Utah Auto Insurance Guide
Whether you’re taking a ski holiday to Snowbird, boating on Lake Powell, exploring the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, or doing business
in Salt Lake City, the Beehive State abounds with natural beauty, manmade wonders and miles of open roads. From Arches to Zion National Parks, Logan to
St. George, and Cedar City to Moab, sightseeing or commuting,
car insurance
is crucial to being a responsible Utah driver.
Auto Insurance Resources for UT State Residents
There were over 1.5 million licensed drivers in the Beehive State in 2010. The Insurance Research Council estimates that about 8% of Utah’s
resident drivers are uninsured. The Utah Department of Public Safety released its 2008 Traffic Crash Data and reported a total of 56,367 traffic
accidents that year. There were 24,673 injuries and 276 traffic-related fatalities in 2008. Distracted drivers, speeding and alcohol were leading
causes of traffic accidents. Uninsured, reckless and alcohol-impaired drivers are all good reasons to be sure you maintain adequate car insurance
while living and driving in the Beehive State.
Utah State Minimum Car Insurance
Utah state law requires you carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. Utah is one of just 12 no-fault states, meaning
your insurance will pay your injury claims up to a specified limit, regardless of who caused the accident. Under a no-fault system, you lose some
of your rights to sue. While Utah does not require that you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, additional personal liability or
Collision and Comprehensive coverage, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requirements shown
below:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability for injury or death of one person in an accident
- $65,000 bodily injury liability for injury or death of more than one person in an accident
- $15,000 property damage liability
- $3,000 personal injury protection
Utah Car Insurance Laws
Utah requires that you carry proof of Utah auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. Failure
to provide proof of insurance is a Class B misdemeanor. You will be fined $400 for a first offense and $1,000 for second and subsequent offenses
that happen within 3 years of a prior conviction.
If you are convicted of driving without insurance, your driver’s license and vehicle registration can be suspended until you can produce proof
of compliance. Reinstating your driver’s license carries a fee. Reinstating a suspended registration includes a $100 fee plus you must present
physical proof of ownership, picture id, and proof of coverage.
Utah maintains a database of insurance policies written to Utah residents and requires your car insurance company to inform it if your policy is
canceled or lapses. They also check insurance against vehicle registration and will notify you by mail if you are not in compliance. If you fail to
provide proof of coverage, you will have to surrender your driver’s license to the DPS.
Regulating Agency and References
Utah Insurance Department Consumer Services
This agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in the Beehive State. For more information, visit their website at
www.insurance.utah.gov/
Utah Department of Public Safety
This agency is responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about Utah auto insurance requirements,
penalties and related information at
publicsafety.utah.gov
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
This is an organization of insurance regulators from the 50 states, District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. NAIC
provides a forum for the development of uniform policies when appropriate. NAIC members are elected or appointed state government
officials who regulate the conduct of insurance companies and agents in their respective states or territories.
Visit NAIC at www.naic.org
Insurance Information Institute (III)
This organization’s mission is to improve public understanding of insurance – what it is and how it works. Visit III at
www.iii.org/
Related Car and Motorist E Insurance Articles
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