Idaho gap insurance: Everything you need to know

Gap insurance covers the difference between your car’s value and the amount you still owe if it’s totaled or stolen. It’s not required by law in Idaho, but many lenders and leasing companies require it. In Idaho, gap insurance costs an average of $2,073 per year, with Travelers offering the lowest rates.

Last updated: Feb 27, 2026

How much is gap insurance in Idaho?

On average, gap insurance in Idaho costs $2,073 a year, but rates vary by company. The cost of your vehicle also affects gap rates. Expensive or luxurious cars tend to depreciate faster than standard vehicles, meaning gap coverage would have to pay more, which increases coverage rates.

Cheapest gap insurance companies in Idaho

The cheapest company for gap insurance in Idaho is Travelers, with an average annual cost of $1,673. Not all car insurance companies offer gap coverage, and rates vary significantly by company.

Check out the table below to find the cheapest Idaho insurance companies for gap coverage.

Company	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Travelers	$1,673	$47
Auto-Owners	$1,782	$54
Nationwide	$1,909	$34
Dairyland	$2,930	$21

Read our methodology

Average gap insurance cost in Idaho by city

Yellow Pine offers the cheapest gap insurance in Idaho at an average of $1,827. Where you live in Idaho can affect your insurance rates. Auto insurance rates are higher in cities with more crime and theft since your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

This table shows the average gap insurance rates by city for Idaho.

City	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Yellow Pine	$1,827	$34
Weiser	$1,845	$34
Mountain Home	$1,859	$33
Ketchum	$1,864	$35
Ola	$1,868	$34
Hansen	$1,885	$34
Rogerson	$1,887	$35
Bliss	$1,899	$35
Castleford	$1,901	$35
Sweet	$1,902	$35

Read our methodology

How much is gap insurance in Idaho by age group?

Car insurance rates for younger drivers are more expensive because they are more likely to engage in risky driving and lack the experience needed to avoid accidents. Rates go down as the driver gets older. For example, at 18 years old the average rate is $5,882 a year, and at 25 the average annual rate is $2,564.

The table below shows the average gap insurance rates in Idaho by age.

Age group	Auto insurance rates with gap premium	Gap premium
Teen	$5,882	$115
Young adult	$2,564	$47
Adult	$2,073	$38
Senior	$1,943	$37

Read our methodology

How does gap insurance work in Idaho?

Right after you buy or lease a new car, it depreciates, causing you to owe more than the car is worth. If your car gets totaled, your insurance company pays only the car's actual cash value. This payout may leave you still owing money on the loan. That's where gap insurance helps. If someone totals or steals your car, gap insurance pays the difference between your car's value and the amount you still owe on the loan.

"Gap is designed for people that take long-term loans and/or roll taxes, service plans, or warranties into their loan," said Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "Most gap coverages only go a certain percent over market value to pay off a loan for a totaled vehicle (typically 25%). It costs significantly less money to get gap through your insurance than to purchase it from the dealership."

For example, let's say you have a $40,000 car loan, but your vehicle's actual cash value is only $35,000. If the car is stolen, your insurance company will reimburse you $35,000, minus your deductibleThe deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss when you file a claim.. Gap insurance would cover the remaining $5,000 that you still owe on your loan. Without gap insurance, you'd be responsible for paying this difference out of pocket.

You can drop gap coverage once your loan balance is below your car's value. While you can cancel gap insurance anytime, you may not be able to add it later. Most insurers require you to add gap coverage soon after buying a car.

Where to buy gap insurance in Idaho

Many insurance companies, including major providers, offer gap insurance in Idaho. You can add this coverage to your existing car insurance policy or buy a standalone policy.

The best way to get gap coverage is to add it to your auto insurance policy. Car dealers and lenders also offer gap insurance, but their policies are mostly expensive, making them less budget-friendly.

Methodology

We gathered car insurance rates with and without gap insurance through our data partner, Quadrant Information Services.

Averages are annual and based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
40-year-old driver
Honda Accord LX
Good credit
A clean driving record
12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

To show the cost of gap insurance, we have compared rates with gap insurance added to the averages without gap insurance, and the difference is shown as the annual cost of gap insurance.

Rates are based on an analysis of over 5 million data points in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. from 138 companies.

Idaho gap insurance: FAQs

Is gap insurance required in Idaho?

Gap insurance isn't required by Idaho law. However, your lender may require the coverage.

Who should buy gap insurance in Idaho?

You may need gap insurance if you have a car loan or lease in Idaho. Drivers who make a small down payment typically owe more than the vehicle is worth since cars depreciate faster than the loan is paid down, making gap insurance a good idea.

You don't need gap insurance if you own your car or make a large down payment.

What is standalone gap insurance in Idaho?

Standalone gap insurance is a policy of its own, not connected with your car insurance. Gap insurance is available from your lender or a private company as a separate policy.

Does gap insurance cover leased cars in Idaho?

Idaho gap insurance covers leased cars where the driver owes more than the vehicle's current market value. Over time, you may remove gap coverage once your vehicle is worth more than what is owed.