Here you’ll learn everything you need to know to buy the best car insurance policy in Phoenix for your particular situation. You’ll see which carriers are rated as the best car insurance companies for customer satisfaction and what the average car insurance rates are for your neighborhood.
You’ll also discover how much you can save from knowing how to make smart choices about coverage. And, find out how rates for Phoenix drivers are affected by tickets, accidents and adding teen drivers.
- The average car insurance rate for Phoenix drivers for minimum coverage is $688 a year, according to Carinsurance.com analysis.
- The liability coverage in Phoenix, AZ costs $886 per year.
- In Phoenix, full coverage car insurance policy costs $1,891 a year.
- As per Carinsurance.com research, in Phoenix, comparing quotes from companies can help you save an average $2,158 on your car insurance rates annually.
- How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Phoenix, AZ?
- Who Has Cheapest Car Insurance in Phoenix, Arizona?
- Who Has The Best Car Insurance in Phoenix, AZ?
- How Much Car Insurance do I Need in Phoenix, AZ?
- Compare Car Insurance Quotes in Phoenix, AZ & Save Money
- Phoenix, AZ Car Insurance FAQ’s
- Phoenix commuters
- Guide to car insurance in cities of Arizona
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Phoenix, AZ?
We all know that the cost of car insurance varies depending on your individual needs. But how much does it actually costs? CarInsurance.com analysed major insurers including Geico, Progressive Insurance Company (Progressive), State Farm, Allstate Co. and others, to determine average Phoenix coverage costs for different levels and types.
The average rate for Phoenix drivers for a year of minimum coverage is $688 according to our rate analysis. If you increased your coverage to 50/100/50, you would pay just about $16.50 more a month, or $198 more a year.
You can get full coverage (100/300/100) by paying $100.25 more a month, or an additional $1,203 a year more than minimum-level coverage.
Average Auto Insurance Rates in Phoenix, AZThe following data shows, what you can expect to pay for car insurance in Phoenix, on average.
- State Minimum Policy: $688 per year
- Liability Coverage (50/100/50): $886 per year
- Full Coverage (100/300/100): $1,891 per year
Who Has Cheapest Car Insurance in Phoenix, Arizona?
GEICO and Nationwide have the cheapest car insurance rates in Phoenix, based on our rate analysis for three different coverage levels.
The driver profile is for age 40, with good credit and a clean driving record. You can see how major insurers rank for price in the chart below.
| Company | Liability Only – State Minimum BI/PD | Liability Only – 50/100/50 BI/PD | Full Coverage – 100/300/100 BI/PD – 500 Comp/Coll |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA Casualty Ins Co | $367 | $509 | $1,213 |
| GEICO Casualty Co | $440 | $711 | $1,376 |
| Mercury Casualty Co | $490 | $691 | $1,573 |
| Trumbull Ins Co | $563 | $873 | $1,725 |
| Travelers Property Cas Ins Co | $566 | $816 | $1,561 |
| Auto-Owners Ins Co | $587 | $768 | $2,073 |
| State Farm Mutl Automobile Ins | $700 | $890 | $2,077 |
| Nationwide Ins Co of Am | $721 | $936 | $1,554 |
| Progressive Advanced Ins Co | $721 | $1,008 | $2,003 |
| Allstate F&C Ins Co | $726 | $1,230 | $2,729 |
| CSAA General Ins Co | $794 | $1,348 | $2,684 |
| Farmers Ins Co of AZ | $1,069 | $1,651 | $2,920 |
| Metropolitan Group P&C Ins Co | $1,196 | $1,727 | $3,617 |
Who Has The Best Car Insurance in Phoenix, AZ?
Deciding who has the best car insurance to suit your needs depends on what is most important to you. For some it may be price, while others may value customer service the most. Still others may be looking for the convenience of mobile apps, or a company that offers the most car insurance discounts.
Below we list car insurance companies in Phoenix, and who they are the best at serving, based on CarInsurance.com’s customer satisfaction survey of current policy holders and rate data analysis.
| Best for | Company |
|---|---|
| Claims | Allstate |
| Value/Price | Geico |
| Customer Service | Allstate |
| Websites/Apps | Progressive |
| Recommend | Allstate |
| Low Annual Mileage | State Farm Mutual Auto |
| Good Student | Farmers Ins Co of AZ |
| Bundle | Allstate F&C |
| Paid in Full | Allstate F&C |
How Much Car Insurance do I Need in Phoenix, AZ?
