Deciphering which company quotes the most affordable insurance rates for drivers with a bad driving record will take a bit more effort than just comparing a company or two. Each auto insurance company uses different criteria to set premium rates, so we’ll go over the most affordable insurance companies in Phoenix, AZ.
It’s a good idea to be aware that Phoenix, AZ insurance rates are impacted by many things which can substantially change your annual premium. Simply turning a year older, buying higher coverage limits, or getting a driving violation can cause premium changes that may make certain companies more affordable than the competition.
Compare Cheap Insurance Quotes for Imperfect Drivers
The Hartford generally has some of the best car insurance rates in Phoenix at around $820 each year. This is $608 less than the average rate paid by Arizona drivers of $1,428. Safeco, Auto-Owners, USAA, and Travelers would also make the list of some of the most economical Phoenix, AZ auto insurance companies.
As the example above demonstrates, if you currently have coverage with USAA and switched to The Hartford, you may realize annual savings of upwards of $260. Customers with Travelers might save as much as $299 a year, and Progressive insureds might reduce rates by $344 a year.
To find out how your current rates compare, click here to get a free quote or click several companies below for low rates.
These estimates are averaged for all drivers and vehicles and and are not calculated with a vehicle location for drivers with a bad driving record. So the insurer that fits your age and vehicle best may not even be in the top 28 companies in the list above. That point stresses why you need to compare as many prices as possible using your own specific driver information and vehicle.
For bad drivers, one of the big considerations that determine the annual cost of car insurance is where you live in Phoenix. Areas with high crime rates or more dense population are more likely to pay higher prices, whereas more rural areas have the benefit of cheaper car insurance.
The information below rates the most expensive areas in Arizona for drivers with a bad driving record to purchase car insurance in. Phoenix ranks #1 with an annual rate of $1,268 for the average policyholder, which is approximately $106 per month.
| Rank | City | Average Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix | $1,268 |
| 2 | Glendale | $1,214 |
| 3 | Avondale | $1,186 |
| 4 | San Tan Valley | $1,185 |
| 5 | Buckeye | $1,144 |
| 6 | Gilbert | $1,142 |
| 7 | Goodyear | $1,131 |
| 8 | Tempe | $1,118 |
| 9 | Maricopa | $1,118 |
| 10 | Scottsdale | $1,117 |
| 11 | Mesa | $1,113 |
| 12 | Peoria | $1,093 |
| 13 | Chandler | $1,082 |
| 14 | Casa Grande | $1,079 |
| 15 | Oro Valley | $1,062 |
| 16 | Tucson | $1,061 |
| 17 | Casas Adobes | $1,050 |
| 18 | Catalina Foothills | $1,050 |
| 19 | Surprise | $1,048 |
| 20 | Yuma | $963 |
| 21 | Prescott | $952 |
| 22 | Flagstaff | $931 |
| 23 | Sierra Vista | $899 |
| 24 | Bullhead City | $896 |
| 25 | Lake Havasu City | $870 |
| Compare Prices Now Go | ||
Premium amounts are estimated as the garaging address in Phoenix can influence insurance rates noticeably.
Tickets and at-fault accidents raise rates
The easiest method to snag affordable insurance prices for bad drivers is to be a careful driver and have a clean driving record. The chart below highlights how traffic violations and accidents influence insurance rates for each age group. The premiums assume a married female driver, full coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
In the prior example, the average cost of a car insurance policy in Phoenix per year with no violations or accidents is $1,348. Get written up for one speeding ticket and the average cost increases to $1,565, an increase of $217 each year. Then add in two accidents along with the one speeding ticket and the annual cost of insurance for drivers with a bad driving record increases to an average of $3,397. That’s an increase of $2,049, or $171 per month, just for not keeping your driving record clean!
Types of discounts on Phoenix auto insurance rates
Car insurance companies that provide coverage for drivers with a bad driving record may also give you special discounts that could reduce prices by 35% or more if you meet the requirements. A list of companies and their offered discounts include:
- Farm Bureau offers discounts including good student, youthful driver, multi-vehicle, safe driver, driver training, multi-policy, and 55 and retired.
- MetLife offers premium reductions for claim-free, good student, good driver, multi-policy, defensive driver, and accident-free.
- Progressive has discounts for multi-policy, good student, multi-vehicle, continuous coverage, and online quote discount.
- AAA discounts include AAA membership discount, anti-theft, pay-in-full, good driver, good student, and multi-car.
- American Family policyholders can earn discounts including multi-vehicle, early bird, good student, defensive driver, Steer into Savings, and mySafetyValet.
- GEICO includes discounts for military active duty, anti-theft, good student, air bags, multi-policy, driver training, and anti-lock brakes.
- State Farm may have discounts that include Drive Safe & Save, anti-theft, good driver, multiple autos, defensive driving training, and Steer Clear safe driver discount.
The diagram below visualizes the comparison of premium costs with and without some available policy discounts. The premiums assume a female driver, one speeding ticket and two accidents, Arizona state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $500 deductibles.
The first bar for each age group shows the average annual price with no discounts. The second bar shows the rates with homeowner, multiple policy, anti-theft, paid-in-full, multiple vehicle, and marriage discounts applied. When discounts are applied, the average savings per year on insurance for drivers with a bad driving record is 29% or $1,213.
The benefit of shopping around
Phoenix, AZ insurance rates are calculated based on many things which can substantially change your annual premium. Improving your credit score, buying higher coverage limits, or getting a reckless driving citation can trigger rate changes resulting in some rates now being affordable when they were higher priced.
Not only may things change on your end, but car insurance companies modify rates without warning to reflect underwriting profits or losses. Unexpectedly high claims may result in a rate increase, while a profitable period may result in lower-cost Phoenix car insurance rates.
The graph below shows the cheapest car insurance in Phoenix, AZ for a 35-year-old male driver with no prior claims, no tickets, and solid credit. If we compare prices based on his personal profile, The Hartford quotes the lowest car insurance rates in Phoenix at $1,220 each year. This is $208 less than the average rate paid by Arizona drivers of $1,428. Auto-Owners, Safeco, Travelers, and USAA are the remainder of the top five cheapest Phoenix, AZ auto insurance companies.
In this next rate comparison, we will give the driver from above a chargeable claim, bad credit, and a few blemishes on his driving record. Since each auto insurance company has a proprietary method to set premium rates, comparing quotes could now result in a different ranking of affordable Phoenix car insurance companies as shown below.
GEICO now has the cheapest rate in Phoenix, AZ with Ameriprise Group, Allied, CSAA, and Auto-Owners now rounding out the top five. This example demonstrates why it is important to take the time to shop around when trying to get the best car insurance rates for drivers with a bad driving record.
Insurance rates can be determined by many factors and change dramatically, so the best company two years ago may now be priced much higher than other options.
The agents listed below can probably provide answers to your questions and help you determine which coverage meets your needs best, as some people have coverage questions and would like to get some professional advice when trying to find lower insurance rates for drivers with a bad driving record. It’s not always simple to find the best rates on your own, and a licensed agent can bring peace of mind knowing your policy gives you decent coverage if you have a claim. To locate a Phoenix insurance agent close to you, click the button link following the list.
State Farm: Lynn Hennessy
4645 E Chandler Blvd #110 – Phoenix, AZ 85048 – (480) 759-0203
Mary Parada – State Farm Insurance Agent
3414 W Bell Rd – Phoenix, AZ 85053 – (602) 942-9202
Farmer-Leavitt Insurance Agency
919 N 1st St – Phoenix, AZ 85004 – (602) 264-0566