Penalties for Driving Without Car Insurance in Utah

Utah has steep penalties for driving without insurance. Utah is a "no-fault" state and requires all drivers to carry car insurance. Without car insurance, you may face fines, and your registration and driver's license could be suspended.

Learn more about the consequences of driving without insurance in Utah.

What Auto Insurance Is Required by Utah?

Utah is a no-fault state, which means that your insurance is responsible for paying for your medical costs in the event of an accident, even if it's not your fault. In some circumstances, you may be able to file a third-party claim for medical expenses, which is a claim on the other driver's insurance.

Since Utah is a no-fault state, you're required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for your medical expenses in an accident. The minimum PIP coverage is $3,000.

You're also required to carry at least $25,000 per person and $65,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage and $15,000 in property damage liability insurance.

You must have auto insurance in Utah if:

• You're a Utah resident who owns or operates a vehicle
• You're not a Utah resident, but you operate a vehicle that's been physically present in Utah for 90 of the previous 365 days

All vehicles registered in Utah must have at least minimum coverage unless they are off-highway vehicles.

Does Utah Track Your Car Insurance?

Insure-Rite is a company that works with the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles. It compares insurance information to Utah's vehicle registration information, and it sends notices to vehicle owners without insurance on file. Those who receive a letter from Insure-Rite must respond, and if you don't, your vehicle registration could be canceled.

If your vehicle registration is canceled, you can get it reinstated by:

• Presenting proof of ownership
• Presenting a picture identification
• Presenting proof of insurance coverage
• Paying a $100 reinstatement fee

Utah State Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Getting your vehicle registration reinstated would only be the tip of the iceberg if you are caught by law enforcement driving without insurance in Utah. Driving without a license in the state is a Class B Misdemeanor, and you’ll also be on the line for:

• Driver's license suspension ($40 reinstatement fee)
• Vehicle registration suspension ($100 reinstatement fee)
• Having your vehicle impounded (tow and impound fees)
• Ticket on your first offense: $400 minimum fine
• Ticket on any subsequent offense: $1,000 minimum fine

If You’re in a Car Accident Without Insurance

Since Utah is a no-fault insurance state, you will be held personally liable if you are in a car accident without insurance. That means all of the expenses related to the accident will come directly out of your pocket. If your health insurance doesn't cover auto accident injuries, you will have to pay all the medical expenses.

If the accident was your fault, you might be required to pay some of the other driver's medical expenses as well. If you caused any property damage, you will be responsible for covering the cost of repairs.

Since starting electronic tracking of car insurance through Insure-Rite, Utah's uninsured motorist rate has dropped from 25% in 1995 to 5% as of 2022, according to Insure-Rite. The national average was 12.6% in 2019, according to the Insurance Research Council.

The Bottom Line

It is much better for all drivers if everyone is insured properly. It lowers the overall cost of insurance and greatly reduces the hassle of getting back to normal after an accident. Keep your car insurance in force to avoid high fees and a lot of trouble. If you’re not sure which insurance option will be right for you, talk to a qualified car insurance agent or broker to find affordable coverage that meets your needs.