Car Insurance In Utah 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

With 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, I’ve thoroughly reviewed the car insurance requirements for Utah drivers and seen the impact that changing premiums can have. This guide is designed to offer all Utah drivers a comprehensive resource regarding Insurance laws, minimum requirements, penalties, and how to make confident decisions behind the wheel.

Does Utah Require Car Insurance?

Yes, Utah requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, and those state limits increased on January 1, 2025. Failure to carry insurance can trigger fines and license suspensions.

Utah is a no-fault state, so your insurance will cover your medical bills no matter who is at fault for the accident. Drivers must all meet state minimum limits of 30/65/25:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $30,000 per person and $65,000 per accident.
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $3,000 per person (mandatory for no-fault benefits).

How Much Insurance Should You Get In Utah?

The legal minimum is higher than in many states, but drivers often still consider optional coverage to contend with Utah’s high speeds, driver behaviors, and mountain weather.

Utah claims to have the “Greatest Snow on Earth,” but that means high risks of losing control, especially between Park City and Salt Lake City on the I-15. Basic liability coverage won’t cover single-vehicle slide-offs, but collision coverage can.

Roadside Assistance is also of similar importance in these areas, even in summer. Travel through the mountain passes scattered throughout the state can result in high towing costs in the challenging terrain; roadside assistance can help.

Comprehensive coverage with the $0 glass deductible can help drivers keep a clean windshield, repairing cracks and damage caused by the frequent gravel, sand, and salt on the roads.

In the South, areas like St. George are not only frequented by tourists but also have extreme summer temperatures. Comprehensive coverage can protect against damage caused by wildfire or flash flooding, both of which are frequent occurrences.

Gap Insurance can help many Utah drivers who are currently financing their vehicles. If your car is totaled in a multi-car pileup along the major interstates in Utah, this can help cover the remaining amount on your loan based on the current value of your car.

How Much Is Car Insurance In Utah?

The average monthly cost for maintaining state minimum coverage in Utah is around $62 per month, but around $189 per month for full coverage. There are many other factors, though, that can determine your premiums.

• Low-Income: With no state-sponsored programs to help low-income residents, Utah drivers can pay for the minimum liability insurance.
• Non-owner car insurance: Drivers who don’t own a car will pay around $50 per month for coverage.
• Temporary Insurance: Utah drivers will pay around $115 per month for a monthly or short-term policy.
• Senior Insurance (Ages 65+): Seniors in Utah typically pay $200 per month for full coverage, with prices increasing once drivers turn 70.
• Teen Insurance: Utah teens pay around $310 per month.
• SR-22 Insurance: High-risk drivers, like those requiring an SR-22, can see premiums around $290 per month for full coverage.
• College Students/Young Adults: Median rates for young drivers in Utah are comparable to high-risk drivers: around $295 per month for full coverage.
• Bad Credit: Drivers with poor credit in Utah will pay around $220 per month.
• With a Speeding Ticket: A single speeding ticket can increase annual costs by $200.

These figures are general estimates and can vary depending on the insurer and your personal driving profile.

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In Utah?

There are many insurers that offer a range of coverage options and discounts tailored to Utah drivers. There are many national (like State Farm, at 25% of the market share), regional, and intermountain carriers that you can explore, including:

• State Farm
• Farmers Insurance
• Allstate
• American Family Insurance
• Progressive (ideal for those with a DUI history)
• Nationwide
• Liberty Mutual
• GEICO
• Travelers
• Farm Bureau Financial Services
• Bear River Mutual Insurance Company
• The Hartford
• Safeco
• Grange Insurance
• AssuranceAmerica
• Farmers Union Insurance
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• Direct Auto Insurance
• Encompass Insurance (ideal for drivers who need affordable rates after a ticket or accident)
• National General Insurance
• Kemper

Note: You can always turn to the Utah Insurance Department Licensee Search tool to find an up-to-date list of every insurance provider in the state.

The best way to find coverage that fits your needs is to compare quotes and coverage details through Insuranceopedia.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In Utah

Utah has new state-mandated requirements for insurance, which is bringing up the cost of premiums for many drivers. However, there are still things that you can do to lower your premiums.

Maintain A Good Credit Score

Insurance providers will use your credit score to set your initial premiums, so if you are planning to take out a new policy, consider improving your credit score before you do, so long as you maintain state-mandated coverage the entire time. Drivers with an excellent score will typically have premiums 50% less than those who have a poor credit score.

