Arkansas car insurance laws and requirements: What is changing in 2025

Q: Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Arkansas?

Yes , Arkansas requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 25/50/25.

Q: Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes , your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

Arkansas car insurance laws

Arkansas requires that drivers carry at least 25/50/25.

These limits are in place to ease the financial burden for drivers who cause an accident and for the victims. The at-fault driver knows their insurer will cover medical expenses and property damage up to a certain amount, and victims can more readily access funds to pay for accident costs.

However, coverage limits are very low and will not cover expenses from a serious accident. To be better protected, Arkansas drivers should consider increasing liability limits and adding coverage, such as collision and comprehensive.

Arkansas car insurance requirements

Arkansas requires the following coverage:

Liability. There are two parts to liability coverage. First, bodily injury liability pays medical costs associated with an accident, such as doctor visits, surgery, and prescriptions. Second, property damage liability covers repairing or replacing items such as vehicles, fences, or buildings.

Arkansas liability minimums are 25/50/25.

The average cost of a minimum coverage policy is $397. However, Geico has the lowest minimum car insurance rates, averaging $285.

The table below shows the top insurers' average rates for minimum coverage in Arkansas.

Company	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Geico	$285	$24
Southern Farm Bureau	$337	$28
Progressive	$375	$31
State Farm	$401	$33
Nationwide	$402	$33
Shelter Insurance	$414	$34
Travelers	$432	$36
Alfa Insurance	$522	$43
Farmers	$556	$46
Allstate	$629	$52
USAA	$208	$17

Read our methodology

Arkansas car insurance cost for minimum coverage limits

On average, state minimum car insurance costs $397. Car insurance rates for minimum coverage vary by company and driver. The table below shows average rates for drivers with minimum coverage in Arkansas.

The cheapest company for minimum coverage in Arkansas is Geico at an average rate of $285 annually.

State minimum coverage limit	25/50/25
Average annual premium	$397
Average monthly premium	$33

Read our methodology

Are the Arkansas minimum coverage requirements changing in 2025?

Arkansas car insurance requirements will not change in 2025. You do not need to make any changes if you have minimum coverage. If mandatory coverage changes in the future, your insurer will inform you, along with any rate changes.

Why do limits change?

"Several states have minimum requirements of property damage of $10,000-$25,000," says Zack Pope, agency manager at David Pope Insurance in Missouri. "[Given] the current values of vehicles, that's extremely antiquated values of coverage and a main reason that I personally do not offer less than 100/300/100 to customers. It is significantly easier to see a car on the road that is valued at $100,000 than it has been in the past."

What does minimum car insurance cover in Arkansas?

Arkansas requires drivers to carry at least a minimum amount of car insurance to help offset accident costs.

Arkansas drivers are required to carry liability coverage. Bodily injury liability helps pay for injuries you cause to others in an accident. Property damage liability covers items damaged in an accident, such as another vehicle, fence, or other property.

Arkansas is a no-fault state, meaning your insurer pays for your injuries and damages regardless of who caused the accident. The law requires you to carry personal injury protectionPersonal injury protection (PIP) pays for your medical, hospital and funeral expenses resulting from a car accident, regardless of who's at fault. (PIP) to pay medical costs, such as doctor visits and prescriptions.

PEOPLE ASK:

Is Arkansas minimum car insurance enough?

It may not be. Even a moderately serious accident could exceed the state minimum limits of 25/50/25, and minimum coverage may not cover all accident costs. Furthermore, state minimums do not cover your vehicle; you need to add comprehensive and collision coverage.

How much car insurance is enough in Arkansas?

Car insurance isn't one size fits all. The amount of coverage you need depends on your assets, net worth and risk level.

For example, if you are financially stable and can afford to pay out of pocket for medical costs and repairs, you may keep insurance limits low. However, you may be sued for the cost difference if you have a sizeable net worth and don't carry enough insurance to cover expenses.

