Here's what you need to know when driving in Arkansas
Across the Natural State, there are 204,051 miles of road just waiting to be driven. We’ll get you prepped, then you take the wheel.
Cheap Car Insurance in Arkansas
What's the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas?
| Rank | Company Name | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Travelers | $1,115 |
| 2 | USAA | $1,154 |
| 3 | Safeco | $1,291 |
| 4 | State Farm | $1,362 |
| 5 | Southern Farm Bureau | $1,384 |
| 6 | Auto-Owners | $1,491 |
| 7 | State Auto | $1,535 |
| 8 | Shelter | $1,612 |
| 9 | Progressive | $1,804 |
| 10 | Cameron | $2,149 |
| 11 | Nationwide | $2,259 |
| 12 | Sentry | $2,366 |
| 13 | Farmers | $2,373 |
| 14 | MetLife | $2,417 |
| 15 | GEICO | $2,420 |
| 16 | Allstate | $3,132 |
| 17 | Metropolitan | $3,355 |
| 18 | Home State | $3,472 |
| 19 | United Automobile | $3,790 |
| 20 | Hanover | $4,600 |
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Cheap Insurance for Good Drivers in Arkansas
Drivers with good driving records typically enjoy lower car insurance costs than drivers with histories of speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUI citations. Arkansas drivers without a recent ticket save 19% on their car insurance, on average — slightly more than the nationwide average. In addition to earning a more affordable premium for staying incident-free, you may qualify for a safe-driving bonus through your car insurance company. The amount of these discounts may vary, but they typically run between 5 and 10%.
| Rating Factor | $ Savings | % Savings |
|---|---|---|
| No Traffic Tickets | $352 | 19.48% |
| No Accidents | $686 | 32.05% |
| Good Credit | $1,215 | 45.50% |
Cheap Insurance for Young Drivers in Arkansas
Young drivers (those between the ages of 16 and 25) pay extraordinarily high auto insurance rates, with those aged 16-19 paying the most expensive premiums of all. Because of the risk presented by inexperienced drivers, teens pay more than three times the national average for car insurance. In Arkansas, the typical teen driver pays $4,909 annually — approximately equal to the national average for teens, but about three times as much as the average driver in Arkansas.
| Age | Annual Rate with Parents | Annual Rate Alone |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | $4,437 | $7,227 |
| 17 | $4,206 | $6,492 |
| 18 | $4,026 | $5,723 |
| 19 | $3,692 | $3,473 |
Cheap Car Insurance for Bad Drivers in Arkansas
If you have a clean driving record — no at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, or other recent citations — you'll probably pay less for car insurance. Conversely, a bad driving record will inflate your rates: car insurance premiums typically increase by 27% after a DUI, 32% after an at-fault accident, and 19% after a speeding ticket in Arkansas. These post-incident rate hikes roughly align with national averages. If you have a sparkling clean driving history, be sure to inquire about your insurer's safe driver discount.
| Rating Factor | Annual Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| At-Fault Accident | $2,142 | 32.05% |
| DUI | $2,009 | 27.53% |
| Speeding Violation | $1,808 | 19.48% |
| Bad Credit | $2,671 | 45.50% |
What are the Best Car Insurance Companies in Arkansas?
Every auto insurer boasts about its low prices. But just like with any product, the cheapest auto insurance isn't always the best choice. Considering the financial stakes, it's worth doing the due diligence to discover an insurance policy that covers your car adequately after an incident. Be patient and look for a great value, rather than settling for the cheapest auto insurance you find.
