Mercury offers the cheapest minimum coverage auto insurance in Arizona on average. Depending on what kind of driver you are, Root, Auto-Owners and GEICO might be more affordable.
If you're looking for a mix of price and service quality, take a look at MoneyGeek's ranking of the best auto insurance companies in Arizona.
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Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Arizona (September 2023)
The cheapest auto insurance companies in Arizona offering minimum coverage policies are:
- Mercury: $339 per year
- Auto-Owners: $435 per year
The General is Arizona's most expensive auto insurance provider for minimum coverage, based on the companies MoneyGeek analyzed, with an average yearly premium of $1,445. The General specializes in insuring high-risk drivers.
Property damage liability, bodily injury liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist are the only coverages included in an Arizona minimum coverage auto insurance policy.
A minimum coverage policy only covers the cost of any harm or injury you cause to others. Consider comprehensive and collision coverage that financially safeguards you and your car if you want more protection.
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Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Arizona (September 2023)
These companies provide the lowest rates for full coverage auto insurance in Arizona:
- Root: $715 per year
- GEICO: $858 per year
The General offers the most expensive full coverage auto insurance in Arizona at about $2,951 each year.
Your annual rate may increase if you add comprehensive and collision insurance to your policy. Root, for instance, charges $269 more for full coverage than for minimum coverage.
Full coverage auto insurance provides more financial protection if you need to make a claim. It covers losses from off-road occurrences (e.g., theft, flooding and vandalism) and on-road collisions with another vehicle or object.
The amount of auto insurance you need will impact your rates. MoneyGeek’s full coverage sample policy provides the following liability insurance limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury per person
- $300,000 bodily injury per accident
- $100,000 property damage per accident
You could reduce your insurance rates by lowering your liability limits, forgoing comprehensive and collision coverage or raising your deductible. However, you risk having to pay more in the event of an accident or other disaster.
How to Compare Cheap Arizona Car Insurance Quotes Online
Many car insurance providers provide online quotes. However, you must input your information each time, and the process can take up to 15 minutes.
MoneyGeek provides an auto insurance calculator to assist you in getting a quick quote. Choose your age, driving history and gender from the options below to get started.
Auto Insurance Calculator
See how the Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates vary with the options chosen.
Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates
Click the section of the wheel in your price range to see options.
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Click an insurer below to visit their review page or continue to your personalized quote.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona by Age (September 2023)
Car insurance rates change significantly by your age and who else is on your policy in Arizona. MoneyGeek found that Travelers or Root provide the cheapest rates on average for different age groups.
Cheapest for teens: Travelers
Cheapest for young adults: Root
Cheapest for seniors: Root
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona for Teens and Their Families (September 2023)
The following companies provide the cheapest teen auto insurance in Arizona when added to a parent’s policy:
- Travelers: $1,970 per year for male teens and $1,652 per year for female teens
- GEICO: $2,356 per year for male teens and $2,356 per year for female teens
With an average cost of $5,098 for males and $3,692 for females, Allstate is the most expensive company for most teen customers.
The diminishing car insurance rates for teens as they age results in a significant difference between a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old driver's premiums. Arizona's cheapest car insurance provider for 19-year-old male drivers is Travelers ($1,409 per year).
These premiums are for a 16-year-old insured under their parent's policy. Adding a teen to your policy is significantly less expensive than purchasing a separate insurance policy, and usually, it is illegal for a teen under 18 to buy auto insurance without a parent or guardian as a co-signor. A separate policy for a 16-year-old male in Arizona can cost $5,905 per year, as opposed to $3,011 if his parents add him to an existing policy — a $2,894 difference.
