Here's what you need to know when driving in North Dakota
Across the Peace Garden State, there are 175,960 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap Car Insurance
What's the cheapest car insurance in North Dakota?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | USAA | $718 |
| 2 | Allied | $903 |
| 3 | Nodak Mutual | $937 |
| 4 | Grinnell | $1,049 |
| 5 | State Farm | $1,131 |
| 6 | Safeco | $1,145 |
| 7 | Progressive | $1,307 |
| 8 | State Auto | $1,326 |
| 9 | Auto-Owners | $1,436 |
| 10 | Auto Club Group | $1,473 |
| 11 | Allstate | $1,504 |
| 12 | American Family | $1,507 |
| 13 | MetLife | $1,557 |
| 14 | EMC | $1,686 |
| 15 | National Farmers Union | $1,771 |
| 16 | North Star | $2,024 |
| 17 | GEICO | $2,039 |
| 18 | Farmers | $2,159 |
| 19 | Liberty Mutual | $2,423 |
| 20 | Dairyland | $5,145 |
Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in North Dakota
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. North Dakota drivers without a recent moving violation can save 18% on their car insurance premiums, on average — compared to the national average of 17%. In addition to earning a cheaper premium for driving incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $286 | 18.80% |
| No Accidents | $535 | 30.25% |
| Good Credit | $1,058 | 46.18% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in North Dakota
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. North Dakota's teen drivers receive a relative bargain, paying just $4,384 per year on average, roughly $600 less than the national average — but still about three times as much as the average driver in North Dakota.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,715 | $6,197 |
| 17 | $4,404 | $4,899 |
| 18 | $4,076 | $4,542 |
| 19 | $3,401 | $2,840 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in North Dakota
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably enjoy relatively cheap car insurance rates. Conversely, a bad driving record will cause your costs to skyrocket: car insurance premiums typically increase by 38% after a DUI, 30% after an at-fault accident, and 18% after a speeding ticket in North Dakota. The post-citation penalties assessed by car insurance companies in North Dakota roughly align with national averages. If you have a clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurance company's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $1,768 | 30.25% |
| DUI | $2,003 | 38.44% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,519 | 18.80% |
| Bad Credit | $2,292 | 46.18% |
What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in North Dakota?
Every auto insurance company advertises its low prices. But as with any product, the most affordable car insurance option is not always the finest option. Considering what's at stake, it's worth doing your research to zero in on an insurance policy that covers your vehicle completely in the event of an incident. Find a great value, instead of settling for the cheapest car insurance in your state.
Compare popular insurers' fiscal strength and claims satisfaction levels to better understand the level of service you can expect. Claims satisfaction — measured by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and ranging from "Superior" to "Poor" — assesses an insurer's financial strength and ability to fulfill its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allied | 3 | Superior |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| American Family | 4 | Excellent |
| Auto Club Group | 2 | Excellent |
| EMC | Not Rated | Excellent |
| Farmers | 3 | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Nodak Mutual | Not Rated | Excellent |
| North Star | Not Rated | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| State Auto | Not Rated | Excellent |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
What is the Best Auto Insurance Coverage in North Dakota?
The minimum insurance requirement in North Dakota is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
If you select the minimum required coverage in North Dakota, you'll pay an average of $358 each year. This cost is cheaper than the nationwide average by 46%. If you elect more comprehensive coverage, you can purchase a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, insuring against the costs of vehicle crashes, theft, or weather incidents. However, better auto insurance coverage comes at a cost: in North Dakota, a comprehensive policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,054, 194% more than basic coverage. For comprehensive insurance coverage with a $500 deductible, you can expect to pay 243% more than you might for a basic liability-only policy.
Compare average costs for basic, good, and great coverage levels below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| North Dakota | $358.09 | $1,054.27 | $1,227.64 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car Insurance Laws
State minimum insurance requirements in North Dakota
In North Dakota, the state minimum coverage requirements are as follows:
Liability
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- $30,000 per person
Optional coverage in North Dakota (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
Liability coverage is legally required in North Dakota and pays for injury and lost wages that you cause to another driver or their passengers as well as damage to the other driver’s vehicle in the event that you are considered “at fault” in an accident. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into three categories. In North Dakota, the minimum is listed as 25/50/25 and explained below:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person that you injure in an auto accident.