Below we’ll explain what coverage you need to drive legally, which is your state required minimum liability limits, and what types of car insurance you may need to be truly protected.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Phoenix, AZ
Arizona car insurance laws require only that you insure yourself against bodily injury and property damage liability, so it’s your choice whether to add coverage for yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle.
If you have a newer model car, it makes sense to get comprehensive insurance and collision coverage. In Arizona, comprehensive costs $223 and collision costs $706, on an average per year, according to a rate data analysis done by CarInsurance.com.
These optional coverages come with a deductible. That’s the amount you pay before your insurance company pays. Typical deductibles amounts are $1,000, $500 and $250 – you choose which one you want. The higher the deductible is, the lower your rate will be.
The best car insurance coverage usually isn’t the cheapest. You may be used if you’re in an accident and your insurance doesn’t cover all of the damages. That means your home or savings could be in jeopardy.
To protect your assets, you should buy liability insurance in the following amounts:
- $1,00,000 to pay for others’ medical bills
- $3,00,000 to pay for injuries to others in an accident you cause
- $1,00,000 to pay for damage to others’ property
You should also consider buying these optional coverages:
- Comprehensive, which replaces stolen cars and covers damage to your car from floods, fire, hail, vandalism.
- Collision, which pays for damage to your car from accidents.
Compare Car Insurance Quotes in Phoenix, AZ & Save Money
You can save an average of $2,158 annually on a full coverage policy in Phoenix by comparing car insurance quotes, according to CarInsurance.com’s rate analysis. While savings will depend on your particular circumstances, this shows that there is a significant benefit to shopping your policy.
Phoenix, AZ Car Insurance FAQ’s
How much does insurance go up after a speeding ticket in Phoenix, AZ?
A speeding ticket in Phoenix will hike your car insurance rates by an average of 41% , or about $1,178 yearly. CarInsurance.com’s rate analysis shows how much more drivers in Phoenix can expect to pay, on average, for speeding and other common violations.
Minor traffic violations, such as speeding, typically stay on your record for about three years, and you can expect to see the rate increase upon your policy renewal date. More severe infractions, such as DUI, typically stay on your record much longer.
How much does insurance go up for tickets in Phoenix, AZ?
Phoenix drivers can expect to see a hike in their rates in the range of 40% for minor moving violations such as tailgating or blowing through a stop sign, 66% for more severe infractions such as DUI.
Below you’ll see how much rates increase, on average, for common traffic violations.
Remember, though, that because insurance companies assess risk differently, you can still save by comparison shopping, because one carrier may ding you a lot for a citation, while another may spike your rate by much less.
| Violation | Average rate | Rate after violation | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 speeding tickets 11 mph or over | $2,890 | $4,440 | $1,550 | 54% |
| Careless driving | $2,890 | $4,234 | $1,344 | 47% |
| Distracted driving ticket | $2,890 | $4,165 | $1,275 | 44% |
| Driving without a license or permit | $2,890 | $3,390 | $500 | 17% |
| Driving without insurance | $2,890 | $3,336 | $446 | 15% |
| DUI/DWI first offense | $2,890 | $4,744 | $1,854 | 64% |
| DUI/DWI second offense | $2,890 | $6,915 | $4,025 | 139% |
| Failure to stop | $2,890 | $3,717 | $827 | 29% |
| Failure to yield | $2,890 | $3,717 | $827 | 29% |
| Following too closely | $2,890 | $3,717 | $827 | 29% |
| Improper turn | $2,890 | $3,720 | $830 | 29% |
| Improper/illegal pass | $2,890 | $3,720 | $830 | 29% |
| Operating a vehicle in a race (highway racing) | $2,890 | $4,837 | $1,947 | 67% |
| Reckless driving | $2,890 | $4,726 | $1,836 | 64% |
| Seatbelt infraction | $2,890 | $3,313 | $423 | 15% |
| Talking on cellphone ticket | $2,890 | $3,745 | $855 | 30% |
| Texting ticket | $2,890 | $3,745 | $855 | 30% |
How much will an accident raise my insurance in Phoenix, AZ?
