Every driver in Arizona has to carry liability insurance. The state minimums are often written as 25/50/15: up to $25,000 for injury to one person, $50,000 for injury to everyone in an accident, and $15,000 for property damage. Those numbers are the legal floor, not a recommendation.
Why the minimum can fall short
Think about what a modern accident costs. A newer vehicle can easily be worth more than $15,000, and a single trip to the emergency room can pass $25,000 quickly. If the damages from a crash you cause are higher than your limits, you may be personally responsible for the difference.
A few questions to ask yourself
- What do I have to protect? Savings, a home and future income are all things a lawsuit could reach.
- Is my car paid off? If you have a loan or lease, your lender will usually require collision and comprehensive coverage.
- Could I replace my car out of pocket? If not, collision coverage is worth a serious look.
- Do other drivers carry enough? Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you if they don't.
Coverages worth understanding
- Liability
- Pays for injuries and damage you cause to others.
- Collision
- Pays to repair or replace your car after a crash, whoever is at fault.
- Comprehensive
- Covers things like theft, vandalism, hail and cracked windshields.
- Uninsured / underinsured motorist
- Steps in when the other driver has too little coverage, or none.
- Medical payments
- Helps with medical bills for you and your passengers.
The bottom line
Many people choose limits well above the state minimum because the added cost is usually modest compared with the added protection. We're happy to show you a few options side by side so you can see exactly what the difference looks like.