Best Car Insurance in North Dakota

Last Updated on October 7, 2026

By James Shaffer · Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 5, 2026 · How we fact-check

Car insurance in North Dakota is a little cheaper than the national average, but your price still depends heavily on your ZIP code, driving record, vehicle, and coverage limits. Insure.com’s rate study by state, updated September 25, 2026, puts North Dakota at $2,439 a year for full coverage and $564 a year for state-minimum coverage, against a national full-coverage average of $2,578. Those numbers are for 40-year-old drivers with a clean record and a good insurance score, at $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury and $100,000 property damage limits.

Even in a relatively affordable state, rates can spike after a DUI, an at-fault accident, multiple tickets, or a lapse in coverage. The easiest way to find the best value is to compare quotes from multiple insurers and confirm you’re getting the right protections for your situation.

If you’re shopping regionally, you can also compare pricing trends in nearby states like South Dakota to get a sense of how location impacts cost.

1. North Dakota Rates Are Often Below Average: Many drivers pay less than the national average, but your ZIP code, driving history, vehicle, and coverage choices still matter.
2. North Dakota Requires More Than Liability: On top of liability coverage, North Dakota drivers must carry uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, and $30,000 per person of basic no-fault (PIP) benefits. Iowa next door requires nothing beyond liability, and South Dakota and Nebraska require uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage but no no-fault benefits, so crossing the state line changes what you have to buy.
3. Driving Uninsured Can Trigger Serious Consequences: A first offense costs $150 and six points on your record, and fourteen points if you own the car and it happens in a crash.
4. Shopping Around and Discounts Can Cut Your Bill: Compare quotes with the same coverage limits, then stack discounts (bundling, safe driver, good student, telematics, and vehicle safety features) to lower your premium.

Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in North Dakota

North Dakota drivers can choose from national insurers and strong regional options. The “best” company depends on what you value most (price, claims handling, local agents, or specialized coverage). These insurers are commonly competitive choices to start your quote comparison.

1. USAA

USAA had 14.3 million members at the end of 2025 and says in its annual report that it stays in every state, so North Dakota drivers are covered wherever they move. The catch is eligibility: USAA is limited to military members, veterans, and qualifying family members. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, check who is eligible to get car insurance from USAA.

2. State Farm

State Farm is a popular pick for drivers who want a large network of local agents, solid coverage options, and plenty of discounts. It can be especially appealing if you prefer in-person service instead of a fully app-first experience.

3. Nodak

Nodak writes in North Dakota and nowhere else. It was formed in 1946 to insure North Dakota Farm Bureau members, it is now part of NI Holdings, and the Farm Bureau calls it the largest domestic property and casualty insurer in the state. You do not have to be a Farm Bureau member to get a quote, but ask the agent, because the two organizations are still tied together.

4. GEICO

GEICO is frequently competitive for price shoppers who are comfortable managing most of their policy online. It’s also known for a wide range of discounts that can help lower premiums for the right driver profile.

5. Nationwide

Nationwide offers broad coverage options and multiple discount paths, including usage-based programs in many areas. It can be a good option if you want flexible coverage add-ons and don’t mind comparing program details.

6. American Family

American Family lists North Dakota as one of the 19 states it writes car insurance in. It is worth a quote if you want auto and home with the same company, since bundling is where its discounts bite hardest.

7. Progressive

Progressive is a common choice for drivers who like flexible pricing tools and are willing to shop options quickly online. Rates can vary widely by driver profile, so it’s best used as part of a broader comparison.

8. North Star Mutual

North Star Mutual is a policyholder-owned mutual based in Cottonwood, Minnesota. It started writing auto insurance in 1991 and now covers eight states, North Dakota among them, through more than 2,000 independent agencies. You have to go through an agent; there is no direct online purchase.

9. Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners has been around since 1916, is based in Lansing, Michigan, and writes in 26 states including North Dakota. It sells only through independent agents, so a local agency can compare it against the other companies it represents in one sitting.

10. AAA

AAA car insurance in North Dakota comes from The Auto Club Group, which is the AAA club covering the state. AAA facts vary a lot by club, so a discount or perk you read about in another state may not be on offer here. Check with The Auto Club Group rather than AAA in general.

North Dakota Insurance Requirements

North Dakota requires drivers to carry insurance that meets the state’s minimum limits. The North Dakota Insurance Department publishes the mandatory minimums, and the figures below come straight from that page.

In North Dakota, minimum coverage includes liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, and basic no-fault medical coverage:

• Liability coverage: $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, and $25,000 of property damage liability coverage per accident. You will see this written as 25/50/25.
• Uninsured motorist coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (learn more about uninsured motorist coverage)
• Underinsured motorist coverage: the same amounts as your uninsured motorist coverage, so $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident on a minimum policy
• Basic no-fault coverage: $30,000 per person. North Dakota is a no-fault state, and this benefit is what most companies call personal injury protection (PIP). Every rating example in the Insurance Department’s own 2026 cost survey carries it.

