Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

North Dakota requires minimum coverage of 25/50/25: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability. Every policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident, underinsured motorist coverage equal to the uninsured motorist coverage, and basic no-fault (personal injury protection, PIP) of $30,000 per person. Proof of financial responsibility, when required, may also be given by a surety bond or a deposit of money or securities.

Question 2

Is North Dakota a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

North Dakota is a no-fault state. Basic no-fault (PIP) benefits of $30,000 per person pay economic loss, such as medical expenses and work loss, regardless of fault, and no-fault coverage is primary. A secured person is exempt from liability for noneconomic loss (such as pain and suffering) unless the injury is a "serious injury": death, dismemberment, serious and permanent disfigurement, disability beyond 60 days, or medical expenses over $2,500.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

Required. A liability policy on a vehicle registered and principally garaged in North Dakota must include uninsured motorist coverage; the Insurance Department lists the minimum as $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. Insurers must also provide underinsured motorist coverage at limits equal to the uninsured motorist coverage.

Question 4

Can you show proof of car insurance on your phone in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

When stopped by a law enforcement officer, the driver must provide satisfactory evidence of liability insurance on request; written or electronic proof of insurance is accepted. A driver who cannot show proof may be charged, but is not found in violation if he or she later shows the prosecutor proof of a policy that was in effect at the time.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

Driving, or letting someone drive, a vehicle without liability insurance is prohibited. After a violation, the person must file proof of insurance (a certificate from an insurer) with the Department of Transportation for one year or have driving privileges suspended, and must buy a duplicate license with a proof-of-insurance notation ($50 fee, plus $50 to remove the notation). For a second or later violation, the court must order the vehicle's plates impounded until the person shows proof of insurance and pays a $20 fee. The court must also order the uninsured driver to pay at least the other person's insurance deductible for damage caused.

Question 6

When do you need an SR-22 in North Dakota, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

After a conviction for driving uninsured, a person must keep a certificate of insurance on file with the Department of Transportation for one year. More generally, people convicted of certain motor vehicle offenses or who fail to pay crash judgments must file proof of financial responsibility for the future (certificate of insurance, bond, or deposit). The insurer must notify the department within 10 days after a certified policy is canceled or terminated, and the department suspends the license if other proof is not filed. The requirement can be lifted after one year if no disqualifying conviction is recorded during that year.

Question 7

How much notice must an insurer give before canceling car insurance in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

Once a policy has been in force 60 days, an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the named insured or another operator; fraud or material misrepresentation; a mechanically defective vehicle; the named insured moving to a state where the insurer is not licensed; or failure to pay required association dues. Cancellation requires at least 20 days' written notice (10 days for nonpayment of premium). Nonrenewal requires at least 30 days' notice.

Question 8

Can car insurance companies use your credit score in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

Insurers may use credit information, but must disclose at application whether they use it, and if they take adverse action because of it must give up to four specific reasons. The Insurance Department says North Dakota restricts negative use of multiple recent home or auto loan applications, consumer or insurance inquiries, and collections with a medical code. By statute, an insurer may not decline or terminate a policy based on race, religion, nationality or ethnic group; solely on lawful occupation; on the vehicle's principal location unless for a legitimate business purpose; or solely on age, sex or marital status (although rating differences based on age, sex or marital status are allowed).

Question 9

When is a car a total loss in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

The owner of a vehicle damaged in excess of 75% of its retail value (as determined by the NADA official used car guide, excluding glass and hail damage) must send the title to the Department of Transportation within 10 days, and the department issues a salvage certificate of title. A rebuilt salvage vehicle can get a regular title marked "previously salvaged."

Question 10

How do you transfer a car title in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

The seller signs and dates Part 1 (Seller's Assignment & Warranty of Title) with the buyer's name, purchase price and date, records the odometer reading for vehicles under 10 years old, completes a Damage Disclosure Statement (SFN 18609) for vehicles under 9 years old, removes the plates, and must deliver the endorsed title to the buyer within 15 days. The buyer completes Part 3 and applies at a motor vehicle office; the title transfer fee is $5. A buyer may drive up to 5 days with dated proof of ownership, or 30 days with a self-issued temporary permit. When an owner has died, signing for the deceased requires an appointed personal representative; for estates of $50,000 or less, an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (SFN 2916) may be used.

