Idaho Auto Insurance Market: Competitive Rates and Key Coverage Insights

Car insurance rates in Idaho vary significantly, making it important for consumers to compare options. A recent analysis of eight major insurers shows State Farm and Geico offer some of the most competitive rates for good drivers, averaging about $67 per month for full coverage policies. State Farm leads with the lowest rates for high-risk drivers, including those with speeding tickets, DUIs, and at-fault accidents, and maintains a complaint level below the industry average despite a recent increase. Both State Farm and Geico have collision repair scores below the Crash Network average, indicating room for improvement in claim handling and repair quality. Travelers also provides competitive rates for Idaho drivers, especially for those with minor violations, and features unique policy benefits like a total loss deductible waiver and minor violation forgiveness with upgraded plans. However, Travelers’ collision repair rating is better than State Farm and Geico but still below average, highlighting a broader industry trend in claims service that could impact customer satisfaction. Idaho requires drivers to carry a minimum liability coverage of 25/50/15. Liability insurance covers bodily injury and property damage caused to others but does not protect the policyholder’s own damages. Full coverage policies, which include collision and comprehensive coverage, typically cost around $123 monthly for good drivers in Idaho. Insurance premiums increase significantly with traffic violations: speeding tickets raise rates on average by 25%, DUIs by 81%, and at-fault accidents by 49%; State Farm consistently shows the lowest premium increases for these risk categories. Several cost-saving strategies exist, such as increasing deductibles, avoiding redundancy in coverage (e.g., waiving roadside assistance if covered elsewhere), and leveraging groups or affiliations for discounts. Credit scores also impact premiums in Idaho, with poor credit associated with rates approximately 55% higher than very good credit scores. Electronic proof of insurance is accepted across Idaho, often provided through insurer mobile apps or digital ID cards. The industry advises policyholders to shop for new quotes especially at renewals or after significant life changes like moving or adding drivers, given the variability in rates. The evaluation of these insurers is based on various metrics including pricing, complaint frequency from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and collision repair quality per Crash Network surveys. This comprehensive approach provides insight into insurer performance, emphasizing that competitive pricing and claims service are both critical to Idaho drivers' insurance decisions.