An accident will increase car insurance rates by 47% to 100%, on average, for drivers in Phoenix. When you file a claim for an accident that’s your fault, typically your car insurance rates will increase.
However, claims under your comprehensive coverage, if you have it as it’s optional, typically won’t trigger an increase. That’s because comprehensive claims are for damage insurers consider to be beyond your control, for instance due to hail, fire, flooding, falling objects or collisions with an animal.
The table below shows how much for drivers in Phoenix can expect to pay for common car insurance claims.
| Accident | Average Rate | Rate after claim | $ Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 At-fault property damage accident over $2K | $2,890 | $4,299 | $1,409 | 49% |
| 1 At-fault property damage accident under $2K | $2,890 | $4,236 | $1,346 | 47% |
| 2 At-fault property damage accident over $2k | $2,890 | $5,786 | $2,896 | 100% |
| At-fault bodily injury accident | $2,890 | $4,460 | $1,570 | 54% |
How much does it cost to add a teen driver to your insurance in Phoenix, AZ?
In Phoenix, adding a 16-year-old daughter to your policy will hike your rates by $2,881 annually, or 152% It’s more for boys. Insuring your 16-year-old son will increase your yearly rate by $3,554, or 188% according to CarInsurance.com rate data.
Teen drivers are inexperienced, and are involved in more accidents than older drivers, according to federal research, and insurance companies categorize them as high-risk drivers, so they cost more to insure.
If you’re insuring a teen driver of any age, you can get expert tips, more rate data by age and details from our “Parents guide to insuring a teen driver.”
How much is SR-22 insurance in Phoenix, AZ?
CarInsurance.com data show that for drivers in Phoenix, your rate will go up by an average of $1,619 or 56%. If you’re convicted of a serious offense, such as DUI or reckless driving, you may be required to have your insurance company file an SR-22 form on your behalf.
An SR-22 is a car insurance company’s guarantee to the state that you are carrying the legally mandated coverage. If you are required to have an SR-22 filed, your car insurance rates will increase.
Phoenix commuters
The average drive time in 2018 for Phoenix workers 16 and older to their job was 25.7 minutes, which is less than the national average of 26.1, according to the U.S. Census.
The mean time calculated by the Census includes time spent waiting for public transportation, picking up passengers in carpools and other activities related to getting to work.
Phoenix commuters’ modes of transportation to work, according to the 2018 U.S. Census:
- Drive alone: 74%
- Carpool: 13%
- Public transit: 3%
- Bicycle: 1%
- Walk: 1%
- Other: 2%
- Work at home: 6%
A 2017 study issued by Data USA showed Phoenix commuters logged in an average time of 24.8 minutes. Additional data compiled by Data USA in that same year found that 1.96% of the workforce in Phoenix are “super commuters,” meaning they drive an excess of 90 minutes to their job.
Cough! Phoenix congestion
They say the air is better in Arizona. If you’ve got breathing problems, Phoenix is a great place to live. And Phoenix is no Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago or Washington, DC, when it comes to traffic congestion, either, faring much better than any of them.
In an annual report conducted by INRIX, Phoenix dropped from the number 134 spot in 2017 to the 125th slot in 2018 on the “most congested urban areas in the world” list. It came in at number 22 in the U.S. The country’s list is topped by Boston, Washington, DC, Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles.
Phoenix drivers lost up to $1,013 each per year due to congestion. That’s not bad when compared to Boston, which lost up to $2,291. According to the study, Phoenix drivers spend 73 hours stuck in congestion per year.
GPS company TomTom releases an annual traffic index, ranking the most congested cities by country and the world. With a 17% congestion level, Phoenix landed at number 56 in North America in a 2018 list that was topped by Mexico City, Los Angeles, Vancouver and New York, and showed no change from 2017. Phoenix ranked as the number 326 most traffic-congested by world’s standards on the TomTom list.
Vehicle ownership
Compared nationally, Phoenix households (and there are some 608,384) are within the average range for car ownership, which is two cars. The largest share of households in the city has two cars, followed by one car, according to recent statistics from Data USA. Less than 4% of households have five cars or more.
