Our Idaho auto insurance premiums can seem to be just another bill to pay
each month. It’s well-worth your while to take the time to understand your insurance coverage. There are various types of insurance coverage you can purchase. Each one is different. You will learn that if you are ever involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in injuries or property damage, the coverage you have, or that you chose to not have, will become the key in whether your expenses get fully covered.
Idaho Auto Insurance -Liability Coverage
All Idaho drivers are legally required to purchase what is referred to as liability insurance. The purpose of this type of auto insurance coverage is to protect your pocketbook. It also protects people you might accidentally injure. It provides reimbursement for injuries or property damage caused in an accident. The minimum for state liability coverage is $25,000 for the bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident. There must be $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person in a single accident. In addition you must have $15,000 in property damage reimbursement related to one single accident.
Many drivers, smartly, opt to carry more insurance than the state’s legal minimum. Your personal assets and bank account are accessible to a person you hurt if you did not have enough insurance coverage.
Other drivers break the law and carry no insurance at all. A driver who is caught driving without insurance in Idaho receives a fine starting at $75. It goes up to $1,000. That driver will also need to provide proof of financial responsibility for an entire year. Future offenses are considered a misdemeanor. Those have a fine of up to $1,000 and jail time of up to six months.
Idaho Auto Insurance -Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage
To protect drivers against the hazards caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists, Idaho law states that all drivers must be offered uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage when they purchase their own car insurance. This coverage steps in to pay for expenses if you are involved in an auto accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. The coverage is automatically offered when you purchase your insurance and must be formally rejected in writing if you do not want the added protection. We think it is an absolute mistake not to buy the largest amount of insurance you can afford. UM/UIM is customarily offered with a $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident limit. This is itself a problem. We discuss the whole issue of sham underinsured coverage in this blog post.
Idaho Auto Insurance – Other Coverages
Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage are optional, but generally required if you took out a loan to purchase your vehicle. Collision coverage pays for accidents involving collisions with another object, including other vehicles, if your vehicle is damaged and you are at fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages related to causes such as fire, hail, water and vandalism. You can learn more details about about automobile coverage at this post.
Hepworth Holzer Can Help
The attorneys at Holzer Edwards are dedicated to representing Idaho residents and their loved ones who have been injured or experienced property damage due to the negligence of others. Call us at (208) 328-6998 or contact us for a free case review.