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Minnesota Statistics Summary | Details |
---|---|
Miles of Roadway | 57,395 |
Registered Vehicles | 4,985,782 |
Population | 5,611,179 |
Most Popular Vehicle | Ford F-150 |
Uninsured Motorist Rate | 11.5% |
Total Driving-Related Deaths in 2017 | 357 |
Speeding Fatalities in 2017 | 89 |
DUI Fatalities in 2017 | 85 |
Average Annual Auto Insurance Cost | Liability $456.82 Collision $234.40 Comprehensive $184.27 |
Cheapest Provider | AMCO |
Minnesota is the northernmost state in the contiguous United States, and as such, is known to have some brutally cold winters with heavy amounts of snowfall.
But the people in the land that birthed legends like the Purple People Eaters defensive line of the Minnesota Vikings and the incomparable Prince Rogers Nelson have never been deterred by a little inclement weather.
In fact, the residents of the Land of 10,000 Lakes embrace their winter wonderland with pride, refusing to let the low temperatures derail their enjoyment of the many attractions the vast land has to offer.
From the heralded food scene in Minneapolis and the surrounding area (highlighted by eclectic entrees and ambiance of The News Room and the mouthwatering milkshakes at Bev’s Cafe) to the breathtaking zip lines at the Kerfoot Canopy Tours to the allure and mystique of the luxurious Paisley Park to the grandeur and prestige of the Mall of America, Minnesota boasts a bunch of exciting opportunities for adventure that cannot be restrained by chilly climate.
Whether you plan on traveling to these Minnesota landmarks in a little, red Corvette, or in some other car, you will want to make sure you have the most affordable auto insurance protecting your vehicle.
Enter your ZIP code to compare premium rates from the top insurance companies in your state.
Table of Contents
Shoveling your way through all the numbers and legalese to determine the best auto insurance companies in Minnesota for you is a tedious task.
Thank goodness we’ve done all that work, so you don’t have to. We will give you all the pertinent facts you need to keep your rates as low as the temperatures at Lake Minnetonka in January.
We’ll help you to understand the requirements of Minnesota, what you may want for coverage, and where you can get it at the most affordable price.
All drivers in Minnesota are required to carry minimum liability insurance levels of 30/60/10 to satisfy basic overage. This means that car owners must carry the following state minimums for car insurance in Minnesota:
The state of Minnesota requires its residents to carry the following limits for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage:
Drivers in Minnesota have the option to purchase Medical Payments Coverage (Med Pay) in limits of $1,000 to $5,000 per accident to cover medical expenses (again) regardless of who is responsible for the crash.
Type of Coverage | Minimum Limits |
---|---|
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | $40,000 per person per accident. ($20,000 for medical expenses and $20,000 for non-medical expenses) |
Bodily Injury Liability | $30,000 per person $60,000 for two or more people (per incident) |
Property Damage Liability | $10,000 |
Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury | $25,000 per person $50,000 for two or more people (per incident) |
Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury | $25,000 per person $50,000 for two or more people (per incident) |
Every driver must decide for herself or himself how much risk she or he is willing to assume. Each driver must do a cost-benefit analysis to decide whether the basic, legal minimums required by the state of Minnesota is enough to protect her or his current and future assets.
The experts at the Wall Street Journal advise drivers that have substantial wealth to protect to purchase liability coverage with increased the limits of 100/300/50.
Next, we will explore how much money drivers in Minnesota spend on average for their auto insurance. The amount you will actually pay will more than likely differ from these stated amounts; however, this data should serve as a helpful blueprint that you can apply to your current situation with confidence.
Late-night host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel joked, “Nobody likes taxes, but they’ve been around forever. Taxes date back all the way back to the year one when Baby Jesus was visited by two wise men and an IRS agent, who demanded half the family’s frankincense.”
This lighthearted quip highlights the major impact that taxes have on Disposable Personal Income (DPI). Your DPI is the amount that is retained by an individual or household after taxes are taken out.
STATE | Full Coverage 2014 | Disposable Income 2014 | Insurance as % of Income 2014 | Full Coverage 2013 | Disposable Income 2013 | Insurance as % of Income 2013 | Full Coverage 2012 | Disposable Income 2012 | Insurance as % of Income 2012 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minnesota | $856.62 | $42,516.00 | 2.01% | $823.70 | $40,905.00 | 2.01% | $800.24 | $41,491.00 | 1.93% |
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A full-coverage policy will include liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. Here’s a peek at the average cost of each individual element:
Coverage Type | Minnesota Average | National Average |
---|---|---|
Liability | $456.82 | $538.73 |
Collision | $234.40 | $322.61 |
Comprehensive | $184.27 | $148.04 |
Full | $875.49 | $1009.38 |
Now that we have sorted through some data about auto insurance costs to the individual consumer, let’s take a look at some important statistics about the insurance companies themselves.
