Car Insurance In North Dakota 2026: Laws, Costs, Requirements & Companies

With 15 years in the insurance industry, I have reviewed the impact that changes to car insurance policies and state requirements can have on drivers in North Dakota. That said, this guide is designed to be a comprehensive resource for North Dakota residents looking to understand the laws, minimum requirements, and penalties so they can make confident decisions behind the wheel.

Does North Dakota Require Car Insurance?

Yes, North Dakota requires that all registered vehicles have state minimum levels of liability insurance, no-fault insurance, as well as uninsured/underinsured insurance. Drivers have to carry proof of that at all times.

North Dakota is a no-fault state, which means fault does not matter in an accident. If you are involved in an accident, it is your insurance that covers the cost of things like repairs and medical bills.

Mandatory minimum limits for 2025 are:

• Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident.
• Property Damage Liability: $25,000 per accident.
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP): $30,000 per person for covered medical expenses and lost wages.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM): $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident (for bodily injury only).

How Much Insurance Should You Get In North Dakota?

While North Dakota does have specific minimums, experts typically advise that you increase your liability limits to protect your assets best.

Collision

Collision insurance is particularly important for North Dakota drivers, where wildlife collisions are common, especially on rural highways. Without this coverage, you are entirely responsible for any repairs to your vehicle after the accident.

Comprehensive

For many North Dakota drivers, getting collision and comprehensive coverage, also known as full coverage, provides better protection against things like wildlife-related accidents or single-vehicle accidents. For anyone with a leased or financed vehicle, this might be a requirement from your lender.

Comprehensive coverage is also critical to protect against damage from things like hailstorms and blizzards, both of which are common in North Dakota.

Roadside Assistance

The low population density and many open roads mean that cars can struggle with expensive tows after dealing with a dead battery or getting stuck in the snow. Investing in roadside assistance as part of your insurance can help offset these costs.

Full Glass Coverage

Full glass coverage is highly recommended for drivers in North Dakota because there are high rates of gravel and unpaved county roads, which increase the risk of frequent windshield chips or cracks. Full glass coverage can ensure that all of these issues are taken care of without you having to pay a standard deductible each time it happens.

How Much Is Car Insurance In North Dakota?

The average cost of minimum coverage is around $400 per year, but full coverage with comp and collision can cost around $1,900 per year. That said, there are several categories that can influence the cost of car insurance in North Dakota

• Low-income Car Insurance: North Dakota does not have a state-sponsored low-income program, so if you need to save money, experts recommend sticking with the state minimum coverage.
• Non-owner Car Insurance: If you don’t own a car but still want coverage, you can get a non-owner liability insurance policy for around $20 per month.
• Temporary Car Insurance: For short-term needs, a standard 1-month policy averages about $75 per month.
• Senior Car Insurance (Age 65-75): Seniors pay around $170 per month for coverage, with older adults facing higher prices due to their relative risk.
• Teen Car Insurance: Teens are among the highest risk categories, costing around $517 per month. Being added to a parent policy can reduce this.
• SR-22 Insurance: High-risk drivers who need SR-22 certificates will pay around $77/month for liability only and $127/month for full coverage.
• College Students: Younger drivers with monthly liability-only quotes can be higher than average, but things like good grades can drop premiums.
• Bad Credit: Drivers with poor credit in North Dakota will see price increases of 125% compared to those with good credit.
• With a Speeding Ticket: If you speed, it can cost; basic liability insurance can go up to $182 per month for drivers with a ticket.

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

Which Car Insurance Companies Operate In North Dakota?

There are many national and regional providers in the state that specialize in comprehensive, rural, and non-standard driver profiles, including:

• Progressive
• State Farm
• American Family Insurance
• Allstate
• GEICO
• USAA
• Farmers Insurance
• Nationwide
• Liberty Mutual
• Travelers
• Nodak Insurance Company
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• North Star Mutual
• Center Mutual
• Grinnell Mutual
• National Farmers Union
• RAM Mutual
• Safeco (A Liberty Mutual Company)
• Root Insurance
• The General

Note: There is a North Dakota Insurance Department Company Search tool where you can look up licensed providers in your area.

You can also compare quotes and coverage details through Insuranceopedia to find the best fit for your needs.

