bestauto insuranceArkansasThe Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for 2023
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MoneyGeek evaluated the best options for car insurance based on the cost of coverage, customer service quality and other factors. While we found that GEICO is the best car insurance company in Arkansas overall, you may find better options depending on your specific requirements.
If you want to purchase the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas regardless of the quality of service, MoneyGeek’s analysis of policy premiums can help you determine the best option.
bestauto insuranceArkansasThe Best Car Insurance in Arkansas
Best Overall - GEICO
Best for Customer Service - Auto-Owners Insurance
Best on a Budget - GEICO
Best for Poor Driving Record - State Farm
Best for Military - USAA
Best for Young Drivers - Allstate
Best for New Cars - Allstate
Best for Low-Mileage Drivers - Nationwide
Best Car Insurance Companies in Arkansas: Overall
The overall best car insurance company in Arkansas is GEICO, which earned a MoneyGeek score of 4.3 out of 5.
MoneyGeek’s analysis of the top car insurance companies in Arkansas was based on several factors, including claims ratings, customer satisfaction and average cost.
Based on these factors, the two best car insurance providers in the state overall are:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 4 out of 5
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 4 out of 5
Since USAA is available only to former and active military members, it was not considered in this analysis. But, with a MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5, USAA is the best car insurance option for military families and veterans in Arkansas.
The Top 5 Car Insurance Companies in Arkansas
1
GEICO
Score:4.3
With an annual cost of around $866, GEICO ranks first for affordability. It is tied in the first position for user satisfaction, stability and claims. It offers mechanical breakdown insurance.
More About GEICO
GEICO’s mechanical breakdown insurance is a better option than the usual dealer warranties. It is cheaper and also covers parts and systems not covered by typical dealer warranties. This coverage is available for new or leased cars that are less than 15 months old with less than 15,000 miles. The company also provides accident forgiveness coverage that prevents your insurance costs from going up after your first at-fault accident.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance Review2
State Farm
Score:4
With a policy that costs around $1,012 per year, State Farm ranks third for affordability. It is tied in the first position for stability and claims and in third place for user satisfaction. The insurer provides rideshare insurance.
More About State Farm
State Farm offers rideshare coverage. This ensures that your medical, emergency roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement coverage in your auto policy remain in effect even when you’re working for a ridesharing company. It also provides car rental expenses up to chosen limits and travel expenses (meals, lodging and transportation) up to $500.
Read MoneyGeek's State Farm auto Insurance Review3
Allstate
Score:4
At a cost of $1,110 per year, Allstate ranks fifth for affordability. The company is tied in the first position for user satisfaction and claims and ranks fourth for stability. It offers custom parts coverage.
More About Allstate
Allstate provides custom parts coverage with its insurance. This is applicable for comprehensive and collision insurance and includes coverage for a loss to custom equipment. Examples include special carpeting, bars, height-extending roofs, custom murals, decals and graphics. The company also covers any damage to a sound system permanently installed in your car.
Read MoneyGeek's Allstate auto Insurance Review4
Farmers
Score:3.8
Farmers ranks second for affordability with an average annual policy premium of $924. It is tied in the first position for claims and ranks seventh for customer satisfaction. Farmers occupies last place in our rankings for stability. The company offers glass deductible modification coverage.
More About Farmers
Farmers’ glass modification coverage allows you to reduce the comprehensive deductible to $100 when the loss is restricted to glass (this option is not available if the deductible is already $100). It also offers original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coverage that covers the cost of using factory parts in covered repairs for cars that are up to 10 years old.
Read MoneyGeek's Farmers auto Insurance Review5
Travelers
Score:3.6
At an annual cost of $1,288, Travelers ranks sixth for affordability. It is tied in the first position for stability and claims and in third for customer satisfaction. The company offers new car replacement.
More About Travelers
New car replacement pays to replace your damaged car with a new car of the same make and model if you are involved in a total loss accident within the first five years. Travelers also provides gap insurance if you total your new car. This may pay the difference between the actual value of your car and the unpaid balance on your auto loan or lease.
