If you’re looking for cheap car insurance quotes in Arizona, shopping around is key. Rates fluctuate from one company to the next, and based on personal factors such as age, ZIP code and credit history.
It’s a lot to keep track of, but NerdWallet has done the hard part for you. We tested rates from the seven largest insurers in the state and found the three cheapest options for these categories:
Cheapest for good drivers
For drivers with no at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations; range of average prices: $842 to $2,392
Price
- $842/year
Price
- $873/year
price
- $1,213/year
The average for good drivers among the three cheapest companies was $976 a year. Both USAA and Geico scored average rates well below that, however. USAA has acclaimed customer service, though the company’s products are available only to active or retired military and their families. Geico, for about $3 more per month, offers similar coverage and discounts, and is one of the most well-known names in the industry.
Cheapest for young drivers
For drivers in their early 20s; range of average prices: $303 to $772
Price
- $303/year
Price
- $303/year
price
- $469/year
Young drivers can often get by with less coverage than many others on the road, as those in their early 20s usually don’t have fancy cars, pricey assets or large families to protect. Geico and USAA notched identical average rates in our study at just $303 per year. However, it’s hard to go wrong with any of the three cheapest options; all were under $40 a month.
Cheapest for families with one teen driver
For middle-aged couples with one teen driver; range of average prices: $1,010 to $16,913
Price
- $1,010/year
Price
- $3,040/year
Price
- $3,216/year
Teens bring more accident risk to their parents’ policy — and usually higher premiums. Those who qualify for the military-affiliated USAA are in luck, as their average rates were more than $2,000 a year lower than the next closest competitor. With rates going over $16,000 on the high end of our study, all parents should compare as many estimates as possible to avoid getting a raw deal. Also look for discounts aimed at teen drivers, like those for getting good grades or attending school away from home.
Cheapest for drivers with poor credit
For drivers placed in the lowest credit tier as determined by the industry; range of average prices: $1,275 to $2,205
Price
- $1,275/year
Price
- $1,316/year
Price
- $1,622/year
Insurers see your credit as a useful indicator of future claims and may charge more from those with poor credit. Arizonans are definitely not immune to these increases. The two cheapest companies in this category — USAA and Geico — both charged over $400 a year more than they did for good drivers with no credit issues.
Cheapest for retired drivers
For drivers in their mid- to late 60s who no longer use their car for commuting; range of average prices: $788 to $2,392
Price
- $788/year
Price
- $871/year
price
- $1,037/year
Retired drivers can bank savings thanks to their reduced time behind the wheel. This group scored relatively cheap car insurance in Arizona in our test, with USAA again leading the way with an average quote of $788 a year. For those who don’t qualify for USAA, Geico makes a solid choice as well, and had competitive sample rates: about $7 a month more.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Arizona
Arizona drivers must carry liability insurance, which kicks in if you’re at fault in a crash to help cover others’ property damage and injury treatment.
The minimum limits you must select are:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
Keep in mind, a severe accident could easily leave you owing more than, say, $10,000 in repairs to another driver’s car. In that case, the remaining amount would have to come out of your hard-earned savings. For that reason, experts recommend getting more than the bare minimum, as well as common optional features such as collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist coverage.
Check out NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for help understanding and improving your Arizona policy.
Alternative car insurance in Arizona
Arizona is one of several states that form the Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans (WAAIP). High-risk drivers who are denied coverage through the open market can seek car insurance through WAAIP’s network of insurers.
Try our handy comparison tool to view rates from top companies side by side and possibly save hundreds on your premium.
METHODOLOGY
For most categories, NerdWallet averaged rates from the largest insurers for 30-year-old men and women in 10 ZIP codes and with liability limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and $50,000 in property damage (100/300/50). Uninsured motorist coverage limits were set at 100/300. We used a 2012 Toyota Camry in all cases.
To test rates for families with teen drivers, we requested quotes for a 46-year-old female and 47-year-old male with a 16-year-old son. Our sample retired driver was 67 and drove 50% fewer annual miles than other groups. Our sample young driver was 22 and carried the minimum required coverage. These are sample rates — your own rates will differ.
Alex Glenn is a staff writer for NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: aglenn@nerdwallet.com
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