Car insurance costs are lower in Scottsdale than in other parts of Arizona. The desert city’s relatively smaller population — Scottsdale has about half the population of Mesa and one-seventh the population of Phoenix — likely contributes to its lower car insurance costs.
Scottsdale drivers face average car insurance rates of $158 per month for full coverage and $97 for liability-only policies. Those averages are close to Arizona's state-level averages of $160 and $94, respectively.
You may be able to save even more on car insurance in Scottsdale by comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies. Here’s what you need to know about affordable auto insurance in Scottsdale.
Best car insurance companies in Scottsdale
The cheapest and best car insurance company for you depends on factors like your budget and coverage level needs. That’s why it’s worthwhile to shop around and compare rates with different companies. Insurify identified a few of the leading car insurance companies below to help you start your search for the best car insurance in Scottsdale.
Each offers unique advantages for Scottsdale residents.
Auto-Owners offers a high level of customization to suit the needs of Scottsdale’s diverse population. Nearly 25% of the city’s residents are 65 or older and may find Mile Auto’s pay-per-mile insurance model appealing if they don’t drive much. And USAA can be a good option for Scottsdale veterans, who make up about 5% of the city’s population.
Best insurer for liability-only coverage: Auto-Owners
Best insurer for low-mileage drivers: Mile Auto
Best insurer for veterans and military members: USAA
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Scottsdale
It takes time and effort to find affordable car insurance in Scottsdale. These tips can help you zero in on the perfect plan for your unique situation and specific needs:
Shop around. It may be tempting to choose the first car insurance company you find. But doing so can cost you. Instead, request quotes from at least three different car insurance companies and compare the most affordable options.
Look for discounts. The best car insurance companies usually offer discounts. You might be able to land a discount if you complete a defensive driving course, get good grades, or enroll in automatic payments.
Bundle policies. If you buy your car insurance from the same company as your homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance, you may get a discount on your policies.
Explore usage-based insurance. If you’re an infrequent driver because you’re retired or work remotely, you may save money with a pay-per-mile policy. Your monthly premiums are based on how many miles you drive.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Scottsdale
Arizona requires liability car insurance, which is the cheapest type of auto insurance coverage you can get in Scottsdale. After an at-fault accident, it’ll cover the other driver’s property damage and injury costs but not your own.
Here’s an overview of the cheapest liability car insurance companies in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Scottsdale
Full-coverage car insurance offers additional protection and typically includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. It covers non-accident events, like theft and falling objects, and accidents that you cause. You may need a full-coverage policy if you took out a loan or lease for your vehicle.
The table below shows the cheapest full-coverage car insurance quotes in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Car insurance requirements in Arizona
Arizona is a tort state, commonly known as an at-fault state. This means you have to pay for the property damage and injuries of the other driver and passengers if you’re at fault for an accident. You should carry your policy information while driving to avoid the serious financial and legal consequences of not being able to show proof of insurance.
Like most states, Arizona requires drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance. Keep in mind, though, that buying only the required amount of liability coverage could leave you financially exposed if you cause an accident in which damages exceed your coverage limits.
Here are Arizona’s auto insurance requirements for drivers:2
Depending on your budget, finances, and risk tolerance, it may be a good idea to invest in additional car insurance coverage in Arizona. Here are several policies to consider:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
If you have a driving record with incidents like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and driving under the influence (DUI) convictions, there’s a good chance you’ll have to settle for higher car insurance rates. This is because car insurance companies will view you as a high-risk driver more likely to file a claim. Scottsdale drivers with clean records usually secure the lowest premiums.
Here’s a look at the insurance companies with the lowest average car insurance quotes in Scottsdale, based on driving history.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: Mile Auto
In 2022, 426 people died and more than 20,000 sustained injuries in speed-related crashes in Arizona.2 The Scottsdale Police Department deploys radar-equipped “photo safety vans” around the city in an effort to catch drivers who speed. Speeding can lead to fines of $265 to $446, depending on the location and excessive speed, as well as more expensive car insurance premiums.3
A speeding ticket in Scottsdale could bump your monthly car insurances to $193 for full coverage and $118 for a liability-only policy, on average. Here are the cheapest liability-only quotes for drivers with a speeding ticket in Scottsdale.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: Mile Auto
Scottsdale reported 3,485 car accidents in 2022. These accidents led to 16 fatalities and more than 1,100 injuries.2 So, if you’re responsible for an accident, you’ll likely pay more for car insurance, depending on the severity of the accident.4
Scottsdale drivers with at-fault accidents on their driving records see average monthly car insurance rates of $202 for full coverage and $124 for minimum coverage. The table below shows the car insurance companies with the cheapest average liability-only monthly quotes for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records in Scottsdale.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: Mile Auto
Scottsdale reported 212 alcohol-related crashes in 2022, which resulted in five fatalities and 144 injuries.2 If you have a DUI conviction on your record, you may have a difficult time finding the best coverage or have to settle for higher car insurance rates. Plus, Arizona may require you to file SR-22 insurance coverage and have continuous coverage for three years.
In Scottsdale, drivers with DUIs face average monthly car insurance rates of $129 for liability-only coverage and $211 for full coverage. Here are the cheapest car insurance companies offering liability policies for drivers with a DUI in Scottsdale.
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Mile Auto
Senior drivers have higher motor vehicle accident mortality rates than younger drivers, making them riskier on the road.5 This is why car insurance costs decrease around age 35 and increase a bit around age 70. Despite these increases, seniors still pay lower rates than other driving age groups.
The average cost of car insurance for Scottsdale seniors is $133 per month for full coverage and $81 for liability only. The table below shows average monthly quotes, by insurance company, for senior drivers in Scottsdale.
Cheapest car insurance for teens: Mile Auto
Teenagers have minimal experience on the road and are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors like speeding and distracted driving. For this reason, they usually pay higher premiums. Fortunately, they can save some money on a policy and find the best deal if they lock in a good student discount or stay on their parents’ insurance plan.
The average cost of car insurance for Scottsdale teens with their own policy is $205 monthly for liability-only coverage and $333 for full coverage. Here are average costs from some top insurance companies in Scottsdale for teen drivers.
Scottsdale car insurance quotes by credit tier
Insurance companies believe that drivers with good to excellent credit are less risky and usually file fewer claims than those with poor credit. This is why some car insurers evaluate credit histories of prospective policyholders to help determine rates. Considering credit is illegal in some states, but the practice is legal in the state of Arizona.6
The chart below shows that Scottsdale drivers with excellent credit pay an average of $205 per month, while drivers with poor credit pay an average of $412 per month for car insurance.
Is car insurance more expensive in Scottsdale?
Scottsdale's car insurance rates are competitive, and comparable to Arizona state averages. The city also has cheaper car insurance the the national average, and averages in some larger Arizona cities.
As you shop for a policy, note that car insurance premiums vary by city and ZIP code within Arizona due to different factors like population, crime rates, and the number of uninsured drivers.7 For example, compared to cities like Chandler, Mesa, Phoenix, and Tempe, Scottsdale has lower prices for car insurance, on average.
More cities in Arizona
Here’s a look at the average quotes in other major Arizona cities.