How To Get Lower Insurance Premiums In North Dakota

Drivers in North Dakota can help reduce premiums through these general strategies and state-based opportunities:

Take An NDHP-Approved Reduction Course

Providers like Safe2Drive and AAA Roadwise Driver offer accident prevention courses. North Dakota drivers who voluntarily complete one of these courses will automatically receive discounts on their insurance premiums as stipulated inNorth Dakota law (Administrative Code 38-08).

Mature Driver Discount (Ages 55+)

Drivers who are 55 or older can take another state-approved defensive driving course and receive a discount on their premiums for 3 years.

Limit Minimum Coverage

If you are struggling with the high cost of full insurance coverage, remember that North Dakota has specific state minimums, so you can adjust your policy to meet these low thresholds and still remain compliant.

Pay Annually

Paying annually typically earns you between 5% and 10% off your premiums by reducing the administrative fees associated with paying monthly.

Reduce Deductibles

Another way to save on your premiums in North Dakota is to increase your deductible. The out-of-pocket deductible that you pay has a direct relationship to your premiums, such that if you increase your deductible, you will see lower premiums and vice versa.

Safe Driver Discounts

Keeping a clean driving record and enrolling in things like telematics programs, which monitor your driving behavior, can help you achieve safe driver discounts.

Change Your Deductible

One of the fastest ways to reduce your premiums is to change your out-of-pocket deductible. If you raise your out-of-pocket deductible from $200 to $700, and you have that money set aside for an emergency, you can reduce your monthly premiums by up to 30%.

Proof Of Insurance In North Dakota

Driving without insurance in North Dakota is a Class B misdemeanor, which can result in state monitoring, fines, and criminal charges. That’s why it’s important for all drivers to carry a paper ID card or a digital ID card that can be submitted at any time.

North Dakota has different consequences for:

• Driving without insurance
• Driving without proof of insurance

If, for example, you have insurance, you get pulled over, but you don’t have proof of that insurance, an officer can issue a citation that can result in an administrative violation. If, however, you can prove that you did actually have a policy when you go to court, that citation can be dismissed.

If, instead, you are pulled over, and you don’t actually have any insurance, your license and registration will be suspended until such time as you get an insurance policy, and you can face things like legal fees, SR-22 requirements, or jail time.

If you are involved in an accident while you don’t have insurance, your license will be automatically suspended, and you will have 14 points on your driving record.

To reinstate your driving privileges, you’ll have to provide proof of insurance, fill out any required certificates, pay your fees, and submit any other outstanding requirements through the North Dakota DOT system.

North Dakota State Driving Laws

North Dakota uses a modified comparative fault system and has mandatory insurance requirements that include things like uninsured motorists coverage. Below are some of the most important driving laws for North Dakota drivers to know:

Fault State

North Dakota follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means that drivers can recover damages even if they are partially at fault as long as they are less than 50% at fault. The amount that a driver can seek in compensation gets reduced by their percentage of fault.

Mandatory Insurance (Drivers Without Insurance)

All drivers must carry a minimum amount of liability and personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. Failure to do so can result in a license suspension and fines.

Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage

UM coverage is mandatory in North Dakota.

Seat Belt Laws

All occupants must wear a seatbelt. Failure to do so can result in a fine and one point on your driving record.

Distracted Driving Laws

Texting while driving is prohibited, and drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to use any type of hands-free device or electronic communication device except in an emergency.

DUI Laws

The legal limit for drivers over the age of 21 is 0 08% blood alcohol concentration, with a zero tolerance policy for anyone under the age of 21, at 0.02%.

Teen Driving Laws

North Dakota has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program allowing a learner’s permit at age 14, a restricted license until age 16, and a full license after the age of 16, all with provisions.

Statute Of Limitations For Claims

The statute of limitations in North Dakota for a wrongful death claim is 2 years, but for a car accident lawsuit, including property damage and personal injury is 6 years.

Cancellation/Non-Renewal Notification Laws

Insurance companies have to provide you with a written notice if they cancel your policy or do not renew your policy. Non-renewal requires insurance providers to give you notice and the reason why they are not renewing your policy, and cancellation during your term requires at least 10 days notice if you don’t pay your premium, and at least 20 days notice for any other reason.

