Wyoming is the tenth-largest state by land area, with about 33,000 miles of public roadways. It’s also home to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, which both feature a wide range of diverse wildlife and striking landscapes.

There are roughly 427,000 licensed drivers in the Equality State. The state requires every driver in the state to have auto coverage. This article will explain everything you need to know about car insurance in the Equality State. This includes an overview of average rates, important laws, and the best companies in Wyoming.

Wyoming Average Auto Insurance Rates

Coverage	Wyoming Average	US Average
Liability	$356.08	$650.35
Collision	$292.37	$381.43
Comprehensive	$335.04	$171.87
Full Coverage	$776.22	$1,070.47
Price Per Month	$65.65	$89.20

Average Full Coverage Rates

The graph below shows the change in average Wyoming full coverage rates from 2012 to 2019. Premiums here rose from $618 in 2012 to $776 in 2019. This was an increase of $158, or 25%. Residents enjoy some of the lowest prices in the US. While prices have gone up recently due to inflation and other factors, they’re still lower than in other states.

Average Liability Rates

Below is another graph depicting the change in Wyoming’s average liability insurance rates from 2012 to 2019. Prices for this coverage are what keep overall premiums here so low. A big reason is that much of the state is rural. Most people drive on county highways and small-town roads. Premiums for rural areas are always much lower, and Wyoming state is almost all rural.

Average Collision Rates

The following chart shows the change in Wyoming’s average collision insurance rates from 2012 to 2019. These prices are close to the national mean. But they’re still lower. Again, this is in large part due to the rural nature of the state. Urban driving presents more opportunities for minor accidents. On the other hand, accidents on rural roads can be at high speeds. This results in more vehicle damage and more expensive repairs.

Average Comprehensive Rates

The next graph shows the change in Wyoming’s average comprehensive insurance rates from 2012 to 2019.

This comprehensive coverage table shows something interesting. Though car insurance is cheap overall, comprehensive prices far exceed the national average. There are several explanations as to why this coverage costs more.

First, Wyoming experiences severe weather conditions that can seriously damage a vehicle. Hailstorms occur often because this state’s in “hail alley” because of the high frequency of severe hailstorms. Hailstones can be as big as golf balls. Repairing hail damage is costly and can exceed your car’s value. And comprehensive would step in to help pay for your repairs. Something to think about if you drive a shiny new car there!

Second, the Cowboy State is very rural. Most state residents drive on two-lane highways and roads, often through areas with large animal populations. Hitting an animal is one of the most common forms of accidents. Over 6,000 vehicles hit animals on state roadways each year. 80 to 85% of these collisions are with mule deer. Hitting any animal can cause severe damage to your car. But deer can cause tremendous damage.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

Like almost every state, Wyoming requires car insurance. You must meet the minimum auto coverage requirements before you can drive. Here are the basic requirements:

Liability Insurance

Before you can register a vehicle, you must keep minimum liability coverage limits of at least:

• $25,000 of bodily injury liability (BIL) for the injury or death of one person in a car accident caused by the driver of the insured vehicle
• $50,000 of bodily injury liability (BIL) for the injury or death of more than one person in a car accident caused by the driver of the insured vehicle
• $20,000 of property damage liability (PDL) for each accident caused by the driver of the insured vehicle

These coverage requirements are often written in shorthand form: “25/50/20.”

You’ll satisfy state law if you get the minimum required coverage. But getting the bare minimum isn’t a great idea for most people. A nasty collision or a hailstorm could cost you lots of money and won’t be covered by your liability coverage. For this reason, get as much protection as possible.

Uninsured Motorist and Underinsured Motorist

Underinsured motorist (UIM) and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may be a good idea. Both protect you if you get into an accident with a driver with insufficient insurance. Even so, they aren’t a requirement to drive in Wyoming. There are no state laws requiring any other coverage for general use.

However, your provider must offer you UM coverage. If you don’t want it, you must decline it in writing. Otherwise, it’ll be in your policy by default. The required limits for uninsured motorist coverage are:

• $25,000 of bodily injury liability (BIL) for the injury or death of one person in a car accident
• $50,000 of bodily injury liability (BIL) for the injury or death of more than one person in a car accident

Valid Proof of Insurance

You must carry an insurance identification card while driving. After an accident, it’s crucial to have your policy info with you to share with the other parties and/or the authorities.

