9 Must-Know Tricks When Shopping for Huntsville Alabama Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, there are many people just like you.

Because you have many companies and agents to choose from, it’s nearly impossible to locate the lowest price provider.

It is always a good idea to get comparison quotes on a regular basis due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price two years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to one of the easiest ways to buy cheaper auto insurance.

This article will instruct you on how to get online quotes and some money-saving tips. If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using these tips. Nevertheless, Alabama car owners do need to learn the way insurance companies determine prices and take advantage of how the system works.

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance in Huntsville, Alabama

There are several ways to shop for auto insurance, but one way is easier and takes less work. You could waste a few hours driving to agents in Huntsville, or you can utilize online quoting for quick rates.

Most of the larger companies belong to a marketplace where insurance shoppers submit their information once, and at least one company then gives them pricing. This eliminates the need for form submissions to each company. To compare rates now click here to start a free quote.

One minor caviat to pricing coverage this way is you don’t know exactly which insurance companies you want pricing from. So if you prefer to choose individual companies to receive pricing from, we have assembled a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Alabama. Click here for list of insurance companies in Alabama.Huntsville insurance comparisons

Whichever way you use, double check that you are using the exact same information with each company. If you have higher or lower deductibles it will be very difficult to make a fair comparison in Huntsville. Slightly different insurance coverages may cause a big price difference. And when comparison shopping, comparing a large number of companies will improve the odds of getting the best rates.

Are you getting all your discounts?

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there could be available discounts that many people don’t even know exist. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but a few need to be inquired about prior to receiving the credit.

  • More Vehicles More Savings – Insuring multiple cars or trucks on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Discount for Good Grades – This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
  • Senior Citizens – Older drivers can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
  • E-sign – A few companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks simply for signing digitally online.
  • Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
  • Discount for New Cars – Adding a new car to your policy can be considerably cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Keeping the miles down can earn a substantially lower rate.
  • Defensive Driver – Completing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
  • Passive Restraints – Cars that have air bags can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
  • Multiple Policy Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company you will save at least 10% off all policies.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only cut individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will help reduce the cost of coverage.

To choose insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Alabama, click here to view.

When might I need an agent?

When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions may help you determine whether you could use an agent’s help.

  • What if I total my vehicle and owe more than it’s worth?
  • How many claims can I have before being cancelled?
  • Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
  • Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
  • Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
  • Do I qualify for additional discounts?
  • Do I need higher deductibles?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • At what point should I drop full coverage?
  • What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Save Money with These Tips

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with big savings.

Huntsville insurance comparisons

Listed below are a partial list of the pieces used by your company to calculate rates.

  • Bundling policies can get discounts – Many insurance companies will give a discount to policyholders who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to 10 percent or more. Even though this discount sounds good, you may still want to shop around to ensure the best deal.
  • More miles equals more premium – The more miles you rack up on your car each year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Almost all companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Vehicles left parked in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.
  • Where you live can impact rates – Being located in a small town can save you money when talking about auto insurance. Less people living in that area means fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Drivers who live in large Alabama cities have traffic congestion and longer commutes to work. More time commuting translates into higher accident risk.
  • Save money with special equipment – Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping your vehicle from being stolen.
  • How’s your driving record? – Whether or not you get tickets has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Drivers with clean records receive lower rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Even one speeding ticket may increase your cost by twenty percent. Drivers with severe tickets like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to file a SR-22 to the state department of motor vehicles in order to drive a vehicle legally.
  • No coverage gaps is important – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a fast way to bump up your auto insurance costs. Not only will rates go up, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may need to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Alabama motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
  • Older drivers save more – Older drivers tend to be more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and get fewer tickets. Youthful drivers have a tendency to be more careless behind the wheel therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.

Final thoughts

In this article, we presented some good ideas how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better your comparison will be. Consumers could even find that the best price on auto insurance is with a small local company. These smaller insurers may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as Geico and State Farm.

When buying insurance coverage, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where an insured cut full coverage to discover at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Online resources for education

Additional information can be read on the website for the Alabama Department of Insurance located here. Alabama consumers can read consumer alerts, report car insurance fraud, and download brochures.