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Insurance Assessment
Mission Statement
To reduce vehicle theft through a statewide cooperative effort by supporting law enforcement investigation, prosecution, and public awareness programs.
Click here to download
the insurance
assessment form for the current period.
For further
information, contact Mr. Art Myer at (602)
364-2893 or e-mail art.myer@aata.state.az.us.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the term motor vehicle include?
As defined by Arizona Revised Statute §28-101, a motor vehicle is a vehicle that is operated on the highways of the State of Arizona and is propelled by the use of motor vehicle fuel.
- What motor vehicles are subject to the assessment?
All insured vehicles, both private and commercial, with a declared gross weight of 26,000 lbs or less must be included in calculating the semi-annual assessment.
- What vehicles must be counted?
All vehicles that meet the requirements of Arizona Revised Statute §41-3451 must be included when calculating the assessment due. Once the insurer collects the premium for any vehicle meeting the requirements, the fee is fully earned and non-refundable. This covers all vehicles that are insured regardless of the length of time insured during the assessment period. The term "issued," as used in the statute, means all the vehicles that are insured for liability during the assessment period regardless of when the policy was
issued, or the length of time the policy was in force.
- What about Fleet Vehicles and non-admitted carriers?
Fleet vehicles and vehicles insured by non-admitted carriers must be counted. In the case of a car dealership, the assessment is calculated based upon the number of dealer plates.
- How is the calculation performed?
All vehicles weighing 26,000 lbs. or less that are insured for any length of time during the assessment period is assessed at a rate of .50. Multiply total vehicles times .50 will equal the assessment due.
- When is the assessment due?
Assessment forms will be mailed in June and December.
For the period from January 1st through June 30th the assessment is due on or before July 31st. For the period from July 1st through December 31st the assessment is due on or before January 31st.
Payments received past the due date may be subject to penalties.
- What are some common errors?
Some of the most common errors are using an incorrect method of
calculating the total number of vehicles insured. Using estimates, earned car years, or other pro rata methods is not correct.
All vehicles insured for any length of time within the assessment period must be counted. All vehicles must be counted regardless of the time insured or how and when the premium was paid.
Insurers should verify that the assessment reports are based on vehicle exposures and not the number of policies.
- Are the assessments reviewed?
Yes. The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA) reviews assessment worksheets regularly and verifies their reasonableness through cooperative efforts with the Arizona Department of Insurance and the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles. If questions arise during a review, the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority will contact the insurer for clarification.
- Failure to pay the required assessment in a timely manner, will result in what action?
The AATA will refer any companies that fail to pay the assessment in a timely manner to the Arizona Department of Insurance. Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute §41-3453: "Failure to pay fee; Definition; the Automobile Theft Authority shall notify the Director of the Department of Insurance of an insurer's failure to pay the fee prescribed by section §41-3451, subsection J. on receiving notice of an insurer's failure to pay the fee, the Director may suspend the insurer's Certificate of Authority or impose a civil penalty of not more than one hundred twenty percent of the amount due, or both. The insurer shall pay the civil penalty to the Director. The Director shall transmit the civil penalty to the state treasurer for deposit in the Automobile Theft Authority Fund."
- What if our company does not write auto insurance in the State of Arizona?
For companies that do not write auto insurance in the State of Arizona, please list the number of vehicles as zero (0) and complete the rest of the form. Companies that indicate zero will receive only one form per year. This form will be mailed in December and will allow us to correct and update your company's records.
- Who do we contact regarding questions concerning the assessment?
Please feel free to contact the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority should you have any questions with regards to the assessment. For further information, contact Mr. Art Myer at (602)
364-2893 or e-mail art.myer@aata.state.az.us.
Statutory Authority
Arizona Revised Statutes §28-101, §41-3451, §41-3453
Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute §41-3451:
"Each insurer issuing motor vehicle liability insurance policies in this state shall pay a semiannual fee of fifty cents per vehicle insured under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy issued by the insurer. The fee shall be fully earned and nonrefundable at the time the insurer collects the premium for the motor vehicle liability insurance policy. Each insurer shall transmit the fee on or before January 31 and on or before July 31 of each year to the Auto Theft Authority for deposit in the Automobile Theft Authority for deposit in the Automobile Theft Authority Fund. The payment due on or before January 31 shall cover vehicles insured under policies that are issued during the period from July 1 through December 31 of the previous year. The payment due on or before July 31 shall cover vehicles insured under policies that are issued during the period from January 1 through June 30 of the same year."
Further: A.R.S. §41-3453 states: "Failure to pay fee; definition; the Automobile Theft Authority shall notify the Director of the Department of Insurance of an insurer's failure to pay the fee prescribed by section §41-3451, subsection J. on receiving notice of an insurer's failure to pay the fee, the Director may suspend the insurer's Certificate of Authority or impose a civil penalty of not more than one hundred twenty percent of the amount due, or both. The insurer shall pay the civil penalty to the Director. The Director shall transmit the civil penalty to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Automobile Theft Authority Fund.
Last revision: 08-September-03
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