Although many insurance carriers provide coverage across the nation, a person’s vehicle coverage needs in California can be dramatically different than your needs in the Southeast. That’s why we focused on the best car insurance in Arkansas.
After analyzing the best car insurance companies in Arkansas, we narrowed them down to five, based on criteria such as low premiums, good customer service and plenty of coverage options. Large insurers such as State Farm and Progressive made the list, as well as smaller, regional carrier Shelter Insurance. Some of them were also ranked in our list of the best car insurance companies in the country. Read on to learn more about their average car insurance rates and more.
The 5 Best Auto Insurance Companies in Arkansas
- State Farm – Best for online/mobile app
- Progressive – Best for discounts
- Allstate – Best for telematics
- Southern Farm Bureau – Best for transparent pricing
- Shelter Insurance – Best for car insurance packages
Compare the Best Car Insurance Companies in Arkansas
| Average Price for State Minimum* | Average Price for Full Coverage* | AM Best Financial Strength AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin State Farm | $350 | $1,281 | A++ | 847 | |
| Pin Progressive | $376 | $1,492 | A+ | 837 | |
| Pin Allstate | $656 | $3,039 | A++ | 825 | |
| Pin Southern Farm Bureau | $316 | $1,215 | A+ | N/A | |
| Pin Shelter Insurance | $556 | $1,862 | A | 856 |
Information accurate as of July 2021
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
J.D. Power 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction rating for the Central region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Best for Online/Mobile App
Why we chose it
Pros
- Full-featured mobile app
- Solid financial strength
- Good customer service rating
Cons
- Not as many discounts
Types of Coverage Offered
- Bodily injury
- Collision and comprehensive
- Property damage
- Rental car and travel expenses
- Rideshare
- Roadside assistance
Discounts Available
- Accident-free
- Anti-theft device
- Defensive driving course
- Drive Safe & Save app
- Driving training
- Good driver
- Good student
- Multi-line
- Multi-car
- Passive restraint
- Student away at school
More State Farm Insurance Reviews
Best for Discounts
Why we chose it
Pros
- Long list of discounts
- Fast claims handling and payouts
- Customizable policies
Cons
- Some discounts are not available nationwide
- Accident forgiveness may not be available in your area
Types of Coverage Offered
- Custom parts and equipment
- Gap insurance
- Rideshare
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
Discounts Available
- AutoPay
- Distant student
- Good student
- Insurance bundles
- Multi-vehicle
- Online quote
- Paperless billing
- Pay in full
- Snapshot® program
- Teen driver
More Progressive Insurance Reviews
Best for Telematics
Why we chose it
Pros
- Nationwide agent network
- Drivewise program
- 24/7 claims center
Cons
- Below average customer satisfaction
- Not many discounts
- Claim satisfaction guarantee not available in Arkansas
Types of Coverage Offered
- Collision and comprehensive
- Personal umbrella
- Rental reimbursement
- Roadside coverage
- Sound system insurance
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Discounts Available
- Anti-lock brakes
- Anti-theft devices
- Automatic payments
- Multi-policy
- New car
- Paperless
- Pay-in-full
- Responsible payer
- Safe driver
- Smart student
More Allstate Insurance Reviews
Best for Transparent Pricing
Why we chose it
Pros
- Three tiers of coverage
- Classic car coverage available
- Identity theft coverage available
Cons
- Must qualify and pay a membership fee to get insurance
- Below average customer satisfaction
Types of Coverage Offered
- Classic car
- Medical payments
- Personal injury protection
- Rental and travel expense
- Roadside assistance
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist
Discounts Available
- Accident-free
- Continuous coverage
- Driver training
- Defensive driving
- Financially responsible
- Good driver
- Good student
- Loyalty
- Multi-policy
Best for Car Insurance Packages
Why we chose it
Pros
- Many unique coverages available
- Discounts for insured companions
- Smaller, regional insurance carrier
Cons
- Expensive premiums
- Slower claims process
- Customer service only available six days per week
Types of Coverage Offered
- Accidental death
- Disability income
- Gap/loss of use
- New car replacement
- Personal injury protection
- Roadside assistance
Discounts Available
- Accident Prevention Course
- Companion life insurance
- Companion policy
- Good student
- Multi-car
- Multi-line
- Paid in full
- Safe driver discounts
* Data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study rating for the Central region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Arkansas
Bankrate.com’s 2021 data shows that that the average cost of car insurance in Arkansas is $470 per year for minimum liability coverage and $1,914 per year for full coverage. Minimum coverage in the U.S. overall costs $565 per year, so Arkansas drivers pay less for minimum. But the national average for full coverage is $1,674 per year so Arkansas comes in higher there. To find the best car insurance in Arkansas, shop around to compare quotes from several carriers.
Many factors influence your car insurance rates, including driving history, credit score, number of claims filed and age. Teen drivers in Arkansas are the second most dangerous young drivers in the country, potentially raising premiums for teens in the state.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Arkansas
| Company | Average Annual Premium* |
| USAA | $1,142 |
| Farmers | $1,150 |
| Southern Farm Bureau | $1,215 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in Arkansas
| Company | Average Annual Premium* |
| Shelter Insurance | $4,183 |
| Allstate | $3,039 |
| The Hanover | $2,619 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in Arkansas
| City | Average Annual Premium* |
| Lowell | $1,689 |
| Cave Springs | $1,689 |
| Bella Vista | $1,700 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in Arkansas
| City | Average Annual Premium* |
| West Helena | $2,184 |
| Helena-West Helena | $2,178 |
| Lexa | $2,160 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Guide to Arkansas Car Insurance
If you’re new to Arkansas, the Arkansas Insurance Department provides useful information and allows you to file a complaint if you’re having trouble finding the best auto insurance in Arkansas. You can also do a search to confirm the insurance broker you’re working with is licensed. Make an appointment in advance or renew your driver’s license online through the Arkansas DMV.
Key things to know about car insurance in Arkansas:
- Arkansas is an at-fault state, meaning the person who caused the crash is financially responsible.
- Car insurance is mandatory.
- Insurance carriers in Arkansas are allowed to check your credit score to price your policy.
Car Insurance Add-Ons That Will Further Protect You
As mentioned earlier, Arkansas is prone to unpredictable weather, such as tornadoes and has other unique conditions. Consider adding on the following kinds of coverage:
- Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive coverage will pay to repair or replace your car if you strike an animal on one of the many rural highways or your car is damaged from flooding or a tornado.
- Collision insurance: Teen drivers are more prone to accidents than in any other state. If your teen is behind the wheel of your car and is responsible for a crash, basic coverage will pay for others’ damage but not yours. Add collision insurance to reimburse damages or repairs to your vehicle as well.
- Roadside assistance: Arkansas has large, rural areas where breaking down can leave you in a lurch. Adding roadside assistance can provide a free pick up, battery jump-start and towing if you break down.
Arkansas Minimum Insurance Requirements
The state of Arkansas requires car insurance for all drivers. The state’s minimum is 25/50/25 liability coverage.
Minimum liability required in the state of Arkansas is divided as follows:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Arkansas Car Insurance FAQ
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s data of car insurance in Arkansas, based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
About the Authors
Cynthia Paez Bowman is a contributing writer for Reviews.com. Over the last two years, she has covered insurance, home security and more. She has been featured in MSN, Bankrate, Coverage.com, The Simple Dollar and GOBankingRates. She has dual bachelors degrees in International Business and Journalism from American University in Washington, D.C. “Is It Getting Harder to Get Home Insurance in High-Risk Areas?” is Cynthia’s favorite story on Reviews.com.