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries that you cause in an accident if more than one person is hurt.
- $25,000 property damage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for damage that you cause in an accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is legally required in North Dakota and pays for injury and lost wages that you or your passengers may suffer in the event that you are hit by an uninsured/underinsured driver who is at fault. The coverage limits are determined by each individual state and normally split into two categories. In North Dakota, the minimum is listed as 25/50 and explained below:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for a single person injured in your vehicle by an uninsured/underinsured driver.
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident. This is the maximum dollar amount that pays for all injuries in your vehicle by an uninsured/underinsured driver if more than one person is hurt.
Personal Injury Protection provides coverage for medical costs that you and your passengers incur in an accident regardless of fault. PIP will cover medical expenses such as hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and even work loss resulting from an accident. In North Dakota, minimum PIP coverage of $30,000 per person is required on your policy.
These numbers reflect the minimum limits required in North Dakota but higher coverage amounts are available with most companies.
North Dakota is a no fault state!
What does this mean for you?
Put simply, a no-fault insurance laws system requires that drivers carry their own protection. When an accident happens, no matter who is at fault, your own insurance foots the bill. Each driver takes care of his or herself, and theoretically, the chances of someone suing or raising a hissy fit over culpability are lessened. And bonus? It guarantees every driver immediate medical treatment in the event of an accident.
North Dakota Auto Insurance FAQs
Are digital insurance cards accepted in North Dakota?
Yes. If you happen to find yourself pulled over by a police officer in North Dakota you won't have to rifle through your glovebox wondering if you remembered to replace that expired insurance card last month. Instead, you can provide proof of coverage with your smartphone.
Should I carry uninsured motorist coverage in North Dakota?
7% of drivers don't have insurance in North Dakota — below the US average of 13%. It's worth considering uninsured motorist coverage in North Dakota to avoid extra costs in the event of an accident.
Is car insurance required in North Dakota?
Yes. Car insurance is mandatory in North Dakota.
How much does car insurance cost in North Dakota cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in West Fargo, North Dakota, and the most expensive in Hazen, North Dakota.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hazen | $1,424 |
| 2 | Beulah | $1,419 |
| 3 | Williston | $1,391 |
| 4 | Mandan | $1,359 |
| 5 | Rugby | $1,357 |
| 6 | Belcourt | $1,335 |
| 7 | Bismarck | $1,335 |
| 8 | Bottineau | $1,328 |
| 9 | Dickinson | $1,325 |
| 10 | Carrington | $1,321 |
| 11 | Grafton | $1,309 |
| 12 | Minot | $1,304 |
| 13 | Devils Lake | $1,294 |
| 14 | Valley City | $1,234 |
| 15 | Lisbon | $1,233 |
| 16 | Wahpeton | $1,215 |
| 17 | Jamestown | $1,207 |
| 18 | Lincoln | $1,204 |
| 19 | Grand Forks | $1,167 |
| 20 | Fargo | $1,159 |
| 21 | Grand Forks AFB | $1,158 |
| 22 | Horace | $1,141 |
| 23 | Casselton | $1,135 |
| 24 | West Fargo | $1,105 |
Recent North Dakota Car Insurance Questions and Answers
What do I do if my vehicle was totaled while parked?
My car was totaled while it was parked. I’m with AAA and they’re with Mercury. Mercury is now telling me ...
What happens if your car gets broken into at home?
My car was parked in my driveway and when I left the house to go to work the next morning ...
Driving Laws
North Dakota Texting and Driving Laws
- Ban on all cell phones for drivers <18 years old
- Ban on text messaging for all drivers
North Dakota DUI Laws
The DUI lookback for most DUI offenses in North Dakota is seven years. The lookback period is extended to 15 years for four or more offenses. Imposed penalties are harsher for repeated DUI convictions within this timeframe.
First-time DUI offenses in North Dakota are class B misdemeanors and lead to:
- Two days in jail if BAC is 0.16% or higher
- $500 in fines (or $750 if BAC is 0.16% or higher)
- 91-day license suspension (or 180-day suspension if BAC is 0.18% or higher)
- Mandatory addiction evaluation
North Dakota Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the North Dakota area, while also getting an insider view of the Peace Garden State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destrination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2019
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2020
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.
