A Sizzling Capitol City
- The Valley Of The Sun is what they call this Southwestern Capitol area.
- Known for it’s warm temperatures and industrial cityscape, Phoenix is a Southern Jewel.
- The Phoenix Airport is one of the largest hubs in all of the United States.
- A place where people land, take off and even sometimes end up in.
- Known for its high end resorts and spas and indoor activities, Phoenix is unique in every way.
- Because it can be so hot in the summers, winter activities are more warranted.
- From the quality golf courses to luxury hotels, phoenix has a lot to offer its visitors.
- And if you live here you know that a pool is a must, a cold glass of lemonade is always welcomes and the desert scenery just never stops.
- If you visit the Desert Botanical Gardens, you will get an amazing glimpse at the beauty of the desert landscape.
- With a population of around 1.6 million people, Phoenix is a large and bustling metropolis.
- Phoenix is the most populous capitol in all of the Untied States and is home to many tourists every year.
- Phoenix might not be thought of as a farming town, but many important things grow here.
- Cotton, alfalfa and hay are all vital crops grown because of this cities wonderful canal system.
- Phoenix has much more to offer its residents than some might think.
- If you are looking to settle down and purchase a home here, there are a ton of good reasons why.
- Commuting into Phoenix from a smaller outside town is very popular.
- Having great car insurance and homeowners insurance is essential.
- Get the best cheap insurance Phoenix residents deserve now.
How Do I Get Insurance In Phoenix?
- There are many ways to get insurance in Arizona, but the best way is to talk to a broker.
- A broker is not only educated in the insurance world, but is there to work for the consumer.
- You are the consumer and you need someone on your side.
- Getting a great deal on insurance is all about asking the right questions.
- You can get better discounts by talking with a broker because they know how to attain them.
- By bundling your car and home insurance policies, you could save even more.
- Know about the laws of your state and how they affect you.
- Learn more about what are the minimum insurance requirements today.
- Let’s see what kind of insurance policies you might be looking for.
Insurance Requirements Phoenix
Car Insurance
- Car insurance is an important element for any commuter or city dweller.
- When you live and work in Phoenix, you realize how important your car is.
- There is a minimum state requirement for having car insurance in Arizona.
- Get the best cheap car insurance Phoenix drivers deserve by calling a broker.
Here is what is expected of drivers in the Four Corners State:
- Bodily Injury Coverage with a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
- Property Damage Liability Coverage at a minimum of $10,000
- Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
- Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage at a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
You could have more than just the minimum amount.
If you have a loan out on your car, you will need full coverage.
Here is what else you can add to your policy to gain full coverage:
- Collision insurance which will cover your car and yourself in an accident
- Comprehensive coverage will pay for theft of a vehicle as well as other minor damages not incurred in an accident.
- Towing and Roadside Assistance are great features you can add to your insurance policy.
The sixth-largest city in the country is perhaps best known for its perpetual sunshine. The growth of Phoenix started post-WWII and really started booming with the advent of air-conditioning in the 1950s. Since then the “Valley of the Sun” has experienced a nearly 5% population growth per year (this subsided a bit during the recent recession, but has taken off again). Current census predictions say that the city ill be ranked #4 in the nation by 2020, so the cost of living will continue to rise. This makes the search for good deals and cheap insurance Phoenix residents’ priority.
As insurance professionals we do our best to understand your city: its traffic, its crime, its accident statistics, and all of the things that contribute to Phoenix’s insurance costs. The more knowledge you have, the better you can understand your insurance needs, which ultimately leads to lower prices.
The good news is that Phoenix (and Arizona in general) has lower auto insurance rates than you would expect for a city of its size. Some sources put the average annual premium at around $1,700, but most of our research suggests that, statewide, it is lower than the national average. However, because Phoenix is such a large metro area, the average in the city itself is around $1,800 per year.
What factors lead to higher insurance costs?
There are a couple ways to look at this. On an individual level and on a macro level.
On an individual level, the most obvious influence on higher insurance rates is your driving record. Having just one traffic ticket on your record will result in an increase over 3 years (although most companies will still give you the Good Driver Discount).
What if I have more than one ticket or, even worse, a major violation such as a DUI/DWI?
This is where it gets expensive. Having more than one violation on your driving record means the loss of the Good Driver Discount and, in most cases, an automatic rate increase of up to 30% over three years.
According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were almost 19,000 DUI arrests in Arizona in 2011. Alcohol-impaired driving accounted for 25.4% of all traffic fatalities.
If you are arrested for drunk driving in Phoenix, you can expect to pay a minimum of $750 in fines, spend at least 10 days in jail, and be required to equip your car with an ignition interlock device, as well as enroll in a alcohol or drug treatment program. In additional, your license will be suspended and you may be required to file an SR-22 with your insurance policy.
Alright, so let’s say I have a clean driving record. Why are my rates still so high?
This is where we get into the macro-level. Phoenix’s large population results in increased traffic, higher crime rates, and an increased risk of traffic collision.
Phoenix traffic:
In 2011 the Phoenix-Mesa area had an average of 2 million commuters on the road during peak traffic hours each day, resulting in 35 total hours of delay per driver each year.
The best way to avoid traffic is to check the road conditions before you head out. To help, SigAlert has a real time map of current congestion spots in the Phoenix area. The Department of Transportation also has a list of current roadwork projects which can result in traffic delays due to construction.
Crime in Phoenix:
The Dept. of Transportation crime index in Phoenix in 2012 was about 100 points higher than the national average, which isn’t bad considering the size of the city’s population. According to FBI data Phoenix experienced 7,187 motor vehicles thefts in 2012 and a total of 60,777 property crimes.
If you are thinking about moving, you may want to check Phoenix Police Dept.’s crime hotspots before you make a decision on location. Living in an area with high crime will raise your auto insurance rates significantly, as insurance companies consider those areas to have a higher risk.
Phoenix accident statistics:
The Arizona Department of Transportation puts out an annual crash report each year in which you can find data like historical trends, descriptions of crash types, pedestrian and bicycle crash statistics, as well as data on how safety restraints influence crash data.
According to the 2012 report there were a total of 72,232 traffic crashes in Phoenix and MaricopaCounty. 312 of those crashes resulted in fatalities, 23,065 in injuries, and 48,855 were PDO (property damage only). The estimated economic loss to the county was over $1.6 billion dollars.
Knowing these statistics helps consumers make sense of why insurance rates are higher in certain counties like Maricopa. When insurance companies make more payouts, they have to charge customers more to recoup their losses.
How can I save money on my car insurance in Arizona?
Aside from keeping a clean driving record, there are a number of ways to save money on your auto insurance:
- Your annual commute miles impact your rates a great deal. If you can carpool or take public transportation a few days a week, you might be able to lower your premium.
- Students who keep a 3.0 GPA or better are eligible for the Good Student Discount.
- If you are shopping for a new vehicle, you should be aware that the following cars were the most commonly stolen in Arizona for 2011: 1994 Honda Accord, 2005 Chevy Pickup, 1995 Honda Civic, 2004 Ford Pickup, 2005 Dodge Pickup. If you already own one of those vehicles, installing a car alarm or recovery device (like a LoJack) will usually make you eligible for additional discounts.
But, the absolute best way to save money on your car insurance is to compare quotes! We recommend re-shopping your insurance policy at least twice a year (every six months). Insurance companies are constantly revising their rates based on new data, so new prices are frequently issued. On top of that, insurance companies are competing for your business, so it’s in their best interest to find you a lower rate.
Getting comparison quotes is easier than ever online or over the phone. It takes just a few minutes, and can save you big money down the road.