Free Guide to Cutting Costs on Talladega Auto Insurance Online

Sick and tired of paying out the nose each month for car insurance? Your situation is no different than millions of other consumers.

There are many to pick from, and even though it's nice to have a choice, it makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to check auto insurance prices before your policy renews because prices are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal on your last policy you may be paying too much now. So just forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the proper way to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

Comparison of Auto Insurance in Talladega

Most major insurance companies like State Farm and Allstate provide prices for coverage on the web. This process is fairly straightforward as you simply enter as detailed in the form. Behind the scenes, the system will obtain information on your driving record and credit history and returns a price based on these and other factors. This makes comparing rates easy, but having to visit different websites and enter the same data into a form can get tiresome after awhile. But it's very important to have as many quotes as possible if you want to find the best price on auto insurance.

Quote rates the easy way

A less time-consuming method to lower your auto insurance bill uses one form that analyzes rates from several companies at one time. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes price shopping online a little more enjoyable. After sending your information, it gets priced and you can select any one of the returned quotes.

If you find a better price it's easy to complete the application and purchase the new policy. The whole process only takes a few minutes and you will find out if you're overpaying now.

To find out if lower rates are available, click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. If you have a policy now, it's recommended you copy the limits and deductibles as close as possible to your current policy. This way, you will get a price comparison based on similar coverages.

Alabama auto insurance

What determines how much you pay?

It's important that you understand the rating factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get big savings.

  • Better credit means lower rates - Your credit history is a big factor in your rate calculation. If your credit score is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have lower credit scores.
  • Your auto insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Occupations like doctors, executives and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates due to high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, occupations such as farmers, engineers and performers have the lowest average rates.
  • Older drivers save more - Youthful drivers in Alabama are known to be less responsible in a vehicle so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Mature drivers tend to be more responsible, file fewer claims and get fewer tickets.
  • Please use or commuting - Driving more miles every year the higher your rates will be. Most companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Autos not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.
  • Men pay higher rates - The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. They both are in accidents at about the same rate, but men have costlier accidents. Men also have more aggressive citations like DUI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are the most expensive to insure and thus pay the highest rates.
  • Cautious drivers pay less - Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Good drivers get better rates compared to drivers with tickets. Only having one moving violation can increase rates by twenty percent. Drivers who get flagrant violations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
  • Liability coverage is cheap - Liability coverage will protect you in the event that you are found liable for damages from an accident. Liability provides legal defense coverage which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability is cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • More claims means more premium - If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on higher rates. Insurance companies in Alabama give lower rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. Insurance coverage is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Car insurance can cost a lot, but there are discounts available to cut the cost considerably. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at quote time, but some must be inquired about in order for you to get them.

  • Passive Restraints - Vehicles with factory air bags may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Simply working for the federal government may qualify you for a discount with certain companies.
  • Resident Student - Any of your kids who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
  • One Accident Forgiven - Certain companies allow you one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.
  • Good Students Pay Less - Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So when it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

For a list of providers who offer auto insurance discounts in Alabama, click this link.

Additional information is available on the website for the Alabama Department of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to find out industry alerts, read industry bulletins, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other useful links include NAIC.org's Understanding your Policy and this directory of Talladega insurance agents.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

We covered many ideas to lower your auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a small mutual company. Smaller companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than the large multi-state companies such as .

When you buy insurance online, make sure you don't reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.