Ask For “Hidden” Discounts

Regularly ask your insurance provider about any discounts that you might have available to you. Insurance agents may or may not present a full list of all available discounts, but you can always ask about discounts for teenage drivers, especially if they have a high GPA, or discounts for membership in professional organizations throughout the state.

Complete A State-Approved Defensive Driving Course

Utah state law requires that insurance companies give you a discount on your premium if you complete a defensive driving or safe driving course.

Review Your Policy Against 2025 Minimums

As of January 1, 2025, Utah’s mandatory minimum liability limits increased to 30/65/25 (up from 25/65/15). These changes will automatically happen whenever your policy next renews, but you want to check now to see if there are any extras you might be paying for that you no longer need because of these changes, things like Roadside Assistance or rental car reimbursement.

Consider Your Car

The type of car you have will directly influence your premiums as well, so if you have a brand new car with a lot of complicated electronics, know that your insurance premiums will be higher as a direct result of the costs for repairing those computer components, much the same as a very old car might be at a higher risk of breaking down more frequently.

Reduce Miles

Consider reducing the number of miles you drive, especially if you are close to the state cut-off for low-mileage discounts, which is generally between 7,000 and 12,000 miles per year. This can be a much easier option for people who live in SLC or in close proximity to a Trax center.

Raise Deductibles

Raising your deductible can keep your insurance premiums lower. If you can, setting some money aside for an unexpected windshield repair or collision can often qualify you for lower monthly premiums.

Proof Of Insurance In Utah

Utah drivers need to maintain state minimum liability insurance and provide that proof at any time. The state uses electronic systems, including the Uninsured Motorist Identification Database (Insure-Rite), to verify in real time whether you have an active policy.

If you don’t have proof of your policy but you do actually have one, you can be charged with an infraction or a Class C misdemeanor. You’ll be able to submit proof of your insurance in court, and the charges can be dismissed should you have proof.

However, should you not actually have insurance, this can be a Class B misdemeanor, which comes with fines up to $1,000, license and vehicle registration suspension, an SR-22 requirement for 3 years after your conviction, reinstatement fees, and continual monitoring by the Department of Public Safety for 3 years. If, during those three years, your policy lapses at all, even for one day, your license will be revoked.

Utah State Driving Laws

Utah has a robust range of driving laws throughout the state, with a no-fault insurance system and a strict DUI limit. Below are the most important regulations that every Utah driver should know in order to meet their financial responsibilities on the road:

No-Fault State

Utah’s primarily a no-fault state when it comes to personal injuries, which means if you get in a car accident, you have to file a claim with your personal injury protection coverage first, no matter who was at fault.

Civil Suit Threshold

In Utah, there is also a modified comparative fault rule in addition to the no-fault laws if you file a civil lawsuit. This means that drivers can only sue other drivers who are at fault for an accident if they meet a serious injury threshold and are 50% or less at fault for the accident. This threshold includes bone fractures, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement.

Drivers Without Insurance

Driving without insurance is a Class B misdemeanor that can result in a license suspension and significant fines in addition to other potential penalties.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

Insurance providers in Utah have to offer uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage, but drivers can reject both in writing as neither is legally mandatory.

SR-22s

In certain situations, drivers might be required to file an SR-22 certificate, often for 3 years following a conviction of driving without insurance or a DUI conviction.

Self-Insurance

Individuals and organizations who can demonstrate the financial means to cover the equal value of the minimum liability limits and do so in the form of a surety bond or other deposit with the state can opt for self-insurance. For individuals or businesses with a fleet of vehicles, this often requires a bond with comparable values to the minimum liability limits deposited for each vehicle.

Seat Belt Laws

All occupants in all seats must wear a seatbelt, and it is the responsibility of drivers to make sure anyone under the age of 16 is properly restrained. Police officers in Utah can pull you over solely for not wearing a seat belt.

Distracted Driving Laws

Texting is illegal for all drivers while driving. The use of a handheld electronic device is not itself against the law, but Utah law enforcement can issue a citation if the use of that device impairs your ability to drive safely.

Teen Driving Laws

Utah relies on a graduated driver licensing program with initial permits given to teenagers at age 15 and graduating to a full license after age 16 once provisions are met, with restrictions on the hours of the day that teens can be on the road, the number of passengers in the vehicle at any given time, and the age of those passengers respectively.

DUI Laws

Utah has the lowest legal blood alcohol concentration limit in America, at a restriction of 0.05% for drivers 21 and older and “not a drop” for anyone under the age of 21. Refusal to submit to a chemical test will result in an immediate license suspension, and a penalty can include jail time, community service, fines, and a suspension of your driver’s license.

