Free Guide to Saving Money on Foley Car Insurance Online

Scraping up a payment for overpriced car insurance can dwindle your savings account and force you to make sacrifices. Doing a price comparison is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to slash your bill and have more diposable income. There are many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, it makes it harder to compare rates.

Buying car insurance in Foley is easy if you know what you're doing. If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. Alabama vehicle owners just need to know the proper way to get comparison quotes online.

What determines how much you pay?

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that come into play when calculating your car insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower car insurance prices.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine premiums.

  • Increase deductibles and save - Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Physical damage insurance, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, insures against damage to your car. Examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, vandalism, and windstorm damage. The more you're willing to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
  • Sex matters - Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. However, don't assume that women are better drivers. Women and men tend to get into accidents in similar numbers, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also tend to receive more costly citations such as reckless driving.
  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Anti-theft devices such as GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping car theft.
  • Your location affects your rates - Residing in a rural area is a positive aspect when it comes to car insurance. Drivers who live in large cities regularly have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. Lower population means fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.
  • Performance makes a difference - The performance of the vehicle you are insuring makes a big difference in the rate you pay. The cheapest insurance rates tend to be for lower performance four cylinder passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't necessarily list all available discounts very clearly, so we researched some of the more common and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using. If you're not getting every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

  • More Vehicles More Savings - Insuring multiple cars or trucks with the same company qualifies for this discount.
  • 55 and Retired - If you're over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
  • Pay Upfront and Save - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you can actually save on your bill.
  • Auto/Home Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you could get a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Sign Early and Save - Select companies give a discount for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. It can save you around 10%.
  • Accident Free - Drivers who don't have accidents pay much less when compared with accident-prone drivers.
  • Seat Belts Save - Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Government Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% depending on your company.
  • Anti-theft Discount - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Own a Home - Owning a home in Foley can help you save on car insurance because of the fact that having a home shows financial diligence.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think it's possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose insurers with the best car insurance discounts in Alabama, click here to view.

Are car insurance companies telling the truth?

Consumers can't ignore all the ads for car insurance savings by companies like Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies make an identical promise that you'll save big if you move to them.

How does each company make the same claim? This is how they do it.

All companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a profitable customer could be between 25 and 40, insures multiple vehicles, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for these standards must pay more money and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" not "people who quote" save money. This is how companies can advertise the way they do. This illustrates why you should get quotes from several different companies. Because you never know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

How to know if you need help

When buying the best car insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a best way to insure your cars. Every insured's situation is different so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions may help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
  • Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
  • Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?

If you're not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

More detailed Alabama car insurance information is located at the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Consumers can report car insurance fraud, learn about insurance regulations, view a list of available companies, and view agent and company licensing information.

Other informative sites include this link for Alabama car insurance quotes and this page for help finding agents in Foley, AL.

Foley car insurance comparison

Best coverage at the best price

Budget-conscious car insurance is possible from both online companies and with local Foley insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some car insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.