in Scottsdale, Arizona costs an average of $950 a year for a liability-only policy and $2270 a year for full coverage. The cheapest car insurance company for most drivers who purchase full coverage is Mile Auto.

Average cost of car insurance in Scottsdale, AZ

On average, Scottsdale car insurance is about 3.5% cheaper than the

Arizona

state average and around 14.5% cheaper than the national average. Here’s how that breaks down per month.

Coverage type	Scottsdale	Arizona	United States
Full coverage	$189	$239	$265
Minimum coverage	$79	$92	$114
All coverage	$177	$183	$202

The best car insurance companies in Scottsdale, AZ

Jerry has surveyed over 18,000 drivers to find out what customers do and don’t like about their insurance companies. Here are some of the ones that received the highest ratings in Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area.

Clearcover—Top-rated mobile app

Years in business: 7

Jerry user rating: 4.6 stars

AM Best rating: A-

Average annual full coverage premium: $1224

Clearcover is a relatively new company, but they’re making waves in the insurance industry with their claims AI technology and innovative mobile app. Customers like the low rates and convenient policy options.

Dairyland—Low rates for high-risk drivers

Years in business: 57

Jerry user rating: 4.3

AM Best rating: A+

Average annual full coverage premium: $3289

Dairyland offers affordable non-standard insurance policies to high-risk drivers who may have a history of violations or insurance lapses on their driving record. They also offer a variety of coverage options, including insurance for motorcycles and ATVs.

Mercury—Best for overall savings

Years in business: 62

Jerry user rating: 4.3

AM Best rating: A

Average annual full coverage premium: $1302

Mercury is known for providing low rates across a number of driver profiles, including drivers with violations on their record. Drivers also love that they can customize their policies with mechanical breakdown coverage and rideshare insurance.

Progressive—Excellent customer service

Years in business: 86

Jerry user rating: 4.2

AM Best rating: A+

Average annual full coverage premium: $1390

Progressive is one of the largest insurance companies in the nation, and their reviews make it easy to understand why. Customers love the top-tier service they get if they need assistance—and the company’s generally low prices, variety of discounts, and customizable policies don’t hurt either.

Recent trends in Scottsdale car insurance prices

Car insurance in Scottsdale may be a little cheaper than the state average, but premiums are on the rise across the nation. In Arizona, average premiums went from around $1,768 in January 2022 to $3,134 in December 2023—an increase of 77%.

While inflation is one of the main forces behind the nationwide increase in car insurance, regional factors like population growth and an increase in serious car accidents may cause your Scottsdale rates to go up even more.

Learn more:

Here’s why car insurance rates are going up right now

Population density

According to the 2010 census, Scottsdale’s population averaged about 1182 people per square mile. In 2020, that number was 1311 people per square mile.1

More people living in an urban area means more traffic on the roads—and that means more opportunities to get into an accident every time you get behind the wheel. Auto insurance providers often charge higher premiums to drivers who live in heavily populated areas, so as Scottsdale grows, your rates may continue to climb.

Increased collisions

In 2022, traffic accidents in Maricopa County (where Scottsdale is located) made up 71% of all collisions in Arizona, and 52% of all fatal crashes.2

While this number also accounts for accidents in Maricopa County cities like Phoenix and Glendale, insurers are likely to raise rates for all drivers in the area to offset the higher risk of driving there.

Learn more:

What is a collision deductible waiver?

Inflation and supply issues

The rising price of medical bills and labor costs coupled with difficulty sourcing parts for repairs means insurers are having to pay more for claims right now. Those costs get passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums.

What is the minimum car insurance required in Arizona?

Arizona’s minimum insurance requirements state that all drivers must carry liability insurance with at least the following limits:

Bodily injury liability

: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Property damage liability

: $15,000 per accident

Insurance companies in Arizona must offer $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) as part of your policy. You can decline the coverage if you don’t want to keep it, but this valuable protection is typically worth the added cost on your premium.

Learn more:

Arizona’s car insurance requirements

Liability vs. full coverage: Which should you get in Scottsdale?

In Scottsdale, the cost of state minimum liability coverage averages about $950 a year, or $79 a month. This coverage is more affordable, but it offers limited protection—it will only pay for other drivers’ damages after an accident that you cause.

The cost of full coverage in Scottsdale averages about $2,270 a year, or $189 a month. While it costs more in the short term,

full coverage

—which combines collision and comprehensive coverage—will provide crucial financial protection if you have to file a claim due to a car accident, theft, vandalism, fire, flood, falling objects, and more.

If you have a car loan or you lease your vehicle, your lender will likely require you to carry full coverage as part of your financing agreement.

The best auto insurance companies for state minimum liability coverage

If you’re shopping for a minimum liability policy, Metlife, Mile Auto, and Travelers provide some of the lowest average rates in Scottsdale.

