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Arizona is an at-fault (tort) state. Drivers must carry at least 25/50/15 in coverage, and the average full-coverage premium is $2,550 a year, 13% below the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what Arizona requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.
| Minimum coverage | 25/50/15 |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Average full coverage | $2,550 a year ($212 a month), 13% below the national average of $2,922 |
| Uninsured drivers | 10.6% (2023), the 37th highest rate of 51 |
| Filing after serious violations | SR-22 |
Arizona requires $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage liability (CarInsurance.com, "US State Minimum Liability Car Insurance Requirements," updated April 15, 2026).
The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.
The average full-coverage premium in Arizona is $2,550 a year, 13% below the national average of $2,922. That makes Arizona the 23rd cheapest of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).
Within Arizona, prices still vary a lot by ZIP code, driving record and car, and 10.6% of drivers on Arizona roads were uninsured in 2023, so the coverage you choose matters as much as the premium.
Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with Arizona preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.
Arizona uses pure comparative fault: your damages are reduced by your share of the blame, but you can still recover something even if you were mostly at fault. (Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026)
An estimated 10.6% of Arizona drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 37th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.
Every vehicle driven on Arizona roads must be covered by liability insurance from a company authorized in Arizona. Letting coverage lapse can lead to suspension of the vehicle registration and your driver's license, and reinstatement requires fees and future proof of financial responsibility filed with MVD. (Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, mandatory insurance FAQ)
For a first violation, the court must impose a civil penalty of at least $500, and MVD suspends or restricts your driving privileges for three months. Penalties and suspension periods increase for repeat violations. (Arizona Revised Statutes §28-4135)
A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in Arizona from $1,812 to $2,384 a year, an increase of 32% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).
Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.
Arizona uses the SR-22. Reinstating privileges after an insurance suspension requires filing future proof of financial responsibility with MVD, which your insurer files for you. (Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division)
Arizona uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):
Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.
A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)
See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.
For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in Arizona.
AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.
