Minimum requirements and how to get cheap auto insurance in Utah
If you live in Utah or are thinking of moving there soon, you might be thinking about all the skiing you’re going to do — and nobody would blame you if changing your car insurance wasn’t at the top of your priority list. But whenever you move to a new state, your car insurance requirements can change, resulting in a policy update soon after you land.
In Utah, every driver is required to carry auto insurance coverage or keep a $160,000 deposit with the State Treasurer. Learn out about minimum requirements in Utah, its interesting driving laws and how you can get a solid insurance rate to suit your needs.
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Utah comes in at just more than $1,000 for the average driver to insure their car for a year. That’s a good bit less than the national average in 2017, which was about $1,300 annually. Rates in Utah are also far less than what you’d pay in the most expensive state, Michigan, where average costs tend to exceed $2,000 a year.
The state of Utah is awash in gorgeous scenery and breathtaking views, even in its cities. But city living could come with higher insurance rates because of an increased risk of theft and traffic accidents. As a rule of thumb, car insurance in metropolitan Salt Lake City will likely cost more than it will in smaller towns like Helper or Kamas.
With so many providers claiming to offer the best value and coverage, it can be tough to keep it all straight. And that’s before you add in complicating factors like extra drivers, vehicle types or an urban home.
Generally, Utah isn’t among the most expensive parts of the country to find car insurance. To find the most affordable insurance coverage for your needs, take time to shop around and compare your options.
To legally drive in Utah, you’ll need insurance that includes at least:
You’re also required to have at least $3,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) per person. This covers your medical costs, no matter who’s at fault in an accident.
To best protect yourself, your vehicle and your passengers, look into additional kinds of coverage.
About 8% of all drivers in Utah in 2015 didn’t carry adequate insurance, according to data from the Insurance Research Council. While it’s below the nationwide average of 13%, it’s nothing to ignore.
Being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run accident can leave you with extra costs that you’ll have to cover with your insurance. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can help take care of these costs.
If you have trouble finding cheap coverage or you’re considered a high-risk driver, try Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP).
WAAIP makes it easy for any driver to get covered. You’ll be assigned an affordable provider in the network of WAAIP’s participating insurance companies.
If you’d rather not carry a car insurance policy, you have the option of depositing $160,000 with the State Treasurer that’s used to pay for any costs after a crash. It sounds like a lot of money on the surface to cover repairs and medical costs, but a crash involving multiple cars and injuries can quickly wipe that deposit right out. If that happens, you pay any outstanding costs from your own pocket.
Yes. Many major providers offer temporary car insurance for customers who qualify.
But not all coverage options are available in every state. And when you do find a temporary policy that’s available where you live, you can expect it to be more expensive than traditional car insurance/
If you’re caught driving without car insurance, you’re likely to face steep fines and a possible license and registration suspension. You could even wind up with some jail time if you’re a repeat offender or are involved in a severe crash without the minimum coverage.
Your first offense typically involves a fine of at least $400, with fines of $1,000 for any offenses after that. You’ll also have to pay license and registration reinstatement fees — $100 and $30, respectively — to get back on the road. And if your vehicle is towed or impounded, those can incur extra costs as well.
Most states share a common set of traffic and driving laws, but Utah has a handful of regulations to keep an eye out for:
In Utah, the blood alcohol content (BAC) limits are the same as in any state: 0.08% for normal drivers and 0.04% for commercial drivers.
But the state imposes zero tolerance for underage drinkers in this state. Any alcohol at all detected in a driver under 21 is an automatic violation.
| First offense | Second offense | Third offense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail | 2 days minimum | 10 days minimum | 63 days minimum |
| Fines and penalties | $700 minimum | $800 minimum | $1,500 minimum |
| License suspension | 4 months | 2 years | 2 years |
| Ignition interlock device required | No | Yes | Yes |
Yes. You might need to file an SR-22 in Utah alongside your insurance policy if you’re convicted of a DUI, you’re caught driving without car insurance or you’ve accumulated too many violation points on your driving record.
SR-22 insurance is typically mandated by a court decision, and it’s most commonly enforced for up to three years after the mandate.
No matter how small, any accident can leave you feeling overwhelmed. By following a few simple tips, you can make the process of filing an insurance claim that much easier.
Utah imposes a no-fault system for auto insurance. This means your own insurance covers you after an accident, regardless of who’s at fault for the crash.
In Utah, you must report a car accident if:
If you fail to report the accident, you expose yourself to a hit-and-run charge, which can carry felony penalties and fines.
Not all accidents require legal help. But you might want to consult a lawyer if:
Although Utah provides an alternative to carrying car insurance to legal drive on its scenic roads, it’s worth looking into purchasing at least the state’s minimum level of coverage on your own. The right car insurance policy for your needs can keep you, your vehicle and your passengers protected in a fender bender or even the worst-case accident.
To learn more about policy options and tips to cheaper rates, read our comprehensive guide to auto insurance.
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