Cheap Car Insurance in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Located in northwest Arkansas and the state’s third largest city, Fort Smith has a rich and illustrious Wild West history. The city was named the Top True Western Town for 2013 by True West Magazine for its prominence during the Civil War.
Popular attractions in Fort Smith include the Rivervalley Artisan Market, Fort Smith National Cemetery, Clayton House, Fort Smith National Historic Site, and the Park at West End.
All Fort Smith drivers must carry auto insurance to drive legally in the state. Keep reading to learn more about car insurance in Arkansas, including available discounts, penalties for driving without insurance in Arkansas, and average monthly premiums paid by zip code, age, and nearby cities in the region.
Quick Facts
- Fort Smith is named after General Thomas Adams Smith, a United States Army Rifle Regiment commander.
- Fort Smith is the third-largest city in Arkansas.
- The city of Fort Smith is located on the Arkansas–Oklahoma state border.
- Fort Smith has a total area of 64.6 square miles.
- The Arkansas state flower is the apple blossom, and its state bird is the mockingbird.
- Fort Smith has a thriving manufacturing heritage, home to production plans from well-known brands like Gerber, Trane, Rheem, and Planters Peanuts.
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Fort Smith, AR?
Fort Smith drivers pay an average premium of $131 a month for full coverage car insurance, which is lower than the state average of $159 and just slightly lower than the national average of $140.
Full coverage is a type of car insurance that offers a high level of protection. It consists of three parts: the amount of liability Arkansas requires all drivers to have, plus comprehensive car insurance and collision auto coverage.
If you are looking for the cheapest car insurance in Arkansas, you are looking at the state-required minimum liability auto insurance. Fort Smith drivers will average $39 per month for this minimal coverage – if they have stellar driving records and meet other criteria. The state average for liability insurance only is also $39, while the national average is $47 monthly.
No two people are likely to pay the same premium for their auto insurance since there are differences in rates between carriers, as well as many differences between individual customers, including age, location, driving history and more. Shopping around and comparing insurance companies is one way to find cheap car insurance in Arkansas.
How does Fort Smith compare with other cities in Arkansas? For average monthly premiums by nearby cities to Fort Smith, see our breakdown below.
| City | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | $131 | $39 |
| Jonesboro | $141 | $42 |
| Little Rock | $166 | $50 |
| Springdale | $132 | $38 |
Affordable Car Insurance Rates by Zip Code in Fort Smith, AR
Different cities in Arkansas have different average car insurance prices. The same is true down to your zip code. Your rate depends somewhat on the demographic breakdown and volume of claims/moving violations found in your zip code.
For average monthly premiums by zip code paid in Fort Smith, see our breakdown below:
| Zip Code | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| 72901 | $131 | $39 |
| 72903 | $130 | $39 |
| 72904 | $131 | $39 |
| 72908 | $129 | $40 |
| 72916 | $129 | $38 |
| 72923 | $128 | $38 |
| 72956 | $134 | $38 |
Low-Cost Car Insurance Rates by Age in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Your age affects how much you pay for car insurance. Expect teenagers to pay significantly higher rates than drivers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s due to a riskier collective driving record and lack of driving history. It’s extremely important that young drivers work hard towards establishing a blemish free driving history so their rates will drop normally as they age.
For average monthly premiums by age paid in Fort Smith, see our breakdown below.
| Age | Full Coverage Insurance | Liability Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Teenagers | $545 | $175 |
| 20s | $145 | $42 |
| 30s | $131 | $39 |
| 40s | $120 | $36 |
| 50s | $118 | $37 |
| 60s | $127 | $41 |
| 70s | $154 | $51 |
Unless otherwise specified, we use the following methodology to arrive at our average cost: male, age 30, lowest possible legal coverage allowed by Arkansas. Your rates will be determined by several factors, including your age, your gender and the amount of coverage you want to purchase.
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Driving Conditions in Fort Smith, Arkansas
How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in Fort Smith?
