north dakota car insurance

When you live in a rugged state like North Dakota, it pays to keep up with the essentials (like your car insurance). We'll give you an easy-to-understand roundup of North Dakota's insurance laws and your policy options.

North Dakota car insurance requirements

All North Dakota policies need to have three coverage types: liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection.

Liability coverage

North Dakota drivers are legally required to maintain liability coverage with the following limits:

$25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person
$50,000 of bodily injury coverage per incident
$25,000 of property damage coverage per incident

These limits will often appear as 25/50/25.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

North Dakota drivers also need uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at the same minimum limits as bodily injury liability (25/50).

These coverages offer financial protection in case you're injured in an accident with an at-fault driver who doesn't have enough coverage to pay your expenses.

Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage

Additionally, you're required to maintain $30,000 of PIP (also known as no-fault) coverage per person.

Your no-fault coverage pays for medical expenses after an accident, including loss of wages if you're unable to return to work, regardless of who caused it.

PIP coverage does not apply to property damage, like car repairs.

Esurance in North Dakota

Although Esurance doesn't currently provide coverage for all you North Dakotans, we can point you in the right direction.

Start your free quote here.

Comparative negligence in North Dakota

North Dakota uses comparative negligence to determine fault after a car accident. This means that all drivers involved can be assigned a share, or percentage, of fault, which affects claim settlements.

To use an example, let's say you're assigned 40 percent of the blame for an accident and another driver shares 60 percent of the blame. You can file a property damage claim with that driver's insurance company. Here's how it works:

The driver found "most at fault" is unable to file liability claims with other drivers' insurers.

Factors that could impact your car insurance rate

Depending on the provider, the following can influence what you pay for your policy:

Driving record
Claims history
Where you live
Credit-based insurance score
Make and model of the car you drive
How you drive (commute, pleasure, etc.)
Age, gender, and marital status

The optional coverages and the limits and deductibles you choose will also impact your premium.

Optional car insurance coverages available in North Dakota

Depending on the provider, the following coverages are generally available:

Comprehensive coverage
Collision coverage
Loan/lease gap coverage
Towing and labor
Death and dismemberment coverage

Comprehensive and collision coverages may be required by your lease or finance company.

Uninsured drivers in North Dakota

The Insurance Research Council (IRC) recently estimated that 9 percent of drivers in the state were uninsured in 2009.

That's below the national average of 13.8 percent. But it still means roughly 1 in 10 cars lacks the liability coverage needed to help pay for your repairs if that driver causes a crash.

Driving without car insurance

This violation is a class B misdemeanor that's penalized by a fine of at least $150.

Any uninsured drivers in a car accident will have their drivers licenses automatically suspended.

Alternative options for car insurance

If you're considered a high-risk driver (due to a history of DUIs or at-fault accidents) and you can't find coverage through the regular market, you may be eligible for the North Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan.

It's more expensive than regular policies, but it'll give you the coverage you're required to have by law. You can call (888) 706-6100 for more info.

Esurance Car Insurance

north dakota car insurance