Additionally, if you drive very little or have a short commute, your chances of causing an accident are relatively low. Also, you may choose to skip coverages such as collision and comprehensive if your car isn't worth much, or you can afford to pay for a new vehicle if yours is damaged. However, if you have a loan or lease you will be required to carry this coverage by your lender.

Consider your financial situation when determining how much car insurance you need.

Arkansas penalties for driving without car insurance

Since Arkansas requires its drivers to carry car insurance, failing to do so has consequences. Although you may be tempted to skip coverage to save money, you'll wind up paying heavily in the long run.

Failing to carry Arkansas car insurance has penalties including those listed below. Keep in mind that repeated infractions have more severe penalties, such as jail time.

Fines	$250-$500
Other penalties	License and registration suspension
Jail time	Yes

Read our methodology

Arkansas minimum coverage cost by age group

Younger drivers pay for more car insurance because they lack experience behind the wheel. Fortunately, rates decrease as drivers age.

The table below breaks down the cost of car insurance for various age groups. Geico has the best rates for teens with minimum coverage averaging $989. Geico offers the cheapest coverage for adults at $287.

Additionally, females and males pay different rates. The average rate for a 40-year-old female is $403, and the average rate for a 40-year-old male is $391, a difference of $12.

Male

Male
Female

Age	Company	Male annual premium	Male monthly premium
16	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,215	$101
16	Geico	$1,345	$112
16	Travelers	$1,755	$146
16	Nationwide	$1,858	$155
16	State Farm	$1,858	$155
16	Shelter Insurance	$2,144	$179
16	Alfa Insurance	$2,591	$216
16	Progressive	$2,598	$217
16	Allstate	$3,736	$311
16	Farmers	$4,647	$387
16	USAA	$1,183	$99
17	Geico	$921	$77
17	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,043	$87
17	Alfa Insurance	$1,155	$96
17	Travelers	$1,396	$116
17	Shelter Insurance	$1,523	$127
17	State Farm	$1,605	$134
17	Nationwide	$1,819	$152
17	Progressive	$2,598	$217
17	Allstate	$3,201	$267
17	Farmers	$3,220	$268
17	USAA	$783	$65
18	Geico	$827	$69
18	Southern Farm Bureau	$915	$76
18	Alfa Insurance	$1,098	$92
18	Travelers	$1,143	$95
18	State Farm	$1,369	$114
18	Shelter Insurance	$1,390	$116
18	Nationwide	$1,757	$146
18	Allstate	$2,184	$182
18	Progressive	$2,191	$183
18	Farmers	$2,671	$223
18	USAA	$624	$52
19	Geico	$641	$53
19	Southern Farm Bureau	$808	$67
19	Travelers	$933	$78
19	Alfa Insurance	$1,010	$84
19	State Farm	$1,167	$97
19	Progressive	$1,222	$102
19	Shelter Insurance	$1,251	$104
19	Allstate	$1,262	$105
19	Nationwide	$1,501	$125
19	Farmers	$1,513	$126
19	USAA	$461	$38
20	Geico	$553	$46
20	Southern Farm Bureau	$724	$60
20	Travelers	$811	$68
20	Alfa Insurance	$944	$79
20	State Farm	$998	$83
20	Progressive	$1,031	$86
20	Allstate	$1,100	$92
20	Shelter Insurance	$1,108	$92
20	Nationwide	$1,280	$107
20	Farmers	$1,327	$111
20	USAA	$417	$35
21	Geico	$414	$35
21	Southern Farm Bureau	$655	$55
21	Travelers	$702	$59
21	Progressive	$721	$60
21	Alfa Insurance	$743	$62
21	Nationwide	$759	$63
21	Farmers	$782	$65
21	State Farm	$836	$70
21	Allstate	$860	$72
21	Shelter Insurance	$912	$76
21	USAA	$303	$25
22	Geico	$359	$30
22	Southern Farm Bureau	$599	$50
22	Progressive	$628	$52
22	Travelers	$636	$53
22	Alfa Insurance	$665	$55
