In Arkansas, Southern Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance for drivers looking for minimum or full coverage, as well as for young adults and motorists with accidents and DUIs. But depending on the driver, Nationwide or Auto-Owners could be more affordable.
If you’re looking to balance cost and service quality, we also ranked the best car insurance in Arkansas.
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Cheapest Minimum Liability Car Insurance in Arkansas (September 2023)
On average, MoneyGeek’s research shows Arkansas’ cheapest auto insurance companies for minimum coverage policies are:
- Southern Farm Bureau: $261 per year
- State Farm: $311 per year
Conversely, Dairyland offers the most expensive minimum coverage car insurance in the state, costing approximately $935 per year.
Minimum coverage car insurance in Arkansas covers bodily injury liability and property damage liability.
A minimum coverage car insurance policy will only pay for damages you cause other people. It won’t reimburse your repair or replacement costs for your own car. Comprehensive and collision insurance, also known as full coverage, provides broader protection and extends coverage to your vehicle.
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Cheapest Full Coverage Car Insurance in Arkansas (September 2023)
MoneyGeek’s research indicates that these providers have Arkansas’s cheapest full coverage car insurance, on average:
- Southern Farm Bureau: $684 per year
- Auto-Owners: $769 per year
Dairyland’s full coverage policy is the most expensive in Arkansas at approximately $2,238 per year.
Your auto insurance premiums will increase if you purchase comprehensive and collision coverage. You’ll pay $423 more if you choose Southern Farm Bureau’s full coverage insurance instead of its minimum coverage policy.
Despite its higher cost, a full coverage policy provides more protection as it covers on- and off-road incidents.
The amount of car insurance you need impacts your premiums. Our sample full coverage policy features the following liability limits:
- $100,000 in bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
- $100,000 in property damage liability per accident
If you want to save on your car insurance costs, you can:
- Get lower liability limits
- Remove comprehensive and collision coverage
- Increase your deductible
However, these strategies may leave you with inadequate coverage.
How to Compare Cheap Arkansas Car Insurance Quotes Online
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.
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Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas by Age (September 2023)
Your age is a key factor that determines how much you pay for car insurance in Arkansas. Allstate and Southern Farm Bureau have the lowest prices on average for various age groups and family members.
Cheapest for teens: Allstate
Cheapest for young adults: Southern Farm Bureau
Cheapest for seniors: Southern Farm Bureau
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas for Teens and Their Families (September 2023)
MoneyGeek’s analysis shows that the following companies offer the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas on average for teens on their parent’s policy:
- Allstate: $1,689 per year for male teens and $1,576 per year for female teens
- Nationwide: $1,771 per year for male teens and $1,569 per year for female teens
Conversely, Auto-Owners Insurance Co 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.
On average, car insurance rates for male teens tend to be significantly more expensive than for female teens. This rate difference is not as notable when drivers reach their 20s and beyond.
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 Insurance Co and Allstate all offer good student and distant student discounts, whereas GEICO and Nationwide just offer good student discounts.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas for Young Adults (September 2023)
On average, MoneyGeek’s research shows that the most affordable car insurance companies in Arkansas for drivers in their 20s are:
- Southern Farm Bureau: $836 per year
- Hanover: $842 per year
Dairyland has the most expensive rates for the state’s young adults, with an average rate of $3,166 per year.
Generally, drivers in their 20s pay higher rates than their middle-aged counterparts. In Arkansas, car insurance with Southern Farm, the cheapest option for middle-aged drivers, is approximately $152 more expensive for young adults.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas for Seniors (September 2023)
MoneyGeek’s research shows that these providers have the cheapest average car insurance in Arkansas for senior drivers:
- Southern Farm Bureau: $621 per year
- Hanover: $627 per year
Dairyland has the most expensive rates for older adults in the state, at approximately $2,361 per year.
On average, senior drivers pay $63 less for car insurance from State Farm compared with middle-aged drivers. State Farm is the cheapest insurer for middle-aged drivers. However, rates usually increase once drivers reach their 70s and 80s.
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.
Cheapest Car Insurance for Higher Risk Drivers (September 2023)
Insurance companies usually charge higher premiums for drivers with traffic violations. MoneyGeek’s research found that Southern Farm Bureau offers the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas for drivers with at-fault accidents, DUIs and speeding tickets.
