Wyoming, the mountainous state of the West, is the least populated and second least densely populated state in the country. Wyoming is known for the highest fatality rates in car crashes. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that there were 123 total car crash fatalities in 2012. Various causes have been identified for this problem, such as dangerous roads, longer response time required due to medical services being far from accident location, low seat belt use among drivers.
Wyoming proscribes driving without auto insurance. It is a misdemeanor to be caught driving without proof of liability insurance. The minimum liability coverage amounts are: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 per accident for property.
The average insurance rates in Wyoming vary from $1370 to $1576. The average annual auto insurance rate in Wyoming is $1496, which is also the national average insurance rate.
The table below shows the average insurance rates as of December 2013 across the cities of Wyoming –
| City | Zip code | Average Annual Premium ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | 82001 | 1,370 |
| Casper | 82601 | 1,382 |
| Rock Springs | 82901 | 1,396 |
| Sheridan | 82801 | 1,398 |
| Cody | 82414 | 1,401 |
| Riverton | 82501 | 1,403 |
| Lander | 82520 | 1,408 |
| Gillette | 82716 | 1,419 |
| Laramie | 82051 | 1,427 |
| Jackson | 83001 | 1,516 |
Most car insurance companies follow the Insurance Standard Office’s (ISO) surcharge policy to increase your premiums. If you live in Cheyenne, you premium could go up to $1644 on a multi-car policy, and up to $1918 on a single-car policy.
Major accidents involving property damage and serious injuries could have a significant impact on your premiums. In Casper your premium could increase from $1382 to $2073 or $2764, depending on the amount of damage suffered in the accident.
Jackson is the most expensive town to get into accidents in Wyoming. A single accident on your record could hike your premium to $1867, and a second accident could bring it up to $2785.
It would also depend on whose fault the accident was, and you could negotiate lowering your rates if the accident wasn’t your fault. But considering the accident rate in Wyoming, it might be a good idea to invest in an insurance policy with liability limits higher than the mandatory limits.
