Low Cost Car Insurance Rates in Alabama
Reader’s Question:
How to save on car insurance rate in Alabama?
Monique
Montgomery AL
Insurance is a business in Alabama. And like any other 
businesses, it needs to produce profit. Monetary deficits from excessive amounts of insurance claims are shifted into the consumers in the package of higher and more expensive insurance premiums. Definitely, car insurance is no exception.
Auto insurance companies in Alabama can raise their premiums even if there has not been any accidents or road troubles being notified under the said insurance department. In order to save on car insurance rate, you must keep a good driving record and a good credit history.
But there is more. Internet can save you not only money, but time as well. In the past, obtaining quotes for your car insurance rate was a time expending activity that involved hours on the phone or prolonged meetings from individual insurance agents. However, with the advent of the Internet, you can now purchase insurance quotes easily and efficiently. It only entails 2 minutes to fill out the online insurance questionnaire provided. This way, you are able to compare quotes from several competing insurers assuring you that you are given the best choices for your car insurance rate. The best part is you get to share your information once instead of reiterating it over and over again with each new insurance agent you converse with.
Being educated with your insurance needs is a must. Knowing and understanding insurance guides and coverage will clear out confusions and queries in your mind. If and whenever you need to file a claim, you know your boundaries and you will no longer be apprehensive due to lack of knowledge regarding such dilemma. You will get to understand the reasons behind the rejection of your claim and your rights as a policyholder. Remember do not pay more for insurance than you have to. Take the time you need to compare current insurance prices with comparable coverage from other competing providers. It will only take few minutes out from your precious time and you will be on your way to achieving the auto insurance policy you want and earn huge savings along the way.
What Are Alabama Auto Insurance Requirements
Reader’s Question:
I’m from Alabama. What are the auto insurance requirements here in Alabama?
Jordan
Montgomery, AL
The minimum amount set by auto insurance in Alabama is
Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000/$50,000 Limit
Property Damage Liability: $25,000 Limit
However, if the medical expenses and other bill are more than the coverage that the at-fault driver has in auto insurance policy, he/she will pay the additional cost. In this regard, it is important to consider higher coverage in your auto insurance policy.
Aside from liability insurance, you will also find additional auto insurance in Alabama that is being offered. One of these is collision and comprehensive coverage that pays for the cost of repairing the damaged car of the at-fault driver. The policy also covers the cost of vehicle repair when the accident is due to the animal being hit.
Uninsured/underinsured is also recommended because not all vehicles are insured, this policy will pay your medical expenses if you are or your car is hit by an uninsured vehicle.
DUI Charge in Alabama – How Long To Carry SR22 Insurance
Reader’s Question:
I was charge with DUI in the state of Alabama and I would like to know for how long am I required to maintain an SR22?
Vince
Birmingham AL
If this is your first conviction for DUI or driving under the influence in the state of Alabama, you may be required to make a payment of up to $2,100 or you may be imprisoned for up to a year. It is also possible that you may be required to pay the fine and be given jail time up to one year. Your driver’s license may also be suspended for three months if you get convicted of DUI.
Other than the penalties I have mentioned, it is also possible that you will will be required to acquire an SR22 auto insurance and will have to attend and complete a DUI or substance abuse program if you get convicted of DUI. You will probably have to maintain an SR22 for a period of three years.
I suggest that if you will be needing more information regarding DUI conviction in the state of Alabama, or if you want to know if you are required to get an SR22 Insurance and maintain it for three years, contact the Alabama Department of Public Safety. You may also continue reading other related topics here to know more on how to go about getting an SR22 insurance in the state of Alabama.
Compare Auto Insurance Rates In Alabama
Reader’s Question:
How will I compare auto insurance in Alabama so that I get the best deal?
Larry
Mobile AL
To compare auto insurance in Alabama, you need to get as much information as you can from all of the insurers in the area. You can do this by visiting or calling the listed numbers on the phone or business directory to ask for quotes. You may also ask people you know who are their insurance providers so that you can compare vehicle insurance in Alabama. The local insurers will not be able to provide you with the quotes right there and then. You will need to provide some information and come back another day for the actual quote. The quotes, however, will be the real amount you will pay because the computation will already include taxes and other fees.
But if you want to get quick quotes while waiting for the figures from the local insurers, you can go online and use the quick quote calculators provided by insurers and brokers. The tool is easy to use. Simply fill up the short forms found on the website and wait for a few minutes to get the quote on your email. The online calculators will require you to enter some information about yourself, your driving history, and your car’s type and model. You may not want to share your personal information. If that is so, there are other quick calculators that won’t require the name, age and address of the person wanting to get a quote. When you have all of these figures, it will be now easy for you to compare vehicle insurance in Alabama.
