Wyoming Car Insurance Requirements

No matter where you live, car insurance is sure to play a big part in any claim you decide to bring after a car accident. Let's look at the details of Wyoming's auto insurance requirements, how coverage affects claims made after a crash, and the kinds of penalties you're likely to face if you drive without insurance in Wyoming.

Is Wyoming a "No-Fault" Car Insurance State?

No. Wyoming follows a traditional fault-based system when it comes to financial responsibility for losses stemming from a crash: that includes car accident injuries, lost income, vehicle damage, and injury-related "pain and suffering."

So, in Wyoming, the person who was at fault for causing the car accident is also responsible for any resulting harm (from a practical standpoint, the at-fault driver's insurance carrier will absorb these losses, up to policy limits). And anyone who suffers any kind of injury or damage due to an auto accident usually can proceed by:

• filing a third-party car insurance claim directly with the at-fault driver's insurance carrier
• filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court against the at-fault driver, or
• filing a claim with their own insurance company, under optional types of car insurance like "medical payments" coverage (for injuries) or collision coverage (for vehicle damage).

Note: In no-fault car insurance states, a claimant doesn't have this same range of options, but Wyoming drivers don't need to worry about no-fault after an in-state accident.

What Car Insurance Is Required In Wyoming?

All vehicles in operation in Wyoming must be insured with a liability policy, with at least the following minimum amounts of coverage:

• $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury or death, per person in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
• $50,000 liability coverage for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle
• $20,000 liability coverage for property damage per accident caused by the owner/driver of the insured vehicle.

What Does Liability Car Insurance Cover In Wyoming?

Liability coverage pays the medical bills, property damage bills, and other costs of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who are injured or have their vehicle damaged in a car accident you cause, up to coverage limits.

You can (and in some situations should) carry liability coverage in dollar amounts higher than the above-listed minimums, to protect you financially if you cause a serious crash resulting in significant car accident injuries and vehicle damage. Once your liability coverage limits are exhausted, you're personally on the financial hook, so higher liability limits can help protect your personal assets.

Your liability coverage will kick in if any family member is driving your vehicle, or if you've given someone else permission to use it. It will likely also cover you if you get into an accident in a rental car.

Remember that liability coverage doesn't apply to your own injuries or vehicle damage after a Wyoming car accident. You'll need different (additional) coverage for that if you're involved in a car accident and no one else's coverage applies to your losses. For example:

• Medical payments car insurance coverage (optional in Wyoming) can help pay your car accident-related medical bills, often right away, regardless of who caused the crash.
• Collision coverage can pay for repairs to (or replacement of) your damaged vehicle after a car accident, no matter who was at fault. (Note that while collision coverage isn't required under Wyoming law, it might be required under the terms of a vehicle lease or financing agreement, along with comprehensive coverage).

Is Uninsured Motorist Car Insurance Required In Wyoming?

Not technically, no. When you purchase liability car insurance coverage in Wyoming, the insurance company will include uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage in your policy, but you're free to decline it under state law. (Wyoming Statutes section 31-10-101 (2024).)

So, uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage is optional in Wyoming, but while it costs more to include UIM in your policy, it can prove to be irreplaceable if you're injured in an accident caused by someone who is driving without insurance. Instead of being left with no options for getting compensation for your accident-related losses, you can make a claim under your UIM coverage, up to your coverage limits.

What Are the Penalties For Driving Without Insurance in Wyoming?

According to Wyoming Statutes section 31-4-103 (2024), any vehicle owner who drives (or permits to be driven) an uninsured vehicle may be convicted of a misdemeanor punishable by:

• imprisonment for no more than six months
• a fine of $500 to $1,500.00, or
• both imprisonment and fine.

For any later violation, the owner must deliver the vehicle's registration and license plates to the county treasurer (for the county where the citation was issued), where they will be held until the vehicle owner can demonstrate compliance with the law and pay any additional penalties. All of this is on top of the serious financial consequences that can come from causing a car accident when you're uninsured.

Getting Help After a Car Accident In Wyoming

If you've been involved in an accident, you might want to read more about Wyoming's car accident laws and your options for getting compensation for your losses. And for tips on when it might make sense to talk to a lawyer, learn how an attorney can help with your car accident case.