Phoenix motor vehicle crashes
There were 43,976 vehicle crashes in Phoenix in 2018, according to a report from the Phoenix Department of Transportation. Statewide, there were 127,056 crashes in 2018, as compared to 127,805 in 2017, which is less than a 1% change.
Vehicle crashes in Phoenix 2018:
- Fatal: 234
- Causing injuries: 11,823
- Property damage only: 31,919
In those Phoenix crashes, 246 people were killed and 17,265 were injured, according to the report. There were a total number of 1,010 killed in automobile crashes in the state in 2018.
Fatal Phoenix crashes involving young drivers
There were a total of 91 fatal car accidents in Phoenix involving drivers between the ages of 15-19 from 2014 to 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Fatal crashes with drivers between the ages of 15-19:
- 2014: 18
- 2015: 17
- 2016: 20
- 2017: 21
- 2018: 15
DUIs
Of the 43,976 crashes that occurred in Phoenix in 2018, 1,253 of those were alcohol-related, according to an Arizona Department of Transportation report.
In those DUI crashes, 86 were killed and 707 injured in 2018 in Phoenix. There were 261 alcohol-related crash fatalities in Arizona in 2018, dropping nearly 20% in 2017, when there were 324 in the state.
Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities
Phoenix is part of Maricopa County, which saw 1,321 pedestrian (including bicycles) crashes in 2018.
Of those, 164 were fatal, 1,126 caused injuries and 31 involved property damage only. In that total number of crashes, 166 pedestrians were killed and 1,176 sustained injuries in Maricopa County in 2018, according to a report from the Arizona Department of Transportation.
An analysis by the Arizona Republic in 2019 discovered that Phoenix has the state’s highest rate of pedestrian deaths among cities with populations above 10,000. The number of pedestrians killed by cars has more than doubled since 2010.
The same study designated the “hot spots,” where a majority of Phoenix’s pedestrian-related crashes have occurred.
The Republic’s findings as reported on AZcentral.com:
19th Avenue, north and south of intersection with Dunlap Avenue
- Total fatalities — 2
- Total serious injuries — 10
- Fatalities outside intersections — 2
Northern Avenue, near intersection with 12th Street
- Total fatalities — 5
- Total serious injuries — 2
- Fatalities outside intersections — 3
Around intersection of 35th Avenue and Glendale Avenue
- Total fatalities — 3
- Total serious injuries — 12
- Fatalities outside intersections — 3
27th Avenue, Bethany Home Road to Claremont Street
- Total fatalities — 6
- Total serious injuries — 4
- Fatalities outside intersections — 6
Camelback Road, 19th Avenue to I-17
- Total fatalities — 3
- Total serious injuries — 12
- Fatalities outside intersections: — 2
35th Avenue, Grand Avenue to Glenrosa Avenue
- Total fatalities — 2
- Total serious injuries — 8
- Fatalities outside intersections — 1
Around intersection of 27th Avenue and Indian School Road
- Total fatalities — 3
- Total serious injuries — 10
- Fatalities outside intersections — 1
Indian School Road, 19th Avenue to 23rd Avenue
- Total fatalities — 3
- Total serious injuries — 12
- Fatalities outside intersections — 3
Indian School Road, 7th Street to 12th Street
- Total fatalities — 4
- Total serious injuries — 9
- Fatalities outside intersections — 4
Thomas Road, Central Avenue to 3rd Street
- Total fatalities — 2
- Total serious injuries — 8
- Fatalities outside intersections — 0
McDowell Road, 40th Street to 43rd Street
- Total fatalities — 5
- Total serious injuries — 8
- Fatalities outside intersections — 5
7th Avenue, starting just north of Buckeye Road to Cocopah Street
- Total fatalities — 4
- Total serious injuries — 6
- Fatalities outside intersections — 4
Most dangerous intersections in Phoenix
There are several “problem areas” in terms of traffic in Phoenix. Based on a report by USA Today partner, the Arizona Republic, law firm Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker, PLLC, put together a list of the 5 most dangerous intersections in Phoenix.
They are, as described by Mushkatel, Robbins & Becker:
- 27th Avenue and Camelback Road: This area of high traffic is congested by students and workers coming from and going to Grand Canyon University. This area is also frequented during work commutes.
