Utah Auto Insurance
All vehicles registered in Utah must carry auto insurance with minimum levels of coverage and failure to carry auto insurance can result in serious fines, penalties and even personal liability in the event of an accident. Utah drivers are required to have at least $25,000 in liability coverage for an accident in which one person is injured, $65,000 in combined liability coverage for an accident in which more than one person is injured, $15,000 in property damage coverage and a minimum of $3,000 in personal injury protection.
Utah is one of the few states that require personal injury protection. The reason for this is because Utah is a no fault car insurance state. What this means is that, in the event of an accident, neither driver involved will be found at fault, except in cases of gross negligence. Instead, both drivers’ auto insurance policies will be responsible for covering damages to their own vehicles or persons. If you don’t have the proper insurance you can end up losing big, even in an accident you did not cause. Most Utah drivers opt for a full coverage auto insurance policy which includes comprehensive, collision and liability coverage with policy limits far above state minimum requirements.
What are the penalties for Driving without Insurance in Utah?
Drivers convicted of driving with no auto insurance in Utah can be subject to severe penalties and fines including driver license suspension, vehicle registration suspension and possibly even jail time in more serious cases. Both your vehicle’s registration and drivers license will be suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles until you can show proof of insurance and, even then, longer suspensions may be put in place depending on the facts of your conviction. Fines and fees can range from a minimum of $400 to a maximum of $1000 depending upon the circumstances and how long you have been driving without insurance but the exposure to personal liability has no limit.
What are Average Auto Insurance Rates in Utah?
One of the best things about living and driving in Utah is that the average premium rates are about 10% below the national average. Good drivers can expect to pay approximately $1,234 per year as of January 2011. However, drivers who are willing to be more selective as they choose an auto insurance company can end up paying well below the national average. This is especially true for good drivers and those who qualify for different car insurance discounts commonly offered in the state of Utah.
Utah Car Insurance Discounts
Utah auto insurance companies offer a wealth of auto insurance discounts. From vehicle safety requirement discounts to good driver discounts it’s hard not to find some discounts to qualify for. Although it’s important to note that not all auto insurance companies offer the same discounts and not all drivers will qualify. Good drivers certainly have the upper hand but should you have a high risk profile such as a young driver or someone convicted of a DUI there are still discounts you can use to offset the high cost of auto insurance. Some of the most popular discounts offered by Utah Auto Insurance Companies include:
- Good Driver Discount
- Multi Vehicle Discount
- Multi Policy Discount
- Defense Driving Course Discount
- Vehicle Safety Equipment Discount
- Anti-Theft Discount
- Low Mileage Discount
- Good Grades Discount for Young Drivers
Utah has over 100 licensed auto insurance companies so no matter what your risk profile it will pay to shop around and compare auto insurance quotes. Every auto insurance company has a different way of measuring risk so while GEICO may be the best provider for you, Allstate or State Farm may be the best provider for someone else. Don’t discount the quality of local auto insurance companies either – many providers exist who only offer coverage in limited areas and some of these smaller, lesser known auto insurance companies provide exceptional service at very affordable rates. Get started with your Utah auto insurance comparison search today and compare auto insurance quotes online.
