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Last updated: December 3, 2025The Best Auto Insurance in Arkansas 2025
Shelter, State Farm, Direct Auto, USAA, and Southern Farm Bureau offer some of the best car insurance coverage in Arkansas.
Best value
Editor's Rating:4.2/5
Full Coverage Averages in Arkansas
- Annual Premium: $1,896
- Monthly Premium: $158
Best Major Insurer
Editor's Rating:4.9/5
Full Coverage Averages in Arkansas
- Annual Premium: $2,025
- Monthly Premium: $169
Best for High-Risk Drivers
Editor's Rating:3.6/5
Full Coverage Averages Nationally
- Annual Premium: Data unavailable
- Monthly Premium: Data unavailable
Key Takeaways
- Our recommendation for the best value car insurance provider in Arkansas is Shelter. State Farm, Direct Auto, USAA, and Southern Farm Bureau also make our list of top picks.
- Auto insurance in Arkansas costs an average of $2,388 per year, which is right around the national average. Minimum coverage is less expensive than the national average, at $637 per year.
- Average rates can give you a good sense of each company’s general pricing, but remember that your actual costs will vary based on personal factors such as your age and driving history.
Summary of the Best Auto Insurance in Arkansas
- Best Value: Shelter
- Best Major Insurer: State Farm
- Best for High-Risk Drivers: Direct Auto
- Best for Active Military and Veterans: USAA
- Best for Households With Young Drivers: Southern Farm Bureau
Compare the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Arkansas
| Company | Full Coverage Monthly Avg. in AR | Minimum Coverage Monthly Avg. in AR | Central customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter | $158 | $44 | Above average |
| State Farm | $169 | $40 | Above average |
| Direct Auto | Data not available | Data not available | Not rated |
| USAA | $114 | $28 | Above average |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $159 | $49 | Below average |
| Arkansas | $199 | $53 | – |
Breaking Down the Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Arkansas
1. Best Value - Shelter
What We Like Most:
- Excellent customer satisfaction ratings
- Competitive rates in Arkansas
- Policies include new car replacement
Why we chose it
Shelter is a regional insurer that operates in 15 states, including Arkansas. It has some of the most affordable rates in Arkansas as well as consistently high customer service ratings, ranking first for customer satisfaction in the Central region in J.D. Power’s 2025 Auto Insurance Study. It also received a national B- grade from the CRASH Network and a B grade for the Plains region.
Shelter also has a unique variety of coverage options that you can add to your policy. All of its auto policies include new car replacement in addition to liability coverage. New car replacement applies to cars less than a year old with fewer than 15,000 miles on the odometer. Optional coverages include loss of use, roadside assistance, accidental death, rental reimbursement, and gap insurance.
Who it’s best for
Drivers who prioritize customer service, new car owners, drivers with leased or financed cars
Shelter Arkansas Pricing
| Shelter | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $158 | $44 |
| Annually | $1,896 | $532 |
| Difference from Arkansas average | -21% | -16% |
2. Best Major Insurer - State Farm
What We Like Most:
- Affordable rates for excellent insurance
- Discounts for safe drivers
- Multiple options for different coverage needs
Why we chose it
With over 91 million customers and over 100 years in business, State Farm is the largest provider on our list. It offers the second-cheapest minimum coverage rates after USAA and also has below-average full coverage rates. It offers additional coverage at a great value for classic cars and drivers who work for rideshare companies.
Its customer satisfaction data is also impressive: State Farm ranks second in the Central region in J.D. Power’s 2025 Auto Insurance Study, making it one of the top choices for Arkansas drivers. There are hundreds of State Farm agents across nearly 100 cities and towns, from Alma to Wynne, including in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Springdale. The company provides several safe driving discounts, including two telematics programs and a good driver discount.
Who it’s best for
Customers who prefer to purchase insurance from a national provider, owners of classic cars, people who need rideshare insurance
State Farm Arkansas Pricing
| State Farm | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $169 | $40 |
| Annually | $2,025 | $478 |
| Difference from Arkansas average | -15% | -25% |
3. Best for High-Risk Drivers - Direct Auto
What We Like Most:
- Insures high-risk drivers
- Offers flexible payment plans
- Variety of available discounts
Why we chose it
If you’re a high-risk driver — a new driver, a teen driver, someone with a history of traffic violations, and so on — you might have difficulty finding a car insurance company willing to provide you with coverage. Direct Auto, unlike most providers, caters to high-risk drivers by offering customizable payment plans, several sizable discounts, and a team of agents trained to work with unsafe drivers.
You can personalize your payment options to fit your budget by adjusting payment dates, payment frequencies, down payment (the higher your down payment, the lower your premiums will be), and payment method, including paying cash at physical locations. Direct Auto offers one of the longest lists of discounts among any provider. Whether you’re a teen driver, active military member, full-time student, or homeowner, Direct Auto probably has a discount for you.
Who it’s best for
High-risk drivers, those with violations on their record, people with low credit
FYI:
Arkansas has 29 Direct Auto locations, including North Little Rock, Fort Smith, Springdale, Benton, and Jonesboro.
4. Best for Active Military and Veterans - USAA
Why we chose it
USAA is consistently our top pick for active military service members, veterans, and military families because of its affordable rates, specialized military coverage, and excellent customer service scores. If you’re one of the 182,000 veterans or 3,674 active military members in Arkansas, you can apply for USAA’s exclusive military-only membership.1 2
Like most of our other top picks, USAA offers a telematics discount for safe driving. You can earn up to 30 percent off on your car insurance with USAA’s SafePilot program, one of the company’s top saving opportunities. If you’re on deployment and are storing your vehicle back home, you can earn up to 60 percent off your policy, and you can earn an additional 15 percent off on your comprehensive coverage if you’re garaging your vehicle on a military installation.
Who it’s best for
Military members, veterans, and their families, safe drivers, deployed military members with vehicles garaged in the U.S.
USAA Arkansas Pricing
| USAA | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $114 | $28 |
| Annually | $1,371 | $340 |
| Difference from Arkansas average | -43% | -46% |
5. Best for Households With Young Drivers - Southern Farm Bureau
What We Like Most:
- Affordable rates for teen drivers
- Variety of discounts
- Local agents available across the state
Why we chose it
Southern Farm Bureau sells auto insurance in six states, including Arkansas. It offers a number of discounts not offered by our other providers, including a post-graduate discount and a legacy discount. Its rates for households with teen drivers are the lowest among our top picks. Even if you don’t have a teen on your policy, Southern Farm Bureau’s rates are below the state average, making it an affordable choice for many Arkansas drivers.
Southern Farm Bureau rewards drivers for their safe driving habits by lowering their deductibles with its DriveDown program. Those opting in will automatically save 5 percent on their premiums after their first trip and can save more by practicing safe driving habits. With DriveDown, your deductible savings will carry over even if you have to file a claim. DriveDown only lowers your deductibles — your premiums will not change as a result of using DriveDown.
Who it’s best for
Households with teen drivers, recent graduates, customers who want to work with a local Arkansas agent
Southern Farm Bureau Arkansas Pricing
| Southern Farm Bureau | Full coverage | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $159 | $49 |
| Annually | $1,902 | $588 |
| Difference from Arkansas average | -20% | -8% |
Best Cheap Picks — Detailed Customer Satisfaction Summary
| Company | J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study – Central3 | CRASH Network Report Card4 | J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction5 | NAIC Complaint Index6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter | 673 | B- | Not rated | 0.99 |
| State Farm | 664 | C- | 716 | 2.15 |
| Direct Auto | Not rated | D+ | Not rated | 0.73 |
| USAA | 719 | D+ | 741 | 2.74 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | 648 (Arkansas Farm Bureau) | B | Not rated | 0.38 |
| Average | 649 (out of 1,000) | C+ | 700 (out of 1,000) | 1 |
| What the study measures | Customer satisfaction regionally, based on responses from over 40,000 customers | Claims handling and payment practices, based on an annual survey of collision repair shops | Satisfaction with the claims process, based on responses from nearly 10,000 customers who recently filed a claim | Consumer complaints relative to market share. The lower the score, the better |
Average Cost of Auto Insurance in Arkansas
Full Coverage Rates in Arkansas
Full coverage auto insurance in Arkansas costs $2,388 per year, on average. That’s just about on par with the national average of $2,356.
| Category | Full coverage average (annual) | Full coverage average (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas average | $2,388 | $199 |
| National average | $2,356 | $196 |
Minimum Coverage
Minimum coverage insurance costs an average of $637 in Arkansas, or $53 per month, which is around 12 percent cheaper than the national average.
| Category | Minimum coverage average (annual) | Minimum coverage average (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas average | $637 | $53 |
| National average | $722 | $60 |
Cost of Auto Insurance in Arkansas by City
Auto insurance rates vary significantly based on where you’re located, even down to the city or ZIP code. We found that, on average, Springdale offers some of the lowest premiums among major metropolitan areas in Arkansas. Meanwhile, Little Rock’s rates are some of the highest in Arkansas.
| City | Average Annual Premium | Average Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Springdale | $2,200 | $183 |
| Fayetteville | $2,217 | $185 |
| Fort Smith | $2,218 | $185 |
| Jonesboro | $2,340 | $195 |
| Little Rock | $2,651 | $221 |
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Arkansas?
In 2023, there were 542 fatal car crashes in Arkansas.7 The months with the most fatal crashes were July, September, and October. In total, 596 people died in these crashes. The traffic fatality rate in Arkansas in 2023 was 1.52 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, which was higher than the national average of 1.26.8
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements in Arkansas
The minimum coverage limits in Arkansas are as follows:
- Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
While you can legally drive as long as your auto insurance meets the limits above, they don’t provide very robust coverage. If you cause a serious accident, you could find yourself on the hook for thousands of dollars if your insurance coverage isn’t enough. If you can afford to, it’s wise to get higher limits, at least 100/300/100, as well as full coverage.
Methodology
To identify the top car insurance providers in Arkansas, we analyzed insurers across the following four areas:.
- Pricing (40%): We examined average annual rates for full and minimum coverage for safe drivers in Arkansas. We also analyzed premiums for other profiles, including teen drivers and those with low credit scores. Finally, we look at offered discounts and whether they include significant savings like multi-vehicle discounts, good student, and usage-based programs. We base our minimum coverage limits on state laws, and use the following limits for full coverage:
-
- Bodily injury liability: $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident
- Property damage liability: $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident
- Comprehensive and collision: $500 deductible
- Claims Handling (25%): We prioritize a company’s ability to process claims judiciously and quickly. We looked at third-party assessments like J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction Report for insurance companies serving drivers in Arkansas.
- Customer Experience (25%): The customer’s journey of receiving a quote, buying a policy, and interacting with the insurer was assessed based on: the experience of getting an online quote and purchasing a policy, and regional customer satisfaction ratings (J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study and Digital Experience Study) for Arkansas and complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
- Coverage Options (10%): We prefer insurance providers that offer additional coverage beyond Arkansas’s minimum coverage requirements. This includes add-ons like accident forgiveness, rental reimbursement, and rideshare insurance.
Learn more about our ratings and methodology sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Arkansas, you have three years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit for a negligent accident that led to injury, death, or property damage claims that exceeded $1,000.
Arkansas is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for the accident (the “at-fault” driver) is responsible for covering the property damages and injuries of all parties involved. However, Arkansas offers optional no-fault coverage, meaning drivers can choose to add personal injury protection (PIP) to their policy. If you choose to purchase it, this coverage will pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, death benefit, and childcare expenses if you are injured in an accident, regardless of who caused it.
According to the Arkansas Insurance Department, every driver must have liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
You do not need full coverage for rentals in Arkansas, nor do you need rental car insurance for your rental. All you need is the state minimum, which rental car companies are legally required to provide to you when you rent the car.
Managing Editor & Industry Analyst
Maya Afilalo holds over 10 years of professional experience in writing, communications, and research, which she leverages to provide accurate and reliable information to empower consumers. In addition to overseeing content production, Maya has herself written many articles on auto insurance costs, company comparisons, state laws and requirements, and other topics. She is committed to helping consumers navigate the complex world of car insurance with clarity and confidence. Maya holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s from North Carolina State University.
Sources
Honoring our Veterans. State of Arkansas House of Representatives. (2024, Nov 01).
https://www.arkansashouse.org/news/post/22999/honoring-our-veteransWhere are US troops stationed? USA Facts. (2025, June 23).
https://usafacts.org/articles/where-are-us-military-members-stationed-and-why/It’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2025, June 10).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-insurance-studyTop Rated U.S. Car Insurance Companies for 2025. Crash Network. (2025).
https://www.crashnetwork.com/irc/Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power. (2025, Oct 28).
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-auto-claims-satisfaction-studyConsumer Insurance Search Results. NAIC. (2025).
https://content.naic.org/cis_refined_results.htmFatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST). NHTSA. (2025).
https://cdan.dot.gov/queryFatality Facts 2023 . Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. (2025, July).
https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state
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