Situated east of Phoenix, Mesa is known for its scenic views, countless outdoor attractions, and vibrant arts community. Although it's the third-largest city in Arizona, Mesa's car insurance rates are on par with state averages, and are lower than national averages.
Mesa drivers pay, on average, $103 for minimum coverage and $163 for full-coverage car insurance policies. The city's rates are lower than those in nearby Phoenix, where the population is more than twice the size of Mesa's, but higher than in Flagstaff, which has a much smaller population. Population size and population density both play a role in car insurance costs.
Here’s what you need to know about finding cheap auto insurance in Mesa.
Best car insurance companies in Mesa
To find the best car insurance in Mesa, factor in your budget, driving record, and car insurance coverage needs. It’s a smart idea to compare several car insurance companies at once to see which one makes the most sense for your unique situation.
To help you with your search, here are some of the best car insurance companies in Mesa and why they stand out.
Best insurer for liability coverage: Auto-Owners
Best insurer for low-mileage drivers: Mile Auto
Best insurer for discounts: State Farm
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Mesa
Car insurance companies set their own rates differently, making it important to do your research and compare your options. These tips can help you land the right car insurance coverage and the lowest rates in Mesa:
Shop around. You may see different rates from different insurers. Get quotes from at least three different car insurance companies at the same level of coverage to find the most affordable option for your specific needs. Compare premiums, coverage options, and company reputations.
Look for discounts. Many car insurance companies offer discounts for a variety of reasons. A few examples include the loyalty discount, autopay discount, and multi-car discount.
Bundle insurance. If you combine your auto insurance with homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or even life insurance, you can typically save some money on your monthly premiums.
Consider usage-based insurance. Usage-based insurance might make sense if you don’t drive very often. You’ll only pay for the miles you drive, plus a monthly base rate.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Mesa: Mile Auto
To drive legally in Mesa and other parts of the state of Arizona, you must purchase liability car insurance. This basic insurance covers the cost of the other party’s property damage and injuries after an at-fault accident.
Compared to other types of car insurance, liability coverage tends to be the most affordable. But insurance professionals generally recommend you buy more liability coverage than the required minimum. Higher liability limits provide more financial protection if you cause an accident.
The table below shows the cheapest car insurance companies for liability-only coverage, on average, in Mesa.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Mesa: Mile Auto
Full-coverage car insurance is usually optional in Mesa and includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverages. It can be worthwhile if you’d like additional protection for vehicle damages. Additionally, if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, your lender may require it. Here’s a look at the cheapest full-coverage car insurance companies in Mesa.
Car insurance requirements in Arizona
Because Arizona is an at-fault — or tort — state, you’ll have to cover the property damage and injury costs of the other driver and passengers after an at-fault accident. Once you purchase at least the minimum-required liability insurance, keep your insurance information on hand while you drive. Otherwise, you might face the legal and financial consequences of not showing proof of insurance.
Here are Arizona’s auto insurance requirements:1
As a driver in Mesa, you may want to go beyond the minimum auto insurance requirements and invest in additional insurance coverage for extra peace of mind in certain situations. Here are a few optional policies to consider:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
At-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions are examples of incidents that can lead to higher car insurance costs. Car insurance companies view people with incidents like these on their records as high-risk drivers and charge higher rates to offset the risk. To avoid the expensive premiums you may receive after an incident, do your best to maintain a clean record. Here are the average car insurance quotes in Mesa, based on driving history.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
Arizona’s 2022 crash report shows more than 20,000 injuries and 426 fatalities in speed-related accidents in the state.2 Speeding can make it difficult for drivers to react safely and avoid an accident.3 As a result, drivers with speeding tickets usually pay more for auto insurance, even if they don’t cause an accident. By following speed limits, you can land better prices on a policy.
Mesa drivers with speeding citations pay, on average, $199 per month for full coverage and $126 monthly for minimum coverage. The table below shows the cheapest liability quotes for Mesa for drivers with a speeding ticket.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
In 2022, Mesa reported 6,660 car accidents that led to 1,996 injuries and 53 fatalities.2 If you cause an accident in the city, insurers will likely consider you a high-risk driver, and you can expect higher car insurance costs as a result.
An at-fault accident pushes the average monthly cost of car insurance in Mesa to $132 for liability-only policies and $208 for full coverage. The table below shows the most affordable liability insurance for Mesa drivers with at-fault accidents on their records.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
Alcohol was a factor in 298 crashes in Mesa in 2022, including eight fatalities.2 A DUI conviction in Arizona typically results in fines, jail time, and a license suspension. To reinstate your license after a DUI, you may also need to file an SR-22 insurance form with the state, per Arizona law. During this time, your premiums will likely increase or you might find it difficult to lock in coverage.
A DUI drastically increases car insurance costs in Mesa, to an average of $217 per month for full coverage and $137 for liability only. Here’s a look at the cheapest minimum-coverage car insurance quotes for drivers with a DUI in Mesa.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
While senior drivers generally have the lowest car insurance costs of any age group, rates begin to climb for older drivers around age 70. That's because age-related changes to coordination, vision, mobility, and cognitive ability can increase a senior driver's chance of getting into an accident. Seniors are also at risk of being more severely injured in an accident.
Car insurance for senior drivers in Mesa averages $137 per month for full coverage and $87 monthly for minimum coverage. Here are the car insurers with the lowest rates for Mesa seniors.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
Compared to older drivers, teens and young drivers have minimal experience on the road. They're also more likely to engage in risky behaviors that can lead to crashes, including speeding and distracted driving. This is why car insurance companies usually charge them higher premiums.5 To save on an auto policy, teens can stay on their parents’ insurance or take advantage of student-specific discounts.
The average cost of car insurance for teen drivers in Mesa is $217 per month for liability-only coverage and $344 for full coverage. The table below shows the average monthly car insurance quotes for young adults and teen drivers in Mesa.
Mesa car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurance companies found a correlation that suggests drivers with good to excellent credit are less risky and typically file fewer claims than those with poor credit. Because of this, some car insurers consider credit history to help them determine rates.
While some states ban the practice of using credit scores to determine premiums, Arizona allows companies to do so.6 However, the state bans insurance companies from taking an adverse action if a driver has no credit history, so being new to credit won’t mean you can’t get coverage.
The chart below shows that a Mesa driver with excellent credit may pay $207 per month, on average, while a driver with a poor credit score might pay an average of $416 per month.
Is car insurance more expensive in Mesa?
Mesa drivers enjoy car insurance rates that are lower than national averages and on par with the averages for their state. Rates can even vary by ZIP code and city within Arizona due to factors like population, crime rates, weather conditions, and the number of uninsured drivers.5
More cities in Arizona
Here’s a look at the average quotes for a full-coverage policy in other cities in Arizona, compared to Mesa.