First, let’s examine loss ratio and how it impacts your insurance. What exactly is a loss ratio? How is it calculated and why should you even care about it?
The insurance loss ratio is the proportion of incurred losses compared to earned premiums expressed as a percentage. A high loss ratio means that an insurance company has paid out too many claims, which will subsequently lead to a rise in future premiums for all consumers.
For example, an auto insurer collects $100,000 of premiums in a given year and pays out $57,200 in claims, the company’s loss ratio is 57.2 percent ($57,200 incurred losses/$100,000 earned premiums).
Over 11 percent of drivers in Minnesota (11.5 percent to be exact) are driving without insurance, which ranks as just the 27th highest percentage in the nation.
The State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) has created a consumer’s guide intended to help Minnesotans gain a stronger understanding of auto insurance in the state and all of the potential enhancements available to them.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Pay-by-the-mile auto insurance plans offered by companies like Metromile are growing in their popularity, unfortunately, they are not yet active in the North Star State.
Other Usage-Based Insurance programs (UBI) are active and available to drivers in Minnesota. Programs like Drivewise from Allstate or KnowYourDrive from American Family Auto or Drive Safe & Save from State Farm offer discounts to drivers based on their driving habits and capabilities.
In addition to these add-ons, there are several more optional enhancements that you can explore to decide which ones may be right for you:
Babes in Toyland is a highly influential, all-female punk rock band from Minnesota who is lauded for pioneering a brand of rock and roll that was “strongly female-oriented, but not necessarily feminist.”
When it comes to prominent punk rock bands of the nineties, Babes in Toyland plays second fiddle (or better yet, the second bass) to no other band, male or female. The impact and longevity of the sound created initially by Kat Bjelland, Lori Barbero, and Maureen Herman was not at all adversely affected by their gender.
But can the same thing be said about their gender and effect it has on the auto insurance rates they would receive? Let’s examine the chart and table below to find out.
Company | Single 17-year old female Annual Rate | Single 17-year old male Annual Rate | Single 25-year old female Annual Rate | Single 25-year old male Annual Rate | Married 35-year old female Annual Rate | Married 35-year old male Annual Rate | Married 60-year old female Annual Rate | Married 60-year old male Annual Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate Indemnity | $6,885.00 | $9,968.67 | $3,677.99 | $3,860.95 | $3,023.30 | $3,023.30 | $2,908.43 | $2,908.43 |
AMCO Insurance | $5,210.96 | $6,308.92 | $2,375.80 | $2,463.90 | $2,017.55 | $2,020.31 | $1,797.28 | $1,903.55 |
American Family Mutual | $6,086.73 | $8,812.61 | $2,233.79 | $2,519.05 | $2,233.79 | $2,233.79 | $2,025.26 | $2,025.26 |
Geico General | $5,545.67 | $7,047.50 | $2,494.27 | $2,579.67 | $2,661.52 | $2,641.10 | $2,544.82 | $2,473.72 |
Illinois Farmers Ins | $5,820.43 | $5,872.48 | $2,672.81 | $2,612.21 | $2,041.64 | $2,038.65 | $1,965.24 | $2,076.17 |
Liberty Mutual Fire | $18,911.44 | $28,385.86 | $9,604.65 | $13,376.94 | $9,604.65 | $9,604.65 | $9,510.34 | $9,510.34 |
State Farm Mutual Auto | $3,334.79 | $4,106.75 | $1,786.56 | $1,474.15 | $1,542.45 | $1,542.45 | $1,374.37 | $1,374.37 |
USAA CIC | $5,042.84 | $5,519.17 | $2,473.98 | $2,629.95 | $1,895.96 | $1,879.44 | $1,726.56 | $1,724.94 |
Here’s a look at the Most Expensive Demographic rates in Minnesota. With which company can you and your family find the best value?
Rank | Companies | Demographic | Average Annual Rate |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Liberty Mutual Fire | Single 17-year old male | $28,385.86 |
2 | Liberty Mutual Fire | Single 17-year old female | $18,911.44 |
3 | Liberty Mutual Fire | Single 25-year old male | $13,376.94 |
4 | Allstate Indemnity | Single 17-year old male | $9,968.67 |
5 | Liberty Mutual Fire | Single 25-year old female | $9,604.65 |
5 | Liberty Mutual Fire | Married 35-year old male | $9,604.65 |
5 | Liberty Mutual Fire | Married 35-year old female | $9,604.65 |
8 | Liberty Mutual Fire | Married 60-year old male | $9,510.34 |
8 | Liberty Mutual Fire | Married 60-year old female | $9,510.34 |
10 | American Family Mutual | Single 17-year old male | $8,812.61 |
For example, a single 25-year-old male in Minnesota will pay $13,376.94 annually on his premiums with Liberty Mutual compared to $2,403.62 with AMCO, which over five times the cost.