22	Nationwide	$693	$58
22	Farmers	$738	$62
22	State Farm	$742	$62
22	Allstate	$795	$66
22	Shelter Insurance	$837	$70
22	USAA	$286	$24
23	Geico	$334	$28
23	Southern Farm Bureau	$529	$44
23	Progressive	$565	$47
23	Travelers	$578	$48
23	Alfa Insurance	$616	$51
23	Nationwide	$639	$53
23	State Farm	$641	$53
23	Farmers	$666	$56
23	Allstate	$759	$63
23	Shelter Insurance	$781	$65
23	USAA	$264	$22
24	Geico	$318	$27
24	Southern Farm Bureau	$469	$39
24	Progressive	$512	$43
24	Travelers	$545	$45
24	State Farm	$556	$46
24	Alfa Insurance	$590	$49
24	Nationwide	$596	$50
24	Farmers	$639	$53
24	Allstate	$698	$58
24	Shelter Insurance	$736	$61
24	USAA	$255	$21
25	Geico	$297	$25
25	Southern Farm Bureau	$428	$36
25	Progressive	$470	$39
25	Travelers	$486	$41
25	State Farm	$489	$41
25	Nationwide	$502	$42
25	Allstate	$636	$53
25	Shelter Insurance	$637	$53
25	Farmers	$647	$54
25	Alfa Insurance	NA	NA
25	USAA	$246	$21
30	Geico	$265	$22
30	Southern Farm Bureau	$349	$29
30	State Farm	$398	$33
30	Nationwide	$429	$36
30	Progressive	$441	$37
30	Travelers	$475	$40
30	Shelter Insurance	$525	$44
30	Alfa Insurance	$526	$44
30	Farmers	$585	$49
30	Allstate	$629	$52
30	USAA	$217	$18
35	Geico	$261	$22
35	Southern Farm Bureau	$346	$29
35	Progressive	$386	$32
35	State Farm	$394	$33
35	Nationwide	$407	$34
35	Shelter Insurance	$459	$38
35	Travelers	$474	$40
35	Alfa Insurance	$484	$40
35	Farmers	$547	$46
35	Allstate	$623	$52
35	USAA	$210	$18
40	Geico	$263	$22
40	Southern Farm Bureau	$346	$29
40	Progressive	$371	$31
40	Nationwide	$396	$33
40	State Farm	$401	$33
40	Shelter Insurance	$414	$35
40	Travelers	$440	$37
40	Alfa Insurance	$462	$39
40	Farmers	$523	$44
40	Allstate	$623	$52
40	USAA	$207	$17
45	Geico	$262	$22
45	Southern Farm Bureau	$349	$29
45	Progressive	$364	$30
45	Nationwide	$389	$32
45	Shelter Insurance	$391	$33
45	State Farm	$405	$34
45	Travelers	$440	$37
45	Alfa Insurance	$464	$39
45	Farmers	$503	$42
45	Allstate	$625	$52
45	USAA	$200	$17
50	Geico	$262	$22
50	Progressive	$339	$28
50	Southern Farm Bureau	$347	$29
50	Shelter Insurance	$359	$30
50	Nationwide	$378	$32
50	State Farm	$398	$33
50	Travelers	$440	$37
50	Alfa Insurance	$459	$38
50	Farmers	$485	$40
50	Allstate	$633	$53
50	USAA	$195	$16
55	Geico	$262	$22
55	Progressive	$325	$27
55	Southern Farm Bureau	$335	$28
55	Shelter Insurance	$347	$29
55	Nationwide	$364	$30
55	State Farm	$388	$32
55	Travelers	$417	$35
55	Alfa Insurance	$440	$37
55	Farmers	$464	$39
55	Allstate	$634	$53
55	USAA	$193	$16
60	Geico	$265	$22
60	Southern Farm Bureau	$320	$27
60	Progressive	$328	$27
60	Shelter Insurance	$347	$29
60	Nationwide	$356	$30
60	State Farm	$378	$32
60	Travelers	$423	$35
60	Alfa Insurance	$451	$38
60	Farmers	$478	$40
60	Allstate	$644	$54
60	USAA	$195	$16
65	Geico	$274	$23
65	Southern Farm Bureau	$308	$26
65	Progressive	$347	$29
65	Shelter Insurance	$359	$30
65	State Farm	$378	$32
65	Nationwide	$382	$32
65	Travelers	$460	$38
65	Alfa Insurance	$501	$42
65	Farmers	$547	$46
65	Allstate	$673	$56
65	USAA	$210	$18
70	Geico	$305	$25
70	Southern Farm Bureau	$317	$26
70	Shelter Insurance	$386	$32
70	State Farm	$401	$33
70	Progressive	$413	$34
70	Nationwide	$429	$36
70	Travelers	$492	$41
70	Alfa Insurance	$534	$45
70	Farmers	$620	$52
70	Allstate	$678	$57
70	USAA	$240	$20
75	Geico	$334	$28
75	Southern Farm Bureau	$371	$31
75	Shelter Insurance	$414	$35
75	State Farm	$448	$37
75	Nationwide	$498	$42
75	Progressive	$550	$46
75	Travelers	$552	$46
75	Alfa Insurance	$573	$48
75	Farmers	$705	$59
75	Allstate	$763	$64
75	USAA	$279	$23

