Looking for Little Rock car insurance? Here is all of the information that you will need to get started finding the best Little Rock car insurance rates.

According to FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) in the year 2008 there were 67 automobile related deaths in Pulaski County, which encompasses a few cities in Arkansas including Little Rock.  This number was relative to the 600 automobile deaths that were reported in the entire state.

The sheer number of accidents that occur each year is much higher and there are estimated to be as many as 70,000 injuries a year.  There’s little wonder on why Arkansas’ car insurance rates continue to increase from year-to-year. Arkansas’ average premium for auto insurance in 2009 was $1,322.

Additionally, state law attempts to regulate coverage for legal motorists.  By law, all motorists in Little Rock and in the greater Arkansas area must have Bodily Injury Liability of $25,000 per injured person for a total of $50,000 per each accident.

There is also a $25,000 minimum on Property Damage Liability.  The state follows a tort system, meaning someone must be proven to be at fault in order to assume responsibility.

Factor’s That Influence Little Rock Car Insurance Rates

There’s no question that Little Rock, though not as large as some major metropolitan cities in New York or California, can still pose a high risk for on-road collisions.  Some of the city’s most traveled highways like I-40 North, US 70 and I-30 at are immensely congested during peak hours.

Besides location, there are a number of factors that can influence the cost of a Little Rock car insurance rate policy.  For example, a car insurance rate can be significantly increased if your car is deemed to be unsafe by the company.  Cars that have working airbags, seatbelts and that are structurally well-built (like Volvos) tend to get discounts on insurance rates just for their extra safety features.  Motorists that drive defensively, particularly motorists who take driving courses, get to enjoy a discount on their rates.

Some people tend to think that car insurance policies are only influenced by factors on the road, and while these certainly are important, one cannot underestimate having insurance coverage against automotive theft.  There were over 1,200 car thefts in the year 2007.  Thefts cost insurance companies just as much money as road accidents.  No wonder insurance providers will sometimes give discounts to drivers who install security devices on a car or who avoid certain areas where crime is significantly higher.

Motorists should remember that any and all traffic violations will cause a spike in car insurance premiums.  Some of the most common Little Rock traffic violations include driving without one’s lights in heavy rain, violations of child passenger protection law, impeding the flow of traffic, incorrect lane usage, and passing a stopped church bus.

What to do About the Price of Little Rock Car Insurance Policies

What can Little Rock citizens do about rising Little Rock car insurance rates?  Obviously, the worst thing you can do is get involved in a number of accidents or receive more than one ticket in a short amount of time.  Remember the insurance company not only considers accidents where you are at fault but also no-fault accidents or even accidents where the other driver is at fault.  True, one incident every few years might be ignored for an otherwise trustworthy insured. However, after a string of no-fault accidents the company may start to see a pattern of reckless driving.

The first step in lowering your rate should be to concentrate on learning defensive driving and living down any tickets or accidents. Next, you might consider what type of vehicle you are driving, and whether you could get a discount by buying a safer or an older vehicle that is not as costly to insure.

You always have the option of raising the deductible or eliminating comprehensive or “full coverage” and just taking the minimum requirement of $25,000 liability insurance.  Understand though, once you waive comprehensive coverage you may no longer have protection against uninsured motorists, or any accidents that were “sketchy” when it comes to fault.  Unless you can provide solid proof to the other insurance company that the other car was at fault, you may have to pay damages out of your own pocket.  On the other hand, if you only order liability insurance and take care of minor collisions on your own, then you may not have to worry about your insurance rates going up as a result of too many comprehensive-covered accidents being reported.

Determining Assets and Geography for a Better Little Rock Car Insurance Policy

As far as total liability coverage, you don’t want to over-order liability just so you will be covered in any potential accident situation. (Order too much and you may end up spending more than the car is worth!) A good rule of thumb is to determine how much your assets are worth and if they merit protection from a potential lawsuit. The fewer assets you have to lose, the less you will need to worry about increasing liability coverage. Big shot lawyers only tend to go after people who have money.

Lastly, consider the importance of local geography when it comes to Little Rock car insurance policies. Some areas of the city tend to be flat but others (like in the western section of the city) tend to be hilly. Geographical areas where there are many hills tend to require more coverage than flat lands. When you know when and where you are going to be using the car and can control unsafe driving conditions around you then you may be on your way to finding a better car insurance policy.

Get Little Rock Car Insurance Quotes!

Remember to shop around and use an online comparison tool like the one above.  You may have to switch insurance providers to find a cheaper policy in the end, but if it offers you the same Little Rock car insurance coverage for less, than it is well worth the time invested. Get started comparing Little Rock car insurance quotes online today!