Statute Of Limitations For Claims

All drivers generally have 4 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim and three years to file a property damage claim.

When To Report An Accident

Accidents have to be reported immediately if they involve injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,500 in value. Insurance companies have to be notified within 24 hours.

When Is A Car Declared A Total Loss?

A vehicle is declared a total loss in Utah when the repairs meet or exceed 75% of the fair market value of that vehicle.

Car Inspections

Utah does not have annual state safety inspections for vehicles, but counties like Weber, Cache, Davis, Utah, and Salt Lake require emissions inspections for certain vehicles.

Cancellation/Non-Renewal Notification Laws

In Utah, if an insurer is not renewing your policy, they have to give you 20 days’ written notice. Once a policy has been in effect for 60 days, it can only be canceled mid-term for specific reasons like a change in your risk, fraud, or non-payment. The reason determines how much notice they have to give, but Utah law generally has shorter notice, of 10 days minimum.

Defensive Driving

Utah drivers can take state-approved defensive driving courses to qualify for premium discounts and get points off their driving record.

Utah Car Insurance Contact Information

Utah drivers can save time and effort by knowing which departments to contact for different insurance needs.

1. Utah Insurance Department

The Insurance Department is where to go if there are questions or issues pertaining to insurance companies, such as confirming an agent is legitimate, reporting fraud, or escalating problems with your current or former insurance provider, i.e., a denied claim, canceled policy, or unfair treatment.

Contact Information:

• Main Line: (801) 957-9200
• In-State Toll-Free: (800) 439-3805
• Property & Casualty Consumer Service (Auto): (801) 957-9305 | Email: prop-cas@utah.gov
• Insurance Fraud Division: (844) 373-0233
• Physical Address: 4315 S. 2700 West, Suite 2300, Taylorsville, UT 84129
• Website: utah.gov

2. Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

For any matters concerning registration or titles, you can contact the Utah DMV. This includes issues of reinstating a license or registration after a suspension for not having adequate insurance, paying reinstatement fees, and regular registration. This is also where to go if you receive a notice that Insure-Rite was unable to confirm your insurance plan.

Contact Information:

• General Inquiries: (801) 297-7780 (Salt Lake area) or (800) 368-8824 (Toll-Free).
• Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division (MVED): (801) 297-2600 (for dealer-related issues).
• Website: dmv.utah.gov

3. Insure-Rite (Insurance Verification System)

Utah goes through a statewide program called “Insure-Rite,” which tracks all registered vehicles for insurance compliance. If your coverage was flagged because it lapsed, or if the system made an error and couldn’t confirm your coverage, you can reach out to the third-party vendor directly to give them new information.

Contact Information:

• Phone: (801) 531-9664.
• Website: insure-rite.com

4. Local County Health Departments (Emissions)

In some counties, you are required to pass an emissions test before renewing your vehicle, even if your renewal comes after a suspension. This includes Cache, Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, and Utah counties.

Contact Information: Varies by county.

• Salt Lake County: (385) 468-3837
• Utah County: (801) 851-7600

Common Utah Car-Related Crime And Fatalities

Understanding car-related incidents that are most common in Utah can help every driver stay safe on the road.

Traffic Fatality Statistics

In 2025, nearly 300 people died in car accidents, with a 10% increase in car accident fatalities between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Motorcycle fatalities across Utah surged 36% between 2023 and 2025. While motorcycle fatalities have increased, teen fatalities have decreased by 50% since 2023.

Vehicle Theft Trends

Kaysville and Wayne Counties have seen a significant uptick in car part theft, car burglaries, and vehicle theft. The Salt Lake City Police Department has noted that the Hyundai and Kia vehicles are most likely to be stolen, particularly at night.

Causes Of Accidents And Fatalities In Utah

Around 29% of all car accident fatalities are attributed to speeding. However, over one-third of car accident fatalities have been linked to driver impairment. Another 7% of car accident fatalities are due to distracted driving, and distracted driving has caused over 5,000 total accidents in 2025.

Nearly 8,000 wildlife vehicle collisions were reported in 2024, with many drivers at a high risk of colliding with deer in the fall. In the winter, the I-15 consistently ranks as one of the deadliest roads in the state due to the mountainous pass and icy conditions. Complex traffic patterns and heavy traffic have made areas like Sugar House and Taylorsville particularly dangerous Urban zones as well.