In the United States, car insurance is mandatory to protect you, your car, and your finances. And while everyone is obligated to have auto insurance, not all insurance policies are created equal. At Trailstone Insurance Group, we help you find the best insurance options for your vehicle.
Trailstone Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency, working with you for free to find the best car insurance deal in Arizona from multiple companies we’re partnered with. Our priority is finding the insurance deal that works best for you.
Let us help you learn more about car insurance in Arizona and what you need to get the most comprehensive coverage.
Get a QuoteWhat is the Minimum Coverage Required for Auto Insurance in Arizona?
Having Car Insurance in Arizona is a way to demonstrate financial responsibility as required by the law.
The mandatory limits of car insurance coverage for Arizona drivers:
$25,000 for one person sustaining bodily injury or death in an accident,
$50,000 for two or more persons sustaining bodily injury or death in an accident
$15,000 for damage to others’ property.
Minimum Required Arizona Car Insurance Coverage
According to Arizona car insurance laws, these are the types of insurance coverage you are required to have as part of your car insurance policy.
Bodily injury liability coverage: If you’re involved in an accident and you’re found at fault, this pays for injuries to others, as well as legal fees.
Property damage liability coverage: This also covers expenses if you’re at fault. but it pays for repairs to the other party’s car or property. For example, this coverage pays for the repair if you accidentally hit another person’s fence or building.
What Are the Optional Arizona Auto Insurance Coverage?
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage: If you’re in an accident with an uninsured motorist or one with insufficient car insurance, this coverage pays for costs related to your injury.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage: If the other driver involved in the accident doesn’t have insurance or has insufficient insurance, this coverage pays for repair costs to your car or property. You may not need this coverage if you have collision coverage.
- Collision Coverage: This covers repair costs if you’re car collides with another vehicle or object.
- Comprehensive Coverage: If your car is damaged in an accident where no collision took place, such as theft, vandalism, fire, glass breakage or contact with animals, this covers the repair costs.
- Medical benefits: This covers the medical expenses or funeral costs for you or others involved in a motor accident.
Are There Penalties for Driving without Insurance?
In Arizona, a law enforcement officer may ask you to show proof of insurance at traffic stops or after a car wreck. If you’ve forgotten your proof of insurance, you will get a ticket that can be dismissed later. However, if you don’t have insurance, you will have to pay a fine and a penalty.
First Offense Penalty and Fine for Driving without Insurance
The first time you fail to provide proof of insurance, you will get your driver’s license, registration, and license plate suspended for 3 months.
You will need to pay a fine of $500. For reinstating registration, the state requires paying a fee of $50. As for the driver’s license, you are required to pay a fee of $25-35, depending on your age.
You may have to obtain an SR-22 certificate, valid for 3 years.
Second Offense Penalty and Fine for Driving without Insurance
For the second offense, the suspension period of your driver’s license, registration, and license plate is six months.
The fine for a second-time offense is a payment of $750.
The fee required to reinstate registration is $50 and the fee for reinstating a driver’s license is $20-35.
An SR-22 certificate may also be required with a validation of 3 years.
Third Offense Penalty and Fine for Driving without Insurance
The third penalty for driving without insurance is suspension of driver’s license, registration, and license plate for 1 year. You will also have to pay a fine of $1000. To reinstate, the fee is the same for every offense, $50 for registration and $20-35 for a driver’s license. Similarly, you may need to get an SR-22 certificate that is valid for three years.
What is an SR-22 Certificate?
An SR-22 certificate, known as Future Financial Proof, proves you have insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum insurance coverage required by state law. Note that this certificate is also issued for high-risk drivers who are found at fault in an accident, had recent DUIs or DWIs, or have been convicted of serious driving offenses. So, if you hold this certificate, you might get a higher car insurance premium.
To get an SR-22 certificate, contact your insurance company and file the required documents. Or you can obtain the certificate from the Arizona Office of Treasurer after showing a deposit in cash or certificates of deposit of $40,000.
What is the Average Cost of Auto Insurance in Arizona?
According to Bankrate’s recent 2024 study of auto insurance rates, the average car insurance rate in Arizona is $2536 for full coverage and $792 for minimum coverage. The Arizona average rate is slightly above the national average, which is $2299 for full coverage and $637 for minimum coverage. Note that the average car insurance rate in Phoenix is around 18% higher than other cities in Arizona because Phoenix has a high population density.
