Find Auto Insurance in Fort Smith AR

Find the Best Rates and Best Insurance Companies Near You

Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates in Fort Smith?

Have you recently or are you planning to move to Fort Smith, AR? Or maybe you are a current resident who is receiving a state driver’s license for the first time? Regardless of your specific circumstances, if you plan to own and operate a motor vehicle in Arkansas, you will need to become familiar with the state’s auto insurance laws and regulations.

All licensed drivers with registered vehicles, are required to have auto insurance in Arkansas. And, because insurance is a competitive market, companies often charge different amounts for virtually the same amount of coverage. This this reason that the Arkansas Insurance Department recommends shopping around for potential savings.

As you look for coverage that suits your needs and budget, it’s important to have a general understanding of how plans are priced. While every company is different, many determine their rates by assessing a number of different factors, including but not necessarily limited to:

  • Personal Driving History
  • Credit History
  • Population Density
  • Commute Time
  • Risk of Auto Theft

Your city’s population can make a big impact on the amount you will pay for auto insurance. Drivers in locations with less people tend to have better luck finding lower rates. Fewer motorists on the road often means fewer accidents over time. Conversely, customers residing in highly populated areas are likely to pay more, especially if collisions in the city occur frequently. While guidelines vary, rates are often higher when there are than 5,000 people per square mile. With 87,891 people living in Fort Smith, AR in 2019, the city had an approximate population of 1,391 per square mile. Because this is well below the average, it is likely that the cost of insurance coverage will be lower here than it is in other, more densely populated, cities.

An area’s average commute time can also impact the cost of auto insurance. Driving for longer periods of time each day, especially during high-traffic periods, increases the chance of an accident occurring. For this reason, insurance companies tend to offer lower rates in locations with shorter transportation times. It can vary, but residents who live in cities with commutes exceeding the national average of 26.6 minutes often have higher insurance premiums. From 2014 to 2018, the mean travel time for workers 16 years and older in Fort Smith, AR was only 15.9 minutes. This is well below the national average, so it is likely residents will see a reduction in insurance premiums compared to other cities.

Another important factor that often impacts the cost of auto insurance is the frequency of auto theft in the area. Again, this will likely make a positive difference for drivers Fort Smith, AR, as the risk of theft seems quite low. With only 576 thefts reported in 2018, the city is ranked #172 in the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICBs) 2018 Hot Spots Report Map.

What Insurance Coverage is Needed for Drivers in Fort Smith

Every Arkansas driver must have auto insurance. Failing to maintain the necessary minimum amount of coverage can lead to penalties and/or fees. While you should always opt for a plan that fits your driving habits best, you are required by law to purchase liability protection:

Bodily Injury or Death Liability

Drivers must have a minimum of $25,000 of coverage for injuries to one person and $50,000 for injuries to two or more persons per accident.

Property Damage Liability

Drivers must have a minimum of $25,000 of coverage for property damage per accident.

All other types of auto insurance coverage are voluntary unless required by a lienholder or if your vehicle is financed and the bank requires more coverage. The Arkansas Insurance Department does, however, encourage drivers to consider all coverage options including collision, comprehensive, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist, and underinsured motorist. This is because the minimum coverage required may not be enough to fully protect you, your passengers, and your property in the case of a catastrophic accident.

Most Expensive and Least Expensive Insurance Rates by Zip Code

Cheap Car Insurance in Fort Smith by Insurer

As previously mentioned, insurance is a competitive market. Companies will charge varying prices, with some offering significantly lower rates than others. Remembering this can save you money as you look for a plan in Fort Smith. While local rates vary, Geico and State Farm Mutual tend to be some of the cheapest solutions throughout the state. Keep in mind, however, that the best price does not always equate to the best coverage. Make sure the provider you choose also has good service ratings, positive customer reviews, and the coverage you need.

Use our guide to get a cheap car insurance quote today.

Low Cost Auto Insurance for Bad Credit in Fort Smith

When it comes to purchasing auto insurance, bad credit can impact coverage rates. Despite this, it’s still possible to find coverage at a reasonable price. Because companies weight the importance of specific factors differently, the best way to find a lower premium offer is to research your options thoroughly. Request quotes from multiple insurers and compare the coverage they offer. Geico may be a good place to start, as this company does tend to offer some of the best rates for those with poor credit.

Find out how your car insurance rates are impacted with bad credit.

Differences Between the Two Main Coverages

Liability Only Insurance Coverage

Liability insurance covers the possible cost of damage you cause to others while driving. This could mean the cost of medical care for those injured in an accident or repair costs of the damage you have caused to other vehicles.

With liability insurance, there are 3 key numbers: injury coverage per person, coverage for total injury per accident, and property damage coverage per accident. Each state has different requirements for car insurance minimums. In a policy that has coverage for 15/30/25 means $15,000 per injured person, with a maximum of $30,000 for all the people who are injured in an accident, and $25,000 in coverage for property damage.

What is Full Coverage Car Insurance?

While liability insurance covers other people and vehicles in an accident where you were the one considered at fault, full coverage insurance can also cover you and your vehicle as well. Full coverage includes two different types of coverage combined into one insurance plan; comprehensive insurance and collision.

Comprehensive coverage is for the damage of other vehicles that are outside of driving situations such as weather damage, fire, or theft.

Collision coverage is basically to pay for damage that you caused while driving such as an accident with another vehicle, hitting an object, or driving off the road.

The difference between collision and comprehensive is, if a tree were to fall on your car and damage it, comprehensive insurance would cover it, however, if you were driving and hit a tree causing damage to your car, then it would be covered by collision.

What is the Difference Between the Two Types of Car Insurance?

The chief distinction between full and liability coverage is that full coverage ensures that any damage done to your car can be covered by insurance. Liability insurance only protects you from claims when you are at-fault in an accident. You will still need to pay for any damage to your own car, you just won’t have to pay for damage you caused to another person’s car. Full coverage can cover damage to your car even if the other driver is not insured and cannot compensate you for damages.

Finally, all states require that you carry at least a liability insurance policy so that collision victims receive compensation in the event of an accident. At-fault drivers are likewise protected from claims resulting from an automobile accident.

Average Annual Car Insurance Rates in Arkansas by City

Additional cities in Arkansas you can check out.

Fayetteville

Take Advantage of These Car Insurance Discounts

Find additional ways to save on your Fort Smith car insurance premiums with these insurance discounts:

  • Shop around –

    As you can see from these few examples, the rates insurers charge for the very same driver demographics can vary incredibly. The television commercials by the insurers tell us we can save hundreds of dollars on automobile insurance. Actually, you could save a thousand or more dollars on your insurance each year.

  • Drive defensively –

    If you can stay out of accidents and don’t accrue moving violations, you can save a lot of money on your automobile insurance. People with too many accidents and moving violations have trouble getting insured at any rate.

  • Drive an older car –

    If you have a car that is too old and not worth enough to carry collision insurance, you can save quite a bit of money. This especially applies to younger drivers whose insurance costs are much higher. If they can drive an older vehicle that would just require liability insurance and maybe some inexpensive comprehensive insurance, they can save at least a thousand dollars or more on insurance.

  • Buy collision insurance with a high deductible rate –

    The higher deductible rate you can tolerate in the event of a collision and the need to repair your vehicle, the lower your collision insurance cost will be. Your collision insurance rate will be really high if your deductible is only around $500. If you can tolerate $1,500 or so, you can save quite a bit of money on this portion of your annual insurance rate.

  • Bundle your home and automobile insurance policies –

    If you can buy your automobile and home insurance from the same company, you will likely save money. Most insurers offer a substantial discount for having your home and auto policy with them.

This guide can help you find the best discounts on auto insurance.

Here are Some of the Typical Factors that Affect Your Fort Smith, AR Car Insurance Premiums

Your car insurance rates can change over time. One of the most reliable factors that will impact your premiums is your age. The older you are, the lower your insurance premiums should be. You may also find your rates vary depending on the car you drive. Sports cars or jeeps may incur higher premiums, while SUVs and sedans are cheaper to insure.

Rates are also impacted by your gender and age, though young women will have lower rates than their same-aged male friends. Actuarial tables show that young drivers are more prone to speeding, alcohol infractions, and accidents than older people, as are young males rather than females.

You can also reduce your regular premium payments by opting for a higher deductible on your collision and comprehensive coverage packages. You can also opt to pay your premium in a larger, single payment every six months rather than spreading the premium out over monthly payments.

How to tickets and accidents affect your driving record and insurance?

Check Out Car Insurance Companies in Fort Smith and Reviews

Helpful Fort Smith, Arkansas Vehicle Resources:

Live Traffic and Accidents
http://www.fortsmithpd.org/index.php/how-do-i/view-live-traffic-information

DMV (Find Locations, Vehicle Registration, Titles and Insurance Info)
https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office-locations/details/fort-smith-east-revenue-office

Rideshare
Lyft
Uber

Get a quote1.855.283.2631