Question 11

How long do you have to register your car after moving to North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

A new resident with a valid license from another state may drive on it for up to 60 days after becoming a resident. To title and register a vehicle, submit SFN 2872 (Application for Certificate of Title & Registration), proof of legal name, and the out-of-state title; vehicles titled in Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Canada, a foreign country or a tribal nation owe excise tax on current market value (with credit for tax paid). For vehicle registration, a person counts as a resident if employed in North Dakota while living here, or after remaining in the state at least 90 consecutive days.

Question 12

How do you file a complaint against a car insurance company in North Dakota?

Accepted Answer

File with the North Dakota Insurance Department using its online Consumer Complaint form (or request a paper form). Phone (701) 328-2440; email insurance@nd.gov. Include copies of the policy and related documents.

Minimum coverage required	North Dakota requires minimum coverage of 25/50/25: $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability. Every policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident, underinsured motorist coverage equal to the uninsured motorist coverage, and basic no-fault (personal injury protection, PIP) of $30,000 per person. Proof of financial responsibility, when required, may also be given by a surety bond or a deposit of money or securities. Bond/deposit alternatives are from N.D. Cent. Code § 39-16.1-08 (https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c16-1.pdf), which applies to proof of financial responsibility for the future. Source: North Dakota Insurance Department, Auto; N.D. Cent. Code § 39-16.1-08
At-fault or no-fault	North Dakota is a no-fault state. Basic no-fault (PIP) benefits of $30,000 per person pay economic loss, such as medical expenses and work loss, regardless of fault, and no-fault coverage is primary. A secured person is exempt from liability for noneconomic loss (such as pain and suffering) unless the injury is a "serious injury": death, dismemberment, serious and permanent disfigurement, disability beyond 60 days, or medical expenses over $2,500. Source: N.D. Cent. Code §§ 26.1-41-01(21), 26.1-41-08; North Dakota Insurance Department, Auto
Uninsured motorist coverage	Required. A liability policy on a vehicle registered and principally garaged in North Dakota must include uninsured motorist coverage; the Insurance Department lists the minimum as $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident. Insurers must also provide underinsured motorist coverage at limits equal to the uninsured motorist coverage. Source: N.D. Cent. Code §§ 26.1-40-15.2, 26.1-40-15.3; North Dakota Insurance Department, Auto
Proof of insurance	When stopped by a law enforcement officer, the driver must provide satisfactory evidence of liability insurance on request; written or electronic proof of insurance is accepted. A driver who cannot show proof may be charged, but is not found in violation if he or she later shows the prosecutor proof of a policy that was in effect at the time. Source: N.D. Cent. Code § 39-08-20(2)

Cancellation and nonrenewal	Once a policy has been in force 60 days, an insurer may cancel only for nonpayment of premium; suspension or revocation of the license or registration of the named insured or another operator; fraud or material misrepresentation; a mechanically defective vehicle; the named insured moving to a state where the insurer is not licensed; or failure to pay required association dues. Cancellation requires at least 20 days' written notice (10 days for nonpayment of premium). Nonrenewal requires at least 30 days' notice. Source: N.D. Cent. Code §§ 26.1-40-02, 26.1-40-03, 26.1-40-05; North Dakota Insurance Department, Auto
What insurers can use to set rates	Insurers may use credit information, but must disclose at application whether they use it, and if they take adverse action because of it must give up to four specific reasons. The Insurance Department says North Dakota restricts negative use of multiple recent home or auto loan applications, consumer or insurance inquiries, and collections with a medical code. By statute, an insurer may not decline or terminate a policy based on race, religion, nationality or ethnic group; solely on lawful occupation; on the vehicle's principal location unless for a legitimate business purpose; or solely on age, sex or marital status (although rating differences based on age, sex or marital status are allowed). Source: North Dakota Insurance Department, Auto (Credit Scoring); N.D. Cent. Code § 26.1-40-11
Total loss rules	The owner of a vehicle damaged in excess of 75% of its retail value (as determined by the NADA official used car guide, excluding glass and hail damage) must send the title to the Department of Transportation within 10 days, and the department issues a salvage certificate of title. A rebuilt salvage vehicle can get a regular title marked "previously salvaged." Source: N.D. Cent. Code § 39-05-20.2
Complaints about an insurer	File with the North Dakota Insurance Department using its online Consumer Complaint form (or request a paper form). Phone (701) 328-2440; email insurance@nd.gov. Include copies of the policy and related documents. Source: North Dakota Insurance Department, Complaints

North Dakota Car Insurance Laws: Minimum Coverage, Penalties and SR-22

Quick answers for North Dakota

Required coverage

Driving without insurance and SR-22

Your rights with insurers

Title and registration

Car Insurance & Vehicle Laws FAQ

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