How to Change Car Insurance When Moving to Idaho

Idaho is one of America’s best-kept secrets. It’s an untapped expanse of breathtaking scenery. Its residents are few in number but fervent in their love for the state. Maybe you’re considering a move to Idaho. If so, it’ll be an adventure and will certainly change your lifestyle.

Enter your zip code above to compare car insurance rates from the best companies in Idaho!

While car insurance is one of the more mundane changes you’ll make, it’s something that needs to be done. The following paragraphs explain how to change car insurance when moving to Idaho.

Life in Idaho

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Idaho isn’t all potato fields. The state features a mix of urban, suburban, and rural living options. Your car insurance choices depend on where in Idaho you choose to live.

– City vs. Country

People know Idaho more for its countryside than for its cities. But the state offers a nice mix of both. Its state capital and largest city, Boise, is quite cosmopolitan in its urban core. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the city boasts nearly 700,000 residents in its metropolitan area.

The downtown area features a business district, a plethora of shopping and dining options, and an array of urban condos and lofts.

But the state certainly has no shortage of rural terrain. If you choose to live in one of Idaho’s more isolated reaches, you’ll probably pay lower car insurance premiums. This is because Idaho’s rural areas have less traffic and less crime.

– Crime Rates

There’s a common misconception that age, gender, and driving record are the only factors that determine car insurance rates. But where you live factors into what you pay. Insurance companies adjust premiums by zip code based on traffic accident rates. They also look at crime rates.

Auto insurance has the potential to cover theft and vandalism as well as damage from accidents. This means you present a risk to your insurance company if you keep your vehicle in a high-crime zip code.

Nowhere in Idaho is notorious for high crime. But particularly in its bigger cities, such as Boise, zip codes with higher-than-average crime rates exist.

– Varying Costs By Zip Code

You could be the same age, same gender, drive the same car, and have the same driving record as your friend. And you might live only a mile apart. But if you live in a different zip code, you might pay more for car insurance depending on crime rates and other statistics.

For this reason, it’s a smart move to get insurance quotes from different zip codes before you move. Why pay hundreds more for car insurance if you can move to a similar house in a similar neighborhood a mile away and pay less?

Don’t Simply Cancel Your Policy

Don’t cancel your current auto insurance in anticipation of a move to Idaho. You’ll want to secure coverage in Idaho first. Canceling auto insurance before having a new policy in place can cause problems. Insurance companies often charge more to customers who have lapses in coverage.

Even a one-day gap between canceling your old policy and buying your new one counts as a lapse. Having continuous coverage helps ensure you pay the lowest premiums.

Your current company may offer coverage in Idaho. That’s a good first place to check when shopping for your new policy.

The transition would most likely be seamless. However, just because this company offered the best deal in your current state doesn’t mean that’s the case in Idaho. You always want to shop around.

Do Your Research

Be sure to do your research before buying an auto insurance policy in Idaho. The state has certain laws pertaining to auto insurance of which you should be aware. You also need to know what options are available above and beyond the legal minimums.

– Minimum Requirements in Idaho

Idaho requires that all drivers maintain the following coverage:

• $15,000 for property damage
• $25,000 for the injury or death of one person
• $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person

These minimums apply to rental cars, as well. Most auto insurance policies in Idaho cover you when you’re driving a rental car. But not all do. So you’ll want to verify this detail before you rent a car.

If your policy doesn’t cover you, then you can buy daily insurance from the rental company that meets the state minimums.

Idaho has a few additional car insurance laws of which you should be aware:

• You must show proof of insurance to register your car. If you do not have this, you must sign an affidavit that you will immediately insure your vehicle at the state minimum levels or higher.
• You must always carry proof of financial responsibility when you drive. Calling your insurance agent when pulled over and having them speak to the police doesn’t count as proof of insurance. You must have your insurance card on your person.

– Additional Coverage Options to Consider in Idaho

Minimum coverage keeps you legal. But it often doesn’t provide all the protection you need. For instance, what about damage to your own car in an accident in which you’re at fault? Liability coverage only pays for the other person’s damages and injuries.

Another example: a driver without insurance plows into your vehicle, and that driver lacks insurance. Since you didn’t cause the accident, your insurance isn’t responsible.

But the other driver doesn’t have insurance, and if someone doesn’t have car insurance, a good chance exists they don’t have the money to pay out of pocket. You could be out of luck in this situation.

That’s why you should consider these additional coverage options in Idaho:

• Collision insurance – This covers damage to your vehicle in an at-fault accident. If you forgo this coverage, you’ll have to pay out of pocket if your car sustains damage in a crash.
• Comprehensive insurance – This covers damage to your vehicle in non-collision situations. For example, a tree falls on your car during a storm.
• Uninsured motorist coverage – This covers damage to your vehicle from a driver who lacks auto insurance. Unfortunately, over 12 percent of U.S. drivers are uninsured.

– Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Driving without insurance or proof of financial responsibility is a crime in Idaho. The penalties vary depending on whether it’s your first or a subsequent offense.

• First offense – A fine of $75.
• Subsequent offense – A fine of up to $1,000, plus possible jail time of up to six months.

Finding the Best Rates in Idaho

With some due diligence, you can find the best car insurance rates in Idaho for your unique needs.

– Factors Companies Consider

Insurance companies consider the following factors when determining your premiums:

• Age – Since younger drivers have more accidents and thus present a higher risk to insurance companies, they pay more in premiums.
• Gender – Men have higher accident rates than women, so their premiums are higher.
• Marital Status – Some research has indicated that married drivers are less accident-prone. As a result, certain insurance companies charge them less.
• Driving Record – Your driving record is perhaps the most important factor that determines what you pay for auto insurance. The more accidents and moving violations you have, the higher your premiums will be.
• Credit History – Some insurance companies check your credit and charge you more if your score is low.
• Zip Code – As previously discussed, zip codes with more traffic accidents and more crime result in higher premiums for residents.

– Ways to Lower Premiums in Idaho

You can keep your Idaho auto insurance premiums low by asking about discounts and comparing quotes online.

Common car insurance discounts include the following:

• Good Driver – Each year you go without an accident, you might qualify for lower premiums.
• Good Student – This discount is for drivers enrolled in school who maintain certain grades, usually a ‘B’ average.
• Multi-Line – If you have your auto, life, and homeowner’s insurance with the same company, you might qualify for a discount on all of them.
• Anti-Theft – Retrofitting your vehicle with an anti-theft device may earn you a discount.
• Driver Education – You can potentially receive an insurance discount for completing an accredited driver’s ed course.
• Multi-Vehicle – A great discount if you have multiple cars insured with the same company.

Start with your current car insurance company. But just because they offer coverage in Idaho, don’t assume they’re the best fit for you. Sometimes a company is highly competitive in one state but not in another.

Compare three to four quotes side by side before making a decision. Look at the types of coverage you’re getting and in what amounts compared to the price.

Review options specific to your area. If one company is known for offering fantastic deals in Boise, and that’s where you’re moving, then investigate.

Once You Move

You must register your vehicle and get an Idaho license plate within 90 days of moving to the state. You’ll need to bring the following to the DMV to do this:

• The car you’re registering
• Your current vehicle title and registration
• Your driver’s license
• Cash or a check to pay the registration fee

Make sure to keep your auto insurance coverage up to date by reviewing your policy every six months. Your needs can change over time, and so can insurance policies. The policy that was ideal last year may not be ideal this year.

Idaho is a great place to live. Before moving, though, make sure to have your auto insurance situation squared away. It can save you a lot of trouble down the road.

Enter your zip code below to find the best car insurance rates in your area today!