Things You Must Know Before Purchasing Alabaster Alabama Auto Insurance Online

Overwhelmed by the wide range of auto insurance options in Alabaster? You’re not alone. Consumers have so many options that it can easily become more work than you anticipated to find better rates.

It’s a great practice to do rate comparisons occasionally because rates trend upward over time. Just because you had the best price on your last policy you may be paying too much now. So just forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we’re going to show you the tricks you need to know to remove unneeded coverages and save money.

How to Compare Auto Insurance Quotes in Alabaster, AL

When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways of comparing price quotes from local in Alabaster, ALauto insurance companies. The fastest way to find the cheapest insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

  1. One of the best ways to get quotes for comparison would be an industry-wide quote request form click here to open form in new window. This type of form eliminates the need for multiple quote forms for each company you want a rate for. Filling out one form will return quotes from several companies. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
  2. A different way to find lower rates requires visiting the website of each company to complete a price quote. For example, let’s say you want rates from Progressive, GEICO and State Farm. You would have to go to every website to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is quicker.

    For a handy list of car insurance company links in Alabaster, click here.

Whichever way you use, double check that you are using identical coverage limits and deductibles with each company. If you are comparing different limits and deductibles on each one it will be next to impossible to determine the lowest rate in Alabaster. Just a small difference in coverage limits may result in large price differences. And when comparing auto insurance rates, know that getting more free quotes provides better odds of finding the best price.

Advertising myths

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO regularly use television and radio advertisements. They all make an identical promise that you’ll save big if you move your policy. But how can every company claim to save you money?

All companies have a certain “appetite” for the right customer that makes them money. A good example of a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 40 and 55, owns a home, and has excellent credit. A driver who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and therefore will save when switching.

Consumers who don’t measure up to the requirements will be quoted higher premiums and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That is how companies can advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why you should compare many company’s rates. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always publicize all available discounts very well, so the following is a list of some of the best known and also the lesser-known ways to save on auto insurance.

  • Drivers Ed for Students – Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver’s ed class in high school.
  • Auto/Home Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with one company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Claim Free – Drivers who don’t have accidents pay less when compared with accident-prone drivers.
  • Service Members Pay Less – Having a deployed family member can result in better rates.
  • Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.

It’s important to understand that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, you’re out of luck.

For a list of insurance companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Alabama, click this link.

How much car insurance do I need?

When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether you would benefit from professional advice.

  • Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
  • Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
  • When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
  • Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
  • Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
  • Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
  • Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
  • What should my uninsured motorist coverage limits be in Alabama?
  • Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?
  • Will my rates increase for filing one claim?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form.

More detailed Alabama auto insurance information is located at the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Alabama consumers can find out industry alerts, learn about specific coverages, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and view a list of available companies.

Also read more on this site for rates in Alabama and this page of insurance agents in Alabaster.

Quote more, save more

When buying insurance coverage, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to regret that the savings was not a smart move. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate.

Insureds who switch companies do it for many reasons like lack of trust in their agent, delays in paying claims, extreme rates for teen drivers or an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Regardless of your reason, finding a great new company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.

We covered a lot of ways to lower your auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the best prices are with some of the lesser-known companies.