The Cheapest Auto Insurance in Idaho in 2024

As a driver, it’s important to be sure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way, and that starts with having the right insurance coverage.

Idaho state law requires drivers to maintain liability coverage for any vehicles registered in the state. But if you’re looking for cheap car insurance in Idaho, how do you know which option is right for you?

In this guide, we’ll provide an overview of the most affordable car insurance companies in Idaho so you can ensure you have the coverage you need while staying within your budget.

Key Takeaways:

• The average Idaho driver pays just over $80 per month for auto insurance.
• GEICO has the lowest average rates of any Idaho insurer.
• Caldwell has the most expensive car insurance rates of any Idaho city.

Idaho’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies

The average Idaho driver pays around $83 per month for car insurance, but you can find plenty of ways to save. The table below highlights the five companies offering the lowest average auto insurance rates in the Gem State.

GEICO’s $36 monthly rates are the cheapest of any Idaho insurance company, but that doesn’t mean it will necessarily be the most affordable for you. Your rates depend on several key factors, including the type of coverage you select, your age, your driving history, and more.

We’ll cover the cheapest companies for all top rating factors in the sections below.

The Average Cost of Idaho Car Insurance

The average cost for car insurance in Idaho is $83 per month, and that’s pretty affordable compared to many other states. Let’s take a look at how its average rates stack up to its neighbors, as well as the country as a whole.

Idaho ranks as the seventh-cheapest state in the U.S. and is quite a bit cheaper than neighboring Montana (17th), Nevada (45th), and Oregon (37th).

One of the reasons for Idaho’s low car insurance rates is the state’s low population density. Idaho ranks 46th out of 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for State-Minimum Insurance: GEICO

The level of coverage you choose plays a significant role in what you pay for car insurance. Higher coverage levels provide more protection in the event of an accident or other type of claim, but they also come with higher premiums.

The cheapest possible option is always going to be a liability-only policy with the state-mandated minimum coverage limits. Let’s take a look at which companies are the cheapest for these kinds of policies in Idaho.

GEICO, Auto-Owners, State Farm, Allstate, and Grange offer the lowest rates for drivers with liability-only coverage, which covers damage and injuries you cause to others in an accident (but not your own costs).

If you’re interested in purchasing full-coverage auto insurance — which includes liability as well as coverage for your own repair costs if you’re involved in an accident — these companies might not be the cheapest. When shopping around for cheap car insurance in Idaho, you may find companies offer significantly cheaper rates for liability-only coverage due to the lower risk involved.

But remember, while selecting liability-only coverage might save you money in the short term, you could face high out-of-pocket costs if you’re in an at-fault accident or your vehicle is damaged in another event, such as a hailstorm or flood.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Full-Coverage Insurance: GEICO

As mentioned above, full-coverage insurance includes both liability coverage and coverage for your own vehicle (in the form of comprehensive and collision coverages), even when you’re at fault. This means the insurance company potentially has to pay out more if you file a claim, which usually translates to higher premiums.

It’s also worth noting that some full-coverage policies may include additional benefits, such as roadside assistance and rental car coverage, which can further increase costs.

GEICO, State Farm, Auto-Owners, American National, and American Family offer the most affordable average rates for Idaho drivers who purchase full coverage.

If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender likely requires you to carry full-coverage car insurance. So if you’re looking for affordable full coverage, these five companies are a great place to start.

Compare Idaho Auto Insurance Rates by Age

Age is one of the most important rating factors car insurance companies consider when determining your rates. This is because of the connection between age and driving experience, as well as accident rates among different age groups.

Cheapest car insurance for Idaho teens: GEICO

According to the CDC, teen drivers aged 16 to 19 have a fatal car crash rate almost three times as high as drivers aged 20 and older. As a result, young drivers (and their parents) may find it challenging to find cheap car insurance because of the increased risk. But luckily, rates typically begin to drop once drivers reach age 25.

The table below shows the companies offering the cheapest car insurance for teen drivers in Idaho. The data in the table is based on 18-year-old drivers and sorted by liability rates.

On average, GEICO offers the cheapest car insurance rates for teen drivers in Idaho. One reason for its low rates could be its wide variety of discount programs. GEICO offers discounts when a young driver in the family completes a driver’s education course and offers a discount of up to 15% for full-time students who maintain good grades.

Cheapest car insurance for Idaho seniors: GEICO

Experienced drivers tend to enjoy some of the cheapest car insurance rates. As drivers near retirement age, their generally cautious approach to driving lowers their risk profile in the eyes of insurance companies — giving them access to some of the cheapest rates available.