SR22 DUI Auto Insurance In Alabama
Reader’s Question:
What exactly is an SR22? If I get cited for DUI in Alabama, will I be required to buy SR22 insurance?
Billy
Birmingham, AL
SR22 insurance is a type of financial responsibility that is asked from drivers who were given citations due to traffic violations or accident to show proof of insurance at the time that they were asked to present it. Remember that all drivers are required to carry a proof of insurance whenever they are driving a vehicle. Failure to show proof insurance or any type of financial responsibility may lead to fine payment or requirement to buy SR22 insurance.
The SR22 insurance is normally filed by an insurance company. Once a company decides to carry any driver’s SR22, it automatically takes the responsibility of updating the state insurance regulator about the status of the insurance (whether it is canceled or not). The state insurance regulator needs this update because they impose a certain time frame at which the SR22 must be carried. If the driver fails to keep the SR22 for the specified period, then another penalty may be given to him.
In Alabama, the SR22 insurance is also a requirement for those who were caught violating car insurance laws. Those who have been cited for DUI or DWI for the first time are typically asked to pay a certain fine. You may not be required to buy SR 22 insurance if you already have an existing insurance. However, if you fail to show proof of insurance, then the court may require you get an SR22.
Senate Bill 4 Raises Auto Insurance Requirements in Alabama
Reader’s Question:
I’m from Alabama and am due to renew my car insurance policy. Is it true that car insurance minimum requirements have been raised in this state?
Steve
Birmingham, AL
Alabama Governor Riley signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 4 in May of 2008. This law states that the minimum car insurance requirements of the State of Alabama will be raised from 20/40/10 to 25/50/25. This increase in liability insurance is the first in 25 years in this state. This law mandates that if the insured causes a car accident, then his or her auto insurance company will pay for $25 thousand bodily injury for one person, $50 thousand maximum for bodily injury for all persons in the vehicle, and $25 thousand to pay for destroyed property, including but not limited to public property and the other driver’s car.
A similar bill concerning increase in financial responsibility requirements was vetoed by Governor Riley back in year 2007 for lack in the implementation period. This latest version of minimum limits legislation has for new policies a ninety-day implementation period and for renewal policies a one-hundred-eighty-day period. The State of Alabama believes that this period is enough for all car insurance providers to adjust their operational procedures accordingly and for policyholders to be given timely notice. With the minimum liability raised, uninsured motorist insurance, which is not mandatory in Alabama, was also raised to the same point as the liability insurance. With this increase in minimum liability insurance, policyholders will definitely see an increase in their rates from $20 to $30 annually. For those who want uninsured motorist insurance, expect an increase of around $13 to $15 yearly.
Should You Buy Auto Insurance Online in Alabama
Reader’s Question:
I know that people are doing things online, even purchase auto insurance coverage, but I am just not very comfortable with it. I heard my friends talk about it here in Alabama. Is it really safe to purchase auto insurance online?
Jenny
Birmingham, AL
I had the same reservations, too, when I first considered the idea of purchasing auto insurance online. That was three years ago. And since then, I have changed auto insurance company once and renewed my auto insurance coverage several times through the web site of my auto insurance company. Of course, I feel safe because my auto insurance company has a very good reputation. This reputation of theirs extends to their web site, as well.
You should do the same thing, too. Choose a reputable auto insurance company in Alabama, and check if they offer their services online. Perhaps this would lessen your apprehension. You may also ask around, check online forums, too, about auto insurance sites that are trustworthy. I asked a lot of my friends, too, about auto insurance sites that are safe. Check if any of your friends purchased their auto insurance online, you can try that auto insurance if you don’t feel very confident.
If you decide to purchase auto insurance online, you will discover that it is way much better than doing it any other way. The convenience is priceless. You just go to a web site, ask for a quotation then go to a different web site for another quotation. It’s way faster, too. It beats calling their agent or their local office and asking their representatives.
First Time Buyer For Alabama Auto Insurance
Reader’s Question:
Hello there. I’m considering buying my auto insurance online. Previously I only bought my insurance from an agent in Alabama. Any tips for a first time buyer?
Shauna
Huntsville, AL
Hello there, Shauna. How’s it going in Alabama? It’s really great that you’re making the switch to online auto insurance. With the advent of the online communities, looking for affordable auto insurance has become easier. Also with the fierce competition among the auto insurance companies, you are bound to get slashed prices on auto insurance rates.
