Understand Arizona’s Insurance Requirements
Know what’s mandatory. Arizona vehicle owners must buy Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability coverage for each car, truck, motorcycle, moped or golf cart they own and operate. BI/PD pays for injuries or damage you cause by accident, to the policy limits.
Optional coverages offer important protection. Injuries caused by an uninsured or underinsured drivers are covered by Uninsured and Undersinsured Motorist Bodily Injury coverage. Medical Payments covers medical and other expenses that result from an accident. Comprehensive and Collision coverages protect your car from damage, theft or other loss that’s your responsibility. Higher deductibles can save you money.
Keep Your Insurance Current
18% of Arizona drivers do not have auto insurance. Arizona law requires you to purchase auto insurance before you drive a car off the lot. The minimum coverage for Arizona drivers is 15/30/10 which pays up to $15,000 per injured person, up to a total of $30,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and up to $10,000 for property damage.
If you don't? Insurance companies must notify the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of all policy cancellations and non-renewals. If that happens, you must show proof of insurance within 30 days or risk losing your driver’s license, your vehicle registration or both. And, you pay a $50 reinstatement fee and show proof of insurance with an SR-22 filing for 3 years.
The Minimum Is Not Enough
Understand when to buy more. As health care costs and auto repair costs rise every year, Arizona’s minimum limits simply aren’t enough for most drivers. If you cause a serious accident injuring several people and the medical expenses exceed your limits, you will be personally responsible for the excess amount. A judgment against you could mean the loss of your house or your savings.