Car Insurance in West Fargo, ND

North Dakota requires vehicle owners in West Fargo to carry car insurance. Whether you get rear-ended on University Drive, cause a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 94, or have a minor fender bender in a parking lot, a good auto insurance policy can shield you from significant financial loss in the aftermath.

Finding the right car insurance is easy when you work with a local independent agent. These agents can help you obtain and compare customized car insurance quotes from a variety of the area’s best insurance companies. Contact an independent insurance agent in West Fargo to get started.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in West Fargo, ND?

The average cost of car insurance in North Dakota is slightly higher than the national average, but the average price in West Fargo is lower. This is welcome news for area residents who are looking for an affordable policy.

• National average annual car insurance cost: $1,311
• North Dakota’s average annual car insurance cost: $1,377
• West Fargo’s average annual car insurance cost: $1,173

Of course, an average rate can only give you a ballpark idea of how much you will actually be expected to pay. Rates can vary significantly from one driver to the next because insurance companies calculate costs according to several considerations such as:

• The make, model, year, and value of the vehicle(s) you are insuring
• Your age, occupation, marital status, and driving record
• Information about the other licensed drivers in your household
• Your claims history and credit score
• The amount of liability coverage you are purchasing
• Which, if any, coverage options you are including in your policy
• The size of your deductible

You can often earn significant rate reductions if you have a long, safe driving record, are a student with good grades, or are bundling your car insurance with another policy like home insurance or renters insurance. Be sure to ask about these and other potential car insurance discounts when requesting quotes.

Because every insurance company uses its own method to calculate premiums, each is likely to quote you a different cost for coverage. Comparison shopping lets you choose the policy that is offered at the most affordable price. Independent agents make comparison shopping easy.

Is Car Insurance Required in West Fargo, North Dakota?

As a vehicle owner in West Fargo, you are required to have a car insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum coverage requirements. This means that you must have a policy that includes:

• Personal injury protection insurance (PIP): Also referred to as basic no-fault coverage, this pays for things like medical expenses and lost wages if you or your passengers are injured in a collision, regardless of fault. Your policy must include, at a minimum:
  • $30,000 in PIP coverage per person
• Liability insurance: This covers other people’s property damage and any medical bills that go beyond what their PIP coverage can pay for if you are at fault for a collision. Your policy must include, at a minimum:
  • $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident
• Uninsured motorist insurance (UIM): This can pay for medical bills for you and your passengers if you are injured in a collision caused by an uninsured driver and your treatment costs exceed what your PIP insurance can cover. Your policy must include, at a minimum:
  • $25,000 in UIM bodily injury insurance per person
  • $50,000 in UIM bodily injury insurance per accident
  • UIM property damage coverage is not available in North Dakota. Instead, you will need to get coverage through collision insurance, if you have it.

North Dakota is what is referred to as a no-fault state. This means that if you or your passengers are injured in a collision, your own car insurance will provide the first line of coverage for your injuries, regardless of who was at fault.

What Else Does West Fargo Car Insurance Cover?

In addition to the mandatory coverage mentioned above, you can expect your insurance provider to offer several coverage options. Some of the options you may want to add to your car insurance policy include:

• Physical damage coverage: This covers loss or damage to your vehicle. Though not required by state law, it is typically required by lenders if you are still paying for your car and by dealerships if you are leasing it. Physical damage coverage includes:
  • Collision coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled in a collision, regardless of fault.
  • Comprehensive coverage: This covers the cost to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or totaled by a non-collision event such as a hailstorm or theft.
• Towing and roadside assistance: This can cover the cost of a service call if your car breaks down and you need professional assistance.
• Gap insurance: This can cover the gap between how much your car is worth and how much you still owe for it if it is totaled in a covered event. It can prove beneficial during the first year or two of new car ownership or when leasing a vehicle.
• Rental car reimbursement: This can cover the cost of renting a vehicle while you are having repairs made to your car following a covered event.
• Windshield and glass replacement coverage: This can cover the cost of replacing your car’s safety glass if it is cracked, chipped, or shattered.
• Umbrella insurance: This is a separate policy that your car insurance provider may offer. It provides an affordable way to significantly boost all of your personal liability coverage well beyond the coverage limits of your primary policies.

Be sure to consider your own needs as well as those of the members of your household when you are deciding which, if any, options are a good fit for you.

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What Is the Penalty for Driving without Insurance in West Fargo, ND?

Driving without insurance is illegal in North Dakota. You can face:

• A class B misdemeanor conviction on your record
• A fine ranging from $150 to $1,000
• Up to 30 days in jail for repeat offenders
• Suspension of your driving privileges until you can provide proof of coverage
• The need to retake your driver’s license test
• Miscellaneous fees
• Points on your license
• The requirement to maintain an SR-22 with the state for one year
• Higher car insurance rates

The good news is that North Dakota State is among the US states with the lowest rates of uninsured drivers.

• Percentage of US drivers who are uninsured: 12.6%
• Percentage of North Dakota drivers who are uninsured: 6.8%

Fortunately, North Dakota requires all vehicle owners to carry uninsured motorist insurance. This means that if you are in a collision caused by an uninsured driver, you will be able to quickly receive the compensation you are due without the need to go through lengthy legal channels.

Does West Fargo, ND Have a High Auto Theft Rate?

The average auto theft rate in North Dakota is slightly higher than the national rate, but in West Fargo, the rate is lower. Residents of this city report an average of 42 stolen cars a year. 

• National auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.29
• North Dakota’s auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 2.34
• West Fargo’s auto theft rate per 1,000 people: 1.39

As a vehicle owner, you should be aware that you can only be compensated for a stolen vehicle if your car insurance policy includes comprehensive (or “other than collision”) coverage.

If you are financing or leasing your car, you probably have this optional coverage already. If not, you may want to look into how much it would cost to add comprehensive coverage to your car insurance.

What Are the Best Car Insurance Companies in West Fargo, ND?

The best car insurance companies in North Dakota are the ones that have a long history of consistently providing their policyholders with excellent coverage, responsive customer service, and competitive rates.

Independent agents in West Fargo have teamed up with many of the area’s most highly rated insurance providers so they can offer you a selection of policies and quotes from companies you can trust.

How Can an Independent Agent in West Fargo, ND Help Me Find the Best Car Insurance?

When you are in the market for car insurance, a local independent agent can help you find the best and most affordable policy. These agents work for you, not for a particular insurance company. This enables them to shop around to find the coverage you want at the most reasonable price.

It doesn’t cost anything to work with an independent agent. Contact an independent insurance agent in the West Fargo area when you are ready to get answers to your coverage-related questions and to start comparing customized car insurance quotes.