Arizona Car Insurance: Desert Driving Guidelines

Before shopping for car insurance it is important to understand what each type of insurance coverage does. There are four main types:

1. Liability- Liability will pay for the medical and property expenses incurred by the victim of an accident if the insured was responsible. Arizona requires that all drivers carry a minimum level of liability on their vehicle. Minimum liability allots fifteen thousand dollars to pay for the expenses of a single driver, thirty thousand for combined expenses if there was more than one occupant in the vehicle and ten thousand to pay for any property damage caused by the accident, such as the replacement of road signs and guardrails and repair to the other vehicle involved in the accident. This is a considerably lesser amount of coverage than is required by many other states, and it is recommended that all drivers carry a greater level of coverage.
2. Collision/Comprehensive- Comprehensive insurance will pay for damages to the vehicle of the person responsible for the accident and is not required in AZ. This will also cover damages in the event of an accident caused by inclement weather or wildlife.
3. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist- While most states require that their drivers maintain at least a minimum level of liability not all states do, and even in those that do not all drivers comply. In the event that a driver is involved in a hit and run, is struck by a motorist that does not have liability insurance or whose liability is not sufficient to pay all expenses the driver’s own insurance will see to their medical and repair expenses. This is also not required in AZ.
4. No-Fault/PIP- No-fault and PIP (personal injury protection) insurance generally go hand in hand. No fault means that regardless of who caused the accident each driver’s own insurance company will see to their expenses and the other driver will not be held liable. This was intended to cut back on the number of lawsuits; however, every no-fault state requires that drivers have liability as well, as some situations are considered severe enough to warrant an exception to the no fault policy. Arizona is not a no fault state.

For further information residents can visit the Arizona Department of Insurance at http://www.id.state.az.us or contact them at 1-800-325-2548.