Compare popular car insurance companies' financial strength and claims satisfaction levels to better understand the level of service you can expect. Claims satisfaction — assigned by J.D. Power — is ranked on a scale of 2 to 5, with 5 being "among the best" and 2 being "the rest." Financial strength — calculated by A.M. Best and running from "Superior" to "Poor" — determines an insurer's financial stability and ability to meet its policy and contractual obligations.
| Insurance Company | Claims Satisfaction (J.D. Power) | Financial Strength (A.M. Best) |
| Allstate | 3 | Superior |
| Auto-Owners | 5 | Superior |
| Cameron Mutual | Not Rated | Good |
| Columbia Insurance | Not Rated | Excellent |
| GEICO | 3 | Superior |
| Liberty Mutual | 3 | Excellent |
| MetLife | 3 | Superior |
| Nationwide | 4 | Superior |
| Progressive | 3 | Superior |
| Southern Farm Bureau | Not Rated | Superior |
| State Auto | Not Rated | Excellent |
| State Farm | 3 | Superior |
| Travelers | 3 | Superior |
| United Automobile | Not Rated | Weak |
| USAA | 5 | Superior |
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What is the Best Car Insurance Coverage in Arkansas?
The legal auto insurance minimum in Arkansas is $25,000 Bodily Injury per person, $50,000 Bodily Injury per accident, and $25,000 Property Damage per accident.
If you select the legal minimum coverage in Arkansas, you can expect to pay an average of $616 annually. This cost is less than the national average by 6%. If you choose better coverage, you can purchase a policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, protecting against damages caused by car collisions, theft, or weather incidents. But better coverage comes at a cost: in Arkansas, a comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,304, 112% more than basic insurance coverage. For a comprehensive policy with a $500 deductible, you can expect to pay 139% more than you would for a basic policy.
Compare typical rates for basic, better, and best coverage levels below.
| Location | Liability-Only | Comprehensive — $1,000 Deductible | Comprehensive — $500 Deductible |
| Arkansas | $616.32 | $1,303.67 | $1,473.45 |
| National Average | $657.66 | $1,241.26 | $1,397.94 |
Car insurance laws
In Arkansas, drivers are required to carry liability insurance at the below minimum levels:
- Bodily Injury $25,000 per person
- Bodily Injury $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage $25,000 per accident
Optional coverage in Arkansas (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Loan/Lease Payoff
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
- Rental Car Reimbursement
- Roadside Assistance
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
- Uninsured Motorist Property Damage
Interested in learning more about Arkansas car insurance laws? Read our complete guide to AR insurance regulations.
Arkansas Car Insurance FAQs
What insurance do I need in Arkansas for a car I own?
Most insurance experts recommend liability limits of 50/100/50 or above. But if you own the vehicle, you only need to carry insurance that meets Arkansas' state minimum coverage levels. Currently, Arkansas only requires coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 in property damage coverage.
Can I buy liability-only insurance coverage in Arkansas?
If you are not leasing or financing your vehicle, you can simply cover the vehicle at Arkansas' state minimum. If your vehicle is damaged in an at-fault accident, you would receive zero compensation.
What is Arkansas' new-insurance transfer period?
This depends on your specific insurance policy. Some companies allow your current coverage to transfer to any newly acquired vehicles for two to four weeks. Call a customer service representative or agent at your current provider to verify.
How much does car insurance cost in Arkansas cities?
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, location of the vehicle being an important one. The cheapest car insurance is found in Bentonville, Arkansas, and the most expensive in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
| Rank | City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pine Bluff | $1,947 |
| 2 | Little Rock | $1,946 |
| 3 | Bryant | $1,869 |
| 4 | North Little Rock | $1,868 |
| 5 | Benton | $1,865 |
| 6 | Texarkana | $1,816 |
| 7 | West Memphis | $1,800 |
| 8 | Maumelle | $1,798 |
| 9 | Hot Springs | $1,777 |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $1,770 |
| 11 | Cabot | $1,767 |
| 12 | El Dorado | $1,696 |
| 13 | Searcy | $1,692 |
| 14 | Jonesboro | $1,657 |
| 15 | Conway | $1,653 |
| 16 | Van Buren | $1,607 |
| 17 | Russellville | $1,603 |
| 18 | Fayetteville | $1,583 |
| 19 | Fort Smith | $1,576 |
| 20 | Rogers | $1,551 |
| 21 | Bella Vista | $1,539 |
| 22 | Bentonville | $1,536 |
How Do Tickets Affect Car Insurance Rates in Arkansas?
