How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Brent

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your checking account and put a big crunch on your finances. Comparison shopping is a smart way to make sure you're not throwing money away.

Because there are so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be diffult for consumers to pick the cheapest insurance company.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Brent is not that difficult. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. Although Alabama consumers do need to know the methods companies use to sell online and apply this information to your search.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't always advertise every discount very well, so we took the time to find both the well known and the more hidden auto insurance savings.

Government Employees - Being employed by or retired from a federal job could cut as much as 10% off with a few auto insurance companies.
Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy life insurance.
Accident Waiver - Some insurance companies permit an accident before raising your premiums if your claims history is clear for a set time period.
Theft Prevention Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Save with a New Car - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
Payment Method - If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
Paperwork-free - A few companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy online.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because you may think adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

To see a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Alabama, follow this link.

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance in Brent, AL

There are multiple methods to compare auto insurance quotes, but one way is less time-consuming than others. You can waste a lot of time talking to agents in Brent, or you can utilize the web to get the quickest rates.

Many insurance companies belong to an insurance system that enables customers to enter their policy data once, and every company returns a competitive quote based on the submitted data. This eliminates the need for quote forms to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click to open in new window.

The one downside to using this type of form is that you can't choose which carriers to get quotes from. If you wish to select from a list of companies for rate comparison, we put together a list of low cost auto insurance companies in Alabama. Click to view list.

Which method you use is up to you, but make sure you use apples-to-apples quote information for every company. If each company quotes mixed coverages it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best in Brent. Just a small difference in coverages may result in a large different in cost. And when comparing auto insurance rates, know that getting more free quotes provides better odds of finding the best offered rates.

You have some control over your rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

Claim-free discounts can add up - If you file claims often, you can expect either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Companies in Alabama provide discounts to insureds who are claim-free. Your insurance policy is intended for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
The more you drive the more you pay - Driving more miles in a year's time the higher your rate. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your auto insurance coverage properly reflects the proper vehicle usage.
Women pay lower rates - Statistics have proven women tend to be less risk to insure than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes cause accidents in similar percentages, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore have the most expensive auto insurance rates.
Multiple policies with one company can save - Many companies provide better rates to insureds who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you may still want to compare rates to ensure the best deal.
Marriage brings a discount - Having a spouse can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. Having a significant other means you're more responsible and it's statistically proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone's needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover whether or not you could use an agent's help.

Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
What are the financial responsibility laws in Alabama?
Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

The auto insurance bait and switch

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads in print and on television. They all say the same thing about savings after switching to their company. But how can every company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer might be over the age of 40, has no prior claims, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be quoted more money which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. This is how companies can truthfully claim big savings. This emphasizes why drivers must get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Shop smart and save

When trying to cut insurance costs, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

The cheapest auto insurance can be sourced both online and also from your neighborhood Brent agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

Learn more about auto insurance in Alabama

Even more information can be found at the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to download brochures, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, learn about insurance regulations, and read consumer alerts.

Additional helpful sites include this online resource for auto insurance quotes in Alabama and this list of insurance agents in Brent.