On average, car insurance rates for male teens tend to be significantly more expensive than for female teens because of their higher accident frequency. This rate difference is not as notable when drivers reach their 20s and beyond. — Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute
Most insurance companies provide discounts to students who attend school away from home without a vehicle on campus and those with good grades. GEICO and Nationwide require exceptional academic achievement for their student discounts.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona for Young Adults (September 2023)
The following are the cheapest auto insurance providers for Arizonians in their 20s:
- Root: $717 per year
- GEICO: $1,103 per year
The General offers the priciest auto insurance for young adults at $4,626 annually. In Arizona, drivers under 25 pay an additional $2 in annual auto insurance premiums compared with middle-aged drivers.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona for Seniors (September 2023)
The following insurance companies offer the lowest rates for senior drivers in Arizona:
- Root: $767 per year
- GEICO: $885 per year
The General charges seniors the most for auto insurance, about $3,300 annually.
The average annual increase in auto insurance premiums for drivers in Arizona over the age of 60 is roughly $52. And as drivers approach their 70s and 80s, rates tend to increase due to higher accident frequency.
Seniors in Arizona can get discounts from GEICO, Farmers and Allstate. Comparing quotes from numerous companies is the ideal method to discover affordable, competitive coverage because age is just one of several characteristics providers consider when calculating rates.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Higher Risk Drivers (September 2023)
In Arizona, Root provides the lowest rates for drivers with tickets, as well as for those with records of at-fault accidents and DUIs.
Car insurance companies frequently impose higher premiums for drivers with a history of violations. It is possible to gain access to less expensive insurance options by enrolling in state-approved driving courses and routinely checking your record.
Auto-Owners is most affordable for drivers with sports cars, and Root is cheapest for people with poor credit.
Cheapest after a ticket: Root ($877 per year)
Cheapest after an accident: Root ($895 per year)
Cheapest after a DUI: Root ($790 per year)
Cheapest for poor credit: Root ($910 per year)
Cheapest for sports cars: Auto-Owners ($934 per year)
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona After a Ticket
Drivers in Arizona who have a speeding ticket will find the cheapest full coverage insurance from the following providers:
- Root: $877 per year
- Auto-Owners: $935 per year
The General is the costliest car insurance, at $3,838 annually. After receiving a speeding ticket in Arizona, you might have to spend an average of $409 more for auto insurance.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona After an Accident
The cheapest full coverage auto insurance providers for Arizona drivers with an at-fault accident on their driving record are:
- Root: $895 per year
- GEICO: $1,356 per year
Drivers with at-fault accidents pay the highest premiums from The General, which averages $4,528 annually. In Arizona, having an at-fault accident record could result in a $774 yearly rate increase.
Accident forgiveness may stop your auto insurance rate from increasing after your first at-fault accident. It is available on auto policies from multiple insurers for an additional cost, while others, like GEICO, may give it to you at no cost for having a clean driving record. — Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona After a DUI
The cheapest selections for full coverage auto insurance in Arizona if you have a DUI on your record are:
- Root: $790 per year
- State Farm: $1,294 per year
CSAA provides the most expensive car insurance company for DUI drivers, costing about $4,168 a year. In Arizona, a DUI typically results in a $843 increase in your annual rate.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona for Drivers With Poor Credit (September 2023)
Arizona's cheapest auto insurance providers for people with bad credit are:
- Root: $910 per year
- GEICO: $1,367 per year
CSAA costs $21,178 yearly for auto insurance, which is more expensive than any other insurer if you have bad credit.
When insurers determine your rate, your credit score plays a significant role. If you have a credit score of less than 580, you may have to pay about $2,242 more for auto insurance in Arizona than someone with a credit score of at least 750.
Drivers with poor credit histories are more likely to file claims. Arizona, like other states, permits companies to check your credit history when establishing rates.
You can decrease your insurance costs over time by raising your credit score, but you can also look for insurers that give safe driver or other discounts.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona for Sports Cars (September 2023)
The following auto insurance companies in Arizona offer the lowest rates to sports car drivers:
- Auto-Owners: $934 per year
- GEICO: $990 per year
The General offers the most expensive auto insurance for sports car drivers, with an estimated yearly premium of $3,924.
Sports car insurance is typically (but not always) more costly than a policy for a conventional car because these vehicles have higher maintenance and replacement rates. Arizona sports car drivers pay an extra $148 in auto insurance premiums compared with a Toyota Camry LE.
