Short answer: Idaho requires continuous liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $15,000 for property damage. Policies include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at those limits unless you reject it in writing or electronically. A first offense for driving uninsured is a $75 infraction; a second within five years is a misdemeanor.
Idaho's required limits
Idaho Code §49-117(20) defines proof of financial responsibility as:
| Coverage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury or death, one person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury or death, two or more people | $50,000 |
| Property damage | $15,000 |
Section 49-1229 requires every owner of a registered vehicle operated in Idaho to keep that insurance in place continuously, not just on the day of registration.
The bond option
Instead of a policy, an owner can post an indemnity bond with the director of the Department of Insurance. It must guarantee payment within 30 days of at least $50,000 per accident, of which $15,000 is for property damage, for each vehicle, up to $120,000 for five or more vehicles.
Carry proof, on paper or your phone
Idaho Code §49-1232 says a certificate or proof of insurance must be with the driver or in the vehicle whenever it's driven, and shown to an officer on request. Paper or an electronic image on a phone both work.
There's a built-in safety valve. You won't be convicted if, at any time before conviction, you produce proof that coverage was in effect when you were cited. If your license was suspended and the court didn't order it, the department can rescind the suspension once you prove you were insured, with no reinstatement fee.
Penalties
Both §49-1229 and §49-1232 use the same schedule:
- First violation: an infraction with a $75 fine.
- Second or later conviction within five years, counting violations of either section: a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both.
$75 sounds mild, but an uninsured crash leaves you personally liable for the other driver's losses.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Under Idaho Code §41-2502:
- Both are included by default. No liability policy on an Idaho-registered or garaged vehicle may be issued without UM and UIM at the §49-117 limits.
- You can reject one or both. The named insured's rejection must be in writing or in an electronic record, and it binds everyone on the policy.
- Rejection carries forward. The insurer, or an affiliate, needn't add the coverage back on renewal or replacement policies.
- You get an explainer. Since 2009, before a new policy or first renewal, insurers must give a standard statement approved by the Department of Insurance summarizing UM, UIM and the different forms of UIM available in Idaho.
The statute doesn't apply to ATVs, UTVs, specialty off-highway vehicles or motorbikes.
Read that statement before signing anything.
Your own injuries need their own coverage
Idaho isn't a no-fault state, and the minimum policy has no built-in personal injury protection. The Idaho Department of Insurance's auto claims page puts it directly: to have your insurer pay for injuries you or your passengers suffer, you need medical payments coverage on the policy before the loss. To get paid for damage to your car, you need comprehensive and/or collision.
Fault and recovery
Under Idaho Code §6-801, your negligence doesn't bar recovery if it was not as great as the negligence of the person you're claiming against. Your damages are reduced by your share. Equal fault means no recovery.
Claim tips from the Department
- Call police after an accident, theft or vandalism. They may not respond to private-property crashes without injuries.
- Photograph every side of every vehicle and the scene.
- Get the other drivers' names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance, plus witness details and the tow company.
- If an insurer steers you to a "preferred shop," ask whether it guarantees the work. It isn't obligated to, and if it does, get that in writing.
Bottom line
Idaho's floor is 25/50/15, UM and UIM are opt-out, and medical payments coverage is how your own injuries get paid fast. Compare states in our car insurance minimums by state chart.
Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in Idaho and auto insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Idaho?
$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage.
What is the fine for no insurance in Idaho?
A $75 infraction for a first violation. A second within five years is a misdemeanor with up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Idaho?
It's included unless the named insured rejects it in writing or electronically. The same applies to underinsured coverage.
Can I show proof of insurance on my phone in Idaho?
Yes. Idaho Code §49-1232 accepts electronic images on a phone or other portable device.
Does Idaho car insurance pay my own medical bills?
Only if you buy medical payments coverage. Idaho's required minimum is liability-based.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.