Like most states, Arizona requires that every motor vehicle on the road be covered by a car insurance policy that meets certain minimum requirements, in case the vehicle is involved in a traffic accident. In this article, we'll discuss:
Arizona follows a traditional "fault"-based system when it comes to financial responsibility for losses stemming from a car accident: injuries, lost income, vehicle damage, and so on. This means that the person who was at fault for causing the car accident is also responsible for any resulting harm (from a practical standpoint, the at-fault driver's insurance carrier will absorb these losses, up to policy limits).
If you suffer injury or vehicle damage due to an auto accident in Arizona, you might be able to get compensation in one of three ways:
Note: In a no-fault car insurance state, a claimant doesn't usually have this same range of options. But Arizona drivers don't need to worry about no-fault for an in-state accident.
Arizona requires that each motor vehicle in operation on the state's roads be covered by liability insurance through a company authorized to do business in the state. That includes not just cars and trucks, but also golf carts, motorcycles and mopeds. The required minimum amounts of liability car insurance coverage in Arizona are:
This basic coverage pays the medical bills, property damage bills, and other costs of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who are injured or have their vehicle damaged in a car accident you cause, up to coverage limits. You can (and in some situations should) carry more coverage to protect you in case a serious crash results in significant car accident injuries and vehicle damage. Remember, once policy limits are exhausted, you are personally on the financial hook, so higher insurance limits can help protect your personal assets in the event of a serious crash.
Your liability coverage will kick in if any family member is driving your vehicle, or if you've given someone else permission to use it. It will likely also cover you if you get into an accident in a rental car.
Finally, remember that the liability coverage we discussed here doesn't apply to your own injuries or vehicle damage after an Arizona car accident. You'll need different (additional) coverage for that if you're involved in a car accident and no one else's coverage applies to your losses. For example, personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay coverage can be used to pay your car accident medical bills (this coverage is optional in Arizona), and collision coverage (also optional in Arizona) can pay for repairs to (or replacement of) your damaged vehicle after a car accident.
Arizona drivers can show proof of car insurance to a law enforcement officer by:
If you're asked for proof of insurance during a traffic stop or after a car accident in Arizona, and a law enforcement officer learns that you don't have insurance, you'll almost certainly face suspension of your vehicle's registration and/or your driver's license. And in order to get these privileges reinstated, you'll need to pay fees and file proof of financial responsibility with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Department.
Of course, these penalties will likely pale in comparison to the financial hit you could take if you're in a car accident and you don't have car insurance.
For more details on Arizona's car insurance rules, straight from the state, check out the Arizona Department of Transportation's frequently-asked questions on mandatory car insurance and its Vehicle Insurance Information portal.
If you simply have questions about Arizona's car insurance rules, hopefully we've answered those here. But if you've been involved in a car accident in Arizona, you might need information that's tailored to your situation, including a snapshot of your options. Learn more about what to do after a car accident, and how a lawyer can help with your car accident claim. And if you're ready to reach out to a legal professional now, you can use the features right on this page to connect with an Arizona car accident lawyer in your area.