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April 30, 2026
Arizona auto insurance requirements state that every driver must carry minimum liability coverage. This is often referred to as 25/50/15 coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more people in one accident, and $15,000 for property damage. These are the minimum legal limits, not a recommendation.
Arizona is an at-fault state, which means the driver who causes the crash is generally responsible for the losses that follow. Additionally, liability insurance protects other people in the event you cause an accident. It doesn’t automatically pay for your own injuries, your own car repairs, or all losses in a serious collision.
At Zanes Law, we help injured people across Phoenix and Arizona navigate insurance claims when coverage runs short, and the real cost of a crash is much higher than the policy on paper. We’ll go over the basic Arizona car insurance requirements and what these mean for you.
Under A.R.S. § 28-4009, Arizona drivers must carry liability insurance with at least these limits:
These minimums apply to vehicles operated on Arizona roads. Additional Arizona car insurance laws also require drivers to carry proof of current insurance in the vehicle, including digital proof on a phone. If you fail to show proof or drive without required coverage, you can face civil penalties, suspension issues, and other consequences.
Liability insurance is meant to pay for harm you cause to others. It does not pay your own medical bills or fix your own vehicle unless you bought separate coverage. It also may not come close to covering a serious injury claim.
Once policy limits are exhausted, the remaining balance doesn’t just disappear. The at-fault driver may still be personally responsible for the rest.
Understanding Arizona car insurance laws goes beyond minimum requirements. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s required and what’s optional:
| Coverage Type | Required in Arizona? | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury Liability | Yes | Injuries you cause to other people |
| Property Damage Coverage | Yes | Damage you cause to another person’s car or property |
| Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) | Must be offered; can be declined | Your injuries when the at-fault driver has no insurance |
| Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM) | Must be offered; can be declined | Your injuries when the at-fault driver’s limits are too low |
| Medical Payments (MedPay) | Optional | Medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of fault |
| Collision | Not required | Damage to your vehicle after a collision |
| Comprehensive | Not required | Theft, fire, hail, vandalism, and other non-collision losses |
| GAP Insurance | Not required | The difference between your loan balance and vehicle value if the car is totaled |
If your car is financed or leased, your lender will usually require collision and comprehensive coverage until the loan is paid off, even though Arizona law doesn’t require those coverages for all drivers.
Arizona also doesn’t require PIP in the way some no-fault states do. MedPay is the more relevant optional add-on, and the Arizona DIFI describes it as optional coverage that can help pay medical or funeral expenses for people injured while driving.
Arizona’s minimum coverage rules are a legal floor. They aren’t built around the actual cost of a moderate or serious car accident. The medical bills add up fast, time missed from work adds more pressure, and vehicle repairs can push the financial damage even higher. In injury cases, we often see losses far exceed 25/50/15.
Take a realistic example. Imagine a two-car crash in Phoenix. One driver suffers a broken leg, needs emergency treatment, spends a few days in the hospital, and misses time at work. Their newer vehicle also has major damage. Total losses can quickly reach $60,000 to $80,000 or more between medical care, lost wages, and property damage.
Now, assume the at-fault driver only has the Arizona minimum. If only $25,000 is available for bodily injury to that one person, there may still be a gap of $35,000 to $55,000 before even considering other losses. That shortfall quickly becomes a problem for the injured person and their family.
If the at-fault driver’s policy limits are too low, the injured person may have to:
This is exactly why minimum coverage is often not enough in many scenarios. A driver can be fully legal and still be badly underinsured. Many insurance professionals recommend higher personal injury limits for stronger protection, especially for drivers with assets to protect or families who depend on them.
If you were hit by someone with no insurance or who has coverage that may not be enough, the steps you take right after the crash matter.
Here’s what you can do to strengthen your claim and protect your rights:
Every accident claim is different, and the right next step depends on the facts of your case. If you’re dealing with a serious wreck, disputed liability, or questions about available coverage, speak with a Phoenix car accident lawyer to better understand your legal options.
If insurance doesn’t cover what it should, you don’t have to sort it out alone. At Zanes Law, our car accident attorneys offer free, no-obligation case evaluations for injured people in Phoenix and throughout Arizona.
We’ve spent more than 20 years standing up for accident victims and helping families push back when insurance coverage falls short. There are no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Schedule a free case evaluation today and find out what options may be available after your accident.
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