Being a first-time buyer, I recommend the following tips to make your online shopping more convenient. First, make sure that you know what you want to purchase. Find out what is covered by your current insurance company and decide whether you want to increase or decrease this coverage. Make sure that when you ask for quotes online, be consistent in the types of insurance and coverage amounts that you provide. You will also need your personal information and driving record when you fill up the online forms, so make sure you keep these handy. Compare the quotes you receive and see if they provide the same coverages and services. Also take some time to read up on the auto insurance companies’ policies as these differ from each company. Check out reviews to see if their current clients think they are worth the money in terms of customer service, their processes for filing claims, etc. Most online sites may provide information in the form of FAQs if their websites do not answer your specific questions. Pick up the phone and ask an Alabama auto insurance agent before buying your insurance.
Cheapest Teen Driver Car Insurance in Alabama
Reader’s Question:
I bought my darling daughter her first car for her birthday. Can anyone here tell me how I can get the cheapest teen car insurance available here in Alabama?
Greta
Birmingham, AL
Your daughter is surely going to have one heck of a shock when she sees this sweet gift of yours. I do not want to spoil the party, but you will also be shocked when you see the prices of teen car insurance there in Alabama.
Like in all states nationwide, first time drivers are viewed as high-risk drivers, and car insurance companies are only too wary to insure them. You may ask why. It is because teen drivers get into more accidents, and in most of these accidents, the teen drivers are at fault. So, you really cannot blame the car insurance companies because they are just trying to be wise with their money.
However, even if this is the case, it does not spell doomsday for your finances. Because I tell you there are ways to lower what you are going to pay for the car insurance of your darling daughter.
Now, just pay attention and take note of everything that I am going to say next.
First, you should include your daughter in your car insurance policy if you already have an existing one. Having multiple drivers in an existing policy makes you eligible for some discounts.
After doing this, proving to the car insurance companies there in Alabama that your daughter is a responsible motorist and would not likely be in a car accident is the next thing you do. How do you do this? You do this by enrolling her in a basic driving course or a defensive driving course, which are available in some high schools and some private institutions. Just ask around there in your city. Your daughter having good grades in school may also be used as proof.
One of the best ways to lower your annual premiums is to have a higher deductible amount.. Like a $1,000, is what I carry personally.
Now, if you are a claim free and safe driver like I am, you could be saving a ton of money each year on your premiums. People fail to realize that the deductible amount is only paid when they file a claim and their insurance company pays that claim.
Ask for discounts, you never know what you might be able to get and how much you can save by asking. Some popular discounts can be given for:
1. Military personnel
2. Good grade students
3. Union membership and bank member affiliations
4. Safe drivers with no claims in last 7 years
5. Defensive driving school attendance
6. Clean credit history – used by many carriers to determine payment risk
So, if you are successful in doing all of these, the result will surely be the cheapest car insurance for your teen daughter.
Good luck!
Best Car Insurance in Birmingham Alabama
Reader’s Question:
Hi, I’m a new driver, and I’m planning to get my own car and my own car insurance, and I’m wondering how much coverage I should get. I’ve been shopping for insurance policies here in Birmingham, and almost all of the agents I’ve talked to told me to get full coverage but my friends told me otherwise. Who should I listen to? Who has the best rates?
Kristine,
Birmingham, AL
First of all, do your friends have automotive insurance, too? You know, it takes one insured person to know which insurance premium is best for you. But one thing I’m sure of is this: less is not always more. Your friends may think otherwise but when it comes to the road, having more insurance coverage would really be helpful especially if you get into an accident. Although there is no fast rule as to the amount of auto insurance coverage you need to get, most states (including, Birmingham, AL, I think) require a certain level of coverage. But you must be aware that getting the minimum level of coverage entails certain disadvantages too, such as paying the excess amount covered by your insurance policy in case you get into a really serious accident. The worst case scenario would be being liable for thousands of dollars that would have to come out of your own pocket simply because you only got what your state requires. So try not to skimp on your insurance coverage.
You could use the factors I’ve listed below to gauge the kind of coverage you will need:
- Your tendencies to get involved at risks while on the road
- The risk associated with your neighborhood
- The type of vehicle you’re using (this normally pertains to the value of your car)
- Your assets
- The frequency of having a passenger and the personal details about them (you may have to get them covered, too)
Try shopping for more insurance policies there at Birmingham, Alabama before you decide which one to choose so that you won’t regret anything in case the bad thing happens.
