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There are quite a few affordable car insurance options in Arkansas, though rates might be higher than other states thanks to Arkansas' no-fault laws. In a basic sense, this system says that if you're involved in an accident, both drivers will file their own insurance claims with an insurance company. These no-fault laws also requires a type of insurance coverage called PIP, or Personal Injury protection.
In addition to the coverage you'll need as required by state law, car insurance is priced on a variety of different factors, like your age, the car you drive, your gender, and more. Every insurance company will quote every driver a different cost — also called a premium— to maintain coverage.
No matter what state you live in, you should be shopping around when getting car insurance. Given the fact that each insurance company prices everyone's policy differently, you'll want to get quotes from several different companies to make sure you're getting the best policy for your money.
The most popular car insurance companies in Arkansas
The following are the most popular car insurance companies in Arkansas, based on the percentage of insured Arkansas drivers who use them:
| Company | Market share (%) |
| State Farm | 23.45 |
| Southern Farm Bureau Casualty | 13.21 |
| Progressive | 9.21 |
| Shelter Insurance | 8.88 |
| Allstate | 7.19 |
| GEICO | 6.45 |
| USAA* | 4.84 |
| Farmers Insurance | 3.87 |
| Liberty Mutual | 3.48 |
| Alfa Mutual Group | 2.30 |
| Nationwide | 2.28 |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | 1.76 |
| Auto Club Exchange | 1.51 |
| State Auto | 1.45 |
| National General Holdings | 1.20 |
| MetLife | 0.81 |
| The Hartford | 0.81 |
| Travelers | 0.60 |
| Columbia Insurance | 0.55 |
| American National | 0.53 |
*USAA is only for active military, veterans, and their families.
Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence
The best car insurance in Arkansas based on customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction with car insurance providers may factor into your decision. According to J.D. Power, a consumer research company that surveys customers, these are the top car insurance companies in the Central region (which includes Arkansas):
- Auto-Owners Insurance
- GEICO
- Shelter Insurance
- Progressive
- State Farm
- Region Average
- Liberty Mutual
- Allstate
- Farmers Bureau Mutual
- Travelers
- Farmers Insurance
- Auto Club of Southern California Insurance
- Nationwide
- American Family
- Safeco
The best cheap car insurance in Arkansas based on credit score
Consumer Reports compiled pricing formulas from each insurance company in every state and calculated what they would charge the average single adult driver. One of the major factors in what your car insurance premium will cost is your credit score. Here are the three best companies for each credit level according to Consumer Reports data, along with the average premium for a single adult driver.
Those with excellent credit, FICO score 800-850, will see some of the best average rates on car insurance.
- USAA car insurance: $933 per year
- Farmers car insurance: $956 per year
- State Farm car insurance: $ 999 per year
Here are the best insurance companies for drivers with good credit, FICO score 670-739, will see the best coverage from these three companies, on average:
- USAA car insurance: $1,054 per year
- Farmers car insurance: $1,159 per year
- State Farm car insurance: $ 1,214 per year
Those with poor credit, FICO score 300-579, will pay more for their car insurance, on average.
- Shelter Mutual car insurance: $1,949 per year
- Farmers car insurance: $2,019 per year
- GEICO car insurance: $2,178 per year
The best car insurance for drivers with a clean record
For a driver in Arkansas age 25 or older with no accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:
| Company | Average monthly insurance premium |
| Root | $114 |
| State Farm | $119 |
| Liberty Mutual | $120 |
| GEICO | $133 |
| Progressive | $139 |
| Allstate | $163 |
| USAA* | $168 |
| Esurance | $181 |
| Farmers | $184 |
| Safeco | $186 |
*USAA is only for active military, veterans, and their families.
Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 750 policyholders in the state of Arkansas
Best car insurance for one or more accidents on record
For a driver in Arkansas age 25 or older, with one or more accidents and one vehicle, the following companies provide the best average rates:
| Company | Average monthly insurance premium |
| Allstate | $98 |
| State Farm | $148 |
| GEICO | $158 |
| Progressive | $163 |
| Esurance | $177 |
| Bristol West | $219 |
| Farmers | $578 |
Above data obtained from Savvy, based on 750 policyholders in the state of Arkansas
Arkansas car insurance rates by city
Below is the estimated average annual premium of auto insurance policies per household in Arkansas's most populous cities:
| City | Average annual insurance premium |
| Little Rock | $1,346 |
| Fayetteville | $1,308 |
| Fort Smith | $1,246 |
| Springdale | $1,369 |
| Jonesboro | $1,306 |
| Rogers | $1,460 |
| Conway | $1,295 |
| North Little Rock | $1,279 |
| Bentonville | $1,541 |
| Pine Bluff | $1,223 |
| Hot Springs | $1,236 |
| Benton | $1,457 |
| Bella Vista | $1,454 |
| Sherwood | $1,400 |
| Texarkana | $1,266 |
| Russellville | $1,263 |
| Jacksonville | $1,289 |
| Paragould | $1,318 |
| Cabot | $1,358 |
| Searcy | $1,264 |
| West Memphis | $1,211 |
| Van Buren | $1,299 |
| Bryant | $1,448 |
| Maumelle | $1,463 |
| Siloam Springs | $1,373 |
| El Dorado | $1,249 |
| Centerton | $1,515 |
| Hot Springs Village | $1,348 |
| Forrest City | $1,213 |
| Blytheville | $1,215 |
| Mountain Home | $1,268 |
| Harrison | $1,217 |
| Marion | $1,458 |
| Magnolia | $1,228 |
| Batesville | $1,339 |
| Camden | $1,181 |
| Malvern | $1,229 |
| Arkadelphia | $1,208 |
| Clarksville | $1,212 |
| Helena-West Helena | $1,162 |
Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence
Who gets the best cheap car insurance in Arkansas?
As the average figures by Consumer Reports show above, those with the best credit scores will get the best rates. But, there are other factors as well, including things like where you live within Arkansas and other personal factors.
But, shopping around is another way to make sure you're getting the most for your money. You'll want to get quotes from several different companies and compare them. Look past just the price tag of the monthly premium — also consider the different types of coverages and their respective limits. Additionally, look at the deductible, or the amount you'll pay out of pocket if you get into an accident.
Generally, the cheaper the policy, the higher the deductible will be, and the less coverage you'll get. By shopping around, you can make sure that you get the most coverage for your money.
Ronda Lee is an associate editor for insurance at Personal Finance Insider covering life, auto, homeowners, and renters insurance for consumers. She is also a licensed attorney who practiced litigation and insurance defense.
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