Idaho Auto Insurance

In the state of Idaho, auto insurance must be carried by all drivers. Taking the time to understand the minimum levels of car insurance required just makes good sense. You will also want to learn about the factors that will affect your Idaho auto insurance premiums. You may be able to get a lower rate, which is good news for all drivers.

Required Minimum Levels Of Idaho Car Insurance Coverage

The idea behind setting a minimum level of insurance coverage required for all drivers is to protect them from financial loss following an accident. Without adequate insurance coverage in place, the person deemed responsible for an accident will be paying for medical expenses and other damages out of his or her own pocket. Here are the minimum levels of coverage required by law:

• Bodily injury liability insurance coverage of $25,000 for one person and $50,000 for all people injured as the result of a single accident. This type of coverage does not pay benefits if you are injured in an accident, though. If you would like to have coverage for your own injuries, you need to buy a separate policy for that purpose. This type of coverage is not mandatory in Idaho, but it is recommended that you have some type of coverage in place for this purpose.
• Property damages liability insurance in the amount of $15,000 pays for damage to the other driver's vehicle as well as other types of property, such as sheds, garages, fences, mail boxes, and traffic signs. Again, this coverage is only for damage to another person's property caused by you. If you would like coverage for your own vehicle, then you would need to buy comprehensive or collision insurance coverage.

Idaho Comprehensive And Collision Coverage

Comprehensive insurance coverage protects you if your car is damaged due to one of the following perils:

1. Fire
2. Flood
3. Hurricane
4. Theft
5. Vandalism

The comprehensive policy will pay for the full market value of the vehicle, less the deductible you choose. This means that over time, you are paying the same amount for insurance and getting less coverage. While it makes sense to carry comprehensive coverage for a new car, it may not be the best choice if your car is several years old.

Collision insurance coverage pays for the cost of repairing your vehicle following an accident where you were "at fault." It covers you for the fair market value of your vehicle. If you are making loan payments on your vehicle, your lender may require you to have this coverage in place as a condition of borrowing. Gap insurance coverage is available to cover the difference between what you owe on the car and its fair market value.

How Idaho Auto Insurance Companies Set Rates

When you apply for auto insurance, the company looks at a number of factors to determine your level of risk. Some of these are in your control, while others are beyond it. Either way, you should be aware of them.

The higher the level of risk you present, the more you will pay in premiums for your coverage. You need to be aware that your insurer will be looking at the following before deciding whether to agree to insure you:

• Driver Age - You can't do anything about how old you are, but you need to be aware that more mature drivers can get better rates for their insurance coverage than teens. You don't need to wait until you are close to retirement age to get a break on your insurance premiums, though. At about age 25, your rate should go down.
• Driving Record - The insurance company will also look at your driving history when you apply for insurance. Good drivers can get better rates than people who have been involved in accidents. Even drivers with less-than-stellar records can qualify for better rates over time if they don't have any other claims on their policy.
• Geographic Location - If you happen to live in a high-crime area, it is more likely your car will be stolen or vandalized, which means you present a higher risk to your insurer. Expect to pay more for coverage if this is the case.
• Make and Model of the Car - The type of car you drive plays a part in your insurance premiums, too. If you drive a sports car, it is more likely to be stolen and more likely to get ticketed, which means that you will be digging deeper for the privilege of driving one.

Searching For Idaho Auto Insurance Quotes

Now that you know the minimum levels of coverage for Idaho auto insurance and how the insurer determines your premiums, why don't you compare rates right now? Just click on the insurance tool at the top of this page to get started. It's free!