Arizona Minimum Coverage Car Insurance: Requirements and Costs (2024)


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Updated: May 20, 2024

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Arizona's state minimum car insurance requirements include a bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident, alongside $15,000 for property damage liability. Arizona follows an at-fault insurance system, meaning the driver who causes the accident is responsible for the damages. Therefore, having at least the minimum coverage auto insurance is not just a recommendation but a legal imperative.

The monthly cost for the minimum coverage auto insurance in Arizona hovers around $44. Drivers should also assess their needs and consider if additional coverage is necessary. Drivers looking to explore their options further, will be served well with details on the minimum car insurance requirements and advice on obtaining the cheapest car insurance in Arizona.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? MoneyGeek analyzed data from Quadrant Information Services and the Arizona department of insurance to give you the most accurate cost data for a range of Arizona drivers.

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These rates reflect the cost of minimum coverage car insurance requirements in Arizona as of June 2024.

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Arizona Minimum Coverage Car Insurance Requirements

In Arizona, the minimum car insurance coverage that drivers must have to legally operate a vehicle includes:

  • $25,000 for bodily injury liability per person.
  • $50,000 for bodily injury liability per accident.
  • $15,000 for property damage liability per accident.

Arizona operates under a fault insurance system, where the driver deemed at fault for an accident is responsible for covering the damages through their insurance provider. Being a fault state affects your premiumbecause insurance providers consider the likelihood of paying out claims based on the fault assigned in accidents.

Your insurance coverage is therefore particularly important to protect you financially in case you're found at fault in an accident. Without adequate coverage, you could be personally liable for costs exceeding your policy limits.

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ARE COLLISION AND COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE REQUIRED IN ARIZONA?

Arizona does not mandate collision and comprehensive insurance as part of its minimum auto insurance requirements. But lenders and leasing companies usually require these coverages to protect their financial interests in the vehicle you're financing or leasing. When you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, collision insurance covers damages from accidents, while comprehensive insurance protects against non-collision events such as theft, vandalism or natural disasters.

Therefore, Arizona drivers with financed or leased vehicles are typically required by their lender to carry both collision and comprehensive coverage. If you own your vehicle outright, the choice to add collision or comprehensive insurance is optional and should be based on your personal need for financial protection against potential damages.

What Does Minimum Coverage Cover?
What Liability Insurance Covers
What Liability Insurance Doesn't Cover

Injuries to others if you are at fault in an accident

Your injuries

Damage to another person’s property if you are at fault in an accident

Damages to your car

Some coverage for injuries caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers, depending on your policy

Property damage caused by uninsured/underinsured drivers unless additional coverage is purchased

Repairs for weather-related accidents or if you were hit by an animal

The table reflects the Arizona state minimum car insurance requirements, including bodily injury and property damage coverage. Specific coverage details are governed by the terms of your personal insurance policy.

Average Cost of Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Arizona

Age is among the most significant factors influencing the cost of minimum coverage car insurance. In Arizona, drivers aged 22 to 29 face the highest premiums, likely because they are considered less experienced and more prone to accidents compared with other age groups.

The table below presents the average minimum coverage cost in Arizona by age group.

60 +Annual Premium$530Monthly Premium$44
22-29Annual Premium$662Monthly Premium$55
30-59Annual Premium$522Monthly Premium$44

Cheapest Companies for Minimum Coverage Car Insurance in Arizona

The most affordable companies providing minimum coverage auto insurance in Arizona are

  • Mercury: $387 per year; $32 per month
  • Auto-Owners: $423 per year; $35 per month

Saving on car insurance is important, but also consider selecting the right coverage tailored to your specific needs by weighing the best car insurance options in Arizona to secure protection that aligns with your personal situation.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Age Group:
Age Group:30-59
MercuryAnnual Premium$387Monthly Premium$32
Auto-Owners Insurance CoAnnual Premium$423Monthly Premium$35
Root Insurance CompanyAnnual Premium$446Monthly Premium$37
GEICOAnnual Premium$493Monthly Premium$41
State FarmAnnual Premium$528Monthly Premium$44
Country FinancialAnnual Premium$533Monthly Premium$44
Iowa Farm BureauAnnual Premium$587Monthly Premium$49
TravelersAnnual Premium$587Monthly Premium$49

Optional Add-On Coverages in Arizona

In Arizona, optional add-on coverages include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, medical payments coverage and rental reimbursement. These coverages offer additional protection for circumstances like accidents with drivers who lack sufficient insurance, vehicle theft or damage from natural disasters.

Choosing the right add-ons to complement your state minimum coverage can safeguard your finances. To figure out how much car insurance you need, consider your circumstances and the potential risks you face on the road.

Add-On Coverage
What It Covers
What It Doesn't Cover

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Medical expenses, lost wages and repair costs if you're hit by a driver with no or insufficient insurance.

Damage to your vehicle if you are at fault or damages that exceed policy limits.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Medical expenses, lost income and funeral costs for you or your passengers regardless of who's at fault.

Vehicle damage or injuries to the other driver.

Roadside Assistance

Services like towing, flat tire changes and jump-starts when your car breaks down.

Cost of parts or repairs needed after the tow.

Gap Insurance

Pays the difference between your car's current value and what you still owe if it's totaled or stolen.

Vehicle depreciation or overdue loan payments.

Rental Car Reimbursement

The cost of a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered event.

Fuel, insurance or other rental extras.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Arizona

The cost of a ticket for driving without insurance in Arizona can vary, especially if it's not your first time being caught. For a first offense, the penalties include a fine and possible suspension of driving privileges. If you're caught again, the consequences grow stricter and may include even higher fines.

  • Vehicle impoundment with associated fees – Your vehicle may be held somewhere, adding extra fees to retrieve it.
  • Vehicle registration suspension – The state may suspend your car's registration.
  • Driver's license suspension with a reinstatement fee – Your driving privileges may be taken away for a period.
  • Mandate to carry an SR-22 certificate – You could be mandated to carry this certificate as proof of future financial responsibility.

Driving with at least the minimum coverage is a legal requirement in Arizona. Keeping up with insurance laws protects you, your vehicle and everyone on the road. Not staying insured can lead to punishments that affect your finances and freedom to drive. Stay on the right side of the law to avoid these severe penalties.

What to Do if Your Policy Is Canceled

If your car insurance policy is canceled in Arizona, immediately stop driving and seek new insurance coverage to avoid the legal consequences of driving uninsured. Contact your insurance agent to understand why your policy was canceled and to explore if it can be reinstated or if you'll need to find a new provider. Maintain at least the minimum car insurance coverage as required by law.

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will be notified of your lack of insurance through the state's electronic insurance verification system. If you continue to drive without insurance, you could face penalties, including fines, license suspension and vehicle impoundment.

To obtain new coverage after a cancellation, shop around for insurance quotes from different companies. In Arizona, there is no specific government program like TexasSure for drivers struggling to get insured. But Arizona car owners may look into the Arizona Automobile Insurance Plan, which helps high-risk drivers get the required coverage.

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WHY WAS MY POLICY CANCELED?

Your car insurance policy in Arizona may have been canceled for several reasons:

  • Non-Payment: Failing to pay your premiums on time can result in cancelation.

  • License Suspension: If your driver's license is suspended, your policy may be canceled.

  • Fraud: Providing false information or committing fraud can lead to a policy being voided.

  • Too Many Claims: Filing too many claims in a short period might flag you as high-risk, causing cancellation.

  • Moving Out of State: Insurers can cancel your policy if you move to a state where they don't operate.

Maintaining your policy includes keeping your information up to date and driving responsibly.

FAQ: Arizona Minimum Coverage Car Insurance

Here, you'll find concise answers to common questions about Arizona's state minimum car insurance requirements.

What is the minimum car insurance coverage in Arizona?
Why does Arizona require minimum automobile liability coverage for motorists?
Do you need comprehensive insurance in Arizona?
What happens if you drive uninsured in Arizona?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick 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.