Here is a chart with the cheapest average annual premiums in Minnesota by ZIP code for each insurance carrier:
Cheapest ZIP Codes in Minnesota | City | Average Annual Rate by ZIP Codes |
---|---|---|
56007 | ALBERT LEA | $3,976.80 |
56088 | TRUMAN | $3,983.87 |
56120 | BUTTERFIELD | $4,009.53 |
55912 | AUSTIN | $4,009.81 |
56159 | MOUNTAIN LAKE | $4,014.86 |
55987 | WINONA | $4,017.60 |
56039 | GRANADA | $4,018.94 |
56027 | ELMORE | $4,022.41 |
56073 | NEW ULM | $4,027.34 |
56181 | WELCOME | $4,027.96 |
56062 | MADELIA | $4,029.17 |
56031 | FAIRMONT | $4,029.28 |
56127 | DUNNELL | $4,029.53 |
56087 | SPRINGFIELD | $4,029.60 |
56054 | LAFAYETTE | $4,032.56 |
56081 | SAINT JAMES | $4,032.94 |
56075 | NORTHROP | $4,036.97 |
56098 | WINNEBAGO | $4,037.01 |
56019 | COMFREY | $4,041.92 |
56041 | HANSKA | $4,042.96 |
56001 | MANKATO | $4,043.78 |
56085 | SLEEPY EYE | $4,044.59 |
56036 | GLENVILLE | $4,046.92 |
56171 | SHERBURN | $4,047.15 |
56162 | ORMSBY | $4,048.38 |
Where did your hometown rank statewide? Let’s take an even more in-depth look as to how your city and neighborhood compare to the state average.
This is a list of the most expensive ZIP codes in Minnesota compared to the state average.
Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Minnesota | City | Average Annual Rate by ZIP Code |
---|---|---|
55411 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,620.56 |
55106 | SAINT PAUL | $6,563.33 |
55101 | SAINT PAUL | $6,547.31 |
55103 | SAINT PAUL | $6,520.89 |
55404 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,491.18 |
55412 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,434.63 |
55107 | SAINT PAUL | $6,404.50 |
55454 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,394.17 |
55415 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,385.64 |
55407 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,382.20 |
55408 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,370.83 |
55402 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,353.00 |
55455 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,349.43 |
55104 | SAINT PAUL | $6,339.29 |
55405 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,320.72 |
55406 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,257.62 |
55414 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,254.15 |
55403 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,252.05 |
55413 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,248.33 |
55401 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,221.83 |
55114 | SAINT PAUL | $6,200.17 |
55102 | SAINT PAUL | $6,187.71 |
55409 | MINNEAPOLIS | $6,109.20 |
55130 | SAINT PAUL | $5,798.28 |
55450 | MINNEAPOLIS | $5,758.23 |
Are you more likely to get lower auto insurance rates in St. Paul or Minneapolis? Do the citizens of Duluth enjoy lower premiums than residents in St. Cloud?
Let’s find out by taking a look at the most affordable cities in Minnesota to purchase auto insurance.
Cheapest Cities in Minnesota | Average Annual Rate by City |
---|---|
Albert Lea | $3,976.80 |
Truman | $3,983.87 |
Butterfield | $4,009.53 |
Austin | $4,009.81 |
Mountain Lake | $4,014.86 |
Goodview | $4,017.60 |
Granada | $4,018.95 |
Elmore | $4,022.41 |
New Ulm | $4,027.34 |
Welcome | $4,027.96 |
Madelia | $4,029.17 |
Fairmont | $4,029.28 |
Dunnell | $4,029.53 |
Springfield | $4,029.60 |
Lafayette | $4,032.56 |
St. James | $4,032.94 |
Northrop | $4,036.97 |
Winnebago | $4,037.01 |
Comfrey | $4,041.92 |
Hanska | $4,042.96 |
Sleepy Eye | $4,044.59 |
Glenville | $4,046.92 |
Sherburn | $4,047.15 |
Ormsby | $4,048.38 |
Lewisville | $4,051.00 |
The next list has the most expensive auto insurance rates in Minnesota.
