Question 1

What is the minimum car insurance required in Utah?

Accepted Answer

For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, Utah's minimum liability limits are 30/65/25: $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $65,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage, or a $90,000 combined single limit. (Policies issued or renewed on or before December 31, 2024 had 25/65/15 or $80,000 single-limit minimums.) Policies must also include personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $3,000 per person in medical expenses, plus wage-loss and household-services benefits. Other forms of security include a surety bond, a deposit with the state treasurer, or self-funded coverage.

Question 2

Is Utah a no-fault car insurance state?

Accepted Answer

Utah is a no-fault (PIP) state. PIP pays at least $3,000 per person for medical expenses, the lesser of $250 a week or 85% of lost income for up to 52 weeks, and $20 a day for household services. A person who has or must have PIP coverage cannot sue for general damages (such as pain and suffering) unless the injury involves death, dismemberment, permanent disability or impairment based on objective findings, permanent disfigurement, a bone fracture, or medical expenses over $3,000.

Question 3

Is uninsured motorist coverage required in Utah?

Accepted Answer

Included unless rejected or reduced in writing. For new policies, uninsured motorist limits must equal the lesser of the named insured's liability limits or the insurer's maximum UM limits, unless the named insured rejects UM coverage or buys a lower amount by signing an acknowledgment form filed with the Insurance Department that discloses the added premium for full limits. The selection or rejection continues until the insured asks in writing to change it.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Drivers must have evidence of insurance in their immediate possession and show it on a peace officer's demand. Evidence can be a policy, declarations page, binder, renewal notice or insurance card, a certificate of insurance, bond, deposit or self-funded coverage certificate, a rental agreement, or information from Utah's Uninsured Motorist Identification Database. Proof may be shown in hard copy or on a mobile electronic device (the officer may not view other content). Officers may not cite a driver if the database shows the vehicle or driver is insured.

Question 5

What is the penalty for driving without insurance in Utah?

Accepted Answer

Driving (or letting someone drive) a vehicle without insurance, or failing to show proof on demand, is a class C misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $400; the court may waive up to $300 for an owner who gets insurance before sentencing. A second or later offense within three years carries a minimum $1,000 fine. After a conviction, the driver license is suspended and will not be renewed or reissued until proof of insurance is given and kept on file with the Driver License Division for three years.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

After a conviction for driving uninsured, proof of insurance (such as an SR-22-type certificate of insurance, bond or deposit) must be filed and kept with the department for three years. Generally, anyone required to give proof must maintain it for three years from the date the filing was last requested; if it lapses or is canceled, the license or registration can be refused until proof is re-established.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Except for nonpayment of premium or specific grounds, an insurer cannot cancel a policy before the earlier of the end of the term or one year from its effective or renewal date. For motor vehicle insurance, grounds include material misrepresentation, a substantial change in risk, substantial breach of policy conditions, or suspension or revocation of the license of the named insured or a regular driver. Cancellation requires at least 30 days' written notice (10 days for nonpayment on personal lines policies). To nonrenew, the insurer must send notice at least 30 days before the policy expires.

Question 8

When is a car a total loss in Utah?

Accepted Answer

A salvage vehicle is one damaged by collision, flood or other occurrence so that the cost to repair it for safe operation exceeds its fair market value, or one declared a salvage vehicle by an insurer or another jurisdiction. A salvage certificate is not valid for registration; the vehicle must be inspected before a new title is issued.

Question 9

How do you transfer a car title in Utah?

Accepted Answer

The buyer needs the original Utah title (or Form TC-123 duplicate title application) signed by the seller, with any lien released, purchase date and price filled in, and the odometer section completed for vehicles less than 20 years old (or Form TC-891). New owners complete Form TC-656 (Application for Utah Title and Registration) and show government ID. An emissions inspection may be required to register in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Cache or Utah County. Title transfers can also be done online through the Utah Person to Person service.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

New residents have 60 days to transfer titles and registrations to Utah. The out-of-state title or registration is enough to start, and a temporary permit is available while gathering documents such as an emissions inspection.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

File a written complaint with the Utah Insurance Department through its online complaint portal (requires creating an account) or a downloadable PDF form. Phone 801-957-9200 (Salt Lake area) or 1-800-439-3805 (in-state toll-free).

Minimum coverage required	For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, Utah's minimum liability limits are 30/65/25: $30,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person, $65,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more people in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage, or a $90,000 combined single limit. (Policies issued or renewed on or before December 31, 2024 had 25/65/15 or $80,000 single-limit minimums.) Policies must also include personal injury protection (PIP) of at least $3,000 per person in medical expenses, plus wage-loss and household-services benefits. Other forms of security include a surety bond, a deposit with the state treasurer, or self-funded coverage. PIP: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title31A/Chapter22/31A-22-S307.html Source: Utah Code §§ 31A-22-304, 31A-22-307, 41-12a-302(1)
At-fault or no-fault	Utah is a no-fault (PIP) state. PIP pays at least $3,000 per person for medical expenses, the lesser of $250 a week or 85% of lost income for up to 52 weeks, and $20 a day for household services. A person who has or must have PIP coverage cannot sue for general damages (such as pain and suffering) unless the injury involves death, dismemberment, permanent disability or impairment based on objective findings, permanent disfigurement, a bone fracture, or medical expenses over $3,000. § 31A-22-309 was amended effective May 6, 2026. Source: Utah Code §§ 31A-22-307, 31A-22-309
Uninsured motorist coverage	Included unless rejected or reduced in writing. For new policies, uninsured motorist limits must equal the lesser of the named insured's liability limits or the insurer's maximum UM limits, unless the named insured rejects UM coverage or buys a lower amount by signing an acknowledgment form filed with the Insurance Department that discloses the added premium for full limits. The selection or rejection continues until the insured asks in writing to change it. § 31A-22-305 was amended effective May 6, 2026. Source: Utah Code § 31A-22-305(4)
Proof of insurance	Drivers must have evidence of insurance in their immediate possession and show it on a peace officer's demand. Evidence can be a policy, declarations page, binder, renewal notice or insurance card, a certificate of insurance, bond, deposit or self-funded coverage certificate, a rental agreement, or information from Utah's Uninsured Motorist Identification Database. Proof may be shown in hard copy or on a mobile electronic device (the officer may not view other content). Officers may not cite a driver if the database shows the vehicle or driver is insured. Source: Utah Code § 41-12a-302(1), (6)

Cancellation and nonrenewal	Except for nonpayment of premium or specific grounds, an insurer cannot cancel a policy before the earlier of the end of the term or one year from its effective or renewal date. For motor vehicle insurance, grounds include material misrepresentation, a substantial change in risk, substantial breach of policy conditions, or suspension or revocation of the license of the named insured or a regular driver. Cancellation requires at least 30 days' written notice (10 days for nonpayment on personal lines policies). To nonrenew, the insurer must send notice at least 30 days before the policy expires. Source: Utah Code § 31A-21-303
Total loss rules	A salvage vehicle is one damaged by collision, flood or other occurrence so that the cost to repair it for safe operation exceeds its fair market value, or one declared a salvage vehicle by an insurer or another jurisdiction. A salvage certificate is not valid for registration; the vehicle must be inspected before a new title is issued. Source: Utah Code § 41-1a-1001
Complaints about an insurer	File a written complaint with the Utah Insurance Department through its online complaint portal (requires creating an account) or a downloadable PDF form. Phone 801-957-9200 (Salt Lake area) or 1-800-439-3805 (in-state toll-free). Source: Utah Insurance Department, Complaints

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

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