How Much Does Auto Insurance Cost in Arkansas?
- State minimum liability on average in Arkansas costs $59 a month or $768 a year. Full coverage auto policies costs around $260 a month or $3,117 a year in AR.
InsuranceQuotes cost rates are pulled from our real-time auto insurance database from recent quotes in Arkansas – Rates are based on a used car driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record. Read on to learn about the cheapest local rates filtered by insurance providers, new cars, vehicle types and age.
Which Auto Insurance Company is the Cheapest in Arkansas?
- In Arkansas the cheapest car insurance companies on average are Progressive, State Farm and Southern Farm Bureau. State minimum liability car insurance starts at $51 a month or $616 a year with Progressive. The cheapest full coverage car insurance starts at $225 a month or $2,701 a year with Southern Farm Bureau.
Here are the average policy rates from the cheapest local and national insurance providers in Arkansas from our cost database of used-car drivers who are single, middle aged and have a clean driving record:
| Insurance Company: | State Minimum: | SM Monthly: | Full Coverage: | FC Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $616 | $51 | $3,817 | $318 |
| State Farm | $634 | $53 | $2,750 | $229 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $651 | $54 | $2,701 | $225 |
| Allstate | $717 | $60 | $3,496 | $291 |
| Shelter Ins. Co | $1,105 | $92 | $4,374 | $365 |
State Minimum Liability Requirements
Arkansas law requires liability insurance on vehicles registered in Arkansas. If you own a car in the state, you must carry a minimum of:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Insurance companies must also offer you uninsured, underinsured, and personal injury protection. These cover you for things like your own personal injuries or damages to your personal property.
There are many auto insurance discounts for things like multi-car and multi-policy. Good students also receive discounts. Arkansas state law requires insurance companies to offer a discount to those 55 and older who complete a motor vehicle accident prevention course. The Office of Motor Vehicles must approve the course.
Average Cost for Car Insurance in Arkansas by County
If you are wondering how much the average cost for car insurance is in Arkansas, here is a breakdown of prices on policy rates by the different counties in AK:
| Costs by County: | Sedan: | SUV: | Coupe: | Truck: | Hybrid: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $875 | $698 | $920 | $732 | $866 |
| Ashley | $913 | $723 | $962 | $760 | $903 |
| Baxter | $828 | $660 | $873 | $694 | $818 |
| Benton | $866 | $702 | $912 | $736 | $857 |
| Boone | $869 | $699 | $914 | $733 | $860 |
| Bradley | $939 | $750 | $985 | $786 | $929 |
| Calhoun | $909 | $727 | $953 | $761 | $899 |
| Carroll | $848 | $678 | $893 | $712 | $839 |
| Chicot | $960 | $771 | $1,009 | $808 | $950 |
| Clark | $926 | $737 | $975 | $774 | $916 |
Finding Auto Insurance Resources in Arkansas
The Arkansas Insurance Department is a great resource for information. Arkansas state law requires insurance companies to complete a premium comparison survey. They have to show premiums charged for several typical varying scenarios. The Insurance Department publishes this information for all consumers. They also publish information on annual rate changes and a brochure that explains terms and types of coverage available. he best way to save on auto insurance is to use an auto insurance cost comparison site like insuranceQuotes to get the most affordable price on your auto insurance policy in Arkansas.
Other Auto Insurance Coverage in Arkansas
Uninsured motorists insurance gives you protection if you or a member of your household is hurt in an accident with someone who doesn’t have coverage. You can also get coverage to pay for property damage caused by an uninsured motorist. Underinsured motorists protection covers you for injuries if the person causing the accident doesn’t have enough to cover all the costs.
Arkansas maintains an Automobile Assigned Risk Plan. Your insurance agent can apply for you if you need it.
Moving to Arkansas: Important Information
If you move to Arkansas, you have 30 days to register your vehicle and get a driver’s license. You’ll need a copy of your current registration, proof of insurance, and the title or proof that a lender is holding the title. You must also show proof that you don’t owe property taxes on the vehicle.
To get an Arkansas license, you can simply surrender your current license and show proof of United States residency. As long as the license isn’t expired, you don’t have to take any exams. If your license is expired, you may have to take a vision exam, a written exam, and a road test.
Understanding Driving Laws in Arkansas
Arkansas uses an Administrative Point System to identify problem drivers. Points vary for different violations. A computer program searches all driver records to identify those that require action. For example, if your record comes up with 10-13 points, you receive a warning letter. If your record shows more than 14 points, you receive a notice about possible suspension. A hearing is automatically scheduled. If you don’t show for the hearing, your license is suspended for a specified period of time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Auto Insurance
Do you have to buy car insurance in Arkansas?
Liability auto coverage is required on all registered vehicles. Arkansas law sets the limits.
Can you purchase more liability insurance than the law requires?
The coverage amounts you choose are up to you as long as they meet the minimum limits set by state law. Your agent can help you determine if you need more coverage and how much additional coverage to buy.
Do you have to purchase collision and comprehensive insurance?
If your car is leased or financed, your lender will require this coverage to protect its financial investment. If you don’t maintain this coverage, the lender will purchase a policy that you will be required to pay.
What if your car is a total loss and the insurance isn’t enough to cover the loan?
You are responsible to pay off the balance of the loan if the amount paid by the insurance company isn’t enough. You can purchase GAP car insurance to protect you in this situation.
