North Dakota Car Insurance Laws and Requirements (2024)
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Written byAmy Beardsley
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3+ years writing about auto, home, and life insurance
7+ years in personal finance and technology
Amy specializes in insurance and technology writing and has a talent for transforming complex topics into easy-to-understand stories.
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Edited byJackie Cohen
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Jackie Cohen is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in property & casualty insurance educational content. She has years of experience analyzing insurance trends and helping consumers better understand their insurance coverage to make informed decisions about their finances.
Jackie's work has been cited in USA Today, The Balance, and The Washington Times.
Updated November 21, 2024
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Table of contents
North Dakota law dictates the minimum requirements for insurance coverage that all drivers must carry. All drivers in North Dakota must hold 25/30/25 in liability coverage, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage. Additionally, drivers can pick from a long list of additional coverages for added protection.
Quick Facts
Car insurance is required by law in North Dakota.
Drivers in North Dakota must carry 25/30/25 in liability, PIP, and uninsured motorist coverages.
If caught driving uninsured, drivers face a fine of at least $150 and potential jail time.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in North Dakota
The minimum car insurance requirements in North Dakota are[1]:
$25,000 for bodily injury liability per person
$50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
$25,000 for property damage liability per accident
$30,000 for personal injury protection per accident
$25,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per person
$50,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage per accident
North Dakota is a no-fault car insurance state. That means that regardless of who caused the accident, your own car insurance will cover certain losses when you’re injured.
Why is car insurance required in North Dakota?
Auto insurance protects drivers from financial liability in the event of an accident. Depending on a policy’s specific coverage limitations, car insurance may cover everything from vehicle damage to medical bills.
Bodily Injury Liability
Bodily injury liability is part of your liability car insurance coverage. If you cause an accident, this coverage will help cover the other party’s medical expenses. This type of coverage will not cover your own medical expenses for injuries sustained in a car accident you caused. Bodily injury liability coverage is required in North Dakota.
Property Damage Liability
Property damage liability is the other half of your liability car insurance. It covers repair costs and damage expenses to the other cars involved in an accident you caused. This coverage does not cover damage to your own car in an accident you were at fault for. Property damage liability coverage is required in North Dakota.
Personal Injury Protection
In North Dakota, personal injury protection, also known as PIP, is part of basic no-fault coverage. It covers medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services for you and other members of your household if you’re injured in a car accident. PIP provides coverage regardless of who is at fault for an accident. Personal injury protection is required in North Dakota.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
If an uninsured (or underinsured) driver causes an accident and you suffer bodily injury, uninsured motorist coverage will cover your medical expenses. If the at-fault driver surpasses their bodily injury liability coverage limits, your underinsured motorist coverage will cover the rest of your medical expenses.
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Is state minimum car insurance enough in North Dakota?
The minimum required car insurance coverage in North Dakota provides drivers with a solid foundation of auto insurance coverage, but it may not be enough for everyone. The mandated amount covers up to $25,000 in liability per person, which is a relatively small amount compared to the cost of medical bills and ongoing treatment.
Consider higher liability, uninsured/underinsured, and no-fault limits for your auto policy. Increasing your limits will increase your premiums. However, it can be a small price to pay for the peace of mind that you and your family are protected if a car accident causes significant or lasting injury.
Optional Car Insurance Coverage for North Dakota
North Dakota drivers who want to be protected in any situation should consider bolstering the minimum car insurance coverage with the following supplemental car insurance coverages:
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage covers damages to your car after a collision with another vehicle or object. If your vehicle is a total loss, collision coverage will reimburse you for the actual cash value of your vehicle. This is a great addition to the required property damage liability coverage in North Dakota, which applies only to the damages to the other driver’s vehicle.
Comprehensive Coverage
Complementing your collision coverage, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that occurs during an event that is not a collision with another vehicle or object. This may apply in situations of vandalism, theft, weather damage, or a run-in with an animal. Adding comprehensive and collision coverage together creates a full-coverage car insurance policy.
Other Supplemental Coverage
The North Dakota Insurance Department mentions towing, death and dismemberment, and gap coverage as add-ons to your insurance policy.
The optional protection can reimburse you for towing expenses, provide death and dismemberment coverage, and pay your lender the difference between your insurance settlement and the amount of your auto loan if your vehicle is stolen or a total loss.
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Average Cost of Car Insurance in North Dakota
Penalties for Driving Uninsured in North Dakota
It is illegal to drive in North Dakota without the minimum car insurance coverage. The Motor Vehicle Division can suspend or revoke your registration and impose additional fines and penalties if you let your coverage lapse. Consequences could include:[2]
First offense: 6 points on your driver’s license
Second offense within 18 months: 12 points
Second or subsequent offenses: License suspension and $50 reinstatement fee
North Dakota uses a point system for traffic violations. The state assigns a certain number of points to each violation, depending on the seriousness of the incident. A driver’s license will be suspended after accumulating 12 points (or 6 points if the driver is under 18).
Minimum Requirements for High-Risk Drivers in North Dakota
A poor driving record can make it difficult to get insurance through a regular insurance provider. Violations such as DUI convictions, speeding tickets, and accidents can label you as a high-risk driver. Some violations, including driving without insurance, require you to file an SR-22 for financial responsibility from your car insurance company.
Additionally, the North Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan exists to help high-risk drivers get the mandatory coverage to get back on the road. The premiums are higher than what you might pay in the regular market, but it can help you get insurance regardless of your driving record.
More Information for High-Risk Drivers in North Dakota
Cheapest Minimum Car Insurance in North Dakota
Car insurance companies weigh different factors to determine what to quote drivers on their car insurance policies. Minimum coverage generally means lower car insurance rates. It also means low coverage limits, which may cost you if you’re ever involved in an accident. Here are the cheapest car insurance quotes for minimum coverage in North Dakota.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Monthly Quote for Minimum Coverage ▲▼ |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $63 |
| Safeco | $92 |
| The General | $127 |
| Nationwide | $132 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in North Dakota
To find cheap car insurance, don’t assume any one company offers the lowest rates. Instead, shop around to compare car insurance quotes on Insurify. That way, you know you’re getting the best deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is car insurance mandatory in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota drivers must carry $25,000/$30,000/$25,000 in liability, PIP, and uninsured motorist coverages. You may also add collision, comprehensive, towing, gap, and other optional coverages to better protect yourself and your family.
Is North Dakota a no-fault state?
Yes. North Dakota is a no-fault state when it comes to car insurance. If you’re injured in a car accident, you file a claim with your own insurance to cover certain losses (regardless of who caused the crash).
Does North Dakota require uninsured motorist protection?
Yes. North Dakota requires uninsured motorist protection. Drivers must also have underinsured motorist coverage.
Do you need car insurance to register a car in North Dakota?
No. You must have minimum auto insurance coverage to drive your vehicle, but you can register a car without insurance.
How can I find cheap car insurance in North Dakota?
Getting a good, cheap car insurance policy in North Dakota doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Use Insurify to compare car insurance quotes and see how much you can save.
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Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Sources
- North Dakota Insurance Department. "State Minimum Car Insurance Requirements."
- North Dakota Department of Transportation. "Penalties for Driving Uninsured ."
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Amy BeardsleyInsurance Writer
Amy is a personal finance and technology writer. With a background in the legal field and a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University, she has a talent for transforming complex topics into content that’s easy to understand. Connect with Amy on LinkedIn.
Jackie Cohen is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in property & casualty insurance educational content. She has years of experience analyzing insurance trends and helping consumers better understand their insurance coverage to make informed decisions about their finances.
Jackie's work has been cited in USA Today, The Balance, and The Washington Times.