Alabama Car Insurance Guide (Cheap Rates + Best Companies)

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Rachel Bodine

Insurance Feature Writer

Rachel Bodine graduated from college with a BA in English. She has since worked as a Feature Writer in the insurance industry and gained a deep knowledge of state and countrywide insurance laws and rates. Her research and writing focus on helping readers understand their insurance coverage and how to find savings. Her expert advice on insurance has been featured on sites like PhotoEnforced, All...

Insurance Feature Writer

Eric Stauffer

Licensed Insurance Agent

Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Mar 13, 2024

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Alabama
Alabama Statistic Summary
Road Miles 102,018
Registered Vehicles 65,667
State Population 4,887,871
Percentage of
Uninsured Motorists
18.40%
Driving Deaths Speeding: 2,957 Drunk Driving: 1,038
Average Premiums Annually
Liability: $394.21 Collision: $317.96 Comprehensive: $146.29
Cheapest Provider: USAA

If you live in Alabama or are thinking of moving, you will likely plan a trip to white sandy beaches or wooded state parks at some point. The requirement of driving to these beautiful places, though, is that you need cheap car insurance for your vehicle.

Picking through the hundreds of car insurance providers is daunting. How do you know what provider is right for you out of all the insurers available?

When you are paying hundreds every year for car insurance, you want to know that your money is being well spent. That’s why we have put together this comprehensive guide. We cover everything from Alabama insurance providers and requirements to must-know facts.

So keep reading to learn everything you need to know about driving in the southern state of Alabama.

Want to start comparing auto insurance quotes today? Enter your ZIP code in our FREE online tool above.

What are Alabama car insurance coverage and rates?

Driving without insurance is illegal, but every state has different coverage requirements. If you are moving to Alabama or are purchasing car insurance for the first time, it can be overwhelming to know what exactly Alabama law requires.

While insurance providers will help you with getting the mandatory coverage, you will also need to know what rates are best in your area when shopping for the cheapest car insurance.

Luckily, we’ve broken down Alabama’s insurance requirements for you.

Scroll down to learn what coverages Alabama requires, as well as Alabama’s different average rates.

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What are Alabama minimum coverage requirements?

In Alabama, drivers need to have the state’s minimum coverage insurance. If you aren’t insured with the required bodily injury and property damage liability coverages, you face heavy fines or worse.

 

Below are the coverage amounts Alabama requires ALL drivers to have (these coverages protect drivers in case of an accident).

  • $25,00 coverage per person that pays for one person injured from the accident
  • $50,000 coverage per accident to pay for all people injured from the accident
  • $25,000 to pay for any property damage from the accident

It is important to note that the above amounts are only the MINIMUM amounts required. If you are in an accident, it is smart to have more than the minimum coverage to cover any unforeseen costs.

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What are acceptable forms of financial responsibility?

It makes sense that because Alabama requires drivers to have minimum coverage, Alabama also requires drivers to have PROOF that they are obeying the law. Forms of financial responsibility prove that a driver has the minimum coverage.

Some acceptable forms of financial responsibility are below.

  • A valid liability insurance ID card
  • A copy of your car’s insurance policy
  • A valid insurance binder (temporary form of car insurance)
  • A picture of your insurance ID card on your smartphone

Alabama now allows drivers to take pictures of their registration and insurance ID cards to provide proof of insurance. Many insurance providers are also introducing mobile apps where you can access your ID cards online.

If you are pulled over, you can use an insurance app to show your ID card (if available at your provider) or simply provide a picture of your physical ID card on your phone. Alabama, like most states, will check for proof of financial responsibility in the following circumstances.

  • Traffic stop
  • Registering a vehicle
  • Collision
  • Reinstating a license

If you don’t have car insurance or fail to provide proof of insurance in a timely manner, you may face fines and other penalties (such as license or registration suspension).

What are premiums as a percentage of income?

Every year, car insurance premiums take a sizeable chunk out of your income. So let’s look closely at how much car insurance takes from your per capita disposable income (the yearly amount you have to spend/save after taxes).