Most Expensive Cities in Minnesota | Average Annual Rate by City |
---|---|
Minneapolis | $6,106.69 |
St. Paul | $5,972.08 |
Little Canada | $5,397.29 |
Brooklyn Center | $5,250.46 |
Falcon Heights | $5,110.86 |
Columbia Heights | $5,103.52 |
Maplewood | $5,061.15 |
Waskish | $5,023.66 |
St. Francis | $5,003.38 |
Martin Lake | $5,003.33 |
Richfield | $5,002.58 |
Lake George | $4,999.75 |
South St. Paul | $4,994.42 |
Columbus | $4,992.05 |
Bethel | $4,984.06 |
East Bethel | $4,978.05 |
Fridley | $4,971.65 |
Almelund | $4,966.16 |
Isanti | $4,955.17 |
Garrison | $4,948.90 |
Andover | $4,946.23 |
Grandy | $4,945.76 |
Swatara | $4,945.15 |
Taylors Falls | $4,943.22 |
Centerville | $4,940.45 |
In 1998, the Minnesota Vikings selected Randy Moss with the 21st pick in the NFL Draft. The eventual Hall of Fame wide receiver’s physical gifts on the football field were NEVER in question; however, his draft stock suffered from having a poor reputation (fair or unfair) for being an immature malcontent on and off the gridiron.
In the case of Randy Moss, the Vikings benefited greatly from Moss’s poor reputation and his downgraded public perception. However, this is an anomaly; the exception, not the rule. Generally speaking, consumers should be hesitant in investing assets with any entity whose status has been so severely sullied.
That train of thinking should be applied to auto insurance companies as well. An insurer’s public reputation can be an indicator of the kind of rates and service it offers to its consumers. We’ll show how the largest companies rate in the areas of financial stability and customer satisfaction.
AM Best is a credit rating agency. It evaluates insurance companies and grades them based on their financial stability. The table below shows the ten largest insurance companies in Minnesota as measured by direct premiums written with their AM Best rating.
Company Name | AM Best Rating | Loss Ratio |
---|---|---|
State Farm Group | A++ | 65.52% |
Progressive Group | A+ | 62.53% |
American Family Insurance Group | A | 62.97% |
Farmers Insurance Group | A | 56.43% |
Allstate Insurance Group | A+ | 60.51% |
Geico | A++ | 74.00% |
USAA Group | A++ | 73.57% |
Liberty Mutual Group | A | 60.04% |
Travelers Group | A++ | 65.96% |
Auto-Owners Group | A++ | 61.26% |
Companies | Ranking | J.D. Power Circle Rating™ |
---|---|---|
Nationwide | 803 | 2 |
Safeco | 803 | 2 |
Farm Bureau Mutual | 806 | 2 |
Liberty Mutual | 806 | 2 |
Travelers | 814 | 2 |
Progressive | 815 | 2 |
Farmers | 821 | 3 |
Allstate | 822 | 3 |
American Family | 823 | 3 |
State Farm | 824 | 3 |
Auto Club of Southern California | 833 | 4 |
Geico | 838 | 4 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | 847 | 4 |
Shelter | 855 | 5 |
USAA | 906 | 5 |
Central Region | 826 | 3 |
American R&B singer/songwriter/dancer Mila J released a single “No More Complaining,” which tells the story about being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t appreciate you, and always gives excuses to cover up his or her mistakes.
While Mila J may have resigned herself to a no complaints policy, consumers don’t have to remain silent if they feel aggrieved by their insurance companies. If a consumer’s relationship with his or her auto insurance company becomes toxic, the customer should let his or her voice be heard.
When the consumer is left dissatisfied with an insurer, he or she can file a complaint. Those complaints, justified or not, contribute to a company’s complaint ratios.
The complaint ratio is how many complaints a company receives per one million dollars of business written.
If you wish to file a complaint against an auto insurer in the state of Minnesota, use this online form.
This chart gives a visual representation of the auto insurance companies with the largest market share in Minnesota.
Company Name | Direct Premiums Written | Market Share |
---|---|---|
Allstate Insurance Group | $200,235 | 5.56% |
American Family Insurance Group | $418,487 | 11.62% |
Auto-Owners Group | $103,671 | 2.88% |
Farmers Insurance Group | $212,804 | 5.91% |
Geico | $129,987 | 3.61% |
Liberty Mutual Group | $110,671 | 3.07% |
Progressive Group | $586,357 | 16.27% |
State Farm Group | $891,085 | 24.73% |
Travelers Group | $106,222 | 2.95% |
USAA Group | $110,895 | 3.08% |
There are 855 auto insurance companies registered in the state of Minnesota. Of the 855, 39 of them are homegrown; while 816 are foreign.
Insurers in Minnesota | Total |
---|---|
Domestic | 39 |
Foreign | 816 |
Total | 855 |
Now, we’re going to compare and contrast the top auto insurance companies to see which of them give the best rates on average in Minnesota.
