Minnesota Car Insurance

In the state of Minnesota, all drivers must have a valid and up-to- date Minnesota car insurance policy in order to drive legally. While many Minnesota residents feel that they are safe drivers and have never had any type of issue, there is always a chance that an accident can occur and if a driver is caught driving without insurance, this can lead to high costs that include repairs as well as medical bills. Minnesota auto insurance also assists drivers in paying for damage to their cars due to a theft or robbery, and a good insurance plan will also assist with replacing a stolen car.

Requirements

In Minnesota, registered vehicles must have liability, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist coverage. There are minimum policy requirements that can assist drivers in saving money if they are on a budget, but it is documented that in Minnesota, many drivers tend to exceed the minimum requirements. It is important for Minnesota drivers to know that an insurance company can cancel their policy or choose not to renew the policy if the driver has negative marks on their driving record. They can also raise the cost of the policy. In Minnesota, the individual that is named in the policy is person that is covered, and relatives living in the same home are also covered. Drivers that are using the policy holder's car with permission are also covered. Personal Injury Protection assists drivers with economic losses. These costs are covered regardless of who is at fault, and they include medical payments, replacement services, and wages that are lost due to missed time at work. Liability coverage will help cover damages and expenses to another vehicle when the policy holder is found to be at fault.

Uninsured coverage will cover the policy holder's expenses when the driver at fault is not covered by any auto insurance policy, and Underinsured coverage will cover the policy holder for a limited amount. Collision and Comprehensive insurance are optional coverage plans. Collision will cover damage to the policy holder's vehicle when they are in a collision with an object or another vehicle, and Comprehensive will cover losses that are not due to a collision.

Bodily injury liability requirements in Minnesota are between $30,000 and $60,000 a year.

Property Damage requirements are $10,000 a year.

Personal Injury Protection is $40,000 a year.

Uninsured Motorist coverage is between $25,000 and $50,000 a year.

Underinsured Motorist coverage is between $25,000 and $50,000 a year.

Companies and Rates

Minnesotans tend to pay less than average for auto insurance. In Minneapolis, the average premium is $1,652.94.00 and in St. Paul, the average premium is $1,695.01.00. Insurance rates will vary depending on the age of the driver, their driving record, and the make and model of their automobile. There are cheap auto insurance plans that are affordable for drivers and will provide them with the coverage they need. Drivers also have the option to add more to their policy when they are financially able to do so. Allstate insurance serves the state of Minnesota and offers various auto insurance plans. State Farm Insurance is also a well known and trusted company. Minnesota car insurance ratings for Allstate are 4.39 out of five stars, and State Farm's auto insurance ratings for Minnesota are 4.71 out of five stars. Drivers can compare Minnesota car insurance quotes online and they can also read reviews of the various insurance companies in order to make an informed decision. They can also contact several insurance companies for free Minnesota auto insurance quotes. By comparing Minnesota auto insurance ratings and taking time to conduct a little research, drivers can find affordable and cheap Minnesota car insurance plans that will suit their driving needs.

Car Theft

In a January 2011 report conducted by the Minnesota Auto Theft Prevention Program indicates that the actual number of auto thefts in 2009 was 8,379, and had decreased by 15 percent since 2008. The Club is a helpful anti theft device that is distributed by various Minnesota agencies and has significantly lowered the amount of auto theft as well. The top stolen vehicle in Minnesota in 2009 was the 1994 Honda Accord, and the lowest rated stolen vehicle was the 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix. Perpetrators tend to favor specific makes and models due to their ability to be sold easily as well as their specific parts that can be salvaged. The Auto Theft Prevention Program works closely with law enforcement agencies in order to prevent auto theft, which ultimately lowers the car insurance premiums for Minnesota drivers.

Seat Belt Usage

The Minnesota Seat Belt Law requires all Minnesota drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts when they are in a moving vehicle. Officers can stop and cite drivers and passengers that are not wearing seatbelts, and citations and tickets can affect Minnesota drivers' insurance rates. Currently, Minnesota seat belt usage is documented at being at an all time high of 92.7 percent, which helps prevent serious injuries in the event of an accident. Since 2009, the number of unbelted deaths in Minnesota has dropped by 10 percent, and the number of injuries caused by not wearing a seatbelt has decreased by 5 percent. Seatbelts truly save lives, and Minnesota is working hard to enforce their seatbelt laws. It is documented that 95% of women follow the seatbelt law, and 90% of men are following the law as well. 96% of senior drivers that are 65 and older are reported to wear seatbelts while driving.

Roads and Road Conditions

Minnesota drivers are faced with various road conditions due to weather and construction, and even the safest drivers have to be extra careful when driving through snow and ice. They can also purchase chains or snow tires if they live in an area where the roads are not plowed on a regular basis. Minnesota is also known for heavy rains, especially in the summer time, and accidents are known to happen more frequently during times of severe weather. The Minnesota Department of Transportation lists current road conditions on their website, which allows drivers to avoid certain areas before heading out on their destination. Road work can be a problem for drivers in all states, as work vehicles and construction can cause driving delays as well as unforseen accidents.

Driving while uninsured is against the law, and even the safest drivers are not safe from accidents. By obtaining an insurance plan and meeting all the requirements, Minnesota drivers will have the extra protection they need that will cover them in the event of an accident, collision, theft, or property damage.

http://mn.gov/commerce/insurance/topics/auto-leisure/