Best Cheap Car Insurance in North Dakota for 2019

Because prices can vary dramatically from one company to the next, shopping around is key to finding cheap car insurance in North Dakota. Rates also depend on personal factors such as your age, accident history and credit.

To help you pinpoint the best deal for your circumstances, NerdWallet analyzed quotes from the eight largest insurers in the state and found the three most affordable options for several motorist types.

Cheapest for good drivers

Nodak Mutual had the lowest rates we found for good drivers in North Dakota with good credit, at $68 per month, on average. State Farm and American Family came in second and third, respectively.

For this calculation, NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-old men and women with a clean driving record and good credit. With the exception of age, a large portion of drivers are closest to this profile, which carries standard "full coverage" insurance, including state-required coverage.

Cheapest for drivers with poor credit

State Farm had the lowest rates we found for North Dakota drivers with blemished credit, at $147 per month, on average. Nodak Mutual and North Star round out the cheapest three.

Poor credit can have a bigger effect on car insurance premiums than even a DUI conviction or a recent accident. To calculate these figures, NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-olds with a clean driving record, poor credit as reported to their insurer, and standard "full coverage" insurance.

Cheapest for drivers with one at-fault crash

Nodak Mutual had the best auto insurance rates for North Dakotans with a recent at-fault accident, at $84 per month, on average. State Farm and Allstate also make the list.

To get these figures, we averaged rates for 40-year-olds with one recent at-fault crash and the typical "full coverage" insurance. Your rates will remain high for three to five years after you cause an accident or have a moving violation. If you fall into this category, be sure to shop for new insurance rates just after the three-year and five-year anniversaries of your infraction.

Cheapest for low-mileage drivers

Nodak Mutual was the cheapest insurer we found for North Dakota drivers who put few annual miles on their odometers, at $64 per month, on average. State Farm and American Family complete the set.

Whether you're retired, work at home or often use public transportation, you may be able to get cheaper car insurance simply because you drive less. The rates above are for 40-year-olds with typical "full coverage" insurance and a clean driving record who drive 5,000 miles per year instead of the standard 12,000.

Cheapest for minimum coverage

North Star was the cheapest carrier in our analysis for minimum coverage car insurance in North Dakota, at $22 per month, on average. American Family and Nodak Mutual were second- and third-cheapest, respectively.

We calculated these numbers by averaging rates for 40-year-old good drivers who have only the minimum mandatory insurance in their state. Such light coverage isn't typically recommended, since it might not cover all the bills resulting from a car accident, but it's better than nothing — especially if you can't afford much more.

Minimum required auto insurance in North Dakota

North Dakota car insurance policies must include liability insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage and personal injury protection.

Here are the minimum coverage limits you must select for each:

• $25,000 bodily injury liability per person.
• $50,000 bodily injury liability per crash.
• $25,000 property damage liability per crash.
• $25,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per person.
• $50,000 uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury per crash.
• $30,000 personal injury protection.

Although choosing the bare minimum will allow you drive legally, it may not be enough to pay for damages if you cause an accident. Check out NerdWallet’s guide to minimum car insurance requirements by state for more detail about coverage options for your North Dakota auto policy.

Alternative car insurance for high-risk drivers

If you’ve been denied car insurance because of bad credit, multiple at-fault crashes or other factors, you can apply for coverage through the North Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan.

For more help finding cheap car insurance in North Dakota, try NerdWallet’s car insurance comparison tool.

Here’s a summary of where you’ll find the cheapest insurance, by category: