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Arkansas is an at-fault (tort) state. Drivers must carry at least 25/50/25 in coverage, and the average full-coverage premium is $2,563 a year, 12% below the national average of $2,922. This guide covers what Arkansas requires, what drivers pay, the rules on fault, uninsured drivers, penalties, teen drivers and phone use, and how to pay less.
| Minimum coverage | 25/50/25 |
| Fault system | At-fault (tort) |
| Average full coverage | $2,563 a year ($214 a month), 12% below the national average of $2,922 |
| Uninsured drivers | 12.1% (2023), the 26th highest rate of 51 |
| Filing after serious violations | SR-22 |
Arkansas requires $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability (Arkansas Code §27-22-104).
The minimums are a legal floor, not a recommendation. Property damage limits in particular don't go far when a new car can cost more than the limit to replace, and anything above your limits is your personal responsibility. See how limits and deductibles work and every type of coverage explained.
The average full-coverage premium in Arkansas is $2,563 a year, 12% below the national average of $2,922. That makes Arkansas the 25th most expensive of 49 (48 states plus D.C.; Alaska and Hawaii aren't in the data) (Experian, "Car Insurance Average Costs by State," published September 9, 2026; full coverage, 12 months to August 2026).
Within Arkansas, prices still vary a lot by ZIP code, driving record and car, and 12.1% of drivers on Arkansas roads were uninsured in 2023, so the coverage you choose matters as much as the premium.
Your own price depends on your ZIP code, age, driving record, car and coverage. Try our car insurance calculator with Arkansas preselected for a personal estimate, and see what determines your car insurance cost.
Arkansas uses modified comparative fault with a 50% bar: your damages are reduced by your share of the blame, and you recover nothing if you are 50% or more at fault. (Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, "Contributory Negligence/Comparative Fault Laws in All 50 States," updated June 10, 2026)
An estimated 12.1% of Arkansas drivers were uninsured in 2023, the 26th highest rate among the 50 states and D.C. (Insurance Research Council, uninsured motorist estimates for 2023, via Insurance Information Institute "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists"). Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage protects you when one of them hits you. See coverage types.
Arkansas checks coverage through its online insurance verification system, and the Department of Finance and Administration suspends the registration of any vehicle found to be uninsured. If you had coverage but simply couldn't show proof at a traffic stop, the fine is $25 once you prove the policy was in force. (Arkansas Code §§27-22-103, 27-22-209)
Driving uninsured carries a mandatory fine of $100 to $250 for a first offense and $250 to $500 for a second, and the vehicle's registration is suspended. (Arkansas Code §27-22-103)
A conviction for driving uninsured also follows you into your next policy. In CarInsurance.com's rate analysis, it raised the average full-coverage premium in Arkansas from $1,957 to $2,627 a year, an increase of 34% (CarInsurance.com, "Penalty for driving without insurance in every state," updated March 24, 2026; rate analysis).
Beyond the penalties, driving uninsured leaves you personally liable for any damage you cause. See what happens if you drive without car insurance.
Arkansas uses the SR-22 for drivers required to prove future financial responsibility, typically after certain suspensions. Your insurer files it with the Department of Finance and Administration.
Arkansas uses graduated driver licensing (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Graduated licensing laws" table):
Adding a teen is usually the biggest single increase in a family's premium. Keeping them on the family policy, a good-student discount and a safe, modest car help most.
A distracted-driving ticket can count against your record and your premium. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "Electronic device laws" table)
See how to compare car insurance quotes, or get quotes for your ZIP code.
For questions about a policy, a claim or an insurer's conduct, contact the Arkansas Insurance Department. It handles consumer questions and complaints about insurers in Arkansas.
AutoInsuranceQuery editorial team. Last reviewed: September 29, 2026.
