Arizona Auto Insurance Guide

Owning a vehicle in Arizona is similar to owning a car in any other state. You need to register your vehicle when you buy it, and if you move into the state, you will need to have your plates transferred to the state. You will be expected to follow all traffic laws and obey the speed limit. Like most other states, Arizona has auto insurance laws. If you own and drive a vehicle, you will need to buy auto insurance in Arizona.

Arizona Insurance Regulations

Every car owner in Arizona needs to be financial responsibility when they are driving on the road. There are two ways that you can do this. Most people do this by purchasing auto insurance in Arizona. The insurance carrier must be authorized to operate in the state The other choice is self-insurance, but this requires that you own at least 10 cars and put up a surety bond of one million dollars, so only car dealerships and wealthy individuals are likely to choose this option.

Mandatory Minimum Coverage in Arizona

Arizona auto insurance laws require that drivers purchase $15,000 of bodily injury liability for one person in an accident, $30,000 of bodily injury liability for the total accident, and $10,000 property damage liability for each accident. Uninsured and underinsured motorist, collision, and comprehensive insurance is not required; you may want to purchase this extra auto insurance in Arizona, but it is not necessary unless you are borrowing money and your lender asks for it.

Motorcycle Coverage Requirements

Arizona insurance requirements for motorcycles are the same as those for auto insurance in Arizona. If your vehicle is small and you do not intend on driving it on the roads, the state might not classify it as a motorcycle, and you may not have to insure it. If your cycle has a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour with an engine that is 50 cc or smaller, or if your vehicle has an engine between 49 and 80 cc, Arizona may classify your vehicle as a moped or a motor-driven cycle. If you are unsure about whether you need to insure your two or three-wheeled vehicle, you can contact the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) to make sure: in Phoenix, call (602) 255-0072; in Tucson, call (520) 629-9808; elsewhere in the state, call toll-free, (800) 251-5866.

Arizona Auto Insurance Advice

In Arizona, it is important that you don't let your auto insurance lapse. You will have to pay extra for coverage when you re-insure it; you may even have to purchase SR-22 insurance, which is often required of drivers with accidents, DUIs, or too many points on their record, and is often expensive. If your vehicle is not operational or is going to be in storage, you can have it de-insured by turning a De-Insurance Certificate into the MVD. Even though uninsured and underinsured insurance is not required, it is not that expensive, and if you ever get into an accident with an uninsured driver, you will be happy that you have it. To save on auto insurance in Arizona, you may want to raise your deductible and pay for the entire six-month coverage period up-front. You can also save on your auto insurance by driving well, and avoiding tickets and accidents.