Read our methodology

Age	Company	Female annual premium	Female monthly premium
16	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,242	$104
16	Geico	$1,528	$127
16	Travelers	$1,332	$111
16	Nationwide	$1,571	$131
16	State Farm	$1,456	$121
16	Shelter Insurance	$1,570	$131
16	Alfa Insurance	$2,178	$182
16	Progressive	$2,372	$198
16	Allstate	$3,810	$318
16	Farmers	$4,182	$349
16	USAA	$1,121	$93
17	Geico	$1,008	$84
17	Southern Farm Bureau	$1,063	$89
17	Alfa Insurance	$1,078	$90
17	Travelers	$1,086	$91
17	Shelter Insurance	$1,125	$94
17	State Farm	$1,254	$105
17	Nationwide	$1,536	$128
17	Progressive	$2,371	$198
17	Allstate	$2,771	$231
17	Farmers	$2,923	$244
17	USAA	$768	$64
18	Geico	$922	$77
18	Southern Farm Bureau	$930	$78
18	Alfa Insurance	$1,041	$87
18	Travelers	$907	$76
18	State Farm	$1,082	$90
18	Shelter Insurance	$1,040	$87
18	Nationwide	$1,478	$123
18	Allstate	$1,803	$150
18	Progressive	$1,976	$165
18	Farmers	$2,451	$204
18	USAA	$630	$53
19	Geico	$718	$60
19	Southern Farm Bureau	$818	$68
19	Travelers	$761	$63
19	Alfa Insurance	$969	$81
19	State Farm	$934	$78
19	Progressive	$1,089	$91
19	Shelter Insurance	$957	$80
19	Allstate	$1,175	$98
19	Nationwide	$1,240	$103
19	Farmers	$1,414	$118
19	USAA	$409	$34
20	Geico	$611	$51
20	Southern Farm Bureau	$731	$61
20	Travelers	$680	$57
20	Alfa Insurance	$909	$76
20	State Farm	$816	$68
20	Progressive	$917	$76
20	Allstate	$932	$78
20	Shelter Insurance	$873	$73
20	Nationwide	$1,103	$92
20	Farmers	$1,229	$102
20	USAA	$377	$31
21	Geico	$472	$39
21	Southern Farm Bureau	$660	$55
21	Travelers	$608	$51
21	Progressive	$641	$53
21	Alfa Insurance	$727	$61
21	Nationwide	$682	$57
21	Farmers	$703	$59
21	State Farm	$698	$58
21	Allstate	$781	$65
21	Shelter Insurance	$747	$62
21	USAA	$281	$23
22	Geico	$405	$34
22	Southern Farm Bureau	$602	$50
22	Progressive	$581	$48
22	Travelers	$564	$47
22	Alfa Insurance	$694	$58
22	Nationwide	$623	$52
22	Farmers	$657	$55
22	State Farm	$634	$53
22	Allstate	$766	$64
22	Shelter Insurance	$716	$60
22	USAA	$267	$22
23	Geico	$391	$33
23	Southern Farm Bureau	$530	$44
23	Progressive	$538	$45
23	Travelers	$539	$45
23	Alfa Insurance	$670	$56
23	Nationwide	$573	$48
23	State Farm	$553	$46
23	Farmers	$604	$50
23	Allstate	$714	$60
23	Shelter Insurance	$669	$56
23	USAA	$245	$20
24	Geico	$379	$32
24	Southern Farm Bureau	$469	$39
24	Progressive	$497	$41
24	Travelers	$528	$44
24	State Farm	$499	$42
24	Alfa Insurance	$656	$55
24	Nationwide	$534	$45
24	Farmers	$588	$49
24	Allstate	$671	$56
24	Shelter Insurance	$630	$53
24	USAA	$237	$20
25	Geico	$348	$29
25	Southern Farm Bureau	$426	$36
25	Progressive	$452	$38
25	Travelers	$470	$39
25	State Farm	$448	$37
25	Nationwide	$462	$39
25	Allstate	$641	$53
