Best car insurance in Idaho for 2023

How Bankrate chose the best car insurance companies in Idaho

To find the best car insurance companies in Idaho, we start by analyzing proprietary rate data provided by Quadrant Information Services to find the cheapest car insurance in Idaho. Then, we review other essential metrics, such as customer satisfaction scores from the 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study and financial strength ratings from AM Best. Finally, we analyze coverage options and accessibility via mobile apps and online portals.

Using this information, we issued each company a Bankrate Score ranging from 0.0 to 5.0. (with 5.0 being the highest score possible). Using our Bankrate Scores, shoppers can holistically review some of the best Idaho auto insurance companies to find an option that may meet their individualized needs.

Best car insurance companies in Idaho

According to Quadrant Information Services, the average annual premium for a full-coverage car insurance policy in Idaho is $1,065, and the average rate for a minimum coverage policy is $271 per year. These premiums are far below the national averages for full and minimum coverage of $1,771 and $545, respectively. Using this information and our Bankrate Scores as a baseline, we found that Geico, State Farm and Oregon Mutual may offer the best Idaho auto insurance.

Geico

Geico is well-known for its competitive rates. On top of already-low premiums in Idaho, the company also offers potential discounts such as good student, multi-policy, federal employee, military and loyalty to help lower costs further. However, Geico does not offer many optional coverages, so the coverage is fairly basic. If you are interested in mobile tools, though, Geico may be a good choice. Its website and mobile app allow you to virtually file claims, pay bills and request quotes.

Learn more: Geico Insurance review

State Farm

State Farm is the largest personal auto insurance carrier in the country by market share. If you prefer working with a live agent, State Farm may be a good choice, as it operates through a nationwide network of local agents. State Farm could also be a good option if you have teen drivers, as the company offers several potential discounts for young drivers, including a good student discount and driver training discount. However, State Farm does not offer gap insurance, so if you need this coverage, there may be better options available.

Learn more: State Farm Insurance review

Oregon Mutual

Oregon Mutual offers car insurance in four states, including Idaho. Oregon Mutual is unique because it is a mutual company, meaning that policyholders own the company and can earn dividends based on its performance. Oregon Mutual is also known for its affordable rates for both auto and homeowners coverage. It has several savings opportunities available, including the affinity group discount for drivers who are also members of an eligible credit union. However, Oregon Mutual doesn’t have a full-service mobile app. If this is your preferred way of doing business, Oregon Mutual may not be the company for you.

Learn more: Oregon Mutual Insurance review

Nationwide

Nationwide may be a good choice if you are looking for a company with a smooth claims process. Nationwide offers its proprietary On Your Side Auto Repair Network, which is a network of auto repair shops. If you get your vehicle fixed at one of these shops after a covered claim, you will receive a guarantee of the work. Nationwide also offers several coverage options and discounts that may allow you to tailor your policy to your needs. It is important to note, though, that Nationwide has one of the highest average premiums on this list, so it may not be the best choice for those prioritizing cheap rates.

Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners sells its insurance through a network of independent agents. Auto-Owners’ strong attributes include its discounts, add-on coverage options and high customer service scores. Auto-Owners offers several potential endorsement options as well, including gap insurance, diminished value coverage and a common loss deductible. If you get into an accident with another driver covered by Auto-Owners, your collision deductible may be waived. It is worth mentioning that drivers looking for robust digital tools may not be satisfied with Auto-Owners. Although the company does have a mobile app available for download, there are some complaints about its functionality.

Learn more: Auto-Owners Insurance review

Average cost of car insurance in Idaho

When it comes to car insurance, Idaho drivers pay an average of $1,065 per year for full coverage and $271 annually for minimum coverage. This is quite a bit lower than the national average cost of car insurance, which is $1,771 annually for full coverage and $545 for minimum coverage.