Read MoneyGeek's Travelers auto Insurance ReviewHOW WE DETERMINED THE BEST INSURANCE IN ARKANSAS
MoneyGeek collected full coverage policy quotes from various insurers for a 40-year-old sample driver to determine the best full coverage car insurance in Arkansas. The average rates in Arkansas can vary significantly depending on your background.
MoneyGeek gathered claims ratings and user satisfaction information from J.D. Power and the NAIC. You can read MoneyGeek’s methodology for details on sample drivers, policies and assumptions.
MoneyGeek's Arkansas Car Insurance Resources:
Compare the Best Insurance Options in Arkansas
The best car insurance in Arkansas depends on the service quality, policy cost and financial stability. You may need to consider other options as well, such as whether the insurer has coverages that meet your requirements.
MoneyGeek’s analysis allows you to compare the best insurers in the state and read in-depth reviews.
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Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for Customer Service
Based solely on claims ratings and user satisfaction, MoneyGeek found that Auto-Owners is the best provider in Arkansas for those who value customer service.
Using only these two factors without considering cost, the best insurers for customer service in Arkansas are:
- Auto-Owners: MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 4 out of 5
The Top 2 Car Insurance Companies in Arkansas for Service Quality
1
Auto-Owners Insurance
Score:4.8
The insurer scores 5 out of 5 for both user satisfaction and stability. It is also tied in first place for claims with a score of 4.5 out of 5.
More About Auto-Owners Insurance
The company provides diminished value coverage. If your car has been involved in an accident, it might not be worth as much as it was before the accident, even after repairs. This coverage protects your investment, ensuring that you are compensated for a reduction in the value of your car. It also offers the Personal Automobile Plus Package that includes more than 10 additional coverages and protects you from expenses that include identity theft, rekeying locks and replacing your cell phone.
Read MoneyGeek's Auto-Owners Insurance auto Insurance Review2
GEICO
Score:4.3
With a score of 5 out of 5, GEICO is tied in the first position for stability. It ranks second for customer satisfaction and fourth for claims. GEICO also has the lowest average rate for car insurance in Arkansas, so you won’t have to sacrifice pricing for customer support with this insurer.
More About GEICO
The insurer offers rental car reimbursement which pays a preset amount for a rental vehicle if your car isn't driveable for more than 24 hours because of a covered accident. GEICO also provides roadside assistance, which can cover the expense of flat tires, jump starts, towing and other emergency roadside services.
Read MoneyGeek's GEICO auto Insurance ReviewBest Car Insurance in Arkansas for Drivers on a Budget
If you are on a tight budget, the best and cheapest auto insurance provider in Arkansas is GEICO. Note that these rankings are only based on policies that meet the minimum requirements of the state rather than a full coverage policy.
The top car insurance companies in Arkansas for drivers on a budget are:
- GEICO: MoneyGeek score of 4.4 out of 5
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 4 out of 5
MoneyGeek’s scores in this section are based on companies that balance affordability and customer service.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: GEICO
pros
Affordable minimum coverage policy at an average of $373
Offers bundling discounts for combining car insurance with other types of coverage
Offers discounts if you have installed an anti-theft system and/or airbag in your car
MoneyGeek customer satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5
MoneyGeek claims rating of 4 out of 5
cons
Does not offer discounts on paperless billing
Does not offer pay-in-full discounts
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Policyholders can further save on the cost of premiums with the various options that GEICO provides, including discounts for multiple vehicles and a safe driving record.
You can also take advantage of discounts for taking a defensive driving class, always wearing your seatbelt and for having daytime running lights. These aspects are valued by GEICO and allow for multiple discount opportunities.
Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for Poor Driving Records
If you have a poor driving record, State Farm is the best auto insurance provider in Arkansas.
Balancing both affordability and customer service for drivers with tickets and/or accidents, the best insurers in the state are:
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 4.3 out of 5
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 4.2 out of 5
MoneyGeek rated car insurance providers in Arkansas based on the cost of policies for those with an at-fault accident who still want top-notch customer service.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: State Farm
pros
Affordable average premium of $1,195 per year for drivers with bad records
MoneyGeek claims score of 4 out of 5
MoneyGeek user satisfaction score of 4 out of 5
Provides roadside assistance and rental car or travel reimbursement coverage
cons
Does not offer accident forgiveness, new car replacement or better car replacement coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
State Farm provides one of the best car insurance policies for drivers with a poor record in Arkansas. The policy costs $1,195 per year on average and the company has claims and user satisfaction ratings of 4 out of 5.