And rates can drop even more after retirement since eliminating the daily commute means they drive less.

The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for senior drivers in Idaho. The data is based on 65-year-old drivers.

GEICO and State Farm offer the cheapest rates in the state for senior drivers. And both companies offer discounts for bundling multiple policies.

Since people age 55 and older are more likely to be homeowners than people in younger age groups, bundling their home and auto policies could at least partially account for those low rates.

Compare Idaho Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Your driving record is one of the most impactful rating factors that auto insurance companies consider when determining your rates. We’ll cover the cheapest companies for different driving records in the sections below.

Cheapest car insurance for good drivers in Idaho: GEICO

A history of safe driving can lead to lower premiums, while multiple traffic violations or accidents on your record can cause your rates to skyrocket. The logic is straightforward: insurance companies see drivers with clean records as less risky, while those with a history of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, and DUIs present a higher likelihood of making a claim.

The following table shows the car insurance companies offering the best rates for Idaho drivers with no accidents or tickets.

GEICO once again comes out on top in this category, and some of that savings may stem from the company’s available discounts. For example, GEICO offers a good driver discount of up to 22% for drivers who’ve gone five years accident-free.

Cheapest car insurance in Idaho after a ticket: GEICO

Speeding tickets and other moving violations can cause a considerable spike in your auto insurance rates.

For example, the average full-coverage premium for GEICO customers with a clean driving record is $52 per month, compared to $62 per month for a driver with one speeding ticket. While that might not seem like a huge difference, it represents an increase of nearly 20%.

The table below shows Idaho’s cheapest car insurance companies based on drivers with one speeding ticket.

GEICO wins this category as well, with average rates of just $24 per month for liability and $62 for full coverage. Perhaps it’s because the company’s good driver discount only requires customers to be accident-free for five years — the company’s website doesn’t mention being free from moving violations to qualify for the discount.

Cheapest car insurance in Idaho after an accident: GEICO

Having an at-fault accident on your record can dramatically increase your insurance rates. For example, the average full-coverage premium for GEICO customers with a clean driving record is $52 per month, compared to $94 per month for a driver with one at-fault accident — an increase of 80%.

The table below shows the cheapest options in Idaho for drivers with one at-fault accident.

GEICO is the cheapest insurer in this category as well. The company offers several discounts that can help drivers (even those with a recent accident) keep premiums affordable, including discounts for taking a defensive driver course, bundling policies, or having safety equipment like airbags, anti-lock brakes, and daytime running lights on their vehicles.

Cheapest car insurance in Idaho after a DUI: State Farm

Finding cheap car insurance can be difficult if you have a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction on your record. Insurance companies don’t want to be responsible for high-risk drivers, so people with DUIs may be charged significantly higher rates — or even get dropped from their insurance altogether.

For example, the average full-coverage premium for a GEICO customer with a clean driving record is $52 per month, compared to $98 per month for a driver with a DUI on their record — an increase of 88%.

In Idaho, a DUI conviction comes with severe consequences beyond an increase in insurance rates. If you’re found guilty of a first-time criminal DUI, you can be jailed for up to six months, face fines of up to $1,000, and have your license suspended for 90 to 180 days. Subsequent offenses can result in more jail time, higher fines, a longer license suspension, and even having a felony on your record.

The Idaho Transportation Department will also require you to file an SR-22. This document confirms you have sufficient liability coverage.

But just because you have a DUI doesn’t mean you just have to accept sky-high auto insurance rates. There are several companies out there specifically suited to help high-risk drivers.

The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for Idaho drivers with one DUI on their record.

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance for Idaho drivers with a DUI. The company has a high-risk auto insurance program for drivers who’ve been convicted of a DUI or have multiple speeding tickets.

GEICO, American National, American Family, and Allstate are other great alternatives if you’ve recently been convicted of a DUI.

The Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in Idaho

While Idaho has some of the most affordable rates in the western United States, insurance rates can vary based on your ZIP code as well. This largely comes down to differences in traffic density, crime rates, and the claims frequency in different parts of the state.

Let’s take a look at how rates differ across some of Idaho’s largest cities.

Boise is the most populated city in Idaho by a large margin. But surprisingly, Boise residents don’t pay the highest rates in the state. That dubious honor goes to the nearby suburb of Caldwell, which has roughly one-quarter the population of Idaho’s capital.

Part of that discrepancy may be because many Caldwell residents commute to Boise for work, meaning drivers spend more time on congested roads each day.