In 2019, Fort Smith had six fatal road traffic accidents involving nine vehicles and 13 people, including one pedestrian.
In 2020, there were 11 fatal crashes in Fort Smith, AR.
How Are the Road Infrastructure and Bridges in Fort Smith, AR?
With more than 60 square miles within its city limits and home to 316 acres of public park space and 90,000 residents, the Arkansas Department of Transportation has its hands full in maintaining Fort Smith roads and infrastructure.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation has aggressive plans to revamp its state highways, including the areas around Midland Boulevard, Riverfront Drive, and Zero Street. Other projects have focused on surfacing key roads, such as Riverfront Drive and I-540 north of Rogers Avenue.
For more information on Fort Smith’s public works services, visit the City of Fort Smith – Arkansas.
Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Here are Arkansas’ state minimum requirements for liability car insurance:
- Bodily injury: $25,000 per person
- Bodily injury: $50,000 per accident
- Property damage: $25,000 per person
Liability car insurance is composed of two parts: bodily injury/death per person/per accident liability insurance and property damage liability insurance. In Arkansas, if you opt for the minimum required coverage and you cause an accident, your insurance company will pay out up to $25,000 in bodily injury/death per person. If more than one person is injured, including your passengers, your insurance company will pay up to $50,000. If you total someone else’s car or hit a fence, your insurance company will pay up to $25,000 to help repair or replace that vehicle or fence.
Keep in mind that there will be nothing coming from your insurance company to pay for your injuries and damages. You can opt to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which offers comprehensive medical, lost wages and even death benefits for you. Another good, inexpensive coverage to consider is uninsured motorist coverage. This will protect you if someone without insurance – or not enough insurance – hits you.
You can also opt for higher liability limits. For example, the minimum property damage liability limit of $25,000 is barely enough to cover the cost of a new vehicle, should you total someone’s car. Likewise, a single accident can also easily exceed $50,000 in medical bills, forcing you to go out of pocket to cover the difference.
If higher liability limits put your monthly premiums out of budget, consider increasing your car insurance deductible from $500 to $1,000 or applying for vehicle insurance discounts. Most importantly, maintaining a clean driving record by not filing claims or racking up traffic violations.
What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Fort Smith, AR?
All first-time offenders can expect to see a license and registration suspension and fines of up to $250 until proof of insurance is provided within ten days of the incident. Second offenses increase the penalty from $250 to $500 and third/subsequent offenders see fines up to $1000, on top of a possible year in jail.
To be reinstated, all Arkansas drivers caught driving without insurance must file for SR-22 insurance, which proves they are carrying the state minimum required liability. This is considered high-risk insurance and it can cost up to three times the regular cost of insurance. Worst of all, your premiums will remain elevated for a minimum of three years.
Factors Allowed in Fort Smith Car Insurance Rates
Insurance carriers in Arkansas may use the following info to help set your premiums:
- Age
- Zip code
- Education & Occupation
- Marital status
- Credit score
- Gender
Other ways to lower your rates include restructuring your policy. For example, increasing your deductible to $1000 from $500 will save you a few dollars each month. Regardless of the deductible amount, opt for a full coverage policy with comprehensive, and collision insurance over the state’s minimum required policy if you can afford it. A full coverage policy offers greater protections, including damages due to vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-object, and rollover collisions.
Discounts for Car Insurance in Fort Smith, Arkansas
Every auto insurance company provides discounts for their customers. Other ways of obtaining discounts include installing auto-theft devices, completing a defensive driving course, or maintaining a B or higher grade point average (good student discount).
There are plenty of discounts for Fort Smith drivers. Some of those include:
To find out all the discounts you may be eligible for, contact your carrier.
Get an Online Quote for Low-Cost Car Insurance in Fort Smith Today!
Here at Freeway Insurance, you can expect to find affordable auto insurance policies for you and your family by comparing quotes from multiple carriers.
Get started by requesting a free, no-obligation car insurance quote online, visiting us at a Fort Smith office near you, or calling one of our friendly service representatives at 800-777-5620.