The model of your car can have a significant impact on auto insurance costs. For the above quotes, MoneyGeek used a Ford Mustang. Sports, luxury and electric cars often cost more to insure than other vehicle models.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona for Military Drivers (September 2023)
Root offers the cheapest auto insurance for active-duty service members and veterans in Arizona, with an average annual cost of $715.
USAA also offers affordable auto insurance packages, at $816 per year, for families of military members. Customers with close military ties can access this company in every state. You can also consider GEICO — it has discounts available to active and retired military members and those in the Reserves or National Guard.

- $715 per year
- Ranks first out of 16 insurers for affordability
Like any auto insurer, Root provides common coverages like liability, comprehensive and collision coverages. However, the company does not offer any discounts.
Although Root does not provide unique coverages, it offers Lyft reimbursement under its rental car coverage.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arizona by City
The city and ZIP code where you live are variables affecting Arizona's auto insurance prices. Drivers who reside in areas where vandalism, theft and collisions occur more frequently are more likely to make insurance claims and pay higher premiums.
The city with the cheapest auto insurance in Arizona is Surprise, where Auto-Owners offers a policy for $906 a year. Root is the most affordable choice in Glendale, where a full coverage policy is about $1,162.
For a location-specific comparison of the typical auto insurance costs, see the list of Arizona cities below.
Car Insurance in Arizona: What You Need to Know
Drivers in Arizona are required to have liability coverage if they cause an accident and/or property damage or injury to others.
Arizona Car Insurance Requirements
To drive legally in Arizona, you only need to buy the minimum required insurance. Note that a minimum coverage policy will provide less financial security in the event of an accident. MoneyGeek advises buying as much liability coverage as possible for increased security.
Your insurance company must submit an SR-22 form to the Arizona Department of Transportation if you are charged with a significant traffic violation, such as operating a vehicle while your license is revoked or a DUI/DWI.
Bodily Injury Liability
In Arizona, the minimum insurance requirements are $25,000 for a single person injured or killed in an accident.
Property Damage Liability
Arizona mandates that drivers carry $15,000 in property damage liability coverage for each accident.
Compensation in the Event of an Accident
One of three options may be available to you if a car accident causes you harm or damages your car in Arizona:
- Submit a claim with your insurance provider, assuming you have collision coverage or personal injury protection.
- Submit a third-party claim to the at-fault driver's insurance provider.
- Bring a legal claim for personal harm against the negligent driver.
MoneyGeek suggests purchasing liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per injury and $300,000 per accident and raising property damage coverage to $100,000 for a better level of financial protection.
If you financed the purchase of your car or are leasing it, you might need to purchase comprehensive and collision insurance. Comprehensive insurance will pay for the necessary repairs or replacements if your car is damaged off-road, say by theft or vandalism. Collision insurance pays to repair or replace your car if it is damaged by another car, pole or tree.
Car Insurance Alternatives in Arizona
The Arizona Automobile Insurance Plan offers auto insurance to high-risk drivers who cannot purchase it on the open market.
A certificate of self-insurance is another way to meet Arizona's standards for auto insurance. The application must be notarized and include the following:
- Three-year accident/loss history (last three calendar years)
- Reserve funding amounts
- List of all pending claims
- Any of the following:
- A certified public accountant's balance sheet and current profit and loss statement (CPA).
- A $1 million bond with a surety company registered in Arizona for business purposes.
FAQs About Car Insurance in Arizona
Navigating your auto insurance options can be challenging, given the wide range of selections. Learn more about auto insurance in Arizona by reading our responses to frequently asked questions.
Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance in Arizona
To help you find credible and accurate insight on car insurance in Arizona, MoneyGeek received expert advice from trusted professionals. The perspectives and opinions expressed are those of the individual contributor.
- What are the key factors drivers in Arizona should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?
- What steps can drivers in Arizona take to find affordable car insurance?
Account Manager

President at TruView Insurance Group
About Mark Fitzpatrick

sources
- Arizona Department of Transportation. "Certificate of Self-Insurance Application." Accessed December 13, 2022.
- Nolo. "Arizona Car Insurance Laws." Accessed December 13, 2022.