Car insurance in Indiana

Car insurance requirements in Indiana

In order to legally drive in Indiana, you’ll need minimum liability insurance, including:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per per+son.
• $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident.
• $10,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident.

When shopping for car insurance, you’ll sometimes see this written as 25/50/10.

When it comes to uninsured motorists coverage — which protects you in the event of an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance — Indiana is an opt-out state. That means that Indiana insurance companies are required to offer you UIM insurance, but you can sign a waiver to opt out of carrying it.

You can also get additional types of insurance to better protect yourself, including:

• Collision. Helps pay for repairs if your car is damaged in an accident.
• Comprehensive. Covers you in case your car is damaged by something other than an accident — for instance, a fire or vandalism.
• Rental car. Helps you manage the financial fallout of car repairs.
• Loan/lease gap coverage. If your car is completely totalled in a car accident, loan/lease gap coverage will pay the difference between what you owe on your car and what it’s worth at the time of an accident.
• Medical payments. Assists in paying for medical bills incurred as a result of a car accident.
• Emergency roadside service. Covers towing or labor costs caused by an accident.
• Custom equipment. Helps pay for the cost of custom equipment on the vehicle that was damaged in an accident.

Auto insurance providers for drivers in Indiana

	Details	Features
Liberty Mutual Car Insurance	Car insurance through Liberty Mutual will give coverage options for almost any situation.	Multi-car discount Bundle discount for combining auto and home policies New vehicle discount	Get Quote More info
Esurance	Esurance offers a modern online and mobile experience that helps you take your insurance on the go.	CoverageMyWay® helps you make smarter choices Gain peace of mind with 24/7 claims service Manage your policy on the go with Esurance Mobile	Get Quote More info
Allstate Auto Insurance	With a range of coverage options at affordable prices, Allstate auto insurance can be personalized to your needs as a driver.	Reward System for Safe Drivers Bumper-to-Bumper Basics® Tool Comprehensive Tools to Design a Customized Insurance Plan	Get Quote More info

Drunk driving laws in Indiana

Indiana’s legal limits of intoxication are the same as every other state in the country — 0.08% for normal drivers, and 0.04% for anyone driving commercially. However, some of Indiana’s fines and penalties are unique to the state.

First offense:

• Fees and court costs: Minimum $300.
• Fines: Maximum $5,000.
• Imprisonment: Maximum 1 year.
• License suspension: 2 years.
• Submit to alcohol and/or drug testing.
• Required to attend:
  • a substance abuse education course
  • a victim impact panel

With each offense your penalties and suspensions increase, with a whopping 10-year suspension if you have a third offense within 10 years. And if you have two drunk driving incidents within 10 years resulting in injury or death, you’ll lose your license for life.

Additionally, Indiana has common consent laws that apply to chemical testing when a police officer thinks you might have been drinking. This means you legally have the right to refuse a roadside alcohol sensor test, otherwise known as a breathalyzer, but by refusing you’re likely to have your license suspended for up to 2 years. And with this law, it doesn’t matter what the test would have shown; your refusal, on principal, will get you in trouble.

SR-22 insurance in Indiana

Yes, you can. You might need an SR-22 if you’ve gotten a DUI, lost your license or have too many violation points on your driving record. SR-22 tells the state you have the minimum coverage required to get back behind the wheel.

What happens after a car accident in Indiana?

Even if you’re shaken or dazed after a car accident, it’s important that you take some steps to protect yourself from unnecessary worries.

1. Safety first. Check that no one involved in the accident has been injured. If someone has been injured, call 911 right away. If everyone is fine, try to move your vehicle so it won’t block the road. Even if no one is injured, it’s a good idea to call the local police and inform them of what’s happened.
2. Exchange information. Write down the full names, car make and model and insurance information of the people involved in the accident. Don’t forget to include their addresses and driver’s license numbers in your notes.
3. Notify your insurance agent. Call your insurance company before you leave the scene. They’ll be able to help guide you through more specific next steps. If you have questions about the accident, your insurance agent should be a good resource.
4. Document the scene. Take pictures of the scene, paying special attention to capturing multiple angles of where the damage occurred. Take down the names of police officers and any potential witnesses to better protect your claim.

Indiana is an at-fault, or tort, state. That means that if you’re found to be at fault for an accident, you’re required to pay for the damages, including any potential medical bills to those injured. Victims have the right to further pursue compensation for lost wages and any “pain and suffering” caused by the accident.

When should I report an accident to the authorities in Indiana?

Indiana state requirements for reporting accidents to authorities vary a lot based off of your specific situation. For example, if you damage someone’s unattended vehicle and can’t find them to give them your insurance information, you must call the police. If you’re unsure of the steps you should take, it’s usually a good idea to call your local police just to be safe. Failure to report certain accidents to the proper authorities can lead to license suspension, and even felony charges.

When will I need a certificate of compliance?

A Certificate of Compliance means that you’ve met your financial responsibility for owning a car. You’ll need to provide one if:

• The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) receives an accident report for an accident in which you were involved.
• You’ve been issued a traffic ticket within one year of previously receiving two moving violations or more.
• You’ve committed a serious traffic violation.
• You’ve committed any traffic violation when your license was previously suspended for not providing proof of insurance.

When any of these situations occur, the BMV will send a request for proof of car insurance to your home. You will then need to contact your insurance agent to submit the certificate to prove you were insured (or the vehicle was insured) at the time of the accident. The certificate needs to be electronically submitted within 40 days of the date you receive the request from the BMV. Otherwise, you may face suspension of your Indiana driver’s license.

Bottom line

Carrying auto insurance protects you, your family and fellow drivers. Research your insurance options to make sure that you’re receiving the coverage that you need — and that your state requires.

As always, to get the best coverage possible at a great rate, we recommend comparing your options and shopping around. To learn more about car insurance in general, from discounts to regulations, visit our comprehensive car insurance guide.