Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in Arizona in 2025

Arizona state law mandates that all motor vehicle operators maintain liability insurance coverage before registering vehicles or operating them on public roadways. The financial responsibility requirements, codified within Title 28, Chapter 9, Article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, establish enforceable standards that apply throughout the vehicle registration lifecycle and continued highway operation.

Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage

Arizona's financial responsibility framework prohibits the operation, registration, or continued registration maintenance of any motor vehicle designated for highway use without establishing adequate financial responsibility through approved mechanisms. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-4135, a motor vehicle operated on a highway in this state must be covered by one of the following: a motor vehicle or automobile liability policy providing limits not less than those prescribed in section 28-4009, an alternate method of coverage as provided in section 28-4076, a certificate of self-insurance as prescribed in section 28-4007, or a policy satisfying the financial responsibility requirements prescribed in article 2 of this chapter.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division administers statewide financial responsibility compliance through its network of offices and authorized third-party providers operating throughout Arizona's fifteen counties.

Motor vehicle owners must sustain continuous insurance coverage throughout each registration cycle without interruption. Coverage lapses constitute violations of Arizona law and may trigger registration suspension, monetary penalties, and administrative sanctions. Insurance carriers notify the Motor Vehicle Division of all policy cancellations, non-renewals, and new policy activations. When insurance companies transmit notice indicating policy termination, the Division sends inquiry notices to vehicle owners requesting insurance status verification. Failure to maintain proper insurance coverage leads to registration and driver license suspension.

Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division
1801 West Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 255-0072
Official Website: Arizona Department of Transportation

Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements

Arizona establishes precise minimum liability insurance coverage thresholds that all policies must meet or exceed to Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions minimum coverage requirements:

These minimum coverage thresholds apply exclusively to liability insurance requirements. Arizona statutes do not mandate collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, medical payments coverage, or personal injury protection. Financial institutions typically require comprehensive and collision coverage as financing conditions for vehicle loans and leases. Vehicle owners may elect coverage amounts surpassing statutory minimums for expanded financial protection.

Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions
100 North 15th Avenue, Suite 261, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 364-3100
Official Website: Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions

Proof of Insurance Documents

Arizona law mandates that every motor vehicle operator subject to financial responsibility provisions carry evidence of insurance within the vehicle during operation. According to Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-4135, a person operating a motor vehicle on a highway in this state shall have evidence within the motor vehicle of current financial responsibility applicable to the motor vehicle. The evidence may be displayed on a wireless communication device that is in the motor vehicle.

Arizona recognizes multiple documentation formats as valid proof of insurance:

• Motor Vehicle Insurance Identification Card: Standard card issued by authorized insurers containing the insurer's department-assigned number and required disclosure statements
• Electronic Insurance Evidence: Insurance documentation displayed on smartphones, tablets, or other wireless communication devices
• Policy Binder: Temporary insurance documentation issued by authorized agents during policy processing
• Certificate of Insurance: Official verification certificate confirming active coverage status
• Declarations Page: Current policy declarations page displaying coverage details and effective dates
• Authorized Agent Documentation: If a binder is issued by an authorized agent of an insurer, documentation containing the agent's name, address, and telephone number

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-4133, authorized insurers shall issue at least two motor vehicle insurance identification cards for each motor vehicle or automobile liability policy meeting section 28-4009 requirements. Cards must include the department-assigned insurer number and statements indicating that persons are required to possess evidence of financial responsibility within the motor vehicle, that the card or wireless device image meets this requirement, and that such evidence is satisfactory when the department requests financial responsibility verification.

Law enforcement officers investigating motor vehicle accidents or alleged traffic law violations, court officials adjudicating traffic matters, and license plate issuing officials processing registration transactions may request proof of insurance. Failure to produce evidence of financial responsibility when requested by law enforcement officers investigating accidents or alleged violations constitutes a civil traffic violation punishable under statutory provisions.

Exceptions to Insurance Requirements

Arizona law establishes specific statutory exemptions from mandatory financial responsibility requirements for designated vehicle categories under Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-4132. The financial responsibility requirements do not apply to owners or operators of:

• Farm tractor: Agricultural tractors used primarily for farming operations
• Trailer used solely in farm operations: Trailers used exclusively for transporting unprocessed fiber or forage products of a farm or implements of husbandry designed primarily for agricultural operations and only incidentally operated or moved on highways
• Road-roller or road machinery: Including power sweepers temporarily operating or moved on highways
• Non-commercial trailer or semitrailer: Trailers and semitrailers not used for commercial purposes
• Motor vehicle rented without a driver: Meeting the requirements of section 28-2166
• Motor vehicle registered pursuant to section 28-2154: Vehicles registered under specific statutory provisions
• Motor vehicle owned by the United States government: Federal government-owned vehicles
• Golf cart used in golf course operations: Golf carts used in golf course operation or only incidentally operated or moved on highways
• All-terrain vehicle or off-road recreational motor vehicle on dirt roads: Operating on dirt roads located in unincorporated areas, where dirt roads are unpaved or ungraveled roads not maintained by the state, city, town, or county
• Off-highway vehicle participating in special events: Off-highway vehicles participating in special events as defined in section 28-1171

These exemptions apply exclusively under circumstances specified in Arizona statutes. Vehicles qualifying for exemptions may still require registration with appropriate designations indicating exempt status. Commercial vehicle policies providing automatic coverage for additional or newly acquired vehicles until policy expiration dates are not subject to insurance identification card issuance requirements under section 28-4133.

Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration

• New residents establishing Arizona residency must obtain Arizona-issued insurance coverage before registering vehicles within the state. According to Motor Vehicle Division guidance, all vehicles registered in Arizona must be insured by a company licensed to do business in this state. Out-of-state insurance policies do not satisfy Arizona registration prerequisites. Arizona residents temporarily out of state, including military personnel, may submit De-Insured Certificates on vehicles for short-term periods.
• Registration renewals require active insurance coverage verified electronically through AZIVS. The system performs automated insurance verification when processing renewals submitted at Motor Vehicle Division offices, through authorized third-party providers, or via the AZ MVD Now online platform. Vehicles with lapsed or unverifiable insurance coverage cannot complete renewal processing until valid coverage is established and confirmed through the verification system.

State law requires insurance companies and vehicle owners to submit proof of Arizona insurance within 30 days after initial registration. When insurance companies transmit notifications indicating policy termination, the Division sends inquiry notices to owners requesting insurance status verification. Failure to respond to inquiry notices or provide proof of continuing coverage results in registration suspension.

Vehicle owners experiencing registration suspension for insurance-related reasons must provide proof of Arizona liability insurance and pay a $50 reinstatement fee to clear the suspension. Proof must demonstrate coverage was in effect at the suspension time, or when such proof cannot be obtained, payment of the reinstatement fee is required. Reinstatement fees may be paid by cash, cashier's check, or money order. Vehicle registration remains invalid during suspension periods, and operation of vehicles with suspended registration constitutes additional violations subject to enforcement action.