Alabama’s average per capita disposable income is $33,535, while Alabama’s average car insurance premium is $837. This means only $69 is taken out every month from a budget of $2,794.

These numbers are actually great. The average annual cost of car insurance countrywide is $981, which means Alabama residents pay a hundred dollars less than most U.S. residents.

While it may be tempting to place this extra money aside for something else, it can be worthwhile to use that money to pay for more complete coverage. After all, you are better protected in an accident if you have more than the minimum insurance amount.

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What are average monthly car insurance rates in AL (liability, collision, comprehensive coverage)?

In addition to the minimum liability insurance, there are additional optional coverages, including these:

Coverage TypeAnnual Costs (2015)
Liability$394.21
Collision$317.96
Comprehensive$146.28
Combined Total$868.48

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Because these rates are from 2015, bear in mind that rates for 2019 and on will be slightly higher than the ones shown above. If you shop around for insurance providers and rates, though, it will help keep costs down.

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The good news is that because the countrywide combined total for car insurance is $1,009, Alabama residents are still paying LESS for car insurance than most U.S. residents.

Do you need additional liability coverages?

We’ve mentioned before that it’s important to have coverage beyond the required minimum amounts. Below, we have outlined some important coverages that everyone should have.

  • Medpay insurance covers medical costs for those inside your vehicle from an auto accident, from the ambulance ride to treatment.
  • Uninsured/underinsured insurance helps to cover the cost of medical treatment if you are in an accident with uninsured motorists or an underinsured driver and he or she is at fault. This prevents you from paying the full cost of an accident yourself, as uninsured drivers are usually unable to cover costs before going bankrupt.

We have taken a look at these coverages’ loss ratios, the significance of which we will explain shortly.

Loss Ratio 201320142015
Medical Payments (MedPay)68%67%70%
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UUM)74%76%83%

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The numbers above look great, as the percentages are all steadily increasing. Why is an increase in the percentage good? An increase means a company is paying out more claims to its customers.

  • High Loss Ratio (over 100 percent) — companies are losing money. They didn’t charge enough premium for the losses that were realized. this could mean that a rate increase is coming.
  • Low Loss Ratio — companies may have overpriced their premiums and are taking in more money that is needed to cover claims.

Generally, top insurance companies have loss ratios that are above 60 percent. Medpay and uninsured motorist coverages in Alabama are slowly reaching that number, which is a great sign.

What add-ons, endorsements, and riders are available?

We’ve covered additional liability coverages, but there are also great add-ons that you can purchase for your regular policy. While it may seem excessive to add more to a policy that already covers all the basics, these coverages are practical and affordable.

Best of all, you can pick and choose add-ons to create a plan that is custom-suited to your needs. If you have a classic car, for example, you’ll want special protection!

Look through the list of affordable and effective add-ons below to learn more.

  • Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) — GAP insurance pays the price difference between your car’s actual cash value and what you still owe on your car’s loans.

  • Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP) — Think of this insurance as an extension of liability insurance. PUP insurance helps protect you from lawsuits in case of an accident.

  • Rental Reimbursement — If you are in an accident and your car is in the shop, rental reimbursement will help pay the costs of renting a car.
  • Emergency Roadside Assistance — This coverage helps you if your car breaks down. Your provider will pay for the roadside repair or towing.
  • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance — If your car needs to be repaired due to something other than an accident, this coverage will pay for your repairs.
  • Non-Owner Car Insurance — This one is simple. If you don’t own a vehicle but still drive, this insurance will provide liability coverage.
  • Modified Car Insurance Coverage — If you like to customize your cars, you may need to purchase modified car insurance (not all modifications are covered under basic insurance).
  • Classic Car Insurance — Classic cars need different protection than regular cars. Generally, classic car insurance costs less, as classic cars aren’t driven as much.
  • Usage-Based Insurance — With this coverage, discounts are given based on the driver’s speed, distance, and other factors. Generally, insurers will give drivers a small device to install in their car that records this information.

Clearly, there are plenty of insurance add-on options out there! While the number of options may seem overwhelming, the variety means you can create a policy plan that is perfect for you.

