Wyoming Auto Insurance Guide

    Whether you’re exploring Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, whooping it up at Frontier Days in Cheyenne, paddling on Lake Shoshone, fly fishing for trout on the North Platte Miracle Mile, or doing business in Casper, The Equality State has some of America’s most spectacular scenery and wide open roadways. From Powell to Laramie, Jackson Hole to Medicine Bow, Rock Springs to Sundance, car insurance is crucial to being a responsible Wyoming driver.
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Auto Insurance Resources for WY State Residents

As of 2010, there were nearly 400,000 drivers in the Equality State. The Insurance Research Council estimates that 9% of Wyoming drivers are uninsured. The Wyoming Department of Transportation’s most current crash data reported 17,429 total traffic accidents in 2007; 12,927 resulted in property damage only; 4,366 resulted in injuries; and 136 were fatal. Failure to use seatbelts (Wyoming is 49th out of 50 states for seatbelt usage) and alcohol were the leading causes or injury and death. Most accidents (72%) occurred during clear weather. Uninsured, drunk and reckless drivers are good reasons to make sure you have enough car insurance while living and driving in the Equality State.

 

Wyoming State Minimum Car Insurance

Wyoming state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance or face severe penalties. The Equality State has a tort-based system. That means if you cause an accident, you can be sued. While Wyoming does not require you to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, additional personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive, if you own property or other valuable assets, you would be wise to supplement the minimum requires shown below:

  • $25,000 bodily injury per person per accident
  • $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
  • $20,000 property damage liability

 

Wyoming Car Insurance Laws

Wyoming law requires that you carry proof of Wyoming auto insurance in your vehicle and produce it if a law enforcement officer asks to see it. Driving without the required Wyoming car insurance is a misdemeanor. The fine for a first offense ranges from $250 to $750. You may also be sentenced to up to 6 months in jail. A second offense carries a fine of $500 to $1,500, with up to 6 months jail time. Your driver’s license and registration will be suspended until you satisfy the conditions of your fine and can show proof of insurance.

Wyoming maintains a database comparing lists of insured vehicles with individual registrations. If your vehicle is not on the list, you will have 7 days to produce proof of insurance. Failure to comply will result in the suspension of your registration.

 

Regulating Agency and References

State of Wyoming Insurance Department
This agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in Wyoming. For more information, visit their website at insurance.state.wy.us

Wyoming Department of Transportation
This is the agency responsible for licensing drivers and registering vehicles. You can learn more about Wyoming auto insurance requirements, penalties and related information at dot.state.wy.us

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

  • Filing a Car Insurance Claim. What Happens After the Crash?
  • What to Do When an Uninsured Driver Hits You
  • Drive Safer – Even If You Have Car Insurance, Your Car Crash Still Costs All of Us Money
  • How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Do I Need?
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    Last Updated: 10/27/2010

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