What Are The Minimum Car Insurance Requirements In Utah?
Utah’s minimum car insurance has liability limits of $15,000 for property damage liability per accident, $25,000 bodily injury liability to one person in an accident, and $65,000 bodily injury liability to two or more people per accident. The minimum Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage in Utah is $3,000.
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Utah law requires drivers to have at least basic car insurance to drive legally on the state’s roads. The average cost for minimum car insurance in Utah is about $56 per month.
With 9 years of experience in auto insurance, I’ve helped drivers like you understand state requirements and find the best policy to meet your needs.
Key Takeaways
Utah checks its vehicle registration records against an insurance database. If they find a vehicle without insurance, they send a letter asking the owner to provide proof of coverage.
Although Utah sets minimum car insurance requirements, they are not a limit on how much coverage you can choose. You can opt for higher coverage to better protect your financial assets, vehicle, and passengers.
Under Utah Code 31A-22-302, all passenger cars and trucks must have No-Fault, bodily injury, and property damage liability coverage for the entire registration period.
As a no-fault state, Utah requires your insurance to cover your medical expenses, no matter who caused the accident.
Is Car Insurance Required In Utah?
Car insurance is mandatory in Utah. Drivers must carry at least the minimum required coverage, which includes liability for bodily injury and property damage, as well as Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Since Utah is a no-fault state, your insurance will pay for your medical expenses, regardless of who caused the accident. Insurance must be maintained for the entire duration of the vehicle’s registration.
What Is The Minimum Car Insurance Requirement In Utah?
In Utah, the minimum car insurance requirements include liability coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $65,000 for bodily injury or death per accident if multiple people are injured, and $15,000 for property damage per accident.
Additionally, Utah law mandates $3,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which helps cover medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. These coverage amounts are the minimum required to legally drive in the state.
Is Minimum Coverage Enough?
While a liability-only policy meets Utah’s minimum coverage requirements, it may not offer enough protection for your vehicle or finances. Liability insurance will cover the other driver’s expenses and your medical costs, but it won’t pay for damage to your own car.
Liability-only coverage is the most affordable option, making it ideal for those on a tight budget, especially if you have an older car or don’t drive often. However, many drivers opt to increase their liability limits or switch to full coverage for more protection. On average, Utah drivers pay $108 per month for liability-only insurance and $183 for full coverage.
Average Cost Of Car Insurance In Utah
Several factors influence the cost of minimum coverage car insurance, with age being one of the most significant. In Utah, drivers between the ages of 22 and 29 tend to have the highest premiums because they are considered higher-risk due to their inexperience and greater likelihood of being involved in accidents.
| Age | Male | Female | ||
| Full | Minimum | Full | Minimum | |
| 18 | $7,673 | $3,634 | $6,928 | $3,431 |
| 25 | $2,728 | $1,756 | $2,553 | $1,696 |
| 40 | $2,155 | $1,457 | $2,126 | $1.423 |
| 50 | $1,995 | $1,311 | $1,921 | $1,296 |
| 70 | $2,189 | $1,286 | $2,142 | $1,254 |
Utah Car Insurance Laws
Utah is a no-fault state, meaning if you’re in an accident with a driver at fault, you would file a claim for property damage with their liability insurance and a claim for medical expenses under your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
Utah also follows comparative negligence laws, which allow accident victims to seek compensation through a civil lawsuit. However, to do so, their share of fault for the accident must be less than the fault of the other parties involved.
Cancellation And Nonrenewal Notification Laws
In Utah, if an insurance company decides to cancel your car insurance, it must notify you 30 days before the cancellation date, or 10 days if it’s due to nonpayment of premiums. For nonrenewal, the insurance company must send you a notice at least 30 days before your policy expires.
Motor Vehicle Inspection Laws
Utah no longer requires safety inspections for most vehicles when registering them, but there are a few exceptions. These include salvage vehicles that are being rebuilt and titled, new street-legal ATVs, commercial vehicles that are presented to law enforcement, and three-axle motorhomes. These types of vehicles still need to undergo safety inspections as part of the registration process.
DON’T FORGET: If you are caught without insurance in Utah, your first offense will be a fine of $400 along with other penalties.
