Arizona May Increase Mandated Auto Insurance

State lawmakers in Arizona want drivers to purchase more auto insurance to pay for the harm they cause to others in car accidents.

Currently, Arizona drivers only need to purchase liability coverage for $15,000 for injuries to any one person in another vehicle they hit, and a total of $30,000 liability coverage for all injuries or death in the same accident. Liability coverage for damages to cars or anyone else’s property can be as little as $10,000.

Senator Kate Brophy McGee wants to raise the mandated minimum personal liability insurance to $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. The required property damage coverage would also go up to $25,000. These changes would raise drivers’ car insurance premiums by about $80.

The reasons for increasing liability insurance stem from the fact that the figures have not been adjusted since 1972 and that medical costs are much higher now. Not to mention that $10,000 doesn’t go far if a vehicle is totaled. Senator Brophy McGee states that the bare minimum insurance should protect drivers and that it currently does not. Only 6 other U.S. states have the same minimums as Arizona, while 30 other states have proposed raising it to the 25/50/25 levels. The opposing side fears that this potential premium increase will actually lead to more uninsured Arizona drivers, which could lead to further costs for insured drivers and for the state. There will be more to come about this proposed bill in future months. Read more it at The Daily Courier.