’s crime rate, severe weather frequency, traffic density, and more can all impact how at-risk you and your car are for being in an accident, being stolen, or being subject to some other kind of damage (e.g., hail damage).
Caldwell has the costliest car insurance in Idaho at an average of $950 per year, or $79 per month. Meanwhile, residents of Coeur d’Alene pay much less for car insurance, with an average cost of $714 per year.
Finding Car Insurance Discounts in Idaho
One of the best ways to save on car insurance in Idaho is to make sure that you take advantage of any car insurance discounts for which you may be eligible. One of the most common discounts is the multi-policy discount, which rewards you with savings if you have more than one policy with the same carrier (e.g., home and auto). Some of the common auto insurance discounts offered in Idaho include the following:
- Student driver discounts: If you have a student driver in your household, you may be able to take advantage of a good student discount if your child gets a B average or better. Many insurance companies also offer away at school discounts for students who won’t be using their parents’ cars while they are away at school. Your young driver may also be able to receive a discount by participating in an insurance-company approved or sponsored safe driving course.
- Safe driver discount: Drivers who maintain a clean driving record over a period of time may be able to receive an ongoing discount from their insurance company.
- Anti-theft device discount: Some insurance companies offer discounts when your car has certain anti-theft devices installed.
- Military discount: Active or retired members of the military can often qualify for auto insurance discounts.
- Paperless billing discount: Many insurance companies offer a discount for policyholders who agree to receive paperless billing statements.
- Other car insurance discounts: Being a member of a particular group, such as an employment union, may make you eligible for a car insurance discount specifically for members.
Your independent insurance agent in Idaho can help you find all of the car insurance discounts that you qualify for.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in Idaho
Finding the best car insurance quote in Idaho requires comparing several insurance companies and making an informed choice. But you don’t have to go it alone. An independent insurance agent in Idaho can help you obtain and review quotes from multiple insurance companies and choose the one that offers the best coverage for your needs and budget. An independent agent works for you, free of charge, to help you through the process.
How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Idaho
Filing a car insurance claim in Idaho is always going to be a little stressful. But if you know what to do in advance, it can help the process to go more smoothly. If you’re in a car accident, here are some tips for filing your insurance claim:
- Check for and tend to injuries: Check yourself, your passengers, and anyone else involved in the accident for injuries. Seek immediate medical treatment for anyone who is injured.
- Call the police: Filing a police report ensures that your accident is on-the-record and all appropriate information has been collected. That way, your insurance company will have a reliable source for information about the details of your accident.
- Contact your independent insurance agent: Your Idaho independent insurance agent can get the process started by connecting you with your insurance company, or by even filing the claim for you. Your agent can guide you throughout the claims process.
- Schedule an appointment with an adjuster: Your insurance company will likely want to evaluate the damage before you seek repairs for your car. That means you’ll likely need to set up an appointment with an adjuster who works for your carrier.
- Get repairs: If necessary, get your vehicle repaired from a reputable auto body shop or from a shop recommended by your insurance company.
- Get a rental vehicle: If you’re without your car for a while as its being repaired, consider getting a rental vehicle. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, you’ll have some help paying for the cost of your rental car.
An independent insurance agent in Idaho can help you through the claims process and answer your questions about how best to file your claim.
How does your city measure up to the national average?
National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min
National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year
National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year
| City | Commute time (min) | Auto thefts / 1,000 | Annual insurance cost |
| Boise | 18.5 | 1.15 | $825 |
| Caldwell | 24.6 | 2.15 | $950 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 17.9 | 9.6 | $714 |
| Idaho Falls | 17.9 | 1.1 | $919 |
| Lewiston | 15.4 | 1.67 | $908 |
| Meridian | 22.4 | 0.38 | $846 |
| Moscow | 15 | 0.27 | $945 |
| Nampa | 23.1 | 1.43 | $898 |
| Pocatello | 16.4 | 1.56 | $898 |
| Post Falls | 21.2 | 1.07 | $898 |
| Rexburg | 12.4 | 0.03 | $771 |
| Twin Falls | 16.9 | 1.09 | $993 |
Popular Questions about Idaho Car Insurance
The average cost of car insurance in Idaho is $877 per year, or about $73 per month.
Idaho car insurance covers medical expenses and property damage costs that occur due to a car accident.
If you’re at fault for an accident, your bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage pay for the damage or injuries you inflict on other drivers or their passengers. You can cover some of your own losses with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage.
Idaho residents are required to maintain car insurance that includes liability coverage for each personal use vehicle registered in the state. Vehicle owners without insurance coverage for two consecutive months will receive a warning and be given 30 days to provide proof of insurance or obtain an exemption before their vehicle registration is suspended.
About 8.2 percent of drivers in Idaho are uninsured. Nationwide, the average is 13 percent, which is higher than you will find in Idaho.
Clearly, not all drivers follow the mandatory car insurance rules in the state. That’s why you need uninsured motorist coverage to protect you when you’re involved in an accident and the at-fault driver does not have car insurance.
Idaho drivers have a lot of options for car insurance. Two of the best car insurance companies in Idaho are USAA and Nationwide.
An independen insurance agent in your area can help you find the best car insurance in Idaho.
The requirements for Idaho car insurance are as follows:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $15,000 per accident
Yes, Idaho accepts electronic insurance cards. Idaho motorists can either show proof of coverage with a smartphone app or a PDF copy of proof of insurance saved on a phone, as well as the traditional hard copy proof of insurance card.
Idaho is an "at-fault" state for car insurance. This means that the person who is at fault for a car accident is financially responsible for compensating anyone else who is harmed as a result. Typically, the at-fault driver’s car insurance pays for the damage, up to the policy’s coverage limits.
Car insurance is required for all drivers in Idaho. But technically you can self-insure in certain cases. You may be able to self-insure your car by depositing cash or posting a bond with the state in the amount of $50,000, in lieu of insurance.
State laws can be complicated, and self-insuring is definitely not the best option for most people. Be sure to understand all of the car insurance rules and regulations in Idaho before choosing to attempt to self-insure.