Auto insurance can be an expensive purchase. No
any accident. To pay for your injuries and expenses
It is your choice whether to buy uninsured motorist or

one wants to pay more for their auto insurance than
you may buy medical payments coverage,
underinsured motorist coverages. Uninsured motorist
they absolutely must. This brochure provides
uninsured motorist coverage, and underinsured
coverage pays for medical expenses, lost wages, and
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT
information to help make decisions that can lower the
motorist coverage.
pain and suffering caused by an uninsured driver, a hit-
cost of your auto insurance and increase the value

and-run driver or a miss-and-run driver. Underinsured
OF INSURANCE
you receive.
If you do not have any or enough bodily injury
motorist coverage increases your coverage for medical

coverage and you cause an accident, a court may
expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused

To get the best value for your money, take
order you to compensate the people you hurt in the
by a driver who does not have enough insurance to
responsibility for your auto insurance purchase and
accident. To decide how much bodily injury

pay for these damages.
A Consumer Guide to
make your own decisions.
coverage you should buy, you must decide (1) how



much coverage you can afford to buy and (2) how
These coverages protect you, your family who lives
AUTOMOBILE
WHY SHOULD YOU BUY AUTO INSURANCE?
much of your assets you would be willing to lose if
with you, and your passengers. In most cases, your

you cause a serious accident. You must buy at least
bodily injury coverage does not give you this
If you cause an automobile accident, you may be
INSURANCE
the minimum bodily injury liability limits, but you may
protection. These coverages also protect you and your
responsible for the losses of the other people
buy coverage with higher limits.
family who live with you when riding in someone else's
involved. A claim may be made or a lawsuit filed

vehicle, walking, riding a bicycle, or sitting on a porch.
against you for these losses. You may have to pay
The minimum required bodily injury coverage is:

for the property damage you cause, and for the
· $15,000 for the injury or death of one person in
Uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist
medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and
any one accident.
coverages do not pay for damage to your vehicle or
suffering of any injured person.
· $30,000 for the injury or death of two or more
other property. You may buy collision coverage to pay

for damage to your vehicle caused by an uninsured or
If you do not have any insurance, your money,
people in any one accident.
underinsured driver.
property and other assets may be taken to pay for

Property Damage Coverage (split limits)

these losses. Automobile liability insurance will help
Some drivers have no insurance or do not have
protect you so that this does not happen. Liability
You must buy property damage coverage. Property
enough insurance. The best way to protect yourself
insurance also pays for a lawyer to defend you
damage coverage is a type of liability insurance. It

from damages caused by drivers who do not have
against any claim or lawsuit.
pays for the property damage that you cause due to
insurance or do not have enough insurance is to buy

an automobile accident, including damage to
Janet Napolitano, Governor
uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist
You can also buy insurance to cover your injuries or
buildings or other vehicles or their contents, and
coverages.
damage to your automobile. These optional
damage to fences and road signs.

Christina Urias, Director
coverages will help pay for your losses whether or
You may buy uninsured motorist and underinsured
not you caused the loss.
Property damage coverage does not pay for
motorist coverages in the same amounts or lower
Arizona Department of Insurance

damage to your vehicle. To pay for damages to
amounts as those you selected for your bodily injury
2910 N. 44th Street, Ste.210
WHAT AUTO INSURANCE COVERAGES ARE
your vehicle you may buy collision and
liability coverage. You may not buy these coverages
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
YOU REQUIRED TO BUY?
comprehensive coverage.
with limits lower than the minimum bodily injury limits


(602) 364-2499
Arizona has a financial responsibility law. It is
You must buy at least $10,000 of property damage
required by law.