If you get a ticket, your auto insurance costs will probably rise. How much your rates rise depends on the specific citation, your insurer's pricing standards, and differing local insurance regulations and risks. That's why tickets may have a different impact on insurance in your state compared to the national average.
Below is a snapshot of average car insurance rates in Arkansas after a few common violations.
| Violation | Avg. Annual Auto Insurance Rate | % Insurance Rate Increase | $ Insurance Rate Increase |
| Hit and Run | $2,285 | 53% | $788 |
| Refused Breathalyzer/Chemical Test | $2,148 | 44% | $652 |
| DUI | $2,148 | 44% | $652 |
| Racing | $2,276 | 52% | $780 |
| Reckless Driving | $2,070 | 38% | $574 |
| Driving with a Suspended License | $2,266 | 51% | $770 |
| At-Fault Accident | $2,148 | 44% | $652 |
| Driving with an Open Container | $2,043 | 37% | $547 |
| Operating a Vehicle Without Permission | $1,847 | 23% | $350 |
| Passing a School Bus | $1,967 | 31% | $471 |
| Improper Passing | $1,921 | 28% | $425 |
| Following Too Closely | $1,923 | 29% | $427 |
| Speeding | $1,873 | 25% | $377 |
| Failure to Stop at a Red Light | $1,842 | 23% | $346 |
| Illegal Turn | $1,924 | 29% | $428 |
| Driving Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $1,921 | 28% | $425 |
| Failure to Yield | $1,842 | 23% | $346 |
| Speeding in a School Zone | $1,811 | 21% | $315 |
| Driving Too Slowly | $1,810 | 21% | $314 |
| Distracted Driving | $1,829 | 22% | $333 |
| Driving with Expired Registration | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
| Failure to Show Documents | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
| Not-at-Fault Accident | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
| Failure to Use Child Safety Restraint | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
| Failure to Wear a Seat Belt | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
| Driving Without Lights | $1,496 | 0% | $0 |
Arkansas Tour Guide Scholarship
At The Zebra, we know better than most just what a pain buying car insurance can be. We also know that students suffer from higher-than-average policy rates. Talk about a double-whammy. That’s why, this year, we’ve decided to continue The Zebra’s annual scholarship with the goal of helping to alleviate the financial pressures of college-bound students in the Arkansas area, while also getting an insider view of the Natural State.
Prompt
So, students, we want to see your favorite road trip destination(s) in your state— from your unique perspective. If it makes sense to hit the open road and be our virtual tour guide, that's great! But there are no limits to what we're looking for: a narrated animation, a slideshow of memorabilia, an illustrated map of the best roadside attractions on the way. This is a chance for you to showcase any place you love in as an original way as possible.
How do I choose a location?
The length of the road trip to your feature destination is inconsequential. So if you have an awesome spot in mind that's just two miles from home, we want to see it.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled at or planning to attend a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States. Upon notification, winner(s) must supply a current proof of enrollment or letter of acceptance.
How to Apply
1. Create a video
Your original video should not exceed 2 minutes
2. Post online
The video must be hosted on YouTube or Vimeo
3. Submit by email
Email your submission to scholarships@thezebra.com
4. Please include...
your name, address, and phone number when you submit
Details
Award
Selected winner(s) will be awarded a check for $1,000
Deadline
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31st, 2020
Notification
Winner(s) will be selected and notified by email by January 31st, 2021
Judges: The Zebra
The winner will be selected based on creativity in the content and presentation
*Upon notification, winner(s) must also supply a current proof of enrollment at a four-year university, graduate program, community college, or trade school located in the continental United States.
Fine Print
By participating, entrants represent that the video submitted is their sole and original work and does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any other party. In other words, no copyrighted music or images may be used.
Employees of The Zebra and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Written credits for any technical or talent positions (e.g., editor, director, actors) should be included with your submission, along with any sources used to create the video.