What car insurance costs in Arizona

Arizona's average premium in numbers

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports what insurers collected per insured car in each state. In 2023, its latest state data, the Arizona average expenditure was $1,344, up 16% from $1,155 in 2022. Expenditure includes liability-only cars; a car with liability, collision and comprehensive together had a combined premium of $1,504.

Liability, at $793, ran about 8% above the national figure, and comprehensive, at $275, about 16% above it. Collision came in a little below the U.S. average. The overall rise from 2022 (16%) was also faster than the national one (14%). Your quote depends on your own record, car and address; our page on how your driving record affects price explains one of the biggest levers.

Arizona's coverage requirements

Arizona's minimum liability is $25,000 for one person's injury or death, $50,000 for two or more people in one accident and $15,000 for damage to other people's property: 25/50/15. These limits apply to policies issued or renewed since July 1, 2020, under A.R.S. § 28-4009. The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) notes that your premium may rise to reflect the higher coverage.

• Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage must be offered to you in writing on a form approved by the director (A.R.S. § 20-259.01). Your declarations page records whether you bought or rejected it. The Insurance Research Council estimated 10.6% of Arizona drivers were uninsured in 2023.
• Collision, comprehensive and medical payments aren't part of the state minimum, though a lender will usually require physical damage coverage on a financed car.

If you buy uninsured motorist coverage, its limits can go as high as your bodily injury liability limits. Matching them costs more but protects you against a driver with too little insurance; see limits and deductibles for how to compare.

Credit and pricing in Arizona

Arizona allows insurers to use credit history but limits what goes into an insurance score (A.R.S. § 20-2110). Insurers may not count medical collection accounts, bankruptcies or satisfied liens more than seven years old, your total available line of credit, or the type of credit card you use unless it is actuarially justified. Income, gender, address, ZIP code, ethnic group, religion, marital status and nationality can't be used to calculate the score.

If an insurer takes adverse action based on your credit, it has to tell you the decision was based in part on a consumer report or the absence of credit history. Prices still vary a lot between companies; more on credit-based insurance scores.

Coverage when the market says no

A driver who can't get insurance from regular companies can apply to the Arizona Automobile Insurance Plan, the state's assigned-risk plan, administered by AIPSO. It serves applicants who can't obtain coverage in the voluntary market; its customer service line is (800) 227-4659. Rates are usually higher than in the regular market. Read our guide to assigned-risk plans before you apply.

Steps to a smaller Arizona premium

1. 1 Shop with identical limits. Ask two or three insurers to quote the same liability, uninsured motorist and deductible choices so the prices are comparable.
2. 2 Consider how you pay. Monthly plans can carry installment fees; the monthly vs. pay-in-full calculator shows the difference.
3. 3 Check your credit report. Because medical collections and old bankruptcies can't count in an Arizona insurance score, an error there is worth disputing.
4. 4 Complain if a company mishandles your policy. DIFI takes consumer complaints online and by phone at (602) 364-2499, weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Questions drivers ask