Self-Insurance

Businesses or individuals may be allowed to self-insure in North Dakota if they can prove financial responsibility for damages in a car accident.

SR-22s

Those who are considered high risk might require an SR-22 form, typically required for 3 years after offenses like driving without insurance or a DUI.

Defensive Driving

North Dakota drivers can get discounts on their insurance premiums and points off their record by completing approved defensive driving courses.

When Is A Car Declared A Total Loss?

A vehicle is considered a total loss in North Dakota if the damage exceeds 75% of the value of the vehicle, though if a car is declared a loss, it’s the owner who can choose to keep the salvaged vehicle or transfer the vehicle’s ownership to their insurance company.

When To Report An Accident

Any vehicle involved in an accident that results in injury, death, or property damage has to stop, report it to the police or the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Insurance companies require that the accident be reported within 24 to 72 hours.

Civil Suit Thresholds

North Dakota is a no-fault state for basic Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, so it’s your insurance policy that covers any initial medical expenses for you, no matter who was at fault.

However, to sue another driver for additional damages, you must meet a serious injury threshold that includes things like significant disfigurement or disability that extends beyond 60 days.

North Dakota Car Insurance Contact Information

Knowing who to contact for different insurance and driver-related issues can save you a lot of time. Below are the most common departments you might need to contact in North Dakota.

1. North Dakota Insurance Department

If you have policy questions, want to report potential insurance fraud, or file a dispute with your insurance provider over your current policy, this is who you can contact.

Contact Information:

• Main Phone: (701) 328-2440
• Toll-Free: (800) 247-0560
• Email: insurance@nd.gov
• Physical Address: 600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505
• Website: insurance.nd.gov

2. NDDOT – Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)

If you need to register a vehicle, handle anything to do with your titles, or order specialty plates, this is who you go to.

Contact Information:

• Main Phone: (701) 328-2725
• Appointment Scheduling: (855) 633-6835
• Email: mv@nd.gov
• Website: nd.gov/motor-vehicle

3. NDDOT – Driver License Division

This division handles all driving records and insurance requirements, so if you have to reinstate your driver’s license after it was suspended for driving without insurance, this is who you would contact. This is also who you can contact to get a copy of your limited driving record for a small fee or request an administrative hearing regarding any administrative action taken against your driver’s license.

Contact Information:

• Main Phone: (701) 328-2600
• Suspensions/Reinstatements: (701) 328-2604
• Website: dot.nd.gov/driver

4. North Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan (NDAIP)

This is who you contact if multiple insurance companies have denied coverage because of your driving history. This is where you would access a state insurance plan as a high-risk driver when you can’t get coverage elsewhere.

Contact Information:

• Phone: (888) 706-6100
• Email: ndaip@aipso.com

Common North Dakota Car-Related Crime And Fatalities

North Dakota drivers should be particularly careful when it comes to the type of insurance coverage they have, given the fluctuating rates of car-related crime and fatalities throughout different cities.

Vehicle Theft Trends

Areas like Fargo have some of the highest car theft rates, with over 450 per year. Recent trends indicate that the risk of car theft increases in the winter, especially in vehicles that are left running or have their keys in the car; 48% of all stolen vehicles in the winter were left running.

Traffic Fatality Data

North Dakota experienced record low numbers of car accident fatalities in 2025 and 2024, with an average of 85 people per year, which is the lowest the state has seen in over two decades.

Still, 69% of all fatalities involved the passengers, 19% involved motorcyclists, and another 7% involved pedestrians. Around 70% of all fatal car accidents in North Dakota involved people in rural areas driving into another lane, and 33% of all fatalities involved drivers and passengers who were not wearing a seatbelt.

Heavy or high-risk vehicles are involved in car accidents approximately once every 15 days in North Dakota.

Common Accident Causes

The leading cause of car accidents in general, as well as car accident fatalities in North Dakota, involves distracted driving, failure to yield, impaired driving, and speeding. These risk factors increase in winter, where the risks of rear-end collisions or single vehicle collisions with ditches increase significantly. At the same time, drivers from October to December have to contend with increased risks of wildlife collisions during mating season.