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Idaho requires 25/50/15 liability coverage, and it enforces the rule in two separate ways. Under Idaho Code 49-1428, a first no-insurance violation is an infraction with a $75 fine, while a second within five years is a misdemeanor that can carry a fine and jail time. Separately, the Drive Insured program checks coverage online under a 2019 law: if a vehicle shows no insurance for two consecutive months, the owner receives a warning and 30 days to respond before the registration is suspended.
A suspended registration can be reinstated with proof of insurance and a $75 fee, but the driver-record side can be heavier: the Idaho Transportation Department describes a one-year license suspension for a first no-insurance conviction and three years for a second within five years, with SR-22 proof required for as long as the suspension lasts. Idaho is an at-fault state with a 50 percent bar under modified comparative negligence. Its rules on credit-based scoring are distinctive: the premium using the highest credit factor cannot exceed twice the premium using the lowest. Winter driving, rural highways and wildlife shape claims across the state.
| Minimum liability | 25/50/15 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | None beyond liability |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Restricted |
| SR-22 / proof of financial responsibility | The Idaho Transportation Department requires an SR-22 after certain convictions, and the filing requirement lasts as long as the suspension. If the SR-22 lapses, the suspension is reactivated until proof and fees are provided. |
Idaho minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Idaho you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $15,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Is Idaho a no-fault state?
Idaho is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.
Idaho uses modified comparative negligence, so an injured person who is 50 percent or more at fault is barred from recovering damages.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Idaho?
Status: Restricted. Idaho law (Idaho Code 41-1843) bars charging higher rates or cancelling coverage based primarily on credit history, and Department rules cap the premium using the highest credit factor at twice the premium using the lowest, with other factors unchanged.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Idaho
Under Idaho Code 49-1428, a first violation for no liability insurance is an infraction with a $75 fine, and a second within five years is a misdemeanor. ITD driver-record guidance describes a one-year license suspension for a first offense and three years for a second, and a reinstatement fee of $85.
Idaho's Drive Insured program verifies coverage online. If a vehicle is uninsured for two consecutive months, the owner gets a warning and 30 days to provide proof or an exemption, or the registration is suspended; reinstatement requires proof and a $75 fee.
The Idaho Transportation Department requires an SR-22 after certain convictions, and the filing requirement lasts as long as the suspension. If the SR-22 lapses, the suspension is reactivated until proof and fees are provided.
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for Idaho drivers
- Respond to a Drive Insured warning within 30 days. Idaho can suspend the registration if you do not show proof of insurance or an exemption, and reinstatement costs $75.
- Use the online Drive Insured tool to report coverage. County DMV offices do not handle Drive Insured reporting, so you cannot fix it in person there.
- Do not assume a $75 infraction is the whole cost. ITD guidance links a no-insurance conviction to a license suspension and an $85 reinstatement fee.
- If you need an SR-22, keep it continuous. A lapse reactivates the suspension until proof and fees are provided.
- Rural highways and winter conditions make wildlife and weather claims common. Check your comprehensive deductible and what a deer collision would cost you.
- Ask how credit is used in your quote. Idaho Department rules cap the spread between highest and lowest credit-based premiums at a factor of two.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Idaho Department of Insurance
- Motor vehicle agency: Idaho Transportation Department – DMV
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What are Idaho's minimum car insurance limits?
Idaho requires $25,000 for injury or death of one person in any one accident, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more persons in any one accident, and $15,000 for damage to others' property, known as 25/50/15. The insurer must be licensed in Idaho. The Idaho Transportation Department lists these limits on its vehicle insurance page.
What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Idaho?
Under Idaho Code 49-1428, a first violation is an infraction carrying a $75 fine, and a second violation within five years is a misdemeanor. The Idaho Transportation Department also describes license suspensions, one year for a first offense and three years for a second, with an $85 reinstatement fee. Proposed changes may have altered amounts, so confirm with ITD.
What is Idaho's Drive Insured program?
Drive Insured is the state's online system for verifying coverage on registered vehicles. If a vehicle is uninsured for two consecutive months, the owner receives a warning and 30 days to provide proof of insurance or get an exemption. If the owner does not respond, the registration is suspended, and reinstating it requires proof of insurance and a $75 fee.
Is Idaho a no-fault state?
No. Idaho is an at-fault state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for damages, and Idaho uses modified comparative negligence, which reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault. If you are 50 percent or more at fault, you are barred from recovering damages from the other driver.
Can Idaho insurers use credit to set auto rates?
Yes, with limits. Idaho Code 41-1843 prohibits charging a higher rate or cancelling coverage based primarily on credit rating or history. Department rules also say the premium using the highest credit factor cannot be more than twice the premium using the lowest, with all other factors unchanged. Ask your insurer how it applies credit.
Sources
- Idaho Transportation Department – Vehicle Insurance
- Idaho Legislature – Idaho Code 49-1428
- Idaho Transportation Department – A Guide to Understanding Driver Records
- Idaho Transportation Department – Driver Records and Suspensions
- NAIC – Use of Credit Reports/Scoring in Underwriting (state chart, Summer 2025)
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Idaho Department of Insurance or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.