Company | 10-mile Commute/6,000 Annual Mileage | 25-Mile Commute/12,000 annual mileage |
---|---|---|
Allstate | $4,532.01 | $4,532.01 |
American Family | $3,480.06 | $3,562.51 |
Farmers | $3,137.45 | $3,137.45 |
Geico | $3,452.20 | $3,544.87 |
Liberty Mutual | $13,165.37 | $13,961.85 |
Nationwide | $2,926.49 | $2,926.49 |
State Farm | $2,011.15 | $2,122.82 |
USAA | $2,824.14 | $2,899.06 |
Company | Annual Rate with High Coverage | Annual Rate with Medium Coverage | Annual Rate with Low Coverage |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $4,600.41 | $4,528.59 | $4,467.02 |
American Family | $3,432.86 | $3,618.33 | $3,512.68 |
Farmers | $3,239.56 | $3,150.22 | $3,022.58 |
Geico | $3,603.48 | $3,497.28 | $3,394.84 |
Liberty Mutual | $13,874.92 | $13,574.70 | $13,241.20 |
Nationwide | $3,064.92 | $2,947.12 | $2,767.43 |
State Farm | $2,141.38 | $2,074.23 | $1,985.35 |
USAA | $2,945.57 | $2,859.57 | $2,779.67 |
Company | Annual Rate with Good Credit | Annual Rate with Fair Credit | Annual Rate with Poor Credit |
---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $3,344.12 | $3,603.11 | $6,648.80 |
American Family | $2,564.44 | $3,190.11 | $4,809.31 |
Farmers | $2,654.85 | $2,840.59 | $3,916.92 |
Geico | $2,861.19 | $3,433.78 | $4,200.64 |
Liberty Mutual | $9,555.18 | $12,227.54 | $18,908.11 |
Nationwide | $2,490.14 | $2,807.41 | $3,481.91 |
State Farm | $1,344.22 | $1,842.99 | $3,013.76 |
USAA | $1,905.46 | $2,192.66 | $4,486.70 |
Earning points on your license will have a negative impact on your auto insurance rates. How severely those rates are impacted is up to the discretion of each insurance company. Each insurer uses its own underwriting metrics when assessing risk. Here is a quick look at how top auto insurance companies in Minnesota price various driving infractions:
Company | Clean Record | With 1 Speeding Violation | With 1 Accident | With 1 DUI |
---|---|---|---|---|
Allstate | $3,292.72 | $4,316.11 | $4,780.23 | $5,738.97 |
American Family | $2,367.00 | $2,682.98 | $4,259.41 | $4,775.76 |
Farmers | $2,686.69 | $3,053.56 | $3,381.83 | $3,427.73 |
Geico | $2,318.73 | $2,484.09 | $3,691.11 | $5,500.20 |
Liberty Mutual | $9,956.63 | $10,738.20 | $13,646.49 | $19,913.12 |
Nationwide | $2,322.48 | $2,753.24 | $3,083.13 | $3,547.09 |
State Farm | $1,900.45 | $2,066.98 | $2,233.53 | $2,066.98 |
USAA | $2,126.06 | $2,531.74 | $2,706.41 | $4,082.21 |
Companies | Married 60-year-old female | Married 60-year-old male | Married 35-year-old female | Married 35-year-old male | Single 25-year-old female | Single 25-year-old male | Single 17-year-old female | Single 17-year-old male |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USAA | $1,726.56 | $1,724.94 | $1,895.96 | $1,879.44 | $2,473.98 | $2,629.95 | $5,042.84 | $5,519.17 |
AMCO | $1,753.51 | $1,860.69 | $1,970.26 | $1,978.45 | $2,312.50 | $2,403.62 | $5,026.90 | $6,105.97 |
Illinois Farmers | $1,965.24 | $2,076.17 | $2,041.64 | $2,038.65 | $2,672.81 | $2,612.21 | $5,820.43 | $5,872.48 |
American Family Mutual | $2,025.26 | $2,025.26 | $2,233.79 | $2,233.79 | $2,233.79 | $2,519.05 | $6,086.73 | $8,812.61 |
Geico | $2,544.82 | $2,473.72 | $2,661.52 | $2,641.10 | $2,494.27 | $2,579.67 | $5,545.67 | $7,047.50 |
Allstate | $2,908.43 | $2,908.43 | $3,023.30 | $3,023.30 | $3,677.99 | $3,860.95 | $6,885.00 | $9,968.67 |
Liberty Mutual | $9,510.34 | $9,510.34 | $9,604.65 | $9,604.65 | $9,604.65 | $13,376.94 | $18,911.44 | $28,385.86 |
State Farm | NA | NA | NA | NA | $1,786.56 | NA | $3,334.79 | $4,106.75 |
Note: The company you choose for your auto insurance needs should be the best for you and no one else’s.
When buying auto insurance, focus on companies that offer discounts and special rates customized to your personal circumstances.