These numbers are mere estimated averages, many factors can result in a higher or lower auto insurance rate.
Factors that Impact Auto Insurance Premium Rate
- Age: Naturally, younger drivers are more impulsive when driving and have less experience than older drivers. So, an 18-year-old driver will pay the highest premium, while a 60-year-old will pay the least if they have a good driving record.
- Driving history: A driver with a good driving record will get lower insurance than a driver with a speeding ticket on their record by at least %24. As for DUIs, a driver who has one will pay %109 more than the average.
- Accident history: Accidents and claim history also play a significant role. A driver who has an at-fault accident on their record will get a higher premium.
- Car type: Each car type has its repair costs, theft data, and statistical crash data. Accordingly, each car type has a different annual premium.
- Credit score: Arizona is one of many states that take your credit score into account. An excellent credit score means you’re a reliable person as opposed to a poor score. That’s why if you have a good credit score, you get no increase in the premium rate. If your credit is excellent, you may get a premium lower than the average.
How to Save Money and Get the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in Arizona?
Get Affordable Car Insurance in Arizona
- Increase deductible: The deductible is the amount you pay if you’re involved in an accident. If you increase your deductible, you will get a lower premium. However, you need to be prepared with the deductible amount in case an accident happens.
- Drop unnecessary coverage: If you don’t need full coverage, cutting down on unnecessary optional coverages will decrease the monthly rate. For example, if you live in a safe neighborhood with low chances of theft, vandalism, or natural disasters, you could pass on comprehensive coverage.
- Bundle your insurance policies: Many Arizona car insurance companies offer a discount if you bundle multiple policies, like home and auto insurance, for example.
- Take advantage of Arizona car insurance discounts: Many companies in Arizona offer discounts for varied reasons. Make sure to inquire with the insurance company about the discounts they have.
- Take a defensive driving course: This course takes a few hours, only costs $25, and might get you a discounted rate.
- Compare quotes: Before you settle on an insurance company, shop around and compare benefits, costs, deals, and discounts.
Want our help getting and comparing auto insurance quotes in Arizona? Click here!
Why Choose Trailstone Insurance Group for Your Car Insurance
We’re Ramsey-Trusted
What does it mean to be endorsed by Dave Ramsey? It means we’re constantly under the radar to provide a customer-centric, excellent quality of service to our clients. You can’t buy the Dave Ramsey endorsements; it took us years of getting vetted to earn it. Moreover, it can get taken away if our quality of service declines. Being a Ramsey-trust Pro means we’re held to a higher standard that never wavers.
We’re an Independent Insurance Agency
We only work with Class “A” companies in the insurance industry, and we are partnered with over 40 companies in the United States. We cover Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Idaho, providing our clients in these states with the best coverage at affordable prices. Being independent means, we put our clients first with a mission to help them meet their insurance needs.
We Provide an Unparalleled Service
We treat others the way we want to be treated. With utmost integrity, we shop for the best deals, ensuring our clients get coverage that fits their needs without breaking the bank. Moreover, our customer support is always available to help with any issues or inquiries. Our customer support representatives are subject matter experts on everything related to car insurance and will help you in a professional yet friendly manner.
Get a QuoteCar Insurance in Arizona FAQs
Yes, you need proof of insurance to register your car in Arizona.
No, Arizona is not a no-fault car insurance state. A no-fault insurance state is one where regardless of who is at fault in an accident, both parties file the claims with their insurance companies. In Arizona, the injured people file with the insurance company of the person at fault. In other words, the person at fault is the one who pays for the damages caused.
Car Insurance is expensive in Arizona because of the increasing probability of weather events, such as forest fires, droughts, and floods. Moreover, Arizona’s theft and vandalism rates are higher than in other states, in addition to the high population density.
Full coverage from one state to another. In Arizona, full coverage means having the state’s minimum required insurance, plus comprehensive and collision coverage.
In Arizona, you must have the minimum coverage, including property damage and bodily injury coverage. Depending on where you live and your budget, you might need to add more coverage to your car insurance policy. Our expert insurance agents can guide you on the insurance coverage you need, feel free to reach out.
If the car is covered by insurance, its insurance will be considered the primary while yours will be considered excessive, meaning it would be used if the primary passes its limit. If the car is uninsured, your insurance will cover it as a primary.
No, most personal auto policies don’t cover rental trucks.