Best Cheap Car Insurance in Arizona for 2019

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance quotes in Arizona, shopping around is key. Rates fluctuate from one company to the next, based in part 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 looked at rates from the nine largest insurers in the state and found the cheapest options for several categories.

» FIND YOUR MATCH: Who’s the cheapest carrier for you?

Cheapest for good drivers

State Farm was the cheapest carrier we found for Arizonans with clean driving and credit records, at roughly $102 per month, on average. Esurance and American Family came in second and third, respectively, at very similar prices.

For this calculation, NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-old men and women with a clean driving record and good credit. With the exception of age, a large portion of drivers are closest to this profile, which carries standard "full coverage" insurance, including state-required coverage.

Cheapest for drivers with poor credit

Geico had the cheapest insurance rates we found for Arizona drivers with spotty credit, at about $174 per month, on average. American Family and Esurance also make the list, both coming in under $200 per month, on average.

Poor credit can have a bigger effect on car insurance premiums than even a DUI conviction or a recent accident. To calculate these figures, NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-olds with a clean driving record, poor credit as reported to their insurer, and standard "full coverage" insurance.

Cheapest for drivers with one at-fault crash

State Farm had the lowest auto insurance rates in Arizona, on average, for drivers with a recent accident on record — $122 per month. Geico comes in second and American Family comes in third, a full $100 per month more expensive than State Farm, on average.

To get these figures, we averaged rates for 40-year-olds with one recent at-fault crash and the typical "full coverage" insurance. Your rates will remain high for three to five years after you cause an accident or have a moving violation. If you fall into this category, be sure to shop for new insurance rates just after the three-year and five-year anniversaries of your infraction.

Cheapest for low-mileage drivers

State Farm was the cheapest insurer for low-mileage Arizona drivers, at $91 per month, on average. American Family and Geico also make the list.

Whether you're retired, work at home or often use public transportation, you may be able to get cheaper car insurance simply because you drive less. The rates above are for 40-year-olds with typical "full coverage" insurance and a clean driving record who drive 5,000 miles per year instead of the standard 12,000.

Honorable mention: Low-mileage drivers

Metromile is a company that targets drivers who clock few annual miles, often providing the cheapest rates for these drivers. We can’t get rate estimates because this company charges a monthly base rate, plus a per-mile rate each month. But the less you drive, the less you pay, and a road trip here or there won’t break the bank — the company won’t charge you for more than 250 miles per day.

Cheapest for minimum coverage

Geico was the cheapest carrier we found for minimum coverage auto insurance in Arizona at $41 per month, on average. State Farm and Progressive round out the list, all three contenders with average prices of $50 or less for bare-bones coverage.

We calculated these numbers by averaging rates for 40-year-old good drivers who have only the minimum mandatory insurance in their state. Such light coverage isn't typically recommended, since it might not cover all the bills resulting from a car accident, but it's better than nothing — especially if you can't afford much more.

Cheap for military families

If you’re an active member of the military or a veteran — or have an immediate family member who is — chances are good you’ll get a cheaper-than-average rate with USAA, an option that isn’t available to the general public. USAA offered the cheapest sample quote for every driver type listed above — sometimes by a significant amount.

Minimum required auto insurance in Arizona

Arizona drivers must carry liability insurance, which pays out if you’re at fault in a crash to help cover others’ property damage and injury treatment.

The minimum liability limits you must select to drive legally in Arizona 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

High-risk drivers who are denied coverage through the open market can seek car insurance through the Arizona Automobile Insurance Plan.

Try our handy comparison tool to view rates from top companies side by side and possibly save hundreds on your premium.

Here’s a summary of where you’ll find the cheapest insurance, by category: