Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas (August 2024)
Updated: September 13, 2024
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In Arkansas, Southern Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance for drivers looking for minimum coverage and for many driver types. Depending on the driver, Nationwide, Travelers or USAA could be more affordable.
If you want to balance cost and service quality, we also ranked the best car insurance in Arkansas.
CheapestCar InsuranceArkansasTable of Contents
Why Trust MoneyGeek? Our team gathered the most recent data from the Arkansas Insurance Department and Quadrant Information Services to find Arkansas’ cheapest car insurance policies for various driver profiles.
These rates reflect the cheapest car insurance quotes in Arkansas as of August 2024.
On average, MoneyGeek’s research shows Arkansas’ cheapest auto insurance companies for minimum coverage policies are:
Dairyland offers the most expensive minimum coverage car insurance in Arkansas, costing approximately $1,017 per year. Minimum coverage car insurance in Arkansas covers bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
| Southern Farm Bureau | $288 | $24 |
| State Farm | $344 | $29 |
| Nationwide | $377 | $31 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $387 | $32 |
| Progressive | $411 | $34 |
| Travelers | $453 | $38 |
| AAA | $469 | $39 |
| Alfa | $482 | $40 |
| GEICO | $498 | $42 |
| Shelter | $506 | $42 |
| Farmers | $519 | $43 |
| Hanover | $567 | $47 |
| Home State Ins Group | $602 | $50 |
| Allstate | $637 | $53 |
| Dairyland | $1,017 | $85 |
A minimum coverage car insurance policy will only pay for damage you cause other people. It won’t reimburse you for the repair or replacement costs of your car. Comprehensive and collision insurance, also known as full coverage, provides broader protection and extends coverage to your vehicle.
Find the Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for You
Your preferences and insurance requirements impact your car insurance rates. The table above lists the most affordable auto insurance premiums for minimum coverage in Arkansas.
Learn more about how much car insurance you need.
MoneyGeek analyzed the best car insurance providers in Arkansas based on affordability and service quality.
We evaluated the average price of auto insurance in Arkansas for various driver profiles to help you understand how specific factors affect premium prices.
These providers have Arkansas’ cheapest full coverage car insurance:
Dairyland’s full coverage policy is the most expensive in Arkansas at approximately $2,485 per year.
Your auto insurance premiums will increase if you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage. With Southern Farm Bureau, you’ll pay $483 more for full coverage than minimum coverage. Despite its higher cost, a full coverage policy provides more protection for on and off-road incidents.
| Southern Farm Bureau | $771 | $64 |
| Travelers | $952 | $79 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $975 | $81 |
| State Farm | $989 | $82 |
| Nationwide | $1,009 | $84 |
| GEICO | $1,145 | $95 |
| Shelter | $1,149 | $96 |
| Farmers | $1,152 | $96 |
| Allstate | $1,160 | $97 |
| AAA | $1,203 | $100 |
| Alfa | $1,379 | $115 |
| Home State Ins Group | $1,652 | $138 |
| Progressive | $1,664 | $139 |
| Hanover | $1,789 | $149 |
| Dairyland | $2,485 | $207 |
The amount of car insurance you need impacts your premiums. Our sample full coverage policy features the following liability limits:
If you want to save on your car insurance costs, you can get lower liability limits, remove comprehensive and collision coverage or increase your deductible. However, these strategies may leave you with inadequate coverage.
You can get quotes online from most auto insurance companies. However, it can take you roughly 15 minutes to get an estimate from each company. Consequently, comparing rates can take a lot of time as it requires you to go through the same process multiple times.
With MoneyGeek’s car insurance calculator, you can estimate your car insurance costs quickly without having to obtain quotes from several providers. You can use it as a starting point to find the cheapest auto insurance for your profile.
MoneyGeek's car insurance calculator will give you a customized estimate of your auto insurance cost. It's free to use, requires no personal information and we won't send you any spam.
Rates updated:
Oct 23, 2024
Although MoneyGeek partners with some of the companies we recommend, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of writers, editors and licensed agents. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Your age is a key factor that determines how much you pay for car insurance in Arkansas. On average, Nationwide and Southern Farm Bureau have the lowest prices for various age groups and family members.
