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What are state minimums for car insurance in Utah?
Things to remember...
- Car insurance in Utah is important to have if you own a car
- Utah requires drivers to have minimum auto insurance coverages in order to register their vehicle
- Drivers should understand each type of coverage on their auto insurance policy
- Not having the mandated amounts and types of coverage in Utah can lead to serious consequences
- Experts recommend that drivers add more coverage to their auto insurance policy than the minimum required amounts
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Most states have minimum car insurance requirements and other related laws in place to protect all drivers on the road. Make sure to compare rates with our free comparison tool above today!
Utah is no exception to this rule. Having at least the minimum amounts of required auto insurance helps protect drivers and passengers should there be costly damages in an accident.
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Decoding Car Insurance Requirements
If you have ever read through your auto insurance policy, you may have found it perplexing or overwhelming.
However, it is important that you understand the types of coverages that are available to you and what they provide for. It is your responsibility to be an informed driver.
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability is usually one of the types of mandatory insurance in most states. This type of coverage pays for medical bills and funeral expenses for other parties who are injured in an accident that you are liable for.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)/Medical Payments
PIP is a type of coverage that pays for medical bills, funeral expenses, some loss of income and other coverages. It is usually required in no-fault states. States that assign fault will typically only offer medical payments coverage.
No-fault means each driver can recover damages from their own insurance company no matter who is at fault for the accident.
In some cases, PIP will also cover hired help around the house that was needed as a direct result of injuries from the accident.
What is Property Damage Liability?
Similar to bodily injury liability, property damage liability pays for damages to the property of other parties when you are the responsible party.
This can include repair or replacement of a vehicle, buildings, or other structures like a fence or a light pole. Property damage liability is a minimum requirement in nearly all states.
What is Collision Coverage?
Although collision is not a required type of auto insurance, you may be contractually required to have it if you are leasing or financing your vehicle.
Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle that occurred as a result of an accident.
With this coverage type, you will choose a deductible amount and also your policy limits.
What is Comprehensive Coverage?
Comprehensive is similar to collision coverage in that you should have this coverage if you are financing or leasing your car and that you choose your deductible and policy limits.
The difference is that comprehensive coverage is for other situations that can damage your vehicle such as hitting wildlife, natural disasters, fires, theft, and vandalism.
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Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy. If you are in an accident with another driver who does not have insurance, or if it’s a hit and run, your uninsured motorist policy will cover the costs up to your policy limits.
In addition, you can get underinsured motorist coverage.
With this coverage, if the driver who caused the accident does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for all of your damages, your underinsured motorist policy will help cover the remainder of the damages.
Reading and Understanding Your Auto Insurance Policy
Most car insurance and financial experts recommend that you carry at bodily injury liability in the amounts of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence.
You would usually see this written as 100/300. You may also see a third number added which would represent the amount of coverage for property damage.
What is the Minimum Required Coverage for Utah?
Drivers in the state of Utah by law must carry the following types and amounts of auto insurance coverage:
- $3,000 PIP
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $65,000 for total bodily injury per accident
- $15,000 for property per accident
Utah Auto Insurance Laws
- All drivers who reside in the state of Utah must have proof of financial responsibility in the form of auto insurance in order to register their vehicle.
- In addition, drivers must be prepared to show proof of financial responsibility to law enforcement officers upon request.
- Utah is a no-fault state, which means PIP coverage is required by law.
What are the penalties for not having the auto insurance coverage in Utah?
Driving a vehicle without the minimum required insurance in the state of Utah is a serious offense. For a first offense, you will receive a fine of at least $400.
Second and subsequent offenses will receive a minimum of a $1,000 fine. You may also have your driver’s license and auto registration suspended or revoked. An SR22 filing may also be invoked upon you.
Additionally, you can be held personally responsible for any financial damages you have caused.
This could lead to civil lawsuits and the potential for your assets being seized and/or garnishment of your paychecks. Driving without at least the minimum required insurance types in Utah simply isn’t worth the risk.
Minimum Requirement vs. Recommended Coverage
While you may think you are adequately covered if you secure the minimum amount of auto insurance required by law, you are likely wrong.
The minimum amounts may not be enough to cover the costs of an accident that you are liable for. In these cases, you would have to pay out of pocket for the remainder of the damages that you caused.
Increasing your coverage types and amounts beyond what is mandated by Utah law will provide much more protection in the event of an accident.
Most financial and insurance industry experts agree that minimum amounts are not adequate and recommend adding other coverages as well as increasing your limits.
How Can I Get Cheap Auto Insurance in Utah?
If you are a new driver in Utah, you can get auto insurance by contacting a local insurance agent. You can also look online and use a price comparison tool that can help you get the best premium.
Another option is to talk to people you know to get recommendations for auto insurance companies or agents.
If you are a resident in Utah and drive a vehicle, be sure you have auto insurance to cover you and other drivers on the road. You should also ensure that you understand all of the different coverages on your policy.
Don’t miss out on our free insurance comparison tool below! Just enter your ZIP code and get your quote today!
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