Cheap Car Insurance in Arkansas (2023)

Whether you consider yourself an Arkansan or an Arkansawyer, you’ll likely get moderately priced car insurance in Arkansas. The Bear State has the 28th most-expensive car insurance rates in the country. Drivers pay an average of $214 per month. 

Arkansas drivers looking for cheap car insurance can compare quotes to find the best possible rate. 

Best cheap car insurance in Arkansas: State Farm

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State Farm

Best Cheap Car Insurance in Arkansas

The cheapest car insurance provider in Arkansas is State Farm: The company’s average monthly premium of $74 is more than $100 cheaper than the overall average cost of car insurance in the state. Other top insurers with affordable rates in Arkansas include Travelers, GEICO, and Allstate.

Insurify Composite Score (ICS)

To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company. 

Inputs to the score include financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch, J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, and user-generated company reviews.

What to know about minimum car insurance requirements in Arkansas

Arkansas requires insurance for all vehicles that operate on or are parked on state roadways. If you drive in Arkansas, you’ll need to carry proof of insurance in your car at all times. You’ll need to present your proof of insurance when:

• A law enforcement officer asks you for it

• You want to renew your vehicle registration

• The insured vehicle is involved in an accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Arkansas^[1] are:

• $25,000 per person/ $50,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Arkansas is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who’s responsible for the collision is also responsible for paying for any resulting expenses, either through their car insurance provider or out of pocket.

• $25,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

Arkansas DMV information

Every driver in Arkansas will need to visit their local department of motor vehicles (DMV) at one point or another, whether it’s to renew their driver's license, register a vehicle, or check the status of a title. At most DMVs across Arkansas, drivers can pre-register or make an appointment to avoid long wait times when visiting.

Public transportation in Arkansas

The most convenient way to get around Arkansas cities and travel around the state is by car, and most Arkansas residents drive to get from point A to point B. But some public transportation is still available — a daily bus service operates in various cities, such as Little Rock, as well as a Rock Region METRO system.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Arkansas

Everyone’s situation differs, and insurers consider factors like age, credit score, driving record, and annual mileage when determining insurance rates. But you can take some steps to ensure you get the cheapest offer available to you, including:

• Compare quotes from different car insurance companies to find the cheapest and best policy for your unique needs.

• Ask about discounts you may qualify for. Some insurers offer discounts for cars with certain safety features, for students with good grades, for bundling car and home insurance, or for people who don’t drive much in a year.

• Choose a higher deductible. Generally, a higher deductible equates to a lower insurance premium. Just be sure you can afford to cover the cost of your deductible if an accident occurs.

• Improve your credit score. Many states allow insurance companies to consider credit scores when establishing insurance rates.

• Choose a vehicle that’s less expensive to insure. High-value vehicles may be more costly to insure, while cars with anti-theft features could qualify for discounts.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Arkansas

Generally, drivers have two options for types of insurance — full-coverage or liability-only auto insurance. Often also called “minimum coverage,” liability-only insurance pays for the other driver’s damages and injuries if you cause an accident. You might choose liability-only insurance if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

Full-coverage insurance includes basic liability and adds in collision and comprehensive coverage. These option coverages pay for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. 

Full-coverage insurance is usually more expensive than liability only, but if you’re leasing your car or have an auto loan, your lender or lease company will likely require you to have it. You might also choose full coverage if you have a high-value car that would be expensive to repair, or if you couldn’t afford to make any repairs out of pocket.

The following table shows average monthly rates in Arkansas by policy type.

How your driving history affects Arkansas car insurance rates

If you have a violation on your driving record, such as a speeding ticket, an at-fault accident, or a DUI, you’ll likely pay higher insurance premiums than drivers with clean records. Insurance providers use your driving history to help determine your rate, and drivers with a history of violations tend to get higher rates. The table below shows the cheapest rates for Arkansas drivers based on their driving history.

See More: High-Risk Car Insurance Arkansas

SR-22 insurance in Arkansas

An SR-22 is a special form that you may be required to file in order to get back on the road if you have a DUI on your record. Your car insurance company needs to issue the SR-22 to prove that you are financially responsible. The companies listed below, and many more, can help you get SR-22 insurance in Arkansas.

How credit scores affect Arkansas car insurance quotes

Credit history can also be a factor in your car insurance costs. Drivers with good or excellent credit scores tend to see lower monthly rates than drivers with poor credit. Historically, drivers with excellent and good credit tend to account for fewer paid claims than drivers with a bad credit history.

How your city affects Arkansas car insurance quotes

Even within the same state, drivers will see variations in car insurance costs between cities. For example, drivers in Springdale see average monthly rates as low as $221, while drivers in Pine Bluff can expect to pay nearly $300 per month on average.

How your age affects your Arkansas car insurance rates

Your age is one of the most significant factors in determining your car insurance rates. Young drivers (teen drivers and drivers younger than 25) will pay the highest monthly premiums due to their lack of experience behind the wheel. Drivers in their 50s, 60s, and 70s see lower rates and pay nearly $300 less for car insurance per month than teen drivers.

Cheap car insurance for young drivers

Although young drivers see the highest rates when compared to other age groups, teenagers and drivers in their 20s can still find affordable full-coverage car insurance. Some of the cheapest car insurance companies for young drivers in Arkansas are Travelers, Nationwide, and Progressive.

Cheap car insurance for middle-aged drivers in Arkansas

Middle-aged drivers see much lower premiums than young drivers and can likely find affordable full-coverage or liability-only car insurance. A full-coverage policy will likely cost more than one that provides the minimum required coverage, but driving infractions can increase premiums. 

Cheap car insurance for senior drivers in Arkansas

When senior drivers reach their 70s and 80s, they can see slightly higher rates than middle-aged drivers. Still, they can still find very affordable coverage. Travelers offers the lowest average rates for full-coverage car insurance in Arkansas for senior drivers, but you should always compare quotes to find the best rate.