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Arizona requires 25/50/15 liability coverage on every registered vehicle, and it has one of the clearer penalty ladders in the country. Under A.R.S. 28-4135, a first no-insurance violation carries a civil penalty of at least $500 and a three-month suspension or restriction of driving privileges. A second violation within 36 months raises the minimum penalty to $750 and the suspension to six months, and three or more violations bring at least $1,000 and a year off the road.
The state also uses its own terminology for the financial proof that follows a violation: an SR-22 is called Future Financial Responsibility, and the MVD requires it for three years. Insurers must report cancellations and lapses to the MVD, which can suspend privileges immediately, so a missed payment can escalate quickly. Intense heat, monsoon storms with hail and flash flooding, and long highway distances shape the claims picture. Arizona follows pure comparative negligence, so partial fault reduces but does not erase a claim, and insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
| Minimum liability | 25/50/15 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD, in $1,000s) |
|---|---|
| Other required coverage | None beyond liability |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Credit-based insurance scores | Restricted |
| SR-22 / proof of financial responsibility | For insurance-law violations under A.R.S. 28-4135, ADOT MVD requires an SR-22 (called Future Financial Responsibility) for 3 years from the date you become eligible for reinstatement. If coverage lapses during that time your license can be suspended again. |
Arizona minimum liability limits
To register and drive a car in Arizona you need at least this much liability coverage:
- $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident you cause.
- $50,000 in total for injuries to everyone in that accident.
- $15,000 for damage to other people's property, such as their car.
Arizona's limits were raised from 15/30/10 in 2020; exact effective-date wording varies by source.
Tip: The minimum is a legal floor, not a recommendation. If a serious crash costs more than your limits, you could be personally responsible for the rest. See how much liability coverage you may need.
Other required and offered coverage
Arizona insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on a Department-approved form (A.R.S. 20-259.01); you can decline it, and the declarations page records your final choice.
Learn more about uninsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.
Is Arizona a no-fault state?
Arizona is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who causes a crash is responsible for the other people's injuries and property damage, which is normally paid by that driver's liability insurance. Injured people can claim against the at-fault driver's insurer or, in some cases, sue.
Arizona uses pure comparative negligence, so a driver's damages are reduced by their percentage of fault but never eliminated.
Read more: at-fault vs. no-fault states explained.
Can insurers use your credit in Arizona?
Status: Restricted. Arizona law limits how insurers may use credit-related factors in property and casualty rating, including a ban on using absence of credit history, and requires specific reasons for credit-based adverse decisions.
See how credit affects car insurance for the bigger picture.
Penalties for driving uninsured in Arizona
Under A.R.S. 28-4135, a first violation carries a court civil penalty of at least $500 and a three-month suspension or restriction of driving privileges. A second violation within 36 months brings at least $750 and a six-month suspension, and three or more bring at least $1,000 and a one-year suspension.
Insurers must notify the MVD when a policy cancels or lapses, and the MVD may suspend driving privileges immediately.
For insurance-law violations under A.R.S. 28-4135, ADOT MVD requires an SR-22 (called Future Financial Responsibility) for 3 years from the date you become eligible for reinstatement. If coverage lapses during that time your license can be suspended again.
If you are ordered to file proof of insurance, see what SR-22 insurance is.
Tips for Arizona drivers
- Never let a policy lapse, even for a few days. Insurers report cancellations to the MVD, and a first violation carries a civil penalty of at least $500 plus a suspension.
- If you are required to file an SR-22, ask insurers whether they file it before you buy. The MVD requires it for 3 years under A.R.S. 28-4135, and a lapse can restart suspension problems.
- Ask for the uninsured and underinsured motorist offer form. Arizona insurers must offer it, and declining it means signing the Department-approved form, so read the limits before you decline.
- Monsoon season brings hail, blowing dust and flooded washes. Check that your comprehensive deductible is one you can afford for a hail claim.
- Use Arizona's pure comparative negligence rule to your advantage by documenting the scene. Even if you share blame, you can still recover the portion not caused by you.
- After the MVD requirement ends, it removes the SR-22 on its own, but your insurer may keep filing. Ask your insurer to stop the filing once the period is over.
When you shop, compare quotes from several insurers using the same limits and deductibles, so the prices are like-for-like.
Official resources
- Insurance regulator: Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions
- Motor vehicle agency: Arizona Department of Transportation – Motor Vehicle Division
Your state insurance department can answer questions about your rights and handle complaints about insurers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Arizona?
Arizona requires $25,000 for bodily injury or death to one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage, commonly written as 25/50/15. Every vehicle operated on Arizona roads must be covered by one of the forms of financial responsibility, most commonly a liability policy from an insurer authorized to do business in Arizona.
What are the penalties for driving uninsured in Arizona?
Under A.R.S. 28-4135, the first violation brings a civil penalty of at least $500 and a three-month suspension or restriction. A second within 36 months brings at least $750 and a six-month suspension, and three or more bring at least $1,000 and a one-year suspension. Reinstatement requires proof of financial responsibility.
How long do I need an SR-22 in Arizona?
For insurance-law violations, the MVD requires an SR-22, called Future Financial Responsibility, for 3 years from the date you become eligible for reinstatement. The MVD removes the requirement automatically when the period ends, but your insurer may keep filing the form, so you may need to ask them to cancel it.
Is Arizona a no-fault state?
No. Arizona is an at-fault state, and it applies pure comparative negligence. If you are partly to blame for a crash, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are not barred from recovering. For example, someone found 30 percent at fault could still recover the remaining 70 percent of their damages.
Do Arizona insurers have to offer uninsured motorist coverage?
Yes. Arizona law requires insurers to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage with automobile liability policies, using a form approved by the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. The coverage is not mandatory, so you may decline, and your declarations page serves as the final record of your choice.
Sources
- ADOT MVD – Future Financial Responsibility (SR-22)
- Arizona Legislature – A.R.S. 28-4135 Financial responsibility requirement; civil penalties
- Arizona Legislature – A.R.S. 20-259.01 Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
- ADOT MVD – License Revocation and Suspension in Arizona
- NAIC – Use of Credit Reports/Scoring in Underwriting (state chart, Summer 2025)
General information only. State rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions or your insurer before you buy. This page is not insurance or legal advice.