Best Car Insurance in Arkansas

Last Updated on May 10, 2021

The average driver in the United States pays around $1,350 per year for car insurance. In Arkansas, the average driver pays $1,643 per year, according to our model driver portfolios.

Drivers in Arkansas pay higher rates for car insurance than the average driver in America. However, there are still plenty of ways to save on insurance. By comparing quotes, taking advantage of discounts, and shopping for customized rates, you can pay as little as $500 per year for car insurance in Arkansas.

Best Car Insurance in ArkansasWant to find the best car insurance in Arkansas? Looking for the best insurer for your unique needs? Keep reading to discover the best car insurance in Arkansas.

Table of Contents:

Top 10 Auto Insurance Companies in Arkansas

Arkansas drivers have plenty of options for car insurance. You can choose large, nationwide firms that offer competitive rates and extensive amenities. You can also choose independent agents who recommend locally-based providers while providing better customer service.

Based on our model driver portfolios, here are the best car insurance companies in Arkansas:

1. USAA

If you qualify for membership in USAA, then you can get some of the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas. USAA membership is open to members of the military and their families. USAA charges less than $300 per year for minimum liability insurance in Arkansas. For full coverage car insurance, the average USAA policyholder pays around $1,259 per year, according to the average across our model driver portfolio, which is hundreds of dollars less than the statewide average.

2. State Farm

Consistently one of the cheapest in America, State Farm is also America’s largest insurance company. The company insures thousands of drivers across Arkansas. Premiums start at around $1,398 per year for full coverage car insurance, according to our model driver portfolio. State Farm also offers a variety of auto insurance discounts to help drivers save even more on their premiums.

3. Southern Farm Bureau Casualty

Available throughout Arkansas and neighboring states, Southern Farm Bureau Casualty is one of the state’s most popular car insurance companies. Southern Farm Bureau represents the interests of farmers across the state, although membership is now open to anyone. Expect to pay around $1,402 per year for full coverage car insurance with Southern Farm Bureau Casualty in Arkansas.

4. GEICO

GEICO is typically one of the cheapest car insurance companies in most states. Although GEICO is not the cheapest car insurance company overall in Arkansas, it could be the cheapest depending on your unique needs and circumstances. The average driver pays around $1,453 per year for full coverage car insurance with GEICO in Arkansas.

5. Progressive

Progressive is one of America’s largest car insurance companies, and the company has a strong presence in Arkansas. Progressive charges drivers around $1,459 per year for full coverage car insurance in Arkansas. However, they’re particularly affordable for minimum liability insurance, charging drivers as little as $398 per year.

6. Farmers

Farmers is another top 10 car insurance company in the United States based on its customer base. The average Farmers customer in Arkansas pays around $1,511 per year for full coverage car insurance. Farmers also has its attractive Signal program, which helps drivers save money on auto insurance by installing a driver tracking app.

7. Nationwide

Nationwide covers thousands of drivers across Arkansas, charging around $1,539 per year for full coverage car insurance, according to the average quote across our model driver portfolios.

8. Shelter

Shelter is a mutual insurance company serving drivers across Arkansas and other states in the region. Shelter has top ratings for customer service and claims satisfaction, making them a popular choice across Arkansas. Although they don’t offer rock-bottom rates, Shelter charges slightly higher prices for significantly better service. Expect to pay around $1,578 per year for full coverage car insurance with Shelter in Arkansas.

9. Allstate

Allstate has all of the amenities of a large insurance company with the pricing to match. Although it’s not the cheapest in Arkansas, Allstate remains competitive for drivers and homeowners seeking to bundle their policies together. Drivers in Arkansas pay roughly $1,585 per year for full coverage auto insurance with Allstate in Arkansas, although drivers who take advantage of discounts pay significantly less.

10. Auto-Owners

Although not as well-known as other insurance companies on this list, Auto-Owners Insurance providers car insurance to drivers across Arkansas, charging competitive rates while also offering unique coverage options – like gap coverage. Expect to pay around $1,598 per year for full coverage car insurance with Auto-Owners in Arkansas.

Arkansas Insurance Requirements

Arkansas has similar car insurance requirements to other states. Drivers must maintain a certain minimum amount of bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage to legally drive.

Arkansas requires drivers to carry a minimum of a 25/50/25 liability insurance policy, which includes:

  • $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
  • $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident
  • $25,000 of property damage liability coverage

Any insurance policy you buy in Arkansas will meet these minimum insurance requirements. Many drivers choose to exceed these requirements for added peace of mind.

Driving Without Insurance in Arkansas

Driving without insurance in Arkansas is illegal. You could face fines, suspension of driving privileges, vehicle impoundment, and other penalties.

Despite these penalties, thousands of Arkansas drivers go without insurance. Arkansas has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the United States.

If you are caught driving without insurance in Arkansas, then you could face all of the following penalties:

First & Second Offenses: $50 to $500 fine (unless you present proof of insurance within 10 days), license plate removal, registration suspension, vehicle impoundment (only if involved in an accident), proof of insurance or SR-22 requirement, $20 reinstatement fee, and towing and storage fees (only if involved in an accident).

