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Utah requires every driver to carry liability insurance and personal injury protection (PIP) before operating a vehicle on public roads. The state minimum liability is 25/65/15 — $25,000 bodily injury per person, $65,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage. Utah is a no-fault state, meaning PIP covers your own medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident.
Utah Minimum Coverage Requirements
| Coverage | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury liability (per accident) | $65,000 |
| Property damage liability | $15,000 |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | $3,000 |
| Uninsured motorist (BI) | Not required |
Expert Tip: Utah's No-Fault PIP Is Just $3,000 — Far Below What a Serious Injury Costs
Utah requires PIP, which is a meaningful protection, but the $3,000 minimum is exhausted by a single ER visit for a moderate injury. In a no-fault state, you rely on PIP first before pursuing the at-fault driver for additional damages. Consider increasing your PIP limits or adding MedPay to ensure you have adequate first-party medical coverage after an accident.
—Brad Cummins
These limits apply to all private passenger vehicles registered in Utah. Motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and fleet vehicles may have different requirements.
What's Required vs. Optional
Required:
- Bodily injury liability (BI) — Pays for injuries you cause to others. Does not cover you or your passengers.
- Property damage liability (PD) — Covers damage you cause to another person's vehicle or property.
- Personal injury protection (PIP) — Utah mandates $3,000 in PIP, which covers your own medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. See our PIP coverage guide.
Not required but worth considering:
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) — Utah does not mandate UM/UIM, but carriers must offer it. Given Utah's growing population and traffic, UM/UIM provides important protection. See our UM/UIM guide.
- Collision — Covers damage to your own vehicle from a crash. Required by most lenders if you finance or lease. See collision coverage.
- Comprehensive — Covers non-collision losses: theft, weather, animal strikes, vandalism. Also typically required by lenders. See comprehensive coverage.
The state minimum is the legal floor, not a recommended coverage level. Most agents suggest at least 100/300/100 to protect against serious accidents.
Proof of Insurance & Vehicle Registration
Utah requires proof of insurance at registration and at any traffic stop. Acceptable proof includes:
- Insurance ID card (physical or digital)
- Policy declarations page
Utah uses an electronic verification system. Insurers report policy status to the state, so a lapse can trigger a notice even without a traffic stop.
SR-22: If your license is suspended for an insurance violation or certain driving offenses, Utah may require an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer. SR-22 requirements typically last three years.
Penalties for Driving Uninsured
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| First offense | Class B misdemeanor; fines up to $400; license suspension |
| Subsequent offenses | Higher fines; extended suspension; possible vehicle impoundment |
| Driving on suspended license | Additional criminal penalties |
Reinstating your license requires proof of insurance and payment of all applicable fees.
Cost of Car Insurance in Utah
Utah's average annual premium runs near or above the national average — roughly $1,400–$1,800 per year for full coverage, depending on the driver profile and ZIP code. Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front see higher rates than rural Utah due to traffic density and higher claim frequency.
Rates vary most by:
- Driving record — At-fault accidents and major violations raise premiums significantly.
- Location — Salt Lake City and Provo see higher rates than rural counties.
- Vehicle — Financed vehicles require collision and comprehensive, which increases total premium.
- Age — Teen drivers typically pay 2–3× the adult average.
- Credit history — Utah allows credit as a rating factor.
Use our car insurance calculator to estimate your costs.
Get Free Utah Car Insurance Quotes
Utah's no-fault PIP minimum is $3,000 — less than a single ER visit for a serious injury. In a no-fault state, your own PIP pays first, which makes the limit matter. Share your policy with a licensed agent through Canopy Connect and confirm whether your PIP coverage is set for the actual cost of Utah's medical care.
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About Brad Cummins
Brad Cummins is the founder of Insurance Geek and primary author of its educational content. Licensed since 2004, he brings over 21 years of experience structuring life insurance and IUL strategies for clients nationwide.
Fact checked by Brianna Baiocco
Brianna Baiocco runs P&C operations at Insurance Geek and fact-checks property and casualty content. Licensed since 2009, she brings over 16 years of experience in auto, home, renters, and commercial insurance.
