Arkansas Auto Insurance Guide
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Get affordable Arkansas auto insurance quote rates for free.
Call Now: (866) 845-3808
From Fayetteville to Jonesboro, Fort Smith to Little Rock, Hope to Hot Springs, Arkansas has thousands of miles of roadways. They’ll take you to the Ozark Mountains and the Mississippi Delta Region. They’re used by over 2 million licensed drivers, who log on average 11,000 miles a piece each year. Along the way, they’re involved in thousands of traffic accidents, including many that result in serious injury or death. Wherever you live and drive in the Land of Opportunity, carrying adequate car insurance is both a legal requirement and commonsense protection. This is your guide to Arkansas’s basic vehicle insurance requirements and laws.
Arkansas state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. Failure to do so can result in severe penalties that may include monetary fines and jail time. Arkansas has a tort system, which means that if you are found to be at fault in a car accident, you can be sued for actual damages (expenses associated with property damage and medical costs), economic damages (lost wages and earning capacity) and emotional and physical pain and suffering. However, Arkansas does allow you to purchase personal injury protection in one of three parts: medical payments, lost wages and death benefits. You may purchase any or all of these coverages. If you decide not to purchase personal injurty coverage, you must reject it in writing.
The bare minimum car insurance requirement for Arkansas drivers is:
Arkansas does not require you to carry additional coverage such as Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist, personal liability or Collision and Comprehensive. This type of coverage will be offered when you purchase liability insurance and will be included in your policy unless you sign a statement rejecting it. However, if you own property or other valuable assets, supplementing the minimum requirements can help you protect yourself from monetary loss.
If you own a car in Arkansas, you are required by law to maintain adequate insurance, keep proof of insurance in your vehicle and keep your registration tags current. Fines for driving without insurance range from $50 to $250 for the first offense, $250 to $500 for the second offense and $500 to $1,000 for third and subsequent offenses, plus possible jail time of up to one year. Arkansas maintains an electronic database on insurance coverage and conducts random checks. Your license plates can be impounded and your registration suspended. If your plates are confiscated during a traffic stop, you will be charged a $20 reinstatement fee. If you are caught via electronic check, the reinstatement fee is $50.
Vehicle insurance premiums are regulated by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Insurance Department. Insurance companies are allowed to charge premiums and award discounts based on a number of factors that can include:
Arkansas also allows insurers to consider your credit history to determine your premium.
You may be able to lower the cost of your premiums in the following ways:
Laws regarding driving and car insurance can change frequently. It is your responsibility to stay current about the legal requirements in Arkansas. The following laws have recently been enacted in Arkansas and may affect your insurance coverage decisions.
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Insurance Department
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