Cheapest for teens: Nationwide
Cheapest for young adults: Southern Farm Bureau
Cheapest for seniors: Southern Farm Bureau
These companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas on average for teens on their parent’s policy:
Conversely, Auto-Owners has the priciest car insurance for young drivers. Its policies cost approximately $3,051 for male teens and $3,004 for female teens. These rates reflect inclusion in their parent’s policy.
Wherever you are in the U.S., teens' car insurance rates decrease as they become older. Among this age group, 19-year-olds have the cheapest rates. In Arkansas, the provider with the most affordable rates for 19-year-old males is Allstate ($1,425 per year).
Car insurance for teenagers is typically cheaper if they’re included on a parent's policy compared with buying their own policy. A 16-year-old male teen in Arkansas pays up to $2,988 less if they are included on their parent’s policy as opposed to getting their own coverage.
| Nationwide | $1,569 | $3,203 |
| Allstate | $1,576 | $5,933 |
| State Farm | $1,659 | $2,279 |
| Travelers | $2,045 | $3,381 |
| GEICO | $2,255 | $5,790 |
| Progressive | $2,625 | $7,888 |
| Farmers | $2,633 | $6,675 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $3,004 | $2,798 |
On average, car insurance rates for male teens tend to be significantly more expensive than for female teens due to their higher risk of accident frequency. This rate difference is not as notable when drivers reach their 20s and beyond. — Mark Friedlander, Director, Corporate Communications, Insurance Information Institute
If your family is insuring a teen, check if you qualify for discounts that may help lower your premium prices. Farmers, Progressive, State Farm, Travelers, Auto-Owners and Allstate all offer good student and distant student discounts, whereas GEICO and Nationwide just offer good student discounts.
On average, the most affordable car insurance companies in Arkansas for drivers in their 20s are:
Dairyland has the most expensive rates for the state’s young adults, with an average rate of $3,519 per year.
Generally, drivers in their 20s pay higher rates than their middle-aged counterparts. In Arkansas, the cheapest full coverage car insurance for young adults costs $277 more annually than for middle-aged drivers.
| Southern Farm Bureau | $943 | $79 |
| Hanover | $1,093 | $91 |
| Travelers | $1,112 | $93 |
| State Farm | $1,255 | $105 |
| Nationwide | $1,258 | $105 |
| Allstate | $1,259 | $105 |
| GEICO | $1,333 | $111 |
| Farmers | $1,369 | $114 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,382 | $115 |
| AAA | $1,485 | $124 |
| Shelter | $1,727 | $144 |
| Alfa | $1,853 | $154 |
| Home State Ins Group | $2,006 | $167 |
| Progressive | $2,038 | $170 |
| Dairyland | $3,519 | $293 |
MoneyGeek’s research shows that these providers have the cheapest average car insurance in Arkansas for senior drivers:
Dairyland has the most expensive rates for older adults in Arkansas, at approximately $2,617 per year.
On average, senior drivers in Arkansas pay $124 less for car insurance compared with middle-aged drivers. However, rates usually increase once drivers reach their 70s and 80s.
| Southern Farm Bureau | $701 | $58 |
| Hanover | $814 | $68 |
| Shelter | $874 | $73 |
| State Farm | $884 | $74 |
| Travelers | $906 | $75 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $910 | $76 |
| Nationwide | $928 | $77 |
| GEICO | $1,058 | $88 |
| Farmers | $1,060 | $88 |
| AAA | $1,092 | $91 |
| Allstate | $1,218 | $102 |
| Alfa | $1,330 | $111 |
| Progressive | $1,527 | $127 |
| Home State Ins Group | $1,696 | $141 |
| Dairyland | $2,617 | $218 |
If you’re a senior, you might be qualified to get a discount to reduce your car insurance rates. Allstate, Farmers, GEICO and Shelter all offer discounts for senior drivers.
Southern Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas for drivers with speeding tickets, a DUI, and at-fault accidents. Alfa is the cheapest provider for drivers with poor credit, and Travelers is the most affordable provider for sports car drivers.