Shop around between multiple carriers to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your auto insurance.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Another way to keep your premiums low is to maintain a clean driving record. Having a working knowledge of the traffic laws and obeying them will help your record to stay as spotless as possible. We’ll review the rules of the road in Minnesota to help you keep your record as pure as the driven snow.
Reading through all the state traffic statutes would be hardly the best use of your time. We’ve taken care of it for you by compiling the most important rules and regulations for you to know when driving in Minnesota.
State insurance commissioners are afforded lots of leeway and authority to administer laws and regulations on the auto insurance industry in their respective commonwealths.
Each state determines the type of tort law and threshold (if any) that applies in the state, the type and amount of liability insurance required, and the system used for approval of insurer rates and forms.
Insurance companies in Minnesota are subject to the regulations set by that state insurance commissioner. Ultimately, all rates and regulations must meet the fair competition standards set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
SR-22 coverage may be required for drivers who have committed serious infractions or have multiple violations, as well as uninsured drivers and others. If your license has been revoked or suspended, you may need to file an SR-22 to have it reinstated.
Minnesota law requires insurance companies to offer no-deductible windshield replacement as part of their comprehensive coverage; however, customers have the option to decline the coverage
The insurance companies can choose aftermarket parts for the windshield and OEM parts for all other repairs. Customers have the option to choose their own repair vendors but may have to pay the difference in quotes.
Read a more detailed summary of Minnesota Windshield Replacement Insurance programs.
Insurance fraud is the second-largest economic crime in America. Premium rates are raised dramatically by insurance companies and passed on to the consumers in attempts to combat fraud.
There are two classifications of fraud: hard and soft.
Soft fraud is more common than hard fraud. Twenty to 40 percent of consumers admitted to lying to their insurer about one of the following:
Insurance fraud is a crime no matter how you slice it. Even the “little, white lie” you tell to get a lower rate can lead to harmful consequences. That kind of willful misrepresentation of facts is called known as “rate evasion” and is a $16 billion annual expense to auto insurers.
If you suspect insurance fraud or have been the victim of fraud, you can contact the Minnesota Commerce Department. You can file a complaint with its Commerce Fraud Bureau.
Minnesota’s statute of limitations for filing a claim is two years for personal injury and six years for property damage.
Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), which is a division of the DPS, has an online portal where residents can perform tasks such as renew their registrations and drivers’ licenses, update or change their address, and retrieve their driving history.
Minnesota’s laws concerning Proof of Financial Responsibility require all drivers to show proof of financial responsibility whenever requested by a law enforcement officer. Failure to provide such proof may result in a citation or fine.
For more information regarding Proof of Financial Responsibility requirements in Minnesota, click here.
License Type | Age of Eligibility | Requirements to Obtain | Restrictions |
---|---|---|---|
Learners Permit | 15 | Enroll in Driver Ed if under 18 and complete classroom portion Pass written exam | May drive only with parent, guardian, instructor, or licensed driver over 21 |
Restricted License | 16 | 6 month holding period with permit Complete 50 hours (40 if parent class is completed) of in-car instruction, 15 of these at night Pass road test | No driving between midnight-5 a.m. Only one passenger under 20 for the first six months, three under 20 for the second six months |
Full License | 17 | Complete 12 months with restricted license | None |
The safety of teenage drivers is a top priority of the Minnesota DPS. The Office of Traffic Safety has additional resources and information to assist teenage drivers and their families.
Teen Drunk Driving By The Numbers | Details |
---|---|
Drunk driving arrests of teens in MN (2016) | 144 |
Drunk driving arrests of teens, nationwide average (2016) | 102.82 |
Under 21 drunk driving fatalities per 100,000 population in MN | 0.3 |
Under 21 drunk driving fatalities per 100,000 population nationwide | 1.2 |
Minnesota is an equal opportunity issuer when it comes to its license renewal policies. All drivers, regardless of age, must renew their licenses every four years. Drivers of all ages must show proof of adequate vision at every renewal. And no renewals are yet eligible to be done online or through the mail.
License Renewal | Vision Test | Renewal by Mail |
---|---|---|
Every 4 years | At every renewal | No |
New Minnesota residents who are age 18 or older wishing to obtain a Minnesota license must provide proof of residency and/or proof of employment. If you have a valid license from another state, the written and driving skills tests may be waived.
New Minnesota residents must immediately title and register their vehicles at a Secretary of State office and turn in the title from their previous home state, usually within 30 days of becoming a resident.
Minnesota is in full compliance with the REAL ID Act passed by Congress and enforced by Homeland Security. This means that a driver’s license or state ID issued by the North Star State is an acceptable form of identification at federal facilities, airports, and nuclear power plants.
As of October 1, 2020, anyone wishing to fly on a commercial flight or enter a federal facility must have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.
Minnesota law requires drivers to keep right if driving slower than the average speed of traffic around you (unless passing or turning left). This means that the left lane should be reserved for passing only.