Insurance company	Average annual rate
Metlife	$295
Mile Auto	$370
Travelers	$439
Kemper	$444
Berkshire Hathaway	$501
State Auto	$521
Direct Auto	$532
National General	$532
Nationwide	$540

The best auto insurance companies for full coverage

For a full coverage policy, drivers in Scottsdale found the lowest rates on average with Mile Auto, Clearcover, and Progressive.

Insurance company	Average monthly rate
Mile Auto	$1241
Clearcover	$1303
Progressive	$1541
Mercury	$1645
CSE	$1654
Nationwide	$1655
Travelers	$1723
Kemper	$1689
Sun Coast General	$1791

Optional add-on coverage

To ensure your car insurance policy fully meets all of your insurance needs, consider adding some or all of the following coverages:

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)

: UM/UIM will help pay injury-related expenses for yourself and your passengers if you’re injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver or a driver whose liability insurance doesn’t cover your costs.

Medical payments coverage (MedPay)

: MedPay will help pay for medical care if you or your passengers are injured in an accident, regardless of fault.

Rental reimbursement

: Rental reimbursement will help cover the cost of a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop for a covered repair.

Towing and labor

: Also known as roadside assistance, towing and labor will come to your aid if you run out of gas, lock your keys in your car, or need a jumpstart or tow.

Gap insurance

: If you total your financed car while you still owe more than it’s worth, gap insurance will help pay the difference between the remainder of your loan and your car’s payout value.

Penalties for driving without insurance in Scottsdale

If you’re caught driving without insurance in Arizona, the consequences could include:

$500 fine

Suspension of your driver’s license for three months

For a second violation within 36 months, the penalties increase to:

$750 fine

Suspension of your driver’s license for six months

Suspension of your vehicle’s plates for six months

For third and subsequent violations, you could face:

$1,000 fine

Suspension of your driver’s license for one year

Suspension of your vehicle’s plates for one year

You’ll also have to prove that you have auto insurance before your license can be reinstated, and you may be required to file an SR-22 certificate for three years.3

Learn more:

Can you get arrested for driving without car insurance?

What affects the cost of car insurance in Scottsdale, AZ?

Cost of car insurance is influenced by numerous factors:

Age

In general, teens and young adults pay the highest auto insurance rates due to their inexperience behind the wheel. Rates start to fall once a driver reaches the age of 25, and they’ll typically be lowest when a driver is in their 40s and 50s.

This table shows the average rate paid by Scottsdale drivers in different age groups.

Age group	Monthly average insurance rate
18-21	$181
22-25	$238
26-34	$185
35-44	$154
45-54	$128
65+	$139

Learn more:

Find cheap car insurance for teenagers

Household makeup

You’ll typically pay more for each driver and vehicle you add to your policy. However, you may also qualify for discounts for insuring multiple vehicles with the same insurer, which could help offset some of the additional cost.

Here are the average rates paid by drivers in Scottsdale for insuring one or more vehicles.

Number of cars in household	Average annual full coverage rate
1	$2677
2	$2858
3	$3531
4+	$4267

Learn more:

How to find multi-car insurance quotes online

Housing situation

In Scottsdale, home owners pay almost 24% less on average than people who rent—but why?

Insurers often see homeownership as a sign of financial stability and responsibility, which in turn means an overall lower risk to insure. Additionally, homeowners may be able to bundle their home insurance with their auto insurance, which can help them save even more.

	Average annual insurance rate
Homeowners	$2075
Non-homeowners	$2720

Learn more:

The best home and auto insurance bundles of 2023

Credit score

In most states, including Arizona, insurers are permitted to use a driver’s

credit-based insurance score

as a factor when setting rates.

Because data shows that drivers with Good or Excellent credit are less likely to file insurance claims, car insurance companies charge less for their premiums. In fact, drivers with Excellent credit pay 115% less on average than drivers with Poor credit. 4

In Scottsdale, here’s what drivers pay on average based on their credit scores:

Credit range	Average annual rate in Scottsdale, AZ
< 600	$153
601 to 699	$160
700+	$110

Learn more:

How to build your credit score without applying for a credit card

Vehicle

The car you drive can have a significant impact on your insurance premiums. Here are the average costs of insuring Arizona’s top three most popular vehicles:

Model	Monthly average of minimum liability	Monthly average of full coverage
Chevy Silverado	$86	$166
Ram 1500	$98	$187
Ford F-150	$83	$152

Of course, a brand-new Chevy Silverado equipped with the top-tier High Country trim package is going to cost more to insure than a ten-year-old Silverado Work Truck. To keep your insurance costs low, consider skipping aesthetic packages and only choose the optional features you really need.

