Car insurance costs an average of $2,388 per year in Arizona. As auto insurance companies raise rates in response to inflation and record losses, it might seem hard to find affordable coverage—but it’s not impossible.

You won’t find a one-size-fits-all solution to car insurance in Arizona, but you can work with Jerry to find the best fit (and the best rate) for you.

How to get cheap car insurance in Arizona: A 5-step guide

Step 1: Gather your information

You’ll need basic information like your name, address, license plate and VIN numbers, plus more specific details, like whether you’ve had any tickets, claims, or accidents in the last five years.

Step 2: Get quotes

Insurance experts suggest getting insurance quotes from at least 3–5 insurance companies. By comparison shopping, you increase the chances of finding an insurer that offers low rates to drivers like you.

Step 3: Decide how much coverage you want

How much coverage you carry is ultimately up to you, but most drivers choose a level of protection somewhere between state minimum liability coverage and high-liability full coverage with added coverage options like roadside assistance and rental reimbursement.

State minimum coverage is automatically included in all Arizona car insurance quotes. Other coverages—including uninsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, and collision coverage—are optional.

How much auto insurance do you need in Arizona?

Consider raising your coverage level if you can afford it—a policy with 100/300/100 liability car insurance limits is ideal, but a 50/100/30 insurance policy offers better financial, and legal, protection than the minimum.

• If you have kids: Opt for higher liability limits and full coverage, along with medical coverage to supplement your health insurance.
• If you’re early in your career: Make sure your liability limits can cover your assets now and in the future.
• If you own your car: Comprehensive and collision coverage are a must—unless the annual cost of coverage is greater than your car’s replacement value.

Avoid state minimum coverage Liability-only insurance may be cheaper now, but it’s not cost effective for the long run since it offers no protections for you or your vehicle.

Step 4: Pick your coverage start date

Be sure your new policy will start before your old policy ends. If you have a gap in coverage—known as an insurance lapse—you’ll be uninsured if you get into an accident. You could also face fines, license suspension, suspension of your vehicle registration, and higher insurance rates when you reinstate your policy.

Step 5: Upload your documents

If you have auto loans, you’re a homeowner, or you’re hoping for a student discount, you may need to upload documents for verification.

Once that verification is complete, your new coverage will usually be activated the same day.

Learn more: The best way to shop for auto insurance in 2023

How Arizona insurance companies set car insurance rates

What you pay for car insurance is based on a variety of factors unique to you. These include things like demographics, zip code, driving record, vehicle type, and more.

But knowing what affects your insurance rates is only half the battle. Below, we’ll examine the “how” and “why” behind the impact your driver profile has on your Arizona car insurance costs.

Average rates:

• $2,388 per year for a full coverage car insurance policy
• $1,422 per year for a liability-only minimum coverage policy

Your credit score

Yes, credit scores do affect car insurance rates in Arizona. Drivers with good credit enjoy better car insurance rates.

Learn more: How car insurance companies calculate rates

Your age

Car insurance providers offer their lowest rates to low-risk age groups—like senior drivers aged 55 to 75—and their highest rates to high-risk age groups—like young drivers under 25.

Less driving experience = higher rates. Teenagers are generally considered high-risk drivers thanks to a fatal crash rate nearly 3x as high as older drivers.

Learn more: Find affordable car insurance for teen drivers

Where you live

Auto insurance rates have increased an average of 12.3% since 2018 in Arizona, and driver in cities like Phoenix, Tucson, and Mesa are suffering the most thanks to:

• Higher than average motor vehicle fatality rates: Arizona saw more than 1,170 fatalities related to motor vehicle crashes in 2022.
• Rapid population growth: As populations become more dense, especially in cities, the likelihood of accidents increases, driving up insurance coverage costs.
• Pricey cars: When the average value of vehicles goes up in an area, so does the average cost of insurance.

Your Arizona driving record

If you’re a good driver with a clean driving record, you’ll enjoy lower rates than drivers with points against their driver’s license.

If you’ve got a DUI, speeding ticket, at-fault accident, or other traffic violation on your Arizona driving history, you’ll probably be charged higher than average rates. Once on your record, these infractions remain for one to three years.

Learn more: Cheap car insurance for high-risk drivers (2024)

Your insurance history

Insurance providers consider you a high-risk driver if you had a car insurance lapse in the past—at some point in time, you were an uninsured motorist. Needless to say, a car insurance lapse can also raise your rates.

The best car insurance discounts for Arizona drivers

Car insurance discounts are a simple yet effective way to make even the most robust policy affordable. To maximize your savings, look for carriers that offer discounts for:

• Safe driving
• Bundling home and auto insurance
• Maintaining good grades in high school or college
• Paying your insurance premium in full
• Switching to digital policy documents and autopay

SAFE DRIVING SAVES MONEY
Avoid unsafe driving behavior like harsh braking, speeding, and phone use can lower the chance of a car accident and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle. It can also earn you an average insurance discount of 12%.

Track your driving with the Jerry app. Get your driving score today, earn perks for safe drivers, and qualify for discounted rates from some of Arizona’s best insurers.

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Arizona?

Regardless of what you may have read elsewhere, no one insurance company has the cheapest rates for every Arizona driver. Not only is every driver unique, but every carrier in Arizona uses its own methodology to calculate, quote, and set rates for customers.

The only way to find the best cheap car insurance in Arizona is to compare quotes tailored to your unique driver profile.

MEET OUR EXPERTS

R.E. Fulton

• Licensed Insurance Agent

R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views. As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.

Amy Bobinger

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

As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.

Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.

Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.