A valid ID card should contain:

• Company name
• Name of insured
• Policy effective date and expiration date
• Vehicle make, model, and VIN

Wyoming also allows you to carry digital proof of coverage rather than a physical copy. An electronic version of your ID card is valid if:

• Both you and your insurer agree to the electronic format
• The electronic ID card has all the above-required information

Alternatives to Standard Auto Insurance

Wyoming allows a few alternatives to the state minimum required car insurance. These options involve proving financial responsibility to the state. In other words, you must show that you’re able to cover the costs of an accident out-of-pocket. Keep in mind that these alternative options can be expensive, and you must meet the requirements. It may be better for most people to buy a standard policy.

You can prove financial responsibility with a surety bond, or by depositing cash or securities with the Department of Transportation (WYDOT) of at least $25,000.

You can also self-insure, but that’s usually only an option for rich people. To do so, you must own 25 vehicles and deposit a surety bond, cash, or securities that amount to $200,000.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Driving without coverage is a misdemeanor. You’ll face the following possible penalties if convicted:

First offense:

• Up to six months in jail
• A fine between $250 and $750
• Three-year SR-22 requirement

Second or subsequent offense:

• Up to six months in jail
• A fine between $500 and $1000
• Loss of registration and license plates
• Three-year SR-22 requirement

Best Car Insurance Companies in Wyoming

It can be hard to know where to start when you’re switching insurance providers. It’s always good to find the best insurer overall. But what truly qualifies one to be in the upper tier of companies? We believe that the companies you want to work with are those that give you the best value. This includes important features like:

• Competitive rates
• An easy claims process
• Superb customer service
• Discounts and special benefits
• User-friendly and helpful websites and mobile apps

Top Companies by Market Share

These car insurance companies have the biggest market share in Wyoming. It doesn’t necessarily make any one of them the best. It also doesn’t make any the cheapest. But the ones at the top must be doing something right. We do know that State Farm, while expensive, has a vast network of agents and excellent customer satisfaction. GEICO and Progressive are cheap, which can also be satisfying.

The following is a list of the top ten auto insurers by market share in Wyoming:

Rank	Company	Direct Premiums Written	Market Share
1	State Farm	$94,449	22.9%
2	Progressive	$59,070	14.3%
3	Farmers	$47,826	11.6%
4	Mountain West Farm Bureau	$42,127	10.2%
5	GEICO	$36,174	8.8%
6	USAA	$28,554	6.9%
7	Liberty Mutual	$27,955	6.8%
8	Allstate	$20,016	4.8%
9	Nationwide	$11,036	2.7%
10	American National	$7,102	1.7%

Top Companies by J.D. Power Rating

Each year, J.D. Power conducts an insurance customer service survey. They break the results into four states and seven regions. Wyoming was in the survey’s Northwest region, which includes states such as Washington, Oregon, and Montana.

We left fourth-place PEMCO out of the table because they don’t do business in Wyoming. USAA is also not on the list because it didn’t meet J.D. Power’s study criteria. Below were the top car insurance companies in the Northwest in 2022 by J.D. Power rating:

Rank	Company	Customer Satisfaction Score (Out of 1,000)
1	The Hartford	842
2	State Farm	839
3	GEICO	832
4	Progressive	819
5	Safeco	816
6	Allstate	811
7	Farmers	802

Wyoming Auto Insurance Laws

No-Fault or Fault?

No-fault states require you to buy car insurance that protects you and your passengers regardless of fault in an accident. This type of coverage is most often personal injury protection (PIP).

Wyoming isn’t a no-fault state. Rather, it’s a fault state when it comes to insurance. This means that liability is based on the traditional tort system. So, if you cause an accident, it’s your fault. And you’re responsible for paying damages (with the help of your provider).

Totaled Cars

Wyoming has a total loss threshold of 75%. This means that your car will be a total loss if it’s damaged so badly that its repair costs would exceed 75% of its actual cash value (ACV).

It can be very inconvenient if you total your car soon after buying it. That’s because your car loses so much value when you drive it off the lot. But you still owe the full cost of the loan. You could be out thousands of dollars. We recommend gap coverage until you’re no longer underwater with your auto loan.