Proof Of Insurance
Utah law requires drivers to have proof of insurance and show it to any law enforcement officer if asked. For several years, the state has also compared its vehicle registration records with an insurance database. If the system finds a Utah-registered vehicle without an active insurance policy, the vehicle’s owner will receive a letter asking them to provide proof of insurance.
Registration Information
In Utah, to register your car, you’ll need to provide several important documents and complete a few steps. Here’s what you need:
Proof of Ownership: This could be the vehicle title or a bill of sale if the car is new or recently purchased.
Proof of Insurance: You must show proof of valid car insurance that meets Utah’s minimum requirements.
Odometer Reading: The current mileage on the vehicle.
Payment for Fees: Registration fees vary based on the type of vehicle and its weight.
Identification: A valid driver’s license or state-issued ID.
Safety Inspection: Although most vehicles don’t require inspections, certain exceptions such as salvage vehicles or new street-legal ATVs will need an inspection before registration.
You can register your vehicle online, by mail, or in person at your local Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. Be sure to have all the necessary paperwork and payment ready.
Uninsured Drivers In Utah
According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the uninsured rate in Utah is around 11%.
This high rate is largely due to factors such as the cost of car insurance and some drivers’ inability to afford coverage. While Utah doesn’t have no-fault laws like some states, the cost of insurance can still be a barrier for many, leading to a significant number of uninsured drivers on the road.
Is Car Insurance Required In Utah If You Don’t Own A Vehicle?
Car insurance is required in Utah even if you don’t own a vehicle. If you drive regularly, you must have proof of financial responsibility, which is typically met with liability insurance. If you don’t own a car but frequently drive someone else’s, you can get non-owner car insurance. This type of policy provides the required liability coverage when driving vehicles that aren’t registered in your name.
Legal Penalties For Driving Without Insurance
If a vehicle owner fails to provide proof of insurance after receiving a notice, the information is reported to the DMV and law enforcement. If someone is found driving without insurance through a court conviction or a Department of Public Safety (DPS) hearing, the DMV may suspend the vehicle’s registration.
Driving without insurance is considered a Class B misdemeanor, with fines of at least $400 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second offense within three years. If convicted, the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) will suspend the driver’s license and will not renew it until proof of insurance is provided and a $100 reinstatement fee is paid. The DPS will then notify the DMV upon receiving the necessary proof.
Reinstating Registration
To reinstate a vehicle’s registration, the owner must:
- Provide proof of ownership, such as the vehicle’s title or registration card.
- Show valid photo identification.
- Provide proof of insurance, which can be one of the following:
- A current SR-22 form from a Utah-licensed insurance company or agent.
- A current insurance policy, binder, declaration, or card.
- Pay a $100 reinstatement fee.
Other Types Of Optional Coverage
Collision Insurance: This coverage pays for repairs to your car after a collision, no matter who caused the accident. It’s especially useful for newer or higher-value vehicles.
Comprehensive Insurance: Comprehensive coverage protects your car from damages not caused by a collision, like theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters, or accidents involving animals. It’s often included with collision coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This optional coverage protects you if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance. It helps pay for your costs if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Gap Insurance: If you have a loan or lease on your car, gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe and the car’s actual value if it’s totaled or stolen.
Rental Reimbursement: If your car is being repaired after a covered accident, rental reimbursement helps pay for a rental car, so you’re not left without transportation.
Roadside Assistance: This service helps you with unexpected problems like flat tires, dead batteries, lockouts, or towing. It provides peace of mind for roadside emergencies.
YOUR PAST MATTERS: In 2020, nearly 20% of all car crashes in the state were attributed to driver distraction, with texting and mobile phone use being the most common causes.
FAQs
Can you go to jail for driving uninsured in Utah?
No, you typically won’t go to jail for driving without insurance in Utah. However, driving uninsured can lead to fines, registration suspension, and other penalties.
Why is it illegal to drive without insurance?
It’s illegal to drive without insurance because it helps ensure that drivers can pay for damages or medical expenses if they cause an accident. It also protects other drivers and pedestrians in case of an incident.
What is the minimum car insurance in Utah?
The minimum car insurance required in Utah includes: $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person, $65,000 for bodily injury or death per accident, $15,000 for property damage per accident, and $3,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) for medical expenses.
