Reader’s Question:

What is minimum liability for car insurance in Idaho? I need to know so I can get SR22 insurance from a different state, and they require this information.

Carol

Boise, ID

According to the Idaho state law proof of financial responsibility means proof of ability to respond in damages for liability, on account of accidents happening subsequent to the effective date of the proof, arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a motor vehicle, in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of bodily injury to or death of one (1) person in any one per accident, and, subject to the limit for one (1) person, in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one per accident, and in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one per accident”.

So in simple language, this means that Idaho’s minimum required car insurance limits are 25/50/15. This stands for Bodily Injury Liability coverage of $25,000 per injured person up to a total of $50,000 per accident, and Property Damage Liability coverage with a minimum limit of $15,000 per accident.

Reader’s Question:

Can I have my car registered Idaho and insure that vehicle in California?

Harold

Boise, ID

According to the ID Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to register a car in Idaho the vehicle must belong to an Idaho resident or business and the car must be titled in Idaho before it can be registered. Idaho residents who are temporarily in a different state (i.e., students or military personnel) may request titles and registrations for their cars through the mail.

If the state of Idaho does not require you to have your car insurance purchased through an Idaho Insurance company then it may be possible to insure the car in California if you are currently residing in California as a non-resident that does not need to register the vehicle there. For example if your permanent address is in Idaho but you are a college student in California your Idaho insurance company may not cover you to be in CA since the car is garaged in CA a majority of the year. You then may be able to acquire California insurance but you will likely need to get limits of 25/50/15 to meet Idaho’s minimum requirements since your car is registered in that state.

So if you want to have your vehicle registered in Idaho and insured in CA you will need check with the ID Department of Motor Vehicle first to make certain it is okay then look for an insurance carrier that would provide you this type of car insurance policy.