Compare Cheap Auto Insurance in Arkansas

USAA has the cheapest full coverage auto insurance in Arkansas; its average rate of $1,371 is 43 percent less than the statewide average. However, the company is exclusively available to military members, veterans and their families.

Travelers ($1,583 annually) and Shelter ($1,896 annually) are the next cheapest and do not require a military affiliation.

USAA has the cheapest minimum coverage in Arkansas, with an average annual cost of $340, or just $28 a month. That’s 47 percent less than the statewide annual average of $637.

State Farm ($478 annually), Travelers ($507 annually) and Shelter ($532 annually) are the next cheapest and do not require a military affiliation.

On average, Arkansas households with teen drivers pay $6,863 annually for car insurance, or $572 per month.

Southern Farm Bureau has the lowest average rates for policies with teens, at $3,481 — 49 percent less than the statewide average. USAA ($4,546 annually) and Travelers ($4,743) are the next cheapest.

USAA has the lowest rates in Arkansas with a speeding ticket, with an average annual rate of $1,532. Travelers ($1,950 annually), Southern Farm Bureau ($2,097 annually) and State Farm ($2,164) are the next cheapest and still well below the state average.

USAA is the cheapest auto insurer in Arkansas for drivers with an at-fault accident. Its average annual cost of $1,859 is 44 percent lower than the statewide average of $3,312.

Travelers is the next cheapest, with an average annual rate of $2,030 — 39 percent less than the statewide average.

Arkansas drivers with a DUI can expect to pay around $3,462 for their auto insurance, on average.

Travelers has the lowest rates for drivers with a DUI in Arkansas, at $2,190 — 37 percent lower than the statewide average. State Farm ($2,322 annually), Southern Farm Bureau ($2,403 annually) and USAA ($2,491 annually) are the next cheapest.

In Arkansas, a poor credit history increases your auto insurance rates by an average of about 80 percent, compared with 72 percent nationally.

USAA has the lowest rates in the state for drivers with low credit, with an average annual cost of $2,322. Alfa ($2,556 annually) and Travelers ($2,828 annually) have the next-cheapest rates.

In addition to its low average rates, USAA performs well in J.D. Power studies of customer and claims satisfaction. This is why it’s our pick for the best auto insurance in Arkansas for military members and their families.

Shelter also scored well above the Arkansas average for customer satisfaction, and it performed better than State Farm in CRASH Network’s Insurer Report Card (a survey of collision repair shops on insurers’ claims practices). Although Shelter’s rates aren’t the lowest in Arkansas, they tend to fall below the state average. Depending on your circumstances, you may find the extra cost worth the higher level of service.

Though Alfa and Southern Farm Bureau are not included in the J.D. Power studies, these providers have high scores on the CRASH Network Insurer Report Card, which indicates that repair shops speak highly of these companies’ claims handling.

1. Keep a clean record. High-risk drivers pay significantly more for car insurance than those who maintain a clean record. In addition, many providers offer discounts for those who have remained accident- and violation-free for a certain number of years.
2. Opt for a high deductible. Increasing your deductible lowers your monthly premiums. However, it also means out-of-pocket costs will be higher if you ever need to make a claim.
3. Bundle policies. Many providers offer significant discounts for those who bundle multiple policies, including home and auto insurance. Depending on the provider, auto insurance can also be bundled with renters insurance, boat insurance, classic car insurance and other policy types.
4. Use a multicar discount. If you’re insuring multiple vehicles within your household, you may be able to keep your costs low with a multicar discount.
5. Consider telematics or low-mileage discounts. Telematics discounts monitor your driving and provide discounts for those who practice safe habits, such as smooth braking and adherence to the speed limit. Many providers offer additional discounts for infrequent drivers.

The cost of auto insurance can vary significantly depending on your city. Little Rock has some of the highest average rates in the state, while Springdale and Fayetteville enjoy more moderate premiums.

Driving without auto insurance in Arkansas is illegal. To legally operate a vehicle, you must own an auto insurance policy that meets certain limits, including property damage and bodily injury liability. This covers the cost of the other driver’s property replacement and medical care if you cause an accident.

• Bodily injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Property damage: $25,000⁴

Insurance companies must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which can be rejected by the customer. In Arkansas, drivers can choose to include personal injury protection in their insurance policy, which pays for your medical expenses, wages and other losses regardless of who is at fault.

Although these figures represent the legal minimum limits, minimum coverage auto insurance may not be enough to cover the cost of an accident. Drivers with a leased or financed vehicle will likely require additional coverage, such as comprehensive and collision.

We analyze average premiums in Arkansas for full and minimum coverage for good drivers with good credit as well as other driver profiles, including those with DUIs, accidents, low credit and teenagers. Full coverage averages use the following limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
• Personal injury protection: $10,000
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
• Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible