INSURANCE - CAR INSURANCE

Best Car Insurance in Arkansas for 2024

Updated Feb. 7, 2024
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USAA generally has the cheapest full and minimum coverage car insurance in Arkansas.

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Arkansas is full of scenic byways, historical sites, and natural beauty that entice locals and tourists alike to explore by car. It also generally has one of the lowest costs of living in the United States, and its average car insurance prices follow that trend.

In this article

Key takeaways

  • The best car insurance in Arkansas is USAA, which costs a yearly average of $949 for comprehensive coverage.
  • In Arkansas, drivers with a clean driving record pay an average of $128 per month.
  • Jonesboro residents generally pay the most, an average of $1,960 yearly for full coverage.

Best car insurance companies in Arkansas

The best car insurance in Arkansas is USAA, which costs an average of $949 a year for full coverage and $295 for the state’s minimum coverage.

Allstate offers the most expensive full coverage, averaging $1,794 a year. However, Shelter Insurance has the most costly minimum coverage, averaging $667 annually.

Provider J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating Estimated annual full coverage Estimated annual minimum liability coverage
USAA 890/1,000 $949/year $295/year
Shelter 851/1,000 $1,571/year $667/year
State Farm 833/1,000 $1,067/year $428/year
GEICO 819/1,000 $1,354/year $382/year
Allstate 806/1,000 $1,794/year $636/year
Progressive 803/1,000 $1,480/year $470/year
Nationwide 792/1,000 $1,150/year $422/year

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USAA: Most affordable coverage

USAA had the lowest full and minimum coverage in Arkansas and earned the highest customer satisfaction score. While USAA offers standard coverages like comprehensive, collision, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and personal injury protection, its policies are only available to current and former military members and their families.

Pros
  •  USAA earned 890 out of 1,000 in customer satisfaction, the highest in Arkansas
  •  It offers multiple discounts, including up to 15% for storing your car on a military base
Cons
  •  USAA policies are only available to military members, veterans, and their families
  •  You may find more policy options with a different carrier

Get a quote now | USAA review

State Farm: Best budget pick

State Farm is Arkansas’s cheapest option available to all residents, with an average annual cost for full coverage insurance of $1,067. It offers standard and specialty policies and has an extensive list of discounts. However, State Farm’s minimum insurance is more expensive than that of some competitors, averaging $428 annually.

Pros
  •  State Farm had the lowest average full coverage costs in Arkansas available to everyone
  •  It has multiple agents throughout the state
Cons
  •  State Farm had higher minimum insurance costs than some competitors
  •  It earned 833 out of 1,000 in customer satisfaction

Get a quote now | State Farm review

GEICO: Best for senior drivers

GEICO offers Arkansas’s second cheapest minimum insurance, averaging $382 a year, with policies and discounts specifically for seniors. For those who qualify, its Prime Time contract guarantees policy renewal to people over 50. GEICO also provides discounts for people over 50 who complete a defensive driving course.

Pros
  •  GEICO has multiple discounts, including up to 25% for insuring more than one vehicle
  •  It had the most affordable minimum liability coverage available to everyone in Arkansas
Cons
  •  GEICO earned 819 out of 1,000 in customer satisfaction
  •  It has limited insurance agents in Arkansas, centered around Little Rock and Fort Smith

Get a quote now | GEICO review

Allstate: Best for coverage options

Allstate has the most expensive full coverage insurance in Arkansas, costing a yearly average of $1,794. It also had the second-highest minimum liability coverage in the state, for an average of $636 a year. Although Allstate is not the cheapest available, it has extensive policies and discounts, which could make it a good option for some people.

Pros
  •  Allstate has many specialty policies, including Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) coverage
  •  It has several agents throughout the state
Cons
  •  Allstate was the most expensive full coverage insurance in Arkansas
  •  It earned below-average customer service ratings

Get a quote now | Allstate review

Nationwide: Best for lowest deductible

Nationwide earned Arkansas’s lowest customer satisfaction score but had relatively low prices on full and minimum coverage. It is also the lowest cost option with a vanishing deductible program, which can help people save more by reducing their deductible by $100 per year of safe driving, up to $500 total.

Pros
  •  Nationwide had better pricing in Arkansas than some competitors
  •  It offers customer perks, including fender bender forgiveness and key fob replacement
Cons
  •  You may find more discount options with a different carrier
  •  Nationwide had the lowest customer satisfaction ranking on our list

Get a quote now | Nationwide review

Arkansas auto insurance requirements

Like most states, Arkansas requires that drivers maintain a minimum amount of insurance coverage to drive legally. In Arkansas, you must have at least:

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

How to choose a car insurance provider in Arkansas

When looking for a new insurance provider in Arkansas, identify your coverage needs and budget. Then, consider the following:

  • Review multiple quotes: Request quotes from at least three companies and ensure the policy amounts, coverage options, and discounts are similar. Make sure you’re also comparing new quotes against your current policy so you don’t accidentally reduce needed coverage or pay more for less.
  • Research a company’s responsiveness to problems: Read online reviews and ask for recommendations from people you trust. Check a website like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for the number of customer complaints and if an insurance company works with customers to resolve problems.
  • Look for financial stability: Review ratings on websites like A.M. Best or Standard & Poor’s to confirm the company’s ability to pay claims. Check with the Arkansas Insurance Department or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to confirm a company is licensed in Arkansas.

How much does car insurance cost in Arkansas?

The average cost of car insurance in Arkansas is $1,546 per year for full coverage, compared to the national average of $1,582. Arkansas’ minimum liability insurance costs an annual average of $547.

Drivers in Jonesboro pay the most for car insurance, an average of $1,960 a year. Residents of Fort Smith only pay $1,732 annually, the lowest average rate in the state.

Arkansas car insurance rates by city

Driving in Arkansas is typically less expensive than in other parts of the country. However, while insurance rates are generally based on your age, gender, and driving record, among other factors, the crime rate where you live can also lead to higher insurance bills.

For example, Neighborhood Scout gave the state capital, Little Rock, a score of 1 on its total crime index, meaning it’s safer than only 1% of U.S. neighborhoods. The higher crime rates are reflected in the city’s insurance rates, which average $1,934 — hundreds more than Fort Smith’s average rates.

City Avg. annual full-coverage premium
Jonesboro $1,960/year
Little Rock $1,934/year
Conway$1,925/year
Fayetteville $1,787/year
Springdale $1,797/year
Fort Smith $1,732/year

Methodology

Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the best auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.

FAQs about car insurance costs in Arkansas

What are the minimum car insurance coverage requirements in Arkansas?

Arkansas requires that drivers have $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage. Drivers must also have $25,000 in property damage liability insurance if they damage another person’s property.

How much does car insurance cost in Arkansas?

Car insurance in Arkansas costs an average of $1,546 annually for full coverage and $547 per year for the state’s minimum liability coverage.

Which car insurance companies cover Arkansas?

Multiple car insurance companies cover Arkansas, including Allstate, Nationwide, State Farm, USAA, GEICO, and Progressive. 

What is the cheapest car insurance company in Arkansas?

The cheapest car insurance in Arkansas is USAA, which costs $949 a year for full coverage and $295 annually for minimum coverage but is only available to current and former military members and their families.

State Farm is the next most affordable full coverage option, costing an average of $1,067 a year for full coverage. GEICO has the most affordable minimum coverage available to everyone, averaging $382 annually.

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