No matter what state you live in, there’s a good chance you will be required to have some type of insurance coverage in order to be legal to drive. While the state of North Dakota is well known for its agriculture and The Potato Bowl, it is also made up of wide-open roads and scenic highways.
The best way to get a well-rounded view of this beautiful state is by car. Whether you are planning on moving to the Flickertail State sometime in the near future, or you are a North Dakota resident who is just looking for a new car insurance company, here is what you need to know about car insurance laws in the state.
What Are The Car Insurance Requirements In North Dakota?
Drivers in North Dakota must abide by state driving laws in order to be good to go on the road. There are many different types of car insurance coverages, but these are the types of coverages that are required in North Dakota:
- Liability coverage: This type of coverage is needed to cover the costs of damages and injuries that you cause to another driver in the event of a car accident. These are the minimum requirements for liability coverage:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person.
- Total bodily injury liability: $50,000 if multiple people are injured.
- Property damage liability: $25,000.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: In a perfect world, every driver would be insured properly, but unfortunately this isn’t always the case. This type of insurance is necessary to protect you in case you are ever in a car accident where the other driver is at fault but does not have sufficient insurance to cover the costs of the damages. These are the minimum requirements for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage:
- Bodily injury: $25,000 per person.
- Total bodily injury: $50,000 if any passengers in your car are also injured.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): As far as car insurance goes, North Dakota is a no-fault state. While fault is still considered in an accident, every driver in this state must have PIP on their policy so that their damages and injuries are automatically covered by their own insurance. This is the minimum requirement for PIP insurance:
- $30,000 per person in a single accident.
What Other Options Do I Have For Car Insurance In North Dakota?
Even though the state of North Dakota has their own minimum requirements for car insurance, your needs might be different. Perhaps the bare minimum requirements are simply not enough to make you feel protected on the road. If that is the case for you, there are more options to choose from. Here are some of the most common types of car insurance coverages that drivers in North Dakota can add to their policy:
- Collision coverage: This type of insurance will help you cover the costs of damages to your car following a car accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: If your car ever gets damaged due to bad weather, theft, vandalism, or some other type of non-accident circumstance, comprehensive coverage will take care of the costs of damages to your vehicle.
- Towing and labor: This type of coverage is there for you if you ever break down on the side of the road and are in need of a quick helping hand.
- Rental reimbursement: If your car is in the shop getting worked on for an extended amount of time, you might need to rent a car to get you around in the meantime. This type of coverage will help you rent a car to drive while your car gets fixed.
What Happens If I Get Caught Violating Car Insurance Laws In North Dakota?
It’s in your best interest to follow North Dakota’s car insurance laws, as the consequences are not worth it. In the state of North Dakota, violating car insurance laws can result in you facing:
- A class B misdemeanor charge.
- A fine of at least $150.
- 14 points on your driving record if you are found uninsured after being involved in a car accident. Keep in mind that this offense will also lead to your license being suspended.
What Is The North Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan?
The livelihood of all car insurance companies relies heavily on their ability to assess risk. If you have racked up a decent history of tickets, car accidents, or other traffic violations on your driving record, you will be considered a high-risk driver by most insurance companies. Once you are considered high-risk, it can be extremely difficult to find a company to cover you.
Since having appropriate car insurance is required in North Dakota, the state has put a program in place to assist high-risk drivers in finding coverage. In North Dakota, every car insurance company participates in this organization. If you are having trouble finding a company to insure you on your own, you can apply for coverage through the organization or through any licensed car insurance agent or company.
Keep in mind that while this program exists to help you, it is going to be more expensive than regular car insurance for low-risk drivers. If you want to keep your car insurance premiums low, aim to be a safe driver.
How Can I Save Money On Car Insurance In North Dakota?
When it comes to keeping car insurance rates low, the best piece of advice is to be a safe and responsible driver. That being said, there are a few other ways that you might be able to catch a break on car insurance premiums. Here are some of the most common types of discounts that car insurance companies in North Dakota offer:
- Safe driver discount.
- Good student discount.
- Anti-theft device discount.
- Multiple car discount.
- Safety device discount.
If you are curious about any of the above discounts, make sure to ask your insurance company if you are eligible. If you are shopping for a new car insurance company, be sure to ask your agents what discounts their company has to offer.