25	Shelter Insurance	$635	$53
25	Farmers	$600	$50
25	Alfa Insurance	$681	$57
25	USAA	$233	$19
30	Geico	$309	$26
30	Southern Farm Bureau	$341	$28
30	State Farm	$398	$33
30	Nationwide	$418	$35
30	Progressive	$443	$37
30	Travelers	$459	$38
30	Shelter Insurance	$526	$44
30	Alfa Insurance	$604	$50
30	Farmers	$573	$48
30	Allstate	$641	$53
30	USAA	$220	$18
35	Geico	$308	$26
35	Southern Farm Bureau	$333	$28
35	Progressive	$413	$34
35	State Farm	$394	$33
35	Nationwide	$415	$35
35	Shelter Insurance	$459	$38
35	Travelers	$456	$38
35	Alfa Insurance	$584	$49
35	Farmers	$566	$47
35	Allstate	$635	$53
35	USAA	$214	$18
40	Geico	$306	$26
40	Southern Farm Bureau	$327	$27
40	Progressive	$380	$32
40	Nationwide	$407	$34
40	State Farm	$401	$33
40	Shelter Insurance	$414	$35
40	Travelers	$424	$35
40	Alfa Insurance	$585	$49
40	Farmers	$589	$49
40	Allstate	$635	$53
40	USAA	$209	$17
45	Geico	$301	$25
45	Southern Farm Bureau	$323	$27
45	Progressive	$373	$31
45	Nationwide	$389	$32
45	Shelter Insurance	$390	$33
45	State Farm	$405	$34
45	Travelers	$424	$35
45	Alfa Insurance	$463	$39
45	Farmers	$546	$46
45	Allstate	$635	$53
45	USAA	$204	$17
50	Geico	$291	$24
50	Progressive	$338	$28
50	Southern Farm Bureau	$316	$26
50	Shelter Insurance	$355	$30
50	Nationwide	$375	$31
50	State Farm	$398	$33
50	Travelers	$424	$35
50	Alfa Insurance	$454	$38
50	Farmers	$492	$41
50	Allstate	$614	$51
50	USAA	$200	$17
55	Geico	$291	$24
55	Progressive	$314	$26
55	Southern Farm Bureau	$300	$25
55	Shelter Insurance	$340	$28
55	Nationwide	$356	$30
55	State Farm	$388	$32
55	Travelers	$403	$34
55	Alfa Insurance	$453	$38
55	Farmers	$458	$38
55	Allstate	$613	$51
55	USAA	$198	$17
60	Geico	$301	$25
60	Southern Farm Bureau	$281	$23
60	Progressive	$318	$27
60	Shelter Insurance	$340	$28
60	Nationwide	$356	$30
60	State Farm	$378	$32
60	Travelers	$407	$34
60	Alfa Insurance	$470	$39
60	Farmers	$444	$37
60	Allstate	$620	$52
60	USAA	$200	$17
65	Geico	$307	$26
65	Southern Farm Bureau	$266	$22
65	Progressive	$334	$28
65	Shelter Insurance	$357	$30
65	State Farm	$378	$32
65	Nationwide	$367	$31
65	Travelers	$442	$37
65	Alfa Insurance	$482	$40
65	Farmers	$486	$41
65	Allstate	$650	$54
65	USAA	$213	$18
70	Geico	$331	$28
70	Southern Farm Bureau	$268	$22
70	Shelter Insurance	$383	$32
70	State Farm	$401	$33
70	Progressive	$365	$30
70	Nationwide	$396	$33
70	Travelers	$466	$39
70	Alfa Insurance	$519	$43
70	Farmers	$542	$45
70	Allstate	$652	$54
70	USAA	$241	$20
75	Geico	$364	$30
75	Southern Farm Bureau	$309	$26
75	Shelter Insurance	$410	$34
75	State Farm	$448	$37
75	Nationwide	$433	$36
75	Progressive	$426	$36
75	Travelers	$507	$42
75	Alfa Insurance	$560	$47
75	Farmers	$615	$51
75	Allstate	$725	$60
75	USAA	$277	$23

