Want to save money on your car insurance? Find and compare free custom quotes here.
Roll tide! Before you “roll” onto the road in Alabama, make sure you’ve got the coverage you need. Looking for cheap car insurance in Alabama? Check out our streamlined guide to insurance in Alabama so you can choose the best car insurance provider for you.
Compare Auto Quotes in Alabama
- Progressive: Best Overall in Alabama
- State Farm: Cheapest in Alabama
- Allstate: Best Coverage
- USAA: Best for Military Discounts
Alabama Auto Insurance Overview
Here are some fast facts about cars and insurance in Alabama:
- You’ll find an average of 2 cars per household.
- Minimum insurance requirements are:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $25,000 per person
- You can expect to pay between $778 and $1,187 annually for state minimum coverage with a clean record, depending on your insurance provider.
Alabama Auto Insurance Law Explained
Car insurance is a legal requirement to drive a motor vehicle in Alabama. You must have at least the following minimum insurance coverage to legally stay on the road:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: Bodily injury liability coverage compensates anyone who you injure during a collision. You must have at least $25,000 worth of bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident to drive in Alabama.
- Property damage liability coverage: Property damage liability coverage compensates anyone whose property you damage during a collision. You must have at least $25,000 worth of this coverage as a driver in Alabama.
You may have noticed that neither coverage required to drive in Alabama affords you any kind of compensation as the policyholder. You may want to consider adding one or more of these common optional coverages if you want to protect yourself, even if you're looking for cheap car insurance in
- Collision coverage: Collision coverage compensates you for damage done to your vehicle during an accident.
- Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage compensates you if your vehicle is damaged during a non-accident incident. Some common examples include damage from animals, fires and hailstorms.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Uninsured motorist coverage compensates you if you’re struck by a driver on the road without insurance. Data from GEICO suggests that Alabama has a higher number of uninsured drivers compared to other states, so you may want to consider this add-on.
You’ll be fined at least $500 if you’re caught driving without state minimum coverage in Alabama. You’ll face a $1,000 fine on your second offense. You’ll also have your driver’s license suspended for at least 6 months in most circumstances.
Alabama Traffic Laws You Should Know
You’re responsible for following local traffic laws when you drive in Alabama. This holds true even if you’re from a different state or you’re just passing through on a road trip. Here are a few Alabama-specific driving laws you should know before you hit the road:
- Cellphone usage: It’s legal for licensed drivers to use their cellphones to make phone calls while on the road in Alabama. However, you may not use a cellphone if you’re still on your learner’s permit. You may not text, read emails or read on your phone while operating a motor vehicle.
- Seat belts: All passengers in the front seat of your vehicle must wear seat belts while the car is in motion. Children up to age 15 must wear seat belts in the backseat. There is no specific law that requires seat belts for backseat passengers over the age of 15 but it’s recommended that everyone in your car wear seat belts at all times.
- Required equipment: Your vehicle must have working windshield wipers and brakes, a muffler with no cutouts and a functional horn to drive in Alabama.
- Littering: You may not throw any litter or trash out of the window of a moving vehicle. Doing so can result in a fine or ticket.
Alabama Auto Insurance Rates per Vehicle
The type of vehicle you drive can influence how much you pay for insurance. A car with higher safety ratings means you’ll pay less because you’re less likely to be involved in an accident. Similarly, you can also save on your insurance if you drive a vehicle with low crash rates. On the other hand, you’ll pay more if you drive a vehicle that’s frequently involved in accidents.
Car insurance providers also consider theft data when you request a quote. You’ll pay more for coverage if you own a vehicle that’s a common target of theft in your state. You can mitigate this increase in premium with some insurance providers by installing an anti-theft device in your vehicle.
Auto Insurance Rates by Insurance Credit Score in AL
It’s legal for insurance providers to consider your insurance credit score when they assign you a premium in Alabama. Data suggests that drivers who have a low credit score (usually under 600 points) are more likely to file an inflated claim or commit insurance fraud than a driver with a higher score. This means that if your credit score is low, you may pay more for insurance. You may want to reapply for a quote after taking some time to raise your credit score.
Let’s take a look at just how much impact your credit score can have on your insurance rates.
| Credit Score | Cheapest Provider | Rate for State Minimum Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Poor 300–579 | GEICO | $2,003 |
| Fair 580–669 | GEICO | $1,610 |
| Good 670–739 | State Farm | $1,396 |
| Excellent 740+ | State Farm | $983 |
Insurance for Drivers with a Clean Record in Alabama
The best way to ensure that you have access to the most affordable car insurance rates is to maintain a clean driving record. A clean driving record is proof that you follow the rules of the road, you don’t drive recklessly and that you avoid distractions while your car is moving. If you’ve never been involved in an accident or gotten a citation, you’re less likely to get into an incident in the future compared to a driver with an infraction on his record.
Let’s take a look at how much you might pay for insurance in Alabama with a clean record. We’ll take a look at 3 common coverage packages:
- State minimum: This is the bare minimum insurance you need to drive in Alabama.
- Standard coverage: Standard is the state minimum coverage plus collision coverage.
- Full coverage: Full coverage is the state minimum coverage, standard coverage and collision coverage combined.
| Insurance Company | State Minimum Insurance | Standard Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $778 | $1,299 | $2,017 |
| AAA | $1,154 | $1,699 | $2,051 |
| American National | $1,187 | $1,726 | $2,072 |
| 21st Century | $839 | $1,419 | $2,171 |
| Amica | $834 | $1,407 | $1,906 |
Insurance Rates in Alabama with Driving Infractions
If you're looking for cheap car insurance in Alabama, it's important to consider your driving record. You’ll pay more for coverage if you have infractions on your driving record. However, not every type of driving infraction will influence your premium in the same way. Some infractions increase your rate only slightly, while others double what you’d otherwise have paid.