Salvage and Rebuilt Titles

Your car will receive a salvage title brand when your insurer declares it a total loss. You can’t drive or register a salvage vehicle in the State of Wyoming. It’ll also be hard to get coverage for one. Due to their inability to drive, insurance companies don’t cover salvage title cars.

You have a few options if you own a salvage car. You can:

• Keep it and use it for parts
• Repair it and get it a rebuilt title.
• Sell it to an auto shop or someone who’ll use it for parts or repair it

In Wyoming, you can get a rebuilt title if you repair a vehicle and can show that it’s safe to drive on public roads. Your car will only be street-legal again once law enforcement thoroughly inspects it. Once a vehicle passes inspection, you can register and drive it.

Rebuilt Title Process

This is how to get a rebuilt title in Wyoming:

• Completely repair your vehicle so it’s road-worthy. Be sure to keep all receipts or bills of sale for parts you used
• Apply for a salvage title in person at your county clerk’s office
• Fill out an application for a rebuilt salvage vehicle decal (Form MV-600). WYDOT requires the following:
  • The applicant’s name matches the owner’s name on the salvage vehicle titleYou must fill out the name and address of the person or business that repaired your vehicle, even if it was you
  • You must write down what the damages were to the car before it got fixed
• Send the below to “WYDOT Motor Vehicle Services,” 5300 Bishop Boulevard, Cheyenne, WY 82009:
  • A copy of your salvage vehicle title
  • A photo of your car after it’s been repaired
  • Your filled out application for a rebuilt salvage vehicle decal

When you get your decal, law enforcement will need to verify your car’s VIN and safety in a thorough inspection. If all is well, they’ll sign a Certification of Correct VIN Number form. Then, you’ll be able to return to your local county clerk’s office and apply for a title (Form MV-300A). Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay some title and registration fees.

Insuring Cars with Rebuilt Titles

Once a salvage vehicle is sufficiently repaired and passes a state inspection, it’ll need insurance coverage before hitting the road. You’ll probably find a company willing to insure rebuilt titles, but most will only offer you a liability-only policy. Full coverage will probably be off the table. This is because your car was once a total loss and, therefore, carries a lot of potential risks.

Your rebuilt salvage car’s increased risk factor can also lead to a more expensive premium. Because of this, it may be a good idea to compare quotes to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Some companies may offer better rates than others for rebuilt titles.

Full Windshield Replacement

According to state law, you can drive your car with a cracked windshield if it doesn’t impair your vision. There are no other laws governing windshield replacement. Some states require insurers to waive your deductible for windshield replacement. However, this isn’t the case in Wyoming.

Your best bet for windshield replacement is comprehensive coverage. Even then, you’ll have to pay your deductible. But keep in mind that your deductible may be more than the actual cost to replace your windshield. So, even a $500 deductible may be a wash for paying to replace your windshield.

If you’re worried about an expensive windshield replacement, consider adding full windshield replacement coverage to your policy. Remember, Wyoming is in “hail alley” and windshields fare poorly against larger hailstones.

Filing Claims

Chances are, you’ll need to file a claim if you’ve just gotten into a car accident. It’s important to file as soon as possible to ensure you get the most coverage possible. If you wait too long, you may forget key information and could risk not getting help from your insurer.

Luckily, filing a claim with your insurance provider is usually an easy process. Most companies allow you to file online or on their mobile app, as well as over the phone.

What to Expect After Filing a Claim

After filing a claim, you can expect an adjuster to assess the damages to your car. After that, your insurer will decide whether to accept or deny your claim. If accepted, your company should pay you for your claim promptly. If they deny your claim, they should tell you why in writing.

Credit History

In many states, carriers use your credit or FICO score as a rate factor. They do this because it can display your financial habits and, consequently, could show how reliable you are. However, there are a handful of states that don’t allow insurers to use your credit past when picking rates.

Wyoming has no laws banning providers from using your credit history. This means your insurer can use your credit rating to help figure out how much you should pay for your policy. You’ll pay more if you have bad credit. And vice versa.

Policy Cancellation and Non-Renewal

Insurance companies have 45 days to inform you of policy non-renewal in writing and must tell you why within this notification.

Your insurer could cancel your policy mid-term for any one of these reasons:

• Failure to pay rates
• Lying about something that would have resulted in a denial of the policy
• A major change to the risk assumed (DUI, accidents, tickets)
• Substantial breaches of contractual duties, conditions, or warranties

Insurance carriers canceling policies before the end of a term must refund any remaining unearned premium.

