Cheap Car Insurance in Yuma, AZ

Yuma residents pay an average monthly liability-only premium of $40 and an average monthly full coverage premium of $90. That compares favorably to the national average of $52 and $168, respectively.

What Does It Mean If Arizona Is At-Fault?

Arizona is an at-fault state, which means drivers determined to be at fault in an accident are on the hook to pay through their insurance company and/or out of pocket if policy limits are surpassed for all damages and injuries sustained.

To determine who is at fault in Arizona, all involved parties and law enforcement personnel focus on the following:

• Witness Statements. Word-of-mouth testimonials from witnesses on the scene may provide information about what occurred, what each driver was doing, and who they feel was ultimately responsible for the accident.
• Traffic Laws. With any traffic stop, Arizona police officers work hard to determine if actual traffic laws or regulations were violated. There could be several violations, such as failure to yield, disregarding a stop sign, speeding, or infractions that assign all fault or a percentage of fault to one or more individuals.
• In any crime scene investigation, police immediately collect proof, including all vehicle damages. For more complex situations, police may consult with accident reconstruction specialists who can help provide a deeper understanding of how an accident occurred.

Here are the liability-only requirements all Arizona drivers must adhere to:

• Bodily Injury for One Person: $25,000
• Bodily Injury for Multiple People (Per Accident): $50,000
• Property Damage Per Accident: $15,000

This requirement is also referred to as a 25/50/15 policy. Carrying higher limits is highly recommended, as a single accident may eclipse all of these minimums and force you to go out of pocket to pay for what your provider will not. Additionally, it helps if you choose full coverage, which covers your own injuries or vehicle damage in an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

If you are caught driving without insurance in Yuma, Arizona, expect the following stiff consequences:

• $500 fine for first-time offenders with a 3-month driver’s license and registration suspension
• $750 penalty for second-time offenders with a 6-month driver’s license and registration suspension
• $1,000 fine for third and subsequent offenders with a 1-year driver’s license and registration suspension
• SR-22 certificate for two years

Anytime a law enforcement officer asks for proof of insurance, you must provide it. If not, expect an immediate traffic ticket and additional penalties. All citations for no insurance require you to pay a fine, reinstate driving privileges, and have your provider file an SR-22 on your behalf for at least two years.

Remember that the minimum liability limit in Arizona is 25/50/15, or $25,000 in bodily injury per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 in property damage.

Insurance underwriters look at many things to determine the cost of your premiums, including:

• Driving record
• Age
• Gender
• Credit Score
• Selected coverages
• Vehicle make and model
• Zip code of residence
• Amount of deductible

Providers apply different premium calculation methods, where one provider may assign more weight to your vehicle’s make/model or driving record than a competing provider, so shopping around is highly encouraged.

Here are three Arizona driving laws worth mentioning:

• Texting and Driving. Under Arizona law, drivers cannot text while driving. This includes sending any electronic message, such as SMS and emails. Law officers reserve the right to pull you over for texting and navigating without any other reason.
• In Arizona, you cannot drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08% or higher. Penalties after a DUI conviction include a mix of fines, court costs, mandatory alcohol education programs, and even the possibility of jail time, depending on the severity of the offense.
• Wear Your Seat Belt. All Arizona drivers must wear a seatbelt, regardless of age. It’s a primary offense for minors and a secondary offense if you are pulled over for another reason by a police officer or other law enforcement officer.

Do not allow any of these scenarios to lead to an at-fault accident, moving violation, or claim on your record. Remember, maintaining a clean driving record for three to five years is your best bet for the most generous discounts possible.