If you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender will typically require “full coverage,” which usually means adding collision coverage and comprehensive coverage on top of the state minimums. If you don’t carry the required lender coverage, the lender may purchase coverage to protect the loan collateral (sometimes called collateral protection insurance) and charge you for it.

The Insurance Department also publishes an auto insurance cost comparison survey, updated for rates effective January 1, 2026. It shows six-month sample premiums by region and driver profile for about 20 companies that together write more than 80% of North Dakota policies. It is the closest thing the state has to an official price list, and it is free.

Driving Without Insurance in North Dakota

Driving without insurance in North Dakota means a fee and points on your record. The offense sits in North Dakota Century Code 39-08-20, and the North Dakota State Patrol classification of offenses dated August 1, 2025 lists what it costs.

Common consequences can include:

• $150 and six points for a first offense
• $300 for a second or later offense within three years, and twelve points if that second offense falls within 18 months of the first
• Fourteen points if you are the vehicle’s owner and it happens in a crash
• A $50 reinstatement fee once your license is suspended for failing to maintain liability insurance

If you were involved in a crash while uninsured, learn what can happen next (civil liability, lawsuits, out-of-pocket repairs, and more) in our guide to an accident without insurance.

Car Insurance in North Dakota with DUI

A DUI conviction can cause a major premium increase. Some insurers will raise rates sharply (and some may non-renew), while others remain more competitive depending on your overall history. Here’s a deeper breakdown of how much insurance can go up after a DUI.

If you need a new policy after a DUI, start by comparing multiple quotes and focusing on carriers known for working with higher-risk drivers. This guide to cheap DUI/DWI car insurance walks through strategies that can help.

Car Insurance in North Dakota with At-Fault Accidents

At-fault accidents typically increase premiums for several years, but the size of the increase depends on the insurer, claim severity, and your prior history. This overview explains how much your car insurance can go up after an accident and what to do next.

Car Insurance in North Dakota with Speeding Tickets

A single minor speeding ticket may have a modest impact, but multiple tickets (or a serious speed) can raise rates fast. If you’re trying to estimate the potential impact, see how much a single speeding ticket can increase your rates.

Car Insurance in North Dakota for Young Drivers

Drivers under 25 generally pay the highest premiums because insurers consider them higher risk. The best way to cut costs is to compare quotes, look for good student discounts, and consider staying on a family policy (when possible). If you’re pricing policies for teens, this guide on average insurance rates for a 16-year-old helps set expectations.

Car Insurance in North Dakota with Poor Credit

Many insurers use a credit-based rating factor when allowed, and the difference between “good” and “poor” credit tiers can be significant. This explainer covers what a credit-based insurance score is and how it can affect pricing.

SR-22 and Proof of Financial Responsibility in North Dakota

North Dakota may require proof of financial responsibility in certain situations (for example, after serious incidents or when reinstating driving privileges). If you’ve let car insurance lapse or you’re dealing with reinstatement requirements, you may hear terms like “proof of financial responsibility.” Here’s a plain-English overview of proof of financial responsibility and what it means for drivers.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation lists both “Fail to Provide Proof of Insurance” and “Fail to Maintain Liability Insurance” among the suspensions it handles, each with a $50 reinstatement fee. Its driver record services and suspensions page is where you check what your own reinstatement needs.

How to Save on Car Insurance in North Dakota

Even if you already have a policy, you can often lower your premium with a few simple changes:

• Compare quotes at renewal (and after major life changes like moving, buying a new car, or adding a driver).
• Re-check your deductibles and choose an amount you could comfortably pay out of pocket after a claim.
• Stack discounts (bundling, paid-in-full, paperless, safe driver, good student, multi-car, and defensive driving where available).
• Keep continuous coverage and avoid lapses, which can trigger higher rates.
• Match coverage to your real needs: don’t underinsure liability limits, but also don’t pay for add-ons you won’t use.

FAQs on Car Insurance in North Dakota

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in North Dakota

North Dakota drivers often enjoy below-average premiums, but the best policy is still the one that fits your budget and protects you properly. Compare multiple quotes, confirm you meet North Dakota’s minimum requirements, and consider higher liability limits if you want better protection.

Start with a short list of insurers (including at least one regional and one national carrier), then compare apples-to-apples coverage. My advice is to get one quote from a company that writes only in North Dakota, like Nodak, and one from a national carrier, with identical limits on both, and see how far apart they land. In a small state that gap is often bigger than people expect.

Sources

Checked October 5, 2026

• North Dakota Insurance Department — Auto Insurance Requirements
• North Dakota Insurance Department — 2026 Auto Insurance Cost Comparison Survey
• North Dakota State Patrol — Classification of Offenses, August 1, 2025
• North Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver Record Services and Suspensions
• Insure.com — Car Insurance Rates by State
• USAA — 2025 Annual Report to Members
• NI Holdings — Company List
• North Star Mutual — About
• Auto-Owners Insurance — Agency States
• American Family — Car Insurance by State
• The Auto Club Group — Auto Insurance Benefits
• State Farm — North Dakota Agents
• Nationwide — North Dakota Agencies
• Progressive — State Pages
• GEICO — State Pages