Minnesota updated its keep right law on August 1st, 2019 to make sure slow drivers keep right.
The Move Over Law in Minnesota is named after Ted Foss in honor of the State Patrol trooper who was killed while on the shoulder of I-90 in Winona in 2000.
The requirements of the law are as follows:
Type of Roadway | Speed Limit |
---|---|
Rural Interstates | 70 mph |
Urban Interstates | 65 mph |
Other Limited Access Roads | 65 mph |
Other Roads | 60 mph |
Child safety seat laws in Minnesota are just like any other state. All children ages seven and under and who are less than 57 inches tall must be in a child restraint or booster seat. The laws have no stated preference or requirements for rear seats.
All children are required to wear seat belts in all seats, front and rear.
Promoting safety and preventing chaos are the ultimate goals of any traffic laws. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has developed resources and initiatives in the hopes of reducing roadways fatalities and injuries. One such initiative is Minnesota Toward Zero Death, which is the state’s preeminent traffic safety program.
In accordance with the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration (NHTSA), Minnesota released its most recent Strategic Highway Safety Plan as an additional resource for drivers.
The Blood-Alcohol Content (BAC) limit in Minnesota is 0.08 percent; the High BAC limit is between 0.16 percent. The DWI (Driving While Impaired) penalties in the state of Minnesota can be found in the underneath table
Type of Penalty | First Offense | Second Offense | Third Offense | Fourth Offense | Fifth and Subsequent Offenses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
License Revocation | 90 days (180 days if under 21 year old) | One year | Third offense on record - Revoked one year Third offense in 10 years - Cancelled and denied for three years | Fourth offense on record - Cancelled and revoked for three years Fourth offense in 10 years - Cancelled and revoked for four years | Fifth offense on record - Cancelled and revoked for six years Fifth in 10 years - Cancelled and revoked for six years |
Imprisonment | No minimum up to 90 days | Mandatory 30 days incarceration (48 hours must be served in jail/workhouse) up to one year | 90 days incarceration (at least 30 days served consecutively in jail/workhouse) | 90 days up to seven years (at least 30 days served consecutively in local jail/workhouse) | One year incarceration (at least 60 days served consecutively in local jail/workhouse) |
Fine | $1000 | $3,000 | $3,000 minimum | $14000 | N/A |
Other Penalties | N/A | N/A | Unless the maximum bail is imposed, the offender may receive pretrial release from detention if they agree to no alcohol consumption and submit to electronic alcohol monitoring (REAM) with at least daily breath-alcohol testing | Impoundment of registration and plates, weekly meeting with probation officer and random substance testing. Must pay the court for these services | N/A |
At present, Minnesota has no specific marijuana-impaired drugged driving laws.
It is illegal to text and drive in Minnesota. Minnesota also has a new hand-held ban in place, effective since August 1st, 2019. This new ban means drivers can only make calls, change music, or get directions by using voice commands.
Enforcement of these distracted driving laws is primary, which means law enforcement can pull over and ticket drivers for breaking the hand-held ban or texting.
Here are some interesting nuggets of knowledge about Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Home is where the heart is, but it’s also where most auto thefts take place. Here is the chart of the top stolen vehicles in the state of Minnesota.
Make/Model | Year of Vehicle | Thefts |
---|---|---|
Honda Civic | 1998 | 676 |
Honda Accord | 1997 | 524 |
Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) | 1999 | 329 |
Ford Pickup (Full Size) | 2005 | 246 |
Toyota Camry | 1999 | 214 |
Honda CR-V | 1999 | 190 |
Chevrolet Impala | 2004 | 171 |
Dodge Caravan | 2003 | 143 |
Toyota Corolla | 2010 | 109 |
Acura Integra | 1996 | 95 |
As you can see, Japanese-made vehicles are popular targets for car thieves in the state of Minnesota.
The table below gives a breakdown of the top cities for auto theft within the state.
State | Motor vehicle theft |
---|---|
Duluth | 222 |
St. Cloud | 181 |
Maplewood | 169 |
Brooklyn Park | 158 |
Bloomington | 133 |
Brooklyn Center | 111 |
Burnsville | 104 |
Moorhead | 104 |
Roseville | 100 |
Rochester | 98 |
Blaine | 78 |
Inver Grove Heights | 78 |
We’ve compiled a list of all driving-related fatalities in Minnesota. For more information and resources, visit the Minnesota Traffic Facts Cards website.