Drivers with poor credit can find the best deals with Nationwide. Auto-Owners provides the lowest options for those with sports cars.
Cheapest after a ticket: Southern Farm Bureau ($756 per year)
Cheapest after an accident: Southern Farm Bureau ($910 per year)
Cheapest after a DUI: Southern Farm Bureau ($841 per year)
Cheapest for poor credit: Nationwide ($1,224 per year)
Cheapest for sports cars: Auto-Owners ($859 per year)
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas After a Ticket
According to MoneyGeek’s analysis, these companies offer the most affordable car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket, on average:
- Southern Farm Bureau: $756 per year
- State Farm: $964 per year
Dairyland has the priciest car insurance if you have a speeding ticket, at around $3,158 per year.
On average, car insurance premiums for Arkansas drivers with a speeding ticket are $302 more expensive compared with drivers with clean records.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas After an Accident
MoneyGeek’s analysis shows that drivers with at-fault accidents on their records can find the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas from these providers, on average:
- Southern Farm Bureau: $910 per year
- Hanover: $999 per year
Dairyland insurance is the most expensive, at roughly $3,567 per year.
If you have an at-fault accident on your record, you may have to pay up to $544 more for car insurance compared with someone with a clean driving record.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas After a DUI
On average, the cheapest car insurance companies in Arkansas for drivers with a DUI are:
- Southern Farm Bureau: $841 per year
- Hanover: $999 per year
Conversely, at approximately $3,567 per year, Dairyland has the most expensive car insurance for Arkansas drivers with a DUI.
MoneyGeek found that having a DUI can increase your car insurance rates by around $449 per year.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas for Drivers With Poor Credit (September 2023)
On average, MoneyGeek’s analysis shows that drivers with poor credit can find the cheapest auto insurance in Arkansas from:
- Nationwide: $1,224 per year
- Alfa: $1,227 per year
Meanwhile, Dairyland’s approximately $3,288 per year premium is the most expensive for drivers with poor credit.
On average, you may pay about $758 more for your car insurance in Arkansas if you have poor credit compared with someone with an above-750 credit score.
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.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas for Sports Cars (September 2023)
If you’re driving a sports car, you can get the lowest average car insurance rates in Arkansas from:
- Auto-Owners: $859 per year
- Farmers: $879 per year
Meanwhile, Dairyland’s roughly $2,658 per year rate is the most expensive car option in the state.
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 $139 more than a Toyota Camry driver.
Although we used a Ford Mustang as the sample sports car in this study, premiums may vary significantly depending on your car model. Generally, car insurance for luxury, electric and sports cars are more expensive compared with other car types. However, this can vary between states.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas for Military Drivers (September 2023)
If you’re a veteran or an active-duty military member, USAA offers the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas at $550 per year.
Exclusive to military families, USAA is notable for plans that are affordable and financially stable with high customer satisfaction.

- $550 per year
- Ranks first out of 18 providers in terms of affordability
You can further reduce your car insurance costs by taking advantage of USAA’s numerous discount opportunities. It offers a bundling discount, which offers you savings if you bundle your auto insurance with your home or renters insurance. Additionally, taking an approved driver safety course will also result in a discount.
Cheapest Car Insurance in Arkansas by City
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, Arkansas, at $936 per year.
Click to learn more about the city’s car insurance rates.
Car Insurance in Arkansas: What You Need to Know
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.
Arkansas Car Insurance 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.
Car Insurance Alternatives in Arkansas
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.
FAQs About Car Insurance in Arkansas
It’s common to have inquiries about cost and quality if you’re in the market for an auto insurance policy. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about car insurance in Arkansas to help you start your search.
Expert Advice on Finding Cheap Car Insurance 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.
- What are the key factors in Arkansas should look for when searching for the best auto insurance coverage?
- What steps can drivers in Arkansas take to find affordable car insurance?

Assistant Professor of Finance, Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas

Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service
About Mark Fitzpatrick

sources
- AIPSO. "Arkansas Automobile Insurance Plan." Accessed December 14, 2022.