In this section, we’ll take a look at what you might pay for insurance in Alabama if you have one of these common infractions on your driving record:
- At-fault accident: An accident that you partially or entirely caused.
- Speed violation: Driving too far above the posted speed limit. The further above the speed limit you drive, the more serious your violation. Speed violations may also be given if you drive so far below the posted speed limit that you create unsafe conditions for other drivers.
- DUI: DUI stands for “driving under the influence” of drugs or alcohol. It’s an incredibly serious infraction and criminal offense that will significantly raise your insurance rate.
| Insurance Company | At-Fault Accident | Speed Violation | DUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $2,630 | $1,737 | $4.787 |
| American National | $2,018 | $1,463 | $4,381 |
| Ameriprise | $3,144 | $1,577 | $6,495 |
| Country Financial | $2,733 | $1,497 | $4,426 |
| Direct Auto | $2,195 | $1,771 | $5,455 |
Best Auto Insurance Providers in Alabama
Now that you understand how auto insurance in Alabama works and the coverages you need, it’s time to choose a provider. Consider our 4 favorite car insurance providers in Alabama when you compare your options.
1. Best Overall: Progressive
Do you need a wide range of coverage, discounts on car insurance and reliable customer service? If so, Progressive might be the right choice for you.
- Drivers with consistently good driving habits
The company consistently scored highly on J.D. Power’s Auto Insurance Satisfaction Survey, which rates companies based on user experience.
Progressive is a nationwide corporation that offers almost every type of insurance imaginable. Progressive has a policy for you, whether you want to insure your car, your pet or even your golf cart. The well-known company also offers a wide variety of discounts.
- Rideshare drivers
2. Cheapest Auto Insurance in Alabama: State Farm
Looking for cheap car insurance? Look no further than State Farm.
State Farm offered some of the lowest rates in our review — particularly if you have good or excellent credit. Lowering your premium with State Farm is also exceptionally simple.
The company offers a generous discount program and saves you up to 25%, depending on which discounts apply to you. You can even save an additional 17% when you add a State Farm home, business, boat or other insurance policy to your list of coverages.
- Pay-per-mile insurance from an established company
3. Best Coverage for Multiple Automobiles: Allstate
You probably spend a lot of time thinking about how to lower your car insurance if you have more than 1 car to insure. Allstate offers drivers a comprehensive list of discounts compared to other insurance providers in Alabama.
You can save when you buy a new vehicle, install an anti-theft device in your car, sign up for automatic payments and even when your teen brings home good grades.
Of course, there’s also a multi-car discount policy in place that nets you bigger savings when you insure more than 1 vehicle.
4. Best for Military Personnel: USAA
USAA is a home and auto insurance provider that offers multiple policies to members of the armed forces, veterans and their immediate family members.
- Active military members
Though not everyone qualifies for a USAA policy, those who meet service requirements can enjoy a generous yet affordable policy.
USAA consistently produces some of the most affordable quotes throughout the country, and discounts are available to lower your premium even more. You can even qualify for free accident forgiveness protection through USAA after you stay accident-free for your first 5 years on a USAA policy.
Stay Safe in the Heart of Dixie
You may not have done a ton of research when you originally chose your car insurance provider. But the best way to ensure that you’re not overpaying for coverage is to get new quotes regularly.
Every few years, collect at least 5 car insurance quotes from competing providers — even if you’re happy with your current insurance provider. You can use a quote with a lower rate to negotiate a lower premium with your insurance provider. Most companies now allow you to get a car insurance quote in as little as a few minutes online — it never hurts to see what’s out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of discounts are usually available?
The most common discounts available are multi-policy and auto-pay but every company is different. Other discounts that are widely available are loyalty, good student and anti-theft device.
Is there any way I can lower my insurance premiums?
Often times you can get a lower premium by maintaining coverage without any gaps in coverage. Discounts are also available that can lower your premium. Bundling your products is another way to lower your car insurance premium. If you feel like you can beat your current premium, get a customized quote here.
How do I ensure that I’m properly covered?
The best thing you can do is talk to your insurance carrier or agent and be honest about what is going on with your car. If you have made any modifications to your vehicle, let your insurance company know so that you will be covered in the event of a loss. It’s a good idea to maintain more than state minimum coverage – you want to replace your car for the full value if you have to.
*Quotes were obtained using the following profile: base 2015 Toyota Camry, male, 40-years-old. Policies reflect state minimum coverage options. We make every effort to provide the most accurate quotes based on the profile above. Due to the many combined variables involved in insurance quotes, the only way to get an accurate quote is to enter your own information through our partners’ secure websites.
About Sarah Horvath
Sarah Horvath is a highly respected freelance senior copywriter specializing in insurance content. With a wealth of experience, she is recognized as one of the top insurance copywriters in the industry. Sarah’s expertise encompasses various aspects of insurance, including home warranties, life insurance, health insurance, and more. Her insightful articles and guides are regularly featured on major finance sites, providing invaluable information to readers seeking to navigate the complexities of insurance policies. Known for her clear, concise writing style and comprehensive understanding of insurance products, Sarah is dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their insurance coverage.