Accident Auto Insurance: Arkansas

All 50 states in the U.S. require some form of auto insurance (also called accident auto insurance, motor insurance, or vehicle insurance), but different states have different minimum requirements and different penalties for failing to provide the minimum auto insurance coverage. It is important that you know your state's auto insurance minimum requirements and your options above and beyond what the state requires.

Types of auto insurance coverage:

Liability
In the event of an auto accident, liability auto insurance pays for bodily injuries as well as property damages to the other (injured) party or parties. Included in bodily injuries are the medical expenses, compensation for pain and suffering, in addition to compensation for lost wages due to the accident. Included in property damages are both damages to the other vehicle in the auto accident as well as damages to any other property involved. Liability auto insurance also pays for court costs and defense attorney costs.
Collision
In the event of an auto accident (between your car and either another car or an object), collision auto insurance pays for damages to your vehicle caused by the incident.

Comprehensive
In an event other than an auto accident, such as flood, wind, fire, hail, theft, vandalism, comprehensive auto insurance pays for loss or damages to your insured vehicle.

Medical Coverage
In the event of an auto accident, regardless of who is at fault, medical coverage auto insurance pays for the medical expenses.
PIP (Personal Injury Protection)
In the event of an auto accident, regardless of who is at fault, PIP auto insurance pays for your (as the injured party) medical expenses incurred from the accident.

Uninsured Motorist
In the event of an auto accident with an uninsured motorist, uninsured motorist auto insurance pays for your insured car's damages from the accident.
Underinsured Motorist
In the event of an auto accident, underinsured motorist auto insurance pays for your insured car's damages when the other motorist has insufficient liability insurance to pay for the damages from the accident. Rental Reimbursement
In the event of an auto accident, rental reimbursement auto insurance pays for a rental car due to the damages of your insured car (usually with a daily price limit).

Arkansas Law Minimum Requirements for Accident Auto Insurance
Liability Insurance: $15,000-$100,000 for bodily injuries and/or death caused by an auto accident; $10,000-$50,000 for property damages caused by an auto accident. Insurance policy must be obtained by a ligitimate auto insurance provider recognized by Arkansas.

Arkansas's Proof of Auto Insurance
In the event of an auto accident or traffic violation in which you are stopped by an officer, you are required to show proof of insurance - your insurance card. The Arkansas OMV (Office of Motor Vehicles) actively tracks vehicles and insurance policies by working with insurance companies to match current valid auto insurance policies with VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) numbers. If your vehicle does not match a valid policy, you are breaking the law.
Arkansas Law Auto Insurance Penalties
The Arkansas OMV maintains an updated database with all insurance policies for every registered motor vehicle. All insurance companies notify the OMV within 30 days of a policy lapse - failing to make payments or policy cancellation. Any vehicle without valid insurance will have its registration suspended. To reinstate your vehicle registration, you will be required to show proof of valid auto insurance. For vehicles that are not in use and do not need registration, you can cancel the insurance on it, but you need to inform the OMV of the VIN and auto insurance information.

As always it is important to shop around for auto insurance quotes, as rates can vary greatly between companies. Also, when you get auto insurance quotes, be sure to ask about special discounts which are often given based on age, marrital status, location, etc.