The average cost of car insurance in Idaho is not only cheap compared to national rates, but it’s also more affordable than several neighboring states. The rates in California, for instance, are 106 percent higher than Idaho’s, with an average annual full coverage premium of $2,190. Averaging $1,795 per year for full coverage, Montana car insurance may not be as expensive as California, but it’s still 69 percent more costly than Idaho.

Idaho drivers may pay less for insurance for a number of reasons. Car insurance rates are based partly on risk, and a lower population density may mean that Idaho drivers are at a lower risk of getting in accidents than drivers in other parts of the country.

How to find the best car insurance in Idaho

With so many options available, finding Idaho car insurance may seem daunting, but Bankrate is here to help. We understand that different drivers may have different priorities, whether that be cheap premiums or top-notch customer service. It’s essential to find a company that meets your needs so that you can maintain continuous coverage — not only is car insurance mandatory in Idaho, but sufficient auto insurance coverage provides integral financial protection from covered perils. If you are the at-fault driver in an uninsured accident, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars or more in damages. A robust car insurance policy may help reduce the instances of a hefty out-of-pocket expense.

Consider minimum insurance requirements

When looking for cheap car insurance in Idaho, you may be tempted to carry the state’s minimum required limits. Although this option may offer lower premiums, this coverage package could cost you in the long run if you are in an at-fault accident and the damage exceeds your liability limits. Many insurance professionals suggest that you carry higher limits than the state minimum if you can reasonably afford to do so.

Consider lender requirements

Along with carrying at least Idaho minimum coverage, you will likely have additional insurance requirements if you are financing your vehicle. In this instance, your lender will likely require you to carry comprehensive and collision coverages. They may also stipulate how high you can set your deductible (with the maximum usually being $500 or $1,000).

If you are leasing, you will likely have to carry liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $50,000 for property damage in addition to comprehensive and collision. Your policy paperwork may show this coverage package as 100/300/50.

Your lender technically owns your vehicle while you are making payments or leasing, making them an additional interest. In simpler terms, your lender is interested in your car's financial well-being, so they usually mandate specific insurance requirements above state minimums.

Consider your individual needs

Many of the best Idaho car insurance companies have coverage options to help you better tailor your policy. Although these optional coverages may cost an additional premium, they could be worth it, depending on your individual needs:

• Gap insurance: If your insurance company declares your vehicle as a total loss and you owe more on your loan than what the car is worth, gap insurance could step in to pay the difference in the case of a covered event.
• Roadside assistance coverage: If you break down on the side of the road, you may be able to get a tow truck free from out-of-pocket cost if you carry emergency roadside assistance. In addition to towing, this coverage may pay for a locksmith if you lock yourself out of your car.
• Mechanical breakdown insurance: A standard car insurance policy does not typically cover vehicle breakdowns unrelated to a covered claim. Mechanical breakdown insurance, however, is the exception. This optional coverage works similarly to an extended warranty and may pay for vehicle repairs not caused by a car accident.

Car insurance discounts in Idaho

Nearly every insurance provider in Idaho offers at least a few policy discounts. When shopping for car insurance in Idaho, you may want to ask each car insurance company that you get quotes from what discounts you may qualify for. Here are a few popular discounts in Idaho:

• Young driver discounts: Many Idaho car insurance companies understand that adding a young driver to your policy could cause financial strain. To help offset this cost, they may offer discounts for teens and young adults, such as a driver’s training discount or a good student discount for students that earn strong grades in school.
• Safe driver discounts: Being a safe driver may help reduce your overall risk and reward you with a lower base rate. In addition to lower rates, maintaining a clean driving record for a certain period may net you extra savings through a safe driver discount.
• Other discounts: Although these miscellaneous discounts may not be available with every company, they are worth looking into. For example, several companies now offer a potential discount if you install a telematics app or device in your vehicle and practice safe driving habits. Additionally, you may want to carry property insurance with the company that holds your auto coverage to earn a bundling discount. You might also earn a discount if you take an online defensive driving course.

Most insurance companies offer different sets of discounts. You can often review discounts on a company’s website, but you could also talk to an agent to confirm what savings opportunities are available to you.