Third & Subsequent Offenses: Mandatory $500 to $1,000 fine, up to 1 year in jail (or a combination of a fine and prison sentence), license plate removal, registration suspension, vehicle impoundment (only if involved in an accident), proof of insurance or SR-22 requirement, $20 reinstatement fee, towing and storage fees (only if involved in an accident).

You could be caught without insurance during a traffic stop in Arkansas. You might also be caught without insurance after an accident. If the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicle (OMV) determines you are driving illegally without insurance, then you could face the penalties listed above.

Car Insurance in Arkansas with DUI

DUIs are expensive in every state, and Arkansas is no exception. If you have one or more DUI convictions in Arkansas, then you could be considered a high-risk driver. Some drivers may need to obtain car insurance from a specialty, high-risk provider. Other drivers may need to pay higher rates from a conventional provider.

Fortunately, insurers treat DUI convictions differently. The best car insurance companies in Arkansas for drivers with a DUI include:

  1. USAA: $1,993 per year
  2. GEICO: $2,091 per year
  3. Progressive: $2,110 per year
  4. State Farm: $2,197 per year
  5. Auto-Owners: $2,222 per year

Car Insurance in Arkansas with At-Fault Accidents

An at-fault accident is expensive in Arkansas. Most insurers raise rates by 30% to 80% after a single at-fault accident. If you have multiple at-fault accidents on your driving record or other serious incidents, then you could pay even more for car insurance.

However, some insurers continue to offer competitive rates even with an at-fault accident on your record, including the following insurers:

  1. USAA: $1,713 per year
  2. GEICO: $1,891 per year
  3. Progressive: $1,909 per year
  4. State Farm: $2,097 per year
  5. Allstate: $2,101 per year

Car Insurance in Arkansas with Speeding Tickets

Speeding tickets are relatively minor offenses compared to DUIs and at-fault accidents. However, many insurers raise rates significantly after one or more speeding tickets – especially if it’s a ticket for excessive speeding.

Some insurance companies treat speeding tickets seriously. Others ignore one or more minor speeding tickets:

  1. USAA: $1,462 per year
  2. GEICO: $1,572 per year
  3. State Farm: $1,574 per year
  4. Progressive: $1,582 per year
  5. Southern Farm Bureau Casualty: $1,599 per year

Car Insurance in Arkansas for Young Drivers

Young drivers in Arkansas always pay more for car insurance. Statistically, you’re riskier to insure than any other driver on the road. Young drivers in Arkansas are responsible for more accidents than drivers in any other state.

However, some insurers welcome young drivers into their pool as a way to balance risk. Good insurance companies manage risk by insuring low-risk and high-risk drivers, creating a balanced pool.

The best insurance companies in Arkansas for young drivers include:

  1. USAA: $2,083 per year
  2. GEICO: $2,101 per year
  3. Southern Farm Bureau Casualty: $2,183 per year
  4. State Farm: $2,190 per year
  5. Progressive: $2,599 per year

Car Insurance in Arkansas with Poor Credit

Drivers with poor credit scores are the riskiest drivers to insure. Yes, insurance companies in Arkansas (and most other states) check your credit score before assigning car insurance. If you have a bad credit score, then you could be considered a high-risk driver. That means higher rates for car insurance even if you have a clean driving record.

Some insurance companies put a lower weight on credit scores than others. Consider requesting a quote from the following car insurance companies if you have a low credit score:

  1. Southern Farm Bureau Casualty: $1,802 per year
  2. USAA: $1,831 per year
  3. Nationwide: $1,893 per year
  4. State Farm: $2,099 per year
  5. GEICO: $2,187 per year

SR-22 Insurance in Arkansas

Certain drivers are required to maintain SR-22 insurance. The Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicle (OMV) may send a letter notifying you of an SR-22 requirement. Some drivers require SR-22 insurance after a lapse in insurance coverage. Others require it after a DUI, at-fault accident, or other serious incidents.

Most ordinary insurance companies can provide SR-22 insurance. SR-22 insurance is a certificate from your insurer verifying you meet minimum insurance requirements in Arkansas.

Once the OMV verifies your SR-22 certificate, you can continue to drive legally. You have valid insurance coverage, and you have the same rights and protections as other drivers.

Expect to pay significantly higher rates for SR-22 insurance in Arkansas. On average, you will pay $1,032 more per year for SR-22 insurance than you would for normal car insurance. For most drivers, the OMW requires you to carry this car insurance for 3 to 5 years without a lapse in coverage.

Compare SR-22 insurance quotes online today. If you have multiple high-risk incidents on your record, then you may need to contact a high-risk auto insurance company and obtain a quote.

Conclusion: How to Find the Best Auto Insurance in Arkansas

Arkansas has higher rates for car insurance than the nationwide average. However, by shopping for car insurance, taking advantage of customized rates, and using discounts, Arkansas drivers can reduce the cost of car insurance substantially.

Compare insurance quotes online today to find the best auto insurance provider in Arkansas.