State Farm offers the following coverages if you get into an accident:
- Roadside assistance: If you get stranded due to a problem with your vehicle, this coverage pays for mechanical labor for up to one hour at the place of breakdown, towing to the nearest repair shop, delivery of gas, oil, battery or change of tire (not the cost of these items) and locksmith labor for up to one hour.
- Rental reimbursement: This pays for car rental expenses up to chosen limits, along with coverage for travel expenses (meals, lodging and transportation) up to $500.
Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for a Military Background
USAA is the best insurance provider in Arkansas for military families and veterans as per MoneyGeek’s scoring system.
The company has a MoneyGeek score of 5 out of 5 across all categories and charges average rates of $304 per year for a minimum car insurance policy in the state and $953 per year for military drivers with an at-fault accident on their record.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: USAA
pros
An affordable full coverage policy of $663 per year
MoneyGeek claims score of 5 out of 5
MoneyGeek user satisfaction score of 5 out of 5
Roadside assistance coverage
Defensive driving discount
cons
Only military families are eligible to be insured by USAA
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
USAA offers some of the cheapest policies with the best service in Arkansas. The insurer has one of the best reputations in the country, providing outstanding insurance coverage to military members and their families.
Some of the coverages and discounts offered by USAA include:
- Accident forgiveness coverage: This is provided to policyholders who remain accident-free for at least five years. This means that if you get involved in your first at-fault accident within this period, you will not be charged an additional premium on your car insurance.
- Rideshare insurance: This is for individuals whose standard coverage does not include rideshare insurance. This form of insurance protects Uber and Lyft drivers.
- Multiple car discount: Insuring more than one car through USAA will earn you a discount.
- Mileage discount: Depending on the distance you drive each year, you may be eligible for a discount on your premium.
Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for Young Drivers and Students
Allstate is the best car insurance provider in Arkansas for young, new and student drivers.
MoneyGeek graded the best insurance providers in the state based on the cost of insurance and quality of customer service for students and young drivers. Using these factors, the top insurers in Arkansas are:
- Allstate: MoneyGeek score of 4.5 out of 5
- State Farm: MoneyGeek score of 3.2 out of 5
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Allstate
pros
Affordable rate for young drivers at $2,518 per year on average
Offers discounts for good students, distant students and driver’s education course completion
User satisfaction score of 4.5 out of 5
Claims rating score of 4 out of 5
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Adding young drivers to a policy can be expensive, but Allstate offers affordable options while providing great service. Good customer service is important when adding a young driver to your policy since filing a claim can be a nerve-wracking experience and receiving appropriate support can ease the process.
Allstate offers several student discounts such as a good student discount for full-time students with good grades. It also provides a distant student discount which allows a student attending school at least 100 miles away from home to be included in the policy. The insurer also offers a discount for drivers who have completed a driver education program.
Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for Those With New Cars
If you have a new car, Allstate is the best provider for you, earning a MoneyGeek score of 4 out of 5.
MoneyGeek classified the best insurance providers for drivers with new vehicles in Arkansas based on those that offer new or better car replacement coverage.
New car replacement coverage pays for the cost of replacing your car with a similar model should it get damaged within a stipulated timeframe. If your insurer offers better car replacement coverage, you can get a newer model of your damaged car. You must keep in mind that this coverage is not part of your standard policy, so you will need to pay more for it.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Allstate
pros
Affordable policies costing an average of $1,110 per year
Offers new car replacement coverage
Claims score of 4 out of 5
Customer satisfaction score of 4.5 out of 5
cons
Does not provide better car replacement coverage
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Allstate is a good choice for new or first-time drivers as it offers new car replacement coverage. Your car starts losing value as soon as you drive it off of the lot and this coverage helps you get a new car in the event of an accident soon after you buy a car.
As per Allstate’s new car replacement coverage policy, if your car is two model years old or less, you will be eligible for a replacement of the car with a comparable model.
Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for Low-Mileage Drivers
Nationwide SmartMiles is the best pay-per-mile program in Arkansas. A pay-per-mile policy allows drivers to pay premiums based on how many miles they drive.
MoneyGeek’s Pick: Nationwide
pros
Nationwide SmartMiles offers affordable coverage for low-mileage drivers
cons
If you drive regularly, this coverage might turn out to be more expensive than the regular car insurance policy
Claims rating of 3.5 out of 5
Customer satisfaction rating of 3.5 out of 5
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide’s pay-per-mile program in Arkansas is SmartMiles. This program includes a base rate and a variable rate depending on how many miles you drive and also has an exception for road trips in which only the first 250 miles count in a single day. It also has a behavior element that can earn you up to 10% off based on safe driving.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance in Arkansas in For You
If you are looking for the best car insurance in Arkansas, you must consider an insurer that provides a balance of service quality, price and financial stability.
MoneyGeek analyzed the best providers in the state based on these factors, but you can compare these yourself as well.
1
Research Customer Service Reputations in Arkansas
MoneyGeek analyzed car insurance quotes from various providers using a sample driver alongside NAIC complaint ratios and customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power to determine the best insurers in Arkansas. Apart from MoneyGeek’s suggestions, you can also refer to the scores from J.D. Power and the NAIC to determine the best insurer that suits your requirements. You can also check the state’s auto insurance website for more information.
2
Compare Quotes for Yourself
While MoneyGeek compared quotes from various locations in Arkansas using a sample driver, the analysis does not cover the entire state. To get a better understanding of the costs and get the best coverage, it is advisable to compare quotes from at least three insurance companies.
3
Make Sure the Company Has Coverages You Want in Arkansas
Before finalizing a car insurance coverage, determine if the insurer provides the discounts and coverage that you need. Some insurers may advertise a certain discount or coverage but may not specify whether it is offered in Arkansas.
4
Double-Check Financial Stability Ratings
One of the factors to check before deciding on an insurance company is its financial strength. Generally, large insurance companies are more stable, meaning that they are more likely to pay out on claims. Regional insurance providers in Arkansas may have lower financial stability scores. These are less likely to process your claims.
FAQs About the Best Car Insurance in Arkansas
The cost of car insurance in Arkansas depends on the type of coverage you are looking for. Answering some of the most common questions about car insurance in the state can help you make your decision.
Methodology
Across three ZIP codes, MoneyGeek's analysis of the best car insurance in Arkansas included 576 quotes from 12 providers. We used a variety of industry-leading evaluations to analyze each company's customer satisfaction and financial stability, including those from J.D. Power, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
To develop a composite MoneyGeek score, we applied the following weightings:
- General customer and claims satisfaction (60%): Using data from J.D. Power surveys on customer and claims satisfaction, each weighing 30%, MoneyGeek rated each company’s customer satisfaction score from one to five.
- Affordability (30%): MoneyGeek scored each provider’s affordability from one to five, with five as the highest score.
- Financial stability (10%): MoneyGeek evaluated an insurer's financial strength based on AM Best ratings. This determined how fairly and efficiently the company pays legitimate claims.
To rank providers based on certain categories, weightings were adjusted as follows:
- Rankings of the best customer service did not consider affordability.
- In order to determine which insurer offers the best coverage on a budget, MoneyGeek evaluated providers based on their minimum coverage policy instead of their full coverage policy.
- MoneyGeek modified affordability scores to include a driver's age or driving history, as appropriate.
- A qualitative judgment is made when certain coverages are offered by one company but not by another.
The following limits were observed in an analysis of a full coverage policy:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 property damage liability
- Comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
In Arkansas, all premiums were collected through Quadrant Information Services, which provided quotes based on full coverage policies. We used a sample profile of an Arkansas-based 40-year-old male with a clean driving record and a Toyota Camry to collect quotes. To learn more about how we collect our data, please read our car insurance methodology.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
sources
- Arkansas Division of Insurance. "Auto Insurance in Arkansas." Accessed September 21, 2021.