- 67th Avenue and Indian School Road: This intersection is located in a densely populated area for homes and apartments. As a result, the area becomes highly congested during the early and evening “rush hours.” In the mid-afternoon, students returning home from school can also fill the roads.
- 75th Avenue and Indian School Road: This area of Indian School Road widens just past this intersection. Motorists anticipate this opening and often accelerate through the intersection to attempt to beat red lights and limit their delay times.
- 59th Avenue and Thomas Road: Another popular commuter thoroughfare, this area also sees traffic to the Cartwright School located to the southeast. Particularly busy times occur at the start and dismissal of school.
- 67th Avenue and McDowell Road: Commuters coming from multiple areas meet here if they want to avoid I-10. These commuters rarely slow for the residential traffic that originates from this intersection.
Guzzling gas
The Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles reports that nearly 1.8 billion gallons of gas were purchased in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, in 2019. Gas and diesel combined came to about 1.95 billion gallons in that same year.
Completing the Phoenix loop system with the South Mountain Freeway
West Phoenix drivers welcome the 22-mile South Mountain Freeway in 2020, when it is scheduled for full completion, although traffic is expected to be using the freeway earlier.
The AZ Department of Transportation said the freeway will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to I-10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 and again in 2004 as part of a comprehensive regional transportation plan, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system in the Valley.
Phoenix’s most dangerous roads
Driving can be dangerous no matter the road, but in every city, there are certain streets, highways and roads that pose more of a risk than others.
According to this list with descriptions composed by FindLaw, these are the most dangerous roads in the Phoenix area:
- Bell Road: As a major corridor through the Valley, Bell Road carries a lot of traffic and makes a lot of turns. It’s estimated that 90,000 drivers use this roadway every day. The problem is the large number of intersections and surrounding strip malls that attract many motorists. Be especially careful at the 7th Street intersection.
- Interstate 10: This span has caused up to 85 fatalities in a single year (out of 700 across all of Arizona). The problem isn’t just the number of accidents, but the severity of the crashes due to freeway speeds.
- Indian School Road: One of the widest roads in Maricopa County, and more lanes mean more opportunities for drivers to collide.
- Dunlap Avenue and 35th Avenue: Nearly 70,500 vehicles traveled through this intersection each weekday, making Dunlap and 35th one of the busiest intersections in Maricopa County. Traffic engineers call this intersection a “perfect storm” due to its mixed use.
- Peoria Avenue: Peoria Avenue suffers from congestion and too many speeders.
- Interstate 17: The road between Phoenix and Flagstaff may be scenic, but don’t let the Red Rocks of Sedona distract you from driving.
- 59th Avenue: The most dangerous part of 59th Avenue is north through Glendale.
- 19th Avenue and Northern Avenue: This is another major east-west artery that suffers chronic congestion, leading to reckless driving and, ultimately, more accidents.
Phoenix distracted drivers
In April 2019, Arizona became the 48th state to ban drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. The distracted driver law says that drivers cannot operate a cell phone, in any way, or send or read any texted communication. They also cannot hold or support a mobile device with their body while driving.
The law officially goes into effect in January 2021, when drivers can be fined up to $149 for the first offense, and at least $150 for each subsequent offense. The law does not apply in emergency situations.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there have been 52 deaths that involved distracted driving in Phoenix between the years of 2014 and 2018.
Phoenix deaths involving distracted drivers:
- 2014: 18
- 2015: 10
- 2016: 4
- 2017: 13
- 2018: 7
Driving tourists: beware in downtown Phoenix
According to tripsavvy.com, there are “three major issues that most tourists face when driving in downtown Phoenix: troubles understanding where the METRO Light Rail runs, problems navigating the exits along the 202 Loop and navigating the ‘suicide lanes’ on 7th Avenue.”
Ask the Insurance Expert
Laura Longero
Executive Editor
Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
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John McCormick
Editorial Director
John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Managing Editor
Leslie Kasperowicz is an insurance educator and content creation professional with nearly two decades of experience first directly in the insurance industry at Farmers Insurance and then as a writer, researcher, and educator for insurance shoppers writing for sites like ExpertInsuranceReviews.com and InsuranceHotline.com and managing content, now at CarInsurance.com.
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Nupur Gambhir
Managing Editor
Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.
Guide to car insurance in cities of Arizona