Read our methodology

Arkansas minimum coverage cost by city

Rogers drivers pay the least for minimum coverage in Arkansas at $430. However, Little Rock pay the most at $522.

Car insurance rates vary by city. For example, drivers in larger cities with a high traffic volume or vehicle theft rate pay higher rates.

The table below shows average minimum coverage rates for cities in Arkansas.

City	Average annual premium	Average monthly premium
Rogers	$430	$36
Fort Smith	$438	$37
Springdale	$438	$36
Fayetteville	$440	$37
Conway	$441	$37
Bentonville	$449	$37
Jonesboro	$466	$39
Pine Bluff	$490	$41
North Little Rock	$508	$42
Little Rock	$522	$43

Read our methodology

Optional car insurance coverage in Arkansas

Arkansas requires drivers to carry car insurance to pay for injuries and damages caused to others. However, drivers don't have to carry coverage for their vehicle unless required by a loan or lease.

Drivers may choose optional coverages such as:

Collision. Collision coverage pays for damages to your vehicle if you cause an accident.
Comprehensive. This coverage pays for damages to your car unrelated to an accident, such as fire, flood, falling debris, and hail.
Rental car coverage. This pays for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired for a covered claim and usually has time and cost limits.
Roadside assistance. If you run out of gas, need a tire changed, or have a dead battery roadside assistance will send someone to help.
Gap. Gap coverage pays the difference between what you owe on a car loan and the vehicle's value.

Methodology

Insurance.com commissioned state minimum car insurance rates from Quadrant Information Systems based on a 40-year-old driver with good credit and a clean driving history, driving a 2023 Honda Accord LX. Rates are based on all coverages required by law at minimum coverage limits. Rates were also fielded for various additional age groups. State laws were gathered from state DMV and insurance department websites.

Arkansas car insurance laws and requirements: FAQs

Is it mandatory to have car insurance in Arkansas?

Yes, Arkansas requires that you carry at least the minimum mandatory coverage. Necessary coverage includes 25/50/25.

Will my bare minimum car insurance cover me in another state?

Yes, your car insurance covers claims in another state, even if the minimums are higher in the other state.

What happens if I drive without car insurance in Arkansas?

If you're caught driving without car insurance in Arkansas, you may face fines, a driver's license suspension, having your vehicle impounded, and increased car insurance rates. Additionally, you may face jail time, especially for multiple violations.