How to Get Great Rates on Arkansas Auto Insurance
Finding an auto insurance quote can seem overwhelming – but insuranceQuotes.com helps you find the best car insurance policy at the best price. Every year, we match 15 million consumers to the nation’s biggest auto insurance companies, including State Farm, Allstate and Liberty Mutual.
insuranceQuotes.com connects you with local and national insurance companies that give you free car insurance estimates by phone or email within minutes. By comparing multiple insurance quotes, you can be sure that you’re getting the best price for car insurance.
Car insurance in Arkansas averages approximately $44 per month for minimum coverage and $130 per month for full coverage in 2026, placing Arkansas near the national median for affordability. State Farm offers the most affordable rates in Arkansas at approximately $35 per month for minimum coverage. GEICO is competitive at $38 per month. Arkansas has one of the highest uninsured driver rates in the country at approximately 19 percent — nearly 1 in 5 drivers — making uninsured motorist coverage a critical addition to any Arkansas policy.
Arkansas’s uninsured driver rate of approximately 19 percent is among the highest of any U.S. state. Several factors contribute: Arkansas has a high rural poverty rate, and affordability challenges prevent some drivers from maintaining continuous coverage. Enforcement of insurance requirements has historically been less consistent in rural Arkansas counties than in urban areas. The combination means that a significant proportion of vehicles on Arkansas roads — including in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and rural counties — have no liability insurance. Arkansas drivers who do not carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage face paying their own costs out of pocket after being hit by one of the state’s many uninsured drivers.
Arkansas requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25 — $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, plus $25,000 in property damage liability. Arkansas is a tort state with no mandatory PIP requirement. Arkansas does not mandate uninsured motorist coverage, but given that approximately 19 percent of Arkansas drivers are uninsured — one of the highest rates in the country — adding UM/UIM coverage is essential for any Arkansas driver. The at-fault driver is legally responsible for all damages in Arkansas, but being legally right means nothing if the at-fault driver has no insurance and no assets.
Yes — comprehensive coverage is particularly important for Arkansas drivers for two main reasons. First, Arkansas lies at the southern edge of Tornado Alley, experiencing significant tornado activity every spring. A tornado can total vehicles parked in driveways or streets; these losses are covered under comprehensive, not any other coverage type. Second, Arkansas has high deer population density, and deer-vehicle collisions are extremely common on rural Arkansas highways. Deer strikes are comprehensive claims only. Arkansas also experiences hailstorms that can cause significant vehicle damage to roofs, hoods, and windshields. Comprehensive coverage adds approximately $15 to $25 per month and is strongly recommended for every Arkansas driver.
State Farm offers the lowest car insurance rates in Arkansas at approximately $35 per month for minimum coverage and $90 per month for full coverage — the most affordable option for most clean-record drivers. GEICO averages $38 per month for minimum coverage. Progressive is the best choice for Arkansas drivers with violations on their record. Farm Bureau Insurance of Arkansas — an agent-only carrier — offers competitive rates in rural markets and is worth getting a quote from for drivers in smaller Arkansas cities and counties. Shelter Insurance, headquartered in Columbia, Missouri but active in Arkansas, also offers competitive rates in the state.
A DUI conviction in Arkansas typically raises full-coverage premiums from about $128 per month to $189 per month, an increase of roughly 48% — the costliest violation in the state. State Farm, USAA, and GEICO tend to offer some of the more affordable full-coverage options in Arkansas for drivers with a DUI on their record.
Yes. Arkansas insurers can use credit-based insurance scores when setting premiums, and the difference is substantial — drivers with bad credit pay an average of $264 per month for full coverage, more than double the $114 per month that drivers with good credit pay. Shelter tends to offer some of the more competitive full-coverage rates in Arkansas overall, at around $165 per month.
Arkansas’s 19% Uninsured Driver Rate: The Case for UM/UIM Coverage
Arkansas has one of the highest uninsured driver rates in the United States at approximately 19 percent — meaning roughly 1 in 5 vehicles on Arkansas roads carries no insurance. This rate is nearly double the national average and reflects affordability challenges in a state with significant rural poverty alongside inconsistent enforcement in rural counties. The practical consequence is significant: if an uninsured driver rear-ends you on I-40, I-30, or US-67, and you do not carry uninsured motorist coverage, you are responsible for your own medical bills and vehicle repairs. You can sue the at-fault driver, but winning a lawsuit against someone with no insurance and limited assets produces no actual recovery. Uninsured motorist coverage — which typically costs $10 to $20 per month in Arkansas — closes this gap by having your own insurer pay your costs when the at-fault driver cannot. Given Arkansas’s documented 19 percent uninsured rate, UM/UIM coverage is not optional; it is essential.
Arkansas Tornado and Hail Risk: Comprehensive Coverage Is Not Optional
Arkansas lies at the southern edge of Tornado Alley and experiences significant severe weather activity each spring, including tornadoes, large hail, and straight-line wind events. Tornadoes can strike rapidly and without adequate warning in rural Arkansas counties, and a tornado moving through a neighborhood can total dozens of vehicles in a single event. These losses are covered only under comprehensive insurance — not liability, collision, or any other standard coverage type. Arkansas also experiences high deer population density, and deer-vehicle collisions are among the most common insurance claims on rural Arkansas highways from October through February. Both tornado damage and deer collisions are comprehensive-only claims. Given Arkansas’s documented tornado risk and deer density, carrying comprehensive coverage is a fundamental risk management decision for any Arkansas driver.
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Michael Giusti is a senior insurance analyst, business journalist, and university professor with over 20 years of experience. He serves as department chair at Loyola University New Orleans and contributes to Insurance Thought Leadership, U.S. News, and other leading financial outlets.