(1-800) 325-2548
designed to make sure that any motorist licensed to
coverage in Arizona, but you may buy coverage with
Optional Collision, Comprehensive and
drive in Arizona has insurance or enough money to
higher limits.
Website: www.id.state.az.us
Medical Payments Coverages
pay for damages to others that may be caused by an


operator of a motor vehicle.
Bodily Injury and Property Damage
Collision Coverage

(combined single limits)

This Guide provides basic information.
Bodily Injury Coverage
State law does not require you to buy collision
Details on the exact type and kind of

An insurer may sell a motor vehicle policy that
coverage. But if you borrowed money to buy your
insurance coverage needed should be
You must buy bodily injury coverage. Bodily injury
combines coverages for bodily injury and property
vehicle or leased, the lender or lessor may require you
obtained from the consumer's agent
coverage is a type of liability insurance. It pays for
damage claims under one liability limit. In Arizona,
to buy this coverage. Collision coverage pays to
and insurance company.
medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and
you must buy at least the minimum liability limit of
repair, replace or reimburse you for property damage
The purpose of this guide is to
suffering that you cause (for which you are legally
$40,000 if you buy combined bodily injury and
to your insured vehicle. It pays for damage caused by
encourage consumers to
responsible or liable) to others due to an automobile
property damage coverage. You may choose to buy
a collision with another motor vehicle or with any
comparison shop.
accident.
coverage with higher limits.
other object, movable or fixed, including damages


caused if your vehicle overturns. Collision pays for
January 2006
Bodily injury coverage does not pay for your
Optional Uninsured Motorist Coverage and
damages

medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and
Underinsured Motorist Coverage
suffering from

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to your vehicle, even if an uninsured motorist or an
or killed while driving or riding in your vehicle even if
company is licensed in Arizona, call the Department compare premiums and coverage, you should
underinsured motorist hits you or if you are
you are legally responsible for the accident. To
of Insurance at (602) 364-2499 in Phoenix, or (800) compare credit costs.
responsible for the collision.
decide whether to buy this coverage, you may wish
325-2548 statewide, or visit our website at
to consider whether it would duplicate other medical
www.id.state.az.us.
Check for additional fees. Some insurers and
You may buy collision coverage with a deductible
coverage that you already have.

agents charge additional application and renewal
option. Your deductible will be the amount you agree
fees that are not included in the premium. These
CHECK YOUR POLICY
Compare rates. The Department of Insurance
to pay from your own pocket before your insurer will
publishes a premium comparison survey to assist
fees can significantly increase the amount you will
pay for any damage. You may also buy collision
The above descriptions are generalized. It is consumers. We survey the insurance companies
have to pay. For example, an agent might charge
coverage with different deductible amounts for each
important that you read your policy to determine the with regard to their rates for a number of locations
you for each copy he makes of such things as your
vehicle covered by your policy.
precise terms of your policy.
and typical drivers. The premium comparison survey
driver's license, vehicle title or registration, evidence
can only be used to give you a general idea of the
of prior insurance and even for a copy of the
To decide if you should buy collision coverage,

available rates. For specific information, you must
application you complete when you apply for
consider the value of your vehicle. Also think about
HOW DO YOU SHOP FOR AUTO INSURANCE?
contact individual agents or insurers. The premium
coverage. Ask about these add-on fees, and
how you would pay to repair your vehicle if you do

The only way you can make certain that you are not comparison can help narrow the choices of insurers
comparison shop.
not buy this coverage.

paying too much for your auto insurance is to shop you want to call.
Complete your application before signing. Do not

around. Find out what different insurers charge for
Comprehensive Coverage (also known as
sign blank forms. After the application or any finance
identical products and services. Prices for the same Consider the company's complaint record. The
agreement is filled out, re-read it to see if everything
"Other Than Collision" coverage)
coverages may cost two or three times as much with Department of Insurance publishes a complaint study
is correct. Get a copy of it for your records.
State law does not require you to buy comprehensive
one company as another. However, price is not the which indicates the number of written complaints the