Cheapest after a ticket: Southern Farm Bureau ($852 per year)
Cheapest after an accident: Southern Farm Bureau ($1,026 per year)
Cheapest after a DUI: Southern Farm Bureau ($947 per year)
Cheapest for poor credit: Alfa ($1,348 per year)
Cheapest for sports cars: Travelers ($926 per year)
According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, these companies offer the most affordable car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket:
Dairyland has the priciest car insurance if you have a speeding ticket, at around $3,502 per year. On average, car insurance premiums for Arkansas drivers with a speeding ticket are $335 more expensive than drivers with clean records.
| Southern Farm Bureau | $852 | $71 |
| State Farm | $1,098 | $92 |
| Hanover | $1,284 | $107 |
| GEICO | $1,286 | $107 |
| Nationwide | $1,305 | $109 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,315 | $110 |
| Travelers | $1,317 | $110 |
| Allstate | $1,335 | $111 |
| Farmers | $1,459 | $122 |
| AAA | $1,692 | $141 |
| Home State Ins Group | $1,715 | $143 |
| Shelter | $2,040 | $170 |
| Alfa | $2,063 | $172 |
| Progressive | $2,236 | $186 |
| Dairyland | $3,502 | $292 |
MoneyGeek’s analysis shows that drivers with at-fault accidents on their records can find the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas from these providers:
Dairyland offers the most expensive policy for drivers with at-fault accidents, at roughly $3,956 per year. If you have an at-fault accident on your record, car insurance premiums are $608 more than someone with a clean driving record.
| Southern Farm Bureau | $1,026 | $85 |
| State Farm | $1,186 | $99 |
| Hanover | $1,302 | $109 |
| Travelers | $1,369 | $114 |
| Allstate | $1,560 | $130 |
| Farmers | $1,618 | $135 |
| Nationwide | $1,699 | $142 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,710 | $143 |
| GEICO | $1,714 | $143 |
| AAA | $1,912 | $159 |
| Home State Ins Group | $2,024 | $169 |
| Alfa | $2,271 | $189 |
| Shelter | $2,290 | $191 |
| Progressive | $2,960 | $247 |
| Dairyland | $3,956 | $330 |
If you have a DUI on your record, the least costly options for full coverage auto insurance in Arkansas are:
Dairyland has the highest annual premium for drivers with a DUI, at about $2,867. With a DUI on your record, you can expect a $509 increase in your annual rate in Arkansas.
| Southern Farm Bureau | $947 | $79 |
| State Farm | $1,098 | $92 |
| GEICO | $1,358 | $113 |
| Hanover | $1,420 | $118 |
| Allstate | $1,509 | $126 |
| Travelers | $1,527 | $127 |
| Farmers | $1,575 | $131 |
| Home State Ins Group | $1,767 | $147 |
| AAA | $1,900 | $158 |
| Progressive | $1,920 | $160 |
| Nationwide | $2,086 | $174 |
| Alfa | $2,155 | $180 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $2,285 | $190 |
| Shelter | $2,692 | $224 |
| Dairyland | $2,867 | $239 |
On average, drivers with poor credit can find the cheapest auto insurance in Arkansas from:
Hanover offers the most expensive option for drivers with poor credit, at $3,847 annually. On average, you pay $885 more for your car insurance in Arkansas if you have poor credit than someone with a credit score above 750.
| Alfa | $1,348 | $112 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $1,436 | $120 |
| Nationwide | $1,461 | $122 |
| Travelers | $1,528 | $127 |
| Home State Ins Group | $1,652 | $138 |
| Allstate | $1,704 | $142 |
| GEICO | $1,705 | $142 |
| Farmers | $1,722 | $143 |
| Shelter | $2,025 | $169 |
| AAA | $2,049 | $171 |
| Progressive | $2,650 | $221 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $2,837 | $236 |
| State Farm | $3,137 | $261 |
| Dairyland | $3,654 | $304 |
| Hanover | $3,847 | $321 |
Insurance companies found that drivers with lower credit scores are more likely to file insurance claims, so they tend to charge higher rates. Although this practice is illegal in some states, it’s legal in Arkansas.
Improving your credit may reduce your insurance premiums over time. Meanwhile, you can save money now by shopping around and taking advantage of common discounts.
If you’re driving a sports car, you can get the lowest average car insurance rates in Arkansas from:
Dairyland has the most expensive car insurance option in Arkansas for sports car drivers, at roughly $2,959 per year.
