Understanding Arizona’s Auto Insurance Laws and How the Right Coverage Can Protect You
If you drive in Arizona, you are legally required to carry auto insurance—but many drivers don’t realize that the minimum coverage required by law may leave them financially exposed after a serious accident. Understanding what full coverage insurance is, and why it matters, can make a critical difference if you’re ever involved in a crash.
At Rideout Law Group, we regularly speak with accident victims who assumed they were “fully insured,” only to discover after an accident that their policy didn’t cover their injuries, vehicle damage, or long-term losses.
Arizona Law Only Requires Liability Insurance
In Arizona, the only insurance required by law is liability coverage. Liability insurance pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others if you are at fault in an accident. It does not cover:
- Your own medical bills
- Damage to your vehicle
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Accidents caused by uninsured drivers
While liability coverage satisfies legal requirements, it offers very limited personal protection.
What Is Full Coverage Insurance?
“Full coverage” is not a single type of policy. Instead, it’s a combination of coverages designed to protect you, your passengers, and your vehicle, regardless of who caused the accident. Full coverage typically includes:
- Liability coverage – Required by Arizona law
- Collision coverage – Pays for damage to your vehicle, even if you are at fault
- Comprehensive coverage – Covers non-collision damage such as theft, vandalism, fire, or weather events
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage
Each of these plays an important role, but uninsured motorist coverage is especially critical for Arizona drivers.
Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Is So Important
Despite insurance requirements, many drivers on Arizona roads are uninsured or underinsured. If you are injured in an accident caused by a driver who has no insurance, you could be left paying out of pocket for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical care
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
Uninsured motorist coverage protects you when the at-fault driver does not have insurance. Instead of relying on an uninsured driver’s ability to pay—which is often unrealistic—your own policy steps in to cover your damages.
Without UM coverage, your legal options may be extremely limited.
Full Coverage Helps Protect Your Financial Future
Car accidents often cause more than physical injuries—they create serious financial stress. Even a moderate crash can result in overwhelming medical bills, time off work, and costly vehicle repairs.
Full coverage insurance acts as a safety net. It helps ensure that one accident doesn’t jeopardize your savings, credit, or family’s stability. From a legal standpoint, having adequate coverage also allows your attorney to pursue compensation more effectively, especially when dealing with uninsured drivers or disputed liability.
Minimum Coverage Meets the Law—Not Your Needs
While Arizona only requires liability insurance, minimum coverage is rarely enough in real-world accidents. Full coverage—particularly uninsured motorist protection—can be the difference between recovery and long-term hardship.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident or are dealing with an insurance issue, having experienced legal guidance matters.
Get Help After an Auto Accident in Arizona
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, the experienced auto accident attorneys at Rideout Law Group are here to help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Scottsdale Office
📍 11111 N Scottsdale Rd, Suite 225, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
📞 (480) 584-3328
Lake Havasu City Office
📍 2800 Sweetwater Ave, Suite A104, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406
📞 (928) 854-8181
📞 Toll-Free: (833) 854-8181
📝 Consultations available in person or by phone
Don’t wait to get answers. A timely legal consultation can make all the difference after an accident.
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal guidance specific to your situation, please contact a licensed attorney at Rideout Law Group.