Read your policy. When you get your policy, read
coverage. But if you borrowed money to buy your
only factor.
Department receives against an insurance company
it. Do not file it away without checking to see that the
vehicle or leased, the lender or lessor may require

compared to the number of policies it has issued in
coverages, limits, premium and other information are
you to buy this coverage.
Shop Around. The key to comparison shopping is to Arizona. The figures used in the complaint
know what insurance coverages you need before you comparison do not reflect a determination by the
correct. Also, read through the policy to know your
Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace
start and then to find out how much those coverages Department whether each complaint was justified.
rights and the insurance company's rights. If you
your insured vehicle due to a loss caused by an
will cost from a number of insurers. Comparison The comparison survey and complaint ratios are
have questions about your policy, ask your agent or
event other than a collision. Comprehensive
shopping takes time but will save you money. When available on our web site at www.id.state.az.us or by
insurer.
coverage pays for damage from many causes,
shopping for auto insurance premium quotations, it is calling (602) 364-2499 or (800) 325-2548.

including theft, vandalism, fire, water, hail, wind,
crucial that you provide the same information to each
WHAT TO DO IF YOU CANNOT FIND COVERAGE

falling objects or impact with a bird or other animal.
insurance agent or company.
Ask about discounts. Here are some you should
Insurers may choose the people they wish to insure.


look for:
They may not refuse to insure you based on race,
You may buy comprehensive coverage with a
To give you an accurate quote, the agent or insurer · Multiple Vehicles
· Driver Education
color, creed, national origin, or ancestry. If you are
deductible option. Your deductible will be the amount
will usually require at least the following information:
· Good Student
· Vehicle Safety Device
turned down by one company, check with others.
you agree to pay from your own pocket before your ·
The type of car you have.
Insurers have different underwriting criteria and
insurer will pay for any damage. You may also buy ·
How many miles you drive to work.
· Anti-theft Device
· Low Mileage
standards. Some specialize in low-risk (preferred)
full safety equipment coverage to pay to repair or ·
Any accidents or violations you have had.
· Good Driver/ Renewal · Auto/Home Package
drivers while other companies specialize in high-risk
replace the windshield, windows, mirrors, as well as · The age and driving history of all licensed drivers in Consider higher deductibles. By requesting a (non-standard) drivers. The premiums charged will
the glass, plastic or other material used in the lights
your household.
higher deductible on your collision and vary accordingly.
of the vehicle, without having to pay the
· The location where the car is garaged.
comprehensive coverage, you may lower your

comprehensive deductible. In addition, you may buy · The coverages and limits you want.
premiums substantially.
If you have tried several insurers and cannot find
comprehensive coverage with different deductible


auto insurance coverage, you can call the Arizona
amounts for each vehicle covered by your policy.
Where to shop. Most insurance companies and Check for "Fringe" coverages. Many insurers offer
Department of Insurance at (602) 364-2496

many agents advertise. Check the newspaper and towing services or rental vehicle reimbursement
(Phoenix) or (800) 544-9208 (statewide).
To decide if you should buy comprehensive yellow pages of the telephone directory for insurers coverage, and some offer non-insurance products

coverage, consider the value of your vehicle. Also
and agents in your area. Ask your neighbors, along with their insurance policies. Review
think about how you would pay to repair your vehicle
relatives and friends for recommendations. Ask them coverages and products carefully before purchasing
The Arizona Department of Insurance is an Equal
if you do not buy this coverage.
about their experience regarding price and service, them.
Employment Opportunity agency that complies with the

and ask them what kind of claim service they have
Americans with Disabilities Act. Persons with a disability
Medical Payments Coverage
received from the insurers they recommend. By Compare finance charges. Some Arizonans
may request that materials be presented in an alternative
finance their insurance premiums. Some insurers
format by contacting the ADA Coordinator at (602) 364-3471
It is your choice whether to buy medical payments
shopping around you can ensure that you receive an provide "in-house" financing; other arrangements
and should do so as early as possible to allow reasonable
coverage. It pays for reasonable medical, hospital
acceptable amount of service and coverage for your involve banks or finance companies. Just as you
time to make necessary arrangements..
and limited funeral expenses for you or others injured
premium. To find out if an insurance agent or

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