Sources reviewed September 1, 2026. This page provides general information, not legal advice or an insurance-coverage opinion.
How to read 25/50/15
A.R.S. 28-4009 sets the minimum liability limits for most owner policies issued or renewed beginning July 1, 2020. “25/50/15” is a common shorthand, but it is easier to understand when each number is separated.
| Shorthand | What the statute lists | What to check in your own documents |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in one accident. | The liability limit shown on the declarations page and any policy terms that apply. |
| 50 | $50,000 total for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident, subject to the per-person limit. | Whether more than one person may be making a claim and what other coverage may exist. |
| 15 | $15,000 for injury to or destruction of another person’s property in one accident. | Vehicle, repair, rental, and other property documents that relate to the loss. |
These amounts are statutory minimum liability limits. They are not a promise that an insurer will pay a particular amount, a complete list of every policy term, or a recommendation about how much coverage any person should buy.
Minimum liability limits are not the whole policy
Auto policies can include more than liability coverage. They can also contain exclusions, deductibles, endorsements, and coverage choices that change the questions after a crash. The right place to begin is the declarations page and the full policy. Do not assume that an online summary tells you whether a particular coverage was purchased, rejected, available, or applicable.
Different insurance rules can also apply in situations involving commercial vehicles, rideshare activity, rental vehicles, or other arrangements. This page addresses the general owner-policy minimums in A.R.S. 28-4009 and does not attempt to list every possible coverage arrangement.
What Arizona law says about UM and UIM offers
A.R.S. 20-259.01 says insurers writing automobile liability or motor vehicle liability policies must make available and by written notice offer uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage to named insureds. The statute also describes how those coverages work in general terms. Whether a particular person has UM or UIM coverage, and in what amount, is a policy-document question.
A productive document list may include the declarations page, the policy, endorsements, any UM/UIM selection or rejection materials that are available, claim correspondence, and records identifying the vehicles and people involved. Keeping originals and dates intact makes a later conversation more useful.
After a crash: organize before making a coverage decision
Start with the documents that already exist. Keep photos, insurance cards, claim letters, repair estimates, medical instructions, bills, work records, and any written settlement or release document in one dated folder. An insurance company may ask for information, but a form or letter can mean different things depending on the policy and facts. Reading the full document before responding can prevent a rushed decision.
For broader next-step information after a collision, see Wood Injury Law’s Arizona car-accident checklist. This insurance guide focuses on the policy-language questions that often arise once a claim is opened.
Questions to write down from a policy or claim letter
A policy document can be dense, so write down the exact question instead of relying on a general impression. Examples include: Which vehicle is listed? Which coverage section is being discussed? Is the letter asking for information, making a request, or describing a decision? Does it identify a limit, an exclusion, a deductible, or a deadline? Is there an attachment or endorsement referenced but not included?
That list does not answer the coverage question by itself. It helps make sure the right document is reviewed. Keep the full letter, envelope or electronic message, date received, and any response you send. A private case review can start with what is actually written rather than a paraphrase of a phone call.
Review the documents before you sign anything.
Bring the declarations page, policy, claim correspondence, and the records you already have. A private case review can help you identify the next question without assuming the policy answer.
Ask about your situation
Share the basic facts and the policy documents you have available. There is no obligation to move forward.
Frequently asked questions
What are Arizona’s minimum auto-liability limits in 2026?
For most owner policies issued or renewed beginning July 1, 2020, the statute lists $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death, $50,000 for two or more people subject to the per-person limit, and $15,000 for property damage.
Does 25/50/15 describe every coverage on my policy?
No. It describes minimum liability limits. The declarations page and the actual policy identify the coverage, limits, exclusions, deductibles, and endorsements purchased.
What does Arizona law say about UM and UIM coverage?
Arizona law requires insurers to make available and by written notice offer UM and UIM coverage to named insureds. The actual policy documents show the individual’s selected coverage.
