Utah Auto Insurance Laws, Minimums, Requirements

What mandatory auto insurance laws exist in the state of Utah?

• All drivers in the state of Utah must carry at least the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage including $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $65,000 per accident for bodily injury, $3,000 personal injury protection (PIP), and $15,000 per accident for property damage.
• Failing to insure a vehicle in the state Utah is a Class B misdemeanor. The penalties for driving without insurance in the state of Utah include a $400 fine and loss of driving privileges.

What is the Minimum Liability Coverage (Bodily Injury amounts per person, per accident, and property damage amounts):

If you buy automobile insurance in Utah, your policy must include minimum liability coverage of:

25,000 per person for bodily injury,
$65,000 per accident for bodily injury,
$3,000 personal injury protection (PIP),
and
$15,000 per accident for property damage

What are the Rental Car Insurance Requirements?

Operating a vehicle without insurance in the state of Utah is considered a Class B misdemeanor. This law applies to rental cars as well. Rental cars must carry the minimum liability coverages required by Utah law. It is important to keep in mind that most Utah auto insurance policies include car rentals. Most credit cards cover car rentals as well, so be sure to check your auto insurance policy and/or check with your credit card issuer. If you find that your credit card and/or auto insurance policy do not cover rental cars, you must purchase car rental insurance from the car rental company. It typically costs an extra $7-$14 a day.

What are the rules pertaining to Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage is not required in the state of Utah.

What are the rules pertaining to the exclusion from coverage of a driver living in household?

In the state of Utah, it is legal to exclude a member of your household from your policy. It is also legal for your auto insurance company to write a policy that excludes household members that may be considered high-risk due to driving history, etc. These exclusions are listed in the exclusions section of the policy, which also includes a list of all possible circumstances that would free the insurance company from the responsibility of paying a claim. Because a household exclusion means that the excluded person will not be covered under any circumstances, including emergencies, it is extremely important to examine your auto insurance policy carefully before signing on the dotted line.

What are the rules regarding whether a driver has prior insurance? That is, how does state law handle it if a driver has no prior insurance or has let their previous insurance lapse?

If you allow your auto insurance to lapse in the state of Utah, the insurance company will notify the Utah DMV. Failure to provide continuous coverage on a motor vehicle the state of Utah is a Class B misdemeanor. The penalties for driving without insurance in the state of Utah include a $400 fine and loss of driving privileges

What are the rules and guidelines auto insurance companies must follow regarding the use of Personal Credit History in selecting applicants and setting rates?

In the state of Utah, it is against the law for auto insurers to use Personal Credit History alone to determine rates and offers for products. Insurers cannot use Personal Credit History alone to cancel a policy or deny a renewal. Utah insurance companies can use Personal Credit History to evaluate risk, but they cannot reject an applicant based on credit risk alone. By Utah law, they must also consider age, gender, where you live, car make and model, how much you drive, and driving record. It is only legal to reject an applicant based on the outcome of any combination of considerations.

Is the state a No Fault or Tort state? What does either mean to the policy owner?

Utah follows a No Fault system. This means that if you are involved in an accident, it doesn’t matter who is at fault. Your insurance covers you, and the other party’s insurance covers them. Utah’s No Fault laws make it illegal for Utah motorists to drive without insurance or permit others to drive their vehicle without insurance. Failing to insure a vehicle in the state Utah is a Class B misdemeanor. The penalties for driving without insurance in the state of Utah include a fine of $400 for the first violation and loss of driving privileges.

What is the average auto insurance premium in this state? As of what year?

As of 2006, Utah resident’s average insurance premium was approximately $702, the 31st most expensive in the nation. This was down 0.7% from the previous year. The national average was $817.

Sources

Insurance Information Institute

Utah Insurance Department