Generally, auto insurance is more expensive if you’re driving a sports car. This is because insurance companies view sports car drivers as riskier to insure. Sports car drivers in Arkansas will pay around $186 more than a Toyota Camry driver.
| Travelers | $926 | $77 |
| Farmers | $1,073 | $89 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance Co | $1,094 | $91 |
| Nationwide | $1,211 | $101 |
| State Farm | $1,229 | $102 |
| Allstate | $1,237 | $103 |
| GEICO | $1,432 | $119 |
| Progressive | $2,193 | $183 |
| Dairyland | $2,959 | $247 |
MoneyGeek used a Ford Mustang as the sample sports car in this study, but premiums may vary significantly depending on the model. Luxury, electric and sports car insurance is typically more expensive than other vehicle types.
USAA offers the cheapest car insurance for veterans and active-duty military members in Arkansas at $730 annually. Exclusive to military families, USAA is known for its affordable plans, financial stability and high customer satisfaction.
USAA offers a military discount, allowing those who have served our country to enjoy additional savings on their auto insurance.
Your car insurance cost is affected by your address. If you live in a neighborhood with a high incidence of theft, vandalism or accidents, insurance companies will see you as riskier to insure and charge you higher premiums.
MoneyGeek’s research shows that Southern Farm Bureau offers the cheapest full coverage car insurance in Little Rock at around $1,052 per year.
| Little Rock | Southern Farm Bureau | $1,052 |
Most states require that drivers have bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. Arkansas is no exception, and drivers must carry certain limits in order to meet the state’s minimum requirements.
In Arkansas, you’re required to get the state’s minimum required insurance. This includes bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.
A minimum coverage policy is cheaper, but it offers less protection in an accident. It’s generally smart to get as much liability coverage as you can afford.
Additionally, if you’ve been involved in repeated or severe driving violations, you might be required to get an SR-22. This could also increase the cost of your coverage.
Bodily Injury Liability
Arkansas requires you to purchase liability coverage, which pays for hospital and other expenses if you’ve been found to be at fault in an accident. As a minimum, you need to get limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. However, if your costs exceed those amounts, you’ll pay the remainder out of pocket.
Property Damage Liability
You’re required to buy property damage liability of at least $25,000 in Arkansas. This insurance covers the damage that you cause to another person’s property. It’s a good idea to have enough coverage so that you won’t have to pay for repair or replacement costs in case of an accident.
When it comes to car insurance, we suggest that you get $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 in property damage insurance per accident.
If you’re financing your vehicle, you might be required to get comprehensive and collision coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for the cost of repairing or replacing your car after a covered off-road accident. Collision insurance takes care of your expenses if your vehicle is damaged by a crash with another vehicle or an object.
If you’re driving a high-value car, we recommend getting comprehensive and collision insurance.
There are no car insurance alternatives in Arkansas. Nonetheless, if your application has been declined by three insurance providers, the Arkansas Automobile Insurance Plan (AAIP) can help you get auto insurance.
AAIP is the state’s residual market for drivers who are unable to get coverage through regular insurance markets. It offers insurance for all kinds of vehicles and drivers, including high-risk motorists.
Since AAIP only accepts applications from licensed insurance agents, we recommend that you reach out to an agent first.
If you need coverage but don’t have a car, you can also look into non-owner car insurance options in the state.
If you’re looking for auto insurance, you might have questions about cost and quality. MoneyGeek answered some common questions about car insurance in Arkansas to help you begin your search.
Southern Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas for drivers looking for minimum and full coverage. Travelers is the most affordable for those with sports cars, and Alfa is the cheapest for drivers with poor credit. The average cost of car insurance in Arkansas is $1,245.
If you prioritize affordability, the cheapest car insurance might suit you. However, minimum coverage offers limited protection and could lead to out-of-pocket costs in an accident. For a better balance of price and coverage, consider Auto-Owners, the overall best car insurance provider in Arkansas.
To help you find credible and accurate insight on car insurance in Arkansas, MoneyGeek received expert advice from trusted professionals. The perspectives and opinions expressed are those of the individual contributor.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick is a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer and MoneyGeek's Head of Insurance. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. He has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
