Utah Auto Insurance Guide

Utah Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

Get Utah Auto Insurance State Guides, Laws and Regulations before You Buy Insurance

Utah drivers must maintain minimum auto insurance coverage, by law. And when pulled over by law enforcement, they must supply proof of insurance upon request.

Whether you’re new to the “beehive state,” or a long-term resident planning on changing your auto insurance, you need to know UT auto insurance laws.

By law, UT drivers must have the following coverages:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident
• Personal injury protection: $3,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident
• Underinsured motorist: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident

Note that the “loss of income” part of your personal injury protection coverage (PIP), and uninsured / underinsured motorist coverages may be rejected in writing.

Key Takeaways

When shopping for auto insurance in Utah, you can ask any insurance provider licensed by the state for their best price on the “minimum insurance required by the state.”  The agent might refer to it as “25/65/15.” This refers to the basic liability amounts in thousands of dollars.

Still, it’s important to remember that liability-only policies will only ever pay up to the policy limits for damage or injuries you might cause to others. These policies won’t cover damage to your vehicle, theft, rental cars or roadside assistance.

Introduction to Utah Auto Insurance Requirements

Utah’s minimum auto requirements are published by the UT DMV. They may change from time to time, especially as the costs of new vehicles, vehicle repairs and medical care continue to increase.

Utah Auto Insurance Coverage Descriptions

Many UT residents feel more comfortable buying more insurance, and your lienholder — usually a bank or credit union that loaned you money to buy a vehicle — may require you to carry more insurance.

You will see auto insurance marketed as “new car insurance” or “premium insurance packages.” These policies always include the basic liability coverage, plus more. We’ve described various insurance options for you, below.

UT auto insurance policies might include:

• Full coverage: this type of insurance covers your vehicle for issues like theft, storm damage, fallen tree limbs, hail, lightning, and so on. It is not mandatory by UT law, but your lienholder may require it.
• Collision coverage: Often sold with full coverage, it pays for damages caused by a collision with structures, vehicles, walls, fences, etc.
• Other endorsements, known as riders or “bells and whistles”: these optional coverages include things like roadside aid, rental car coverage, and low glass deductibles for windshield replacement.

While no law requires that you carry these types of insurance, many drivers feel better about their daily commute knowing they’re protected.

UT Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

Utah’s auto insurance laws exist to protect you and other drivers from financial disaster. Each type of coverage is explained in detail below.

UT minimum auto insurance coverages are explained in detail below.

Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident

After an accident, your insurer will pay up to $25,000 for injuries to another person. If more than one person is injured, it will pay a total of $65,000. It will pay for things like ambulance rides, emergency room visits, pain medication, surgeries, medical devices and more.

Property Damage Liability: $15,000 per accident

Auto accidents can cause a great deal of damage to vehicles, fences, homes and other property. This coverage will come into play if you damage someone else’s property. However, it does not cover any damage to your vehicle. With liability-only policies, you will pay for damages to your own vehicle out of pocket.

New Driving Laws in Utah

Utah now accepts electronic proof of insurance. In other words, you can keep a copy of your auto insurance policy in your phone and present it to law enforcement. This can be handy if you haven’t received your insurance cards, or if you haven’t printed them at home.

Effective May 1, 2023, all drivers must keep their headlights on when driving on a highway, from sunset to sunrise, or when visibility is decreased to 1,000 feet. In other words, if it’s foggy on the road, you must keep your headlights on, even during the daylight hours.

And effective July 1, 2023, new Utah drivers can now take their driver license exams in languages other than English. This new law will be helpful for individuals who don’t speak English at all, or those who speak it as a second language.

Penalties for Failure to Carry Utah Auto Insurance

According to the UT DMV, failure to carry insurance on a vehicle will lead to expensive fines and a suspended license. First-time offenders will pay a fine of $400, second-time offenders will pay a fine of $1,000.

Your license may be suspended until you supply proof of valid insurance.

How to Get the Best Prices on Utah Auto Insurance

One of the best ways to save on auto insurance is to shop around every few years. Insurance companies are known for increasing their prices slightly every few years, even for very safe drivers. When this happens, don’t hesitate to shop around.

Another way to save on auto insurance in Utah is to research “bundled” policy packages. In short, the more insurance you have with one provider, the less expensive they are.

For instance, you can bundle homeowners, life and auto insurance to save on everything. (However, be thoughtful about changing whole life insurance providers, you might lose the cash value you’ve built up over years of premium payments.)

Read More: 8 Simple Ways to Save You 90% On Your Car Insurance

Utah State Auto Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies consider many details about every vehicle and every driver they insure. And be aware, they share this data with other companies.

They may consider your

• Age
• Gender
• Years of driving experience
• Marital status
• Vehicle value and age
• Purpose of vehicle (commuting, pleasure, agricultural work, etc.)
• Claims history
• Claims costs of vehicles of this make and model
• Zip code and garage location

In Utah, some insurers may offer discounts for things like excellent driving behavior, professional certifications, and good grades for students. For example, physicians and first responders might get a special discounts on their insurance. Be sure to ask your insurance agent if these apply.

UT Auto Insurance Rates by Carrier

Many insurance companies offer policies to Utah residents. Our research suggests these are the most affordable liability-only policies for safe drivers. Still, many factors can affect your rates, so be sure to get as many quotes as possible when shopping for auto insurance.