Learn more:

The cheapest cars to insure in 2023

ZIP codes

Insurers look at a variety of location-specific factors when setting insurance prices, including auto theft rates, frequency of collisions, and the average cost of claims. Here’s what drivers pay on average for the most and least expensive ZIP codes in Scottsdale:

Most expensive:

ZIP	Average monthly insurance rate
85262	$1,086.00
85257	$984.11
85256	$974.18
85250	$922.96
85251	$849.12

Least expensive:

ZIP	Average monthly insurance rate
85266	$294.77
85258	$531.35
85254	$568.39
85262	$564.71
85258	$590.01

Driving record

Having violations on your driving record can cause your insurance costs to skyrocket. Here’s what drivers pay on average with and without violations.

Coverage type	Clean record	Violations
Annual cost of coverage	$2,120	$2589
Monthly cost of coverage	$177	$216

SR-22 insurance in Scottsdale, AZ

While a single speeding ticket might not cause your rates to go up much, more serious violations—like DUIs or driving without insurance—can have serious consequences that go beyond just an increase in your premiums.

If you’re charged with a serious driving violation, your license could be suspended, and to get your driving privileges reinstated, you may be required to file an SR-22 form with the state that verifies you have at least the state minimum insurance.

Having an SR-22 requirement alerts insurance companies that you’re a high-risk driver, and as a result, you’ll have to pay significantly higher-than-average insurance costs as long as the requirement is in place.

The best way to save on your Scottsdale SR-22 insurance is to shop around for quotes with non-standard providers that specialize in policies for drivers with violations on their record.

Learn more:

Non-standard car insurance for high-risk drivers

How to find affordable car insurance in Scottsdale, AZ

With car insurance costs on the rise, it’s more important than ever to take advantage of every possible way to save. Use these tips to find the lowest available rates the next time you shop for car insurance in Scottsdale:

Work with a broker: While an insurance agent might only work with one insurance company, a broker like

Jerry

can shop for rates with a number of insurers, better positioning them to find low rates on your behalf.

Increase your deductible: Choosing a

higher deductible

will lower your car insurance premium, making it an easy way to save. Just make sure to select a deductible you’ll be able to pay on short notice if you have to file a claim.

Improve your driving record: Having a clean driving record will help you earn lower rates and it can qualify you for car insurance discounts. An easy way to become a better driver is to track your driving with the Jerry app—you’ll get a free driving score and personalized tips to improve behind the wheel.

Look into discounts: Insurers don’t always advertise all the ways drivers can save, so it may be worth doing a little digging to make sure you’re enrolled in all of the

car insurance discounts

you qualify for.

Bundle multiple insurance products: If you

bundle your auto insurance

with your homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance, you may be able to save on each policy.

Learn more:

How to shop for car insurance like a pro in 2024

FAQs

How much is car insurance in Scottsdale, AZ?

The average auto insurance policy in Scottsdale is about $177 a month—around $79 a month for minimum liability insurance and around $189 a month for full coverage.

How much is car insurance per month in Arizona?

Auto insurance coverage in Arizona averages around $183 a month—about $92 a month for minimum liability insurance and $240 a month for full coverage.

Who is known for the cheapest car insurance in Arizona?

There’s not any one insurer that offers the lowest rates to all drivers. Some drivers will find low rates with insurance carriers like Progressive, GEICO, Allstate, and State Farm, while others will save with smaller insurance agencies like Metlife and Clearcover.

Why is Arizona auto insurance so high?

While car insurance costs are on the rise across the US, auto insurance rates in Arizona are actually about 10.5% cheaper than the national average.

What are the top-rated auto insurance companies in Scottsdale, AZ?

Customers in the Scottsdale area gave especially high ratings to Clearcover, Travelers, Mercury, and Progressive.

Methodology

All premium data in this article comes from real car insurance quotes obtained through the Jerry app and analyzed by our editorial team. Jerry’s data scientists analyzed over 25 million real quotes issued to users in Jerry’s proprietary database. Jerry is partnered with 55+ insurance companies in 48 states.

Unless otherwise stated, all data represents the average of the lowest quoted price at time of writing for a currently insured single driver between the ages of 35 and 65 with a clean driving record and a single vehicle.

Minimum coverage refers to policies with the following coverage limits:

Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident

Property damage liability: $15,000 per accident

Full coverage refers to policies that contain at least the minimum liability required by law in Arizona along with comprehensive and collision insurance with deductibles of either $500 or $1,000.

Sources

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/scottsdalecityarizona/PST045222

https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/2023-07/2022-Crash-Facts.pdf

https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/04135.htm

https://consumerfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Official-CFA-Credit-Score_2023-FINAL-REPORT.pdf

Meet our experts

Maria Cruz

Expert Insurance Writer & Editor

Maria is an insurance writer with over 10 years of experience as a professional writer. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2023, she worked at various online publications like Nimble Media, Factinate.com, and served as editor-in-chief at The Medium. She holds a double major in English and Professional Writing and Communications.

Amy Bobinger

Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Editor

Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars.

Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.

Josh Damico

Head Of Insurance Operations

18+ Years Experience in Insurance

Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.

*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.