Instead of outright canceling your policy or not renewing it, your insurers can also exclude a driver from coverage. For that to happen, this person would need to have a driving record or claim history so bad that your insurance company would otherwise cancel the policy. Providers call this renewal with exclusions.

If you didn’t pay your premium on time, reinstatement is still possible. Be sure to call your provider ASAP in this case. If you pay your bill within your insurer’s grace period, you’ll avoid a lapse in coverage, which would skyrocket your rates.

Drunk Driving Laws

You’ll face serious legal trouble if you’re caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Beyond that, you risk putting yourself and others around you in danger. You can get a DUI if:

• You get behind the wheel with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or more
• Based on suspicion of intoxication, a police officer arrests you and your BAC is 0.08 two hours later
• The police can prove that you were too impaired to drive, even if your BAC wasn’t 0.08 or higher

When you get pulled over on suspicion of a DUI, you can expect the police to have you do some field sobriety tests (walking in a straight line, the walk-and-turn test, one-leg stand test, etc.) and, of course, a breath test.

If convicted of a DUI, you’ll experience steep legal penalties. You can also expect to pay a lot of money in legal fees, fines, and more. You’ll also risk losing your provider. This is because most providers will mark you as a high-risk driver. If this happens, you may have to find a non-standard company that insures people with DUIs. Another option is to enroll in the state-assigned risk pool.

UI Penalties

These are the penalties for getting a DUI conviction:

First offense:

• Up to a $750 fine
• Up to six months in jail
• Required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) for six months (if BAC was 0.15 or higher)
• License suspension for 90 days

Second offense:

• Fine of at least $200 and up to $750
• At least seven days and up to six months in jail
• Required to install an IID for one year
• License suspension for one year

Third offense:

• Fine of at least $750 and up to $3,000
• At least 30 days and up to six months in jail
• Required to install an IID for two years
• License suspension for three years

SR-22

A DUI conviction means a three-year SR-22 form requirement from a car insurance company willing to cover you. This form proves to the state that you have a valid policy. Since this is high-risk coverage, the policy will be expensive. Your insurer will also be in contact with state authorities about any changes, renewals, or cancellations.

You’ll also need to have a copy of your insurance card. You can use an electronic version of your proof of coverage if it meets state requirements.

Driver’s License Points System

Wyoming doesn’t use a formal driver’s license points system. But the state does keep track of tickets, accidents, and other moving violations. Some incidents are so severe, you lose your license after a single violation. Minor incidents will also go on your record. Enough minor incidents in a brief period will have consequences. These could be in the form of driving school or higher rates. But four violations within a year will also cost you your driving privileges.

Your driving record is one of the most important factors that insurers look at to decide on your premiums. One or two speeding tickets typically won’t move the needle. However, you can expect to see higher auto insurance prices if you have a record filled with violations.

Most Popular Cars

The cars that are most popular with consumers vary based on each state. Popular cars are the most sought-after and, potentially, the most stolen. This can end up raising your rates if you own a highly stolen car. Below are Wyoming’s most popular and best-selling cars in 2021:

1. Ram 1500/2500/3500
2. Ford F-Series
3. Chevrolet Silverado
4. GMC Sierra
5. Toyota Tacoma

Most Stolen Cars

Each year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) publishes a report listing the nation’s most stolen vehicles. Having your car stolen may not directly raise your rates. But companies charge more to insure cars thieves prefer. The table below lists Wyoming’s most stolen vehicles for 2021. Included are rank, vehicle make and model, and model years:

1. 2004 Ford Pick-Up (Full Size)
2. 2007 Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size)
3. 2003/1998 Dodge Pick-Up (Full Size)
4. 2003 GMC Pick-Up (Full Size)
5. 2005 Toyota Camry
6. 2007 Honda Civic
7. 2005 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
7. 2017/2012/2009 Ford Escape
8. 2007/2005 GMC Yukon
8. 2002/1999 Chevrolet Suburban
9. 2012/2007 Ford Focus
9. 2003/2002 Ford Explorer
9. 2019/2013 Ram Pick-Up (Full Size)
10. 2020/2016 Toyota Corolla
10. 2020/2007 Ford Fusion
10. 2005 Dodge Durango
10. 2005 Chevrolet Malibu