5 Ways to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Idaho

If speeding tickets, accidents, or DUIs are driving up your insurance rates, you can take several steps to find cheap car insurance in Idaho.

Jeffrey L. Brewer, department vice president of public affairs at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), recommends the following:

• Contact your insurance company or agent for a policy review.
• Increase your deductible.
• Lower or eliminate other non-essential coverages, such as glass, rental car coverage, and roadside assistance.
• Ask your insurance company about their discount programs.

Brewer also recommends comparison shopping for car insurance.

“When shopping for car insurance, it is important to think about both the amount of coverage you need as well as the reputation of the company and the service they will provide in the event you file a claim,” Brewer says. “Buying the cheapest coverage is not necessarily the best decision for every driver. Consider the type of vehicle that is being insured and the assets you need to protect.”

Idaho Auto Insurance Requirements

Idaho requires owners of all vehicles registered in the state to maintain bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.

Bodily injury liability covers medical bills for other drivers and passengers when you’re at fault in an accident. Idaho law requires you to maintain minimum bodily injury limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Property damage liability pays for damage to someone else’s property when you’re involved in an accident or hit their property. Idaho law requires you to carry a minimum of $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.

Idaho also requires your insurance company to provide uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage (unless you reject the coverage in writing).

Uninsured motorist (UM) insurance pays for you and your passengers’ medical bills if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have auto insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance provides coverage when you’re in an accident with a driver who has car insurance, but their liability limits aren’t enough to cover your expenses.

In most cases, your UM/UIM limits will match your bodily injury liability coverage limits.

But remember, these are the minimums. It’s a good idea to consider carrying broader coverage if you can afford it.

Penalties for driving without auto insurance in Idaho

If you’re caught driving without insurance in Idaho, you’ll receive a ticket for having no proof of insurance. The Idaho Transportation Department may also suspend your driver’s license for one to three years.

If your driver’s license is suspended, you’ll be required to have your insurance company issue an SR-22 to the Division of Motor Vehicles and maintain that SR-22 for one year for the first offense and three years for each subsequent offense.

You’ll also need to pay a fee to have your license reinstated at the end of the suspension.

SR-22 auto insurance in Idaho

Idaho’s Division of Motor Vehicles requires drivers to have an SR-22 after certain convictions, such as a DUI, driving without insurance, or reckless driving. An SR-22 is a document that your auto insurance company files with the state that confirms you have at least the state-minimum liability coverage. The insurance company will notify the state if your coverage lapses or you cancel your policy.

Idaho Auto Insurance FAQs

We have answers to some of the most commonly asked questions by Idaho drivers just like you.

What’s the cheapest auto insurance company in Idaho?

GEICO offers the cheapest auto insurance in Idaho for most types of drivers, including teens, seniors, and people with a speeding ticket or at-fault accident on their record.

How much is car insurance in Idaho?

The overall average cost for car insurance in Idaho is $83 per month. However, your rates may vary depending on your age, location, driving history, and the discounts you qualify for.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Idaho?

Twin Falls, Idaho, has the cheapest car insurance rates in Idaho, with an average monthly premium of just $42.

How much car insurance is required in Idaho?

Idaho requires resident car owners to purchase coverage limits of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, as well as $15,000 for property damage liability coverage.

The state also requires insurance policies to include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage unless you reject the coverage in writing. Most insurance companies match your UM/UIM limits with your bodily injury liability coverage limits.

What happens if you get caught driving without insurance in Idaho?

If you’re caught driving without liability insurance in Idaho, your driver’s license will be suspended for one to three years, you’ll have to maintain an SR-22 for at least one year, and you’ll need to pay a fee to have your license reinstated at the end of your license suspension.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance rates from more than 75 partner insurance providers in order to compile the quotes and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the quotes listed in this article have been gathered from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide drivers with insight into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources

1. U.S. Census Bureau, “Population Density of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico: 1910 to 2020,” accessed September 7, 2023.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts,” accessed September 7, 2023.
3. iPropertyManagement, “Homeownership Rate by Age,” accessed September 7, 2023.
4. Idaho Transportation Department, “What You Should Know About Idaho’s DUI Laws,” accessed September 7, 2023.
5. Idaho Transportation Department, “SR-22 and Reinstatement Information,” accessed September 7, 2023.
6. Idaho Demographics, “Idaho Cities by Population,” accessed September 7, 2023.
7. Idaho Department of Insurance, “Required Auto Coverage,” accessed September 7, 2023.
8. Idaho Transportation Department, “Be Sure to Insure!” accessed September 7, 2023.