County | 2017 Fatalities |
---|---|
Hennepin County | 15 |
Ramsey County | 7 |
Anoka County | 6 |
Pine County | 5 |
Stearns County | 4 |
Itasca County | 3 |
Lake County | 3 |
Otter Tail County | 3 |
Redwood County | 3 |
Scott County | 3 |
St. Louis County | 3 |
Cass County | 2 |
Chisago County | 2 |
Clay County | 2 |
Dakota County | 2 |
Le Sueur County | 2 |
Wright County | 2 |
Becker County | 1 |
Beltrami County | 1 |
Benton County | 1 |
Carlton County | 1 |
Crow Wing County | 1 |
Dodge County | 1 |
Douglas County | 1 |
Freeborn County | 1 |
Grant County | 1 |
Houston County | 1 |
Hubbard County | 1 |
Martin County | 1 |
Mille Lacs County | 1 |
Pennington County | 1 |
Polk County | 1 |
Sherburne County | 1 |
Steele County | 1 |
Wabasha County | 1 |
Waseca County | 1 |
Washington County | 1 |
Winona County | 1 |
Yellow Medicine County | 1 |
If you’re county didn’t make the list, no one lost their lives because of fast driving.
County | Fatalities |
---|---|
Hennepin County | 15 |
Pine County | 6 |
Ramsey County | 5 |
St. Louis County | 5 |
Wright County | 4 |
Olmsted County | 3 |
Anoka County | 2 |
Blue Earth County | 2 |
Cass County | 2 |
Douglas County | 2 |
Itasca County | 2 |
Morrison County | 2 |
Polk County | 2 |
Sherburne County | 2 |
Becker County | 1 |
Beltrami County | 1 |
Benton County | 1 |
Carlton County | 1 |
Chisago County | 1 |
Clearwater County | 1 |
Cottonwood County | 1 |
Freeborn County | 1 |
Grant County | 1 |
Isanti County | 1 |
Koochiching County | 1 |
Le Sueur County | 1 |
Lyon County | 1 |
Martin County | 1 |
Mcleod County | 1 |
Meeker County | 1 |
Mille Lacs County | 1 |
Otter Tail County | 1 |
Redwood County | 1 |
Rice County | 1 |
Stearns County | 1 |
Steele County | 1 |
Swift County | 1 |
Wabasha County | 1 |
Waseca County | 1 |
Washington County | 1 |
Watonwan County | 1 |
Yellow Medicine County | 1 |
Counties with no alcohol-related traffic fatalities are omitted from the list.
County | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hennepin County | 42 | 34 | 33 | 45 | 45 |
Ramsey County | 12 | 12 | 18 | 15 | 19 |
Anoka County | 12 | 16 | 11 | 20 | 17 |
St. Louis County | 19 | 8 | 16 | 19 | 16 |
Stearns County | 6 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
Dakota County | 19 | 10 | 11 | 28 | 11 |
Sherburne County | 4 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 11 |
Benton County | 8 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 9 |
Pine County | 7 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 9 |
Chisago County | 6 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 8 |
Roadway Type | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rural | 124 | 115 | 117 | 100 | 110 | 110 | 112 | 117 | 96 | N/A |
Urban | 42 | 43 | 39 | 38 | 39 | 39 | 29 | 40 | 45 | N/A |
Person Type | Number of Fatalities |
---|---|
Vehicle Occupants (all seats) | 254 |
Pedestrians | 38 |
Bicyclist/other Cyclist | 6 |
Crash Type | Fatalities |
---|---|
Total Fatalities (All Crashes)* | 357 |
Single Vehicle | 179 |
Involving a Large Truck | 61 |
Involving Speeding | 89 |
Involving a Rollover | 89 |
Involving a Roadway Departure | 181 |
Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related) | 126 |
Location of Crash | Time of Crash to EMS Notification | EMS Notification to EMS Arrival | EMS Arrival at Scene to Hospital Arrival | Time of Crash to Hospital Arrival |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rural | 2.70 | 11.55 | 38.62 | 49.44 |
Urban | 1.23 | 6.25 | 27.77 | 35.38 |
Here are the details of car ownership stats in Minnesota.
A majority of Minnesota households own two cars.
At 22.4 minutes, drivers in Minnesota have significantly less commute time than the national average of 25.3 minutes. Only 1.89 percent of drivers in Minnesota experience a “super commute” of 90 minutes or more.
According to Inrix, Minneapolis is the 24th most congested city in the United States and ranks 132nd in the world. Drivers in Minneapolis spent 70 hours in congested traffic in 2018.
Almost 80 percent of Minnesotans drive to work alone. Fewer than 10 percent of share driving expenses by carpooling.
You are now all caught up with the most important information regarding Minnesota driving laws and insurance requirements, you’ll never have to shed a tear. You can spend your time laughing about all the money you’ll be saving on auto insurance.
And of course, there is more good news when it comes to Minnesota and driving: Minnesotans were ranked the best drivers in 2018. This affects auto insurance as well. Just enter your ZIP code to let the precipitation of savings begin.
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