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What are average monthly car insurance rates by age & gender in AL?

Plenty of outside factors influence rates. One factor that may surprise you is gender. A study by Consumer Federation of America recently found that at most providers, females, even if they have the same record and history as males, generally pay more for car insurance than males.

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This is contrary to the popular belief that males ALWAYS pay more than females for car insurance!

Age is also a huge factor, though this one isn’t as surprising.

CompanyMarried 60-year-old femaleMarried 60-year-old maleMarried 35-year-old femaleMarried 35-year-old maleSingle 25-year-old femaleSingle 25-year-old maleSingle 17-year-old femaleSingle 17-year-old male
Allstate P&C$1,810.29$1,845.47$2,003.19$1,911.71$2,248.40$2,300.90$6,912.73$7,426.75
Geico Cas$1,948.49$2,007.68$2,056.10$2,040.76$2,171.19$2,018.96$5,383.66$5,284.58
Mid-Century Ins Co$2,137.64$2,269.18$2,391.72$2,374.46$2,718.78$2,828.88$9,212.40$9,480.84
Nationwide Mutual Fire$1,583.95$1,641.07$1,739.15$1,761.83$1,929.78$2,158.89$4,558.03$5,880.92
Progressive Specialty$1,979.19$2,112.90$2,413.50$2,264.79$2,824.87$3,005.15$9,878.37$11,026.64
Safeco Ins Co of IL$2,530.47$2,830.81$3,086.86$3,335.34$3,289.13$3,504.83$11,250.27$12,511.44
State Farm Mutual Auto$2,651.27$2,651.27$2,934.88$2,934.88$3,314.66$3,821.44$8,835.43$11,068.85
Travelers Home & Marine Ins Co$1,407.98$1,403.64$1,501.32$1,524.86$1,422.13$1,631.77$8,037.20$12,641.31
USAA$1,235.40$1,211.80$1,323.02$1,343.67$1,723.56$1,861.50$3,938.27$4,367.32

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Younger drivers pay thousands more than older drivers unless parents add younger drivers to the parents’ insurance plan.

What are the cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code?

We partnered with Quadrant data to bring you this information, and there are numerous other interesting factors that help determine rates. In addition to gender and age, an area also has a huge impact on rates.

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We’ve also included local providers’ rates so that you can see at a glance who is cheapest in your area.

Most Expensive ZIP Codes in Alabama CityAverage by ZIP CodeMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
35218BIRMINGHAM$4,428.60State Farm$6,719.51Liberty Mutual$6,257.81USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,873.57
35214BIRMINGHAM$4,352.20State Farm$6,009.25Liberty Mutual$5,972.65USAA$2,269.43Nationwide$2,856.39
35208BIRMINGHAM$4,327.78State Farm$6,749.79Liberty Mutual$6,119.17USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,873.57
35217BIRMINGHAM$4,326.48State Farm$6,910.35Liberty Mutual$6,000.76USAA$2,224.19Nationwide$2,860.41
35207BIRMINGHAM$4,325.57State Farm$6,491.25Liberty Mutual$6,153.00USAA$2,224.19Nationwide$2,856.39
35204BIRMINGHAM$4,313.01State Farm$6,444.99Liberty Mutual$6,212.13USAA$2,231.20Nationwide$2,850.02
35211BIRMINGHAM$4,304.80State Farm$6,506.10Liberty Mutual$6,212.13USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,905.60
35206BIRMINGHAM$4,301.59State Farm$6,519.64Liberty Mutual$6,181.77USAA$2,155.97Nationwide$2,860.41
35249BIRMINGHAM$4,288.30Progressive$6,888.87Liberty Mutual$6,096.21USAA$2,122.64Nationwide$2,850.02
35228BIRMINGHAM$4,281.12Liberty Mutual$6,119.17State Farm$5,832.84USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,873.57
35020BESSEMER$4,276.93Liberty Mutual$6,229.71State Farm$5,801.95USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,905.60
35064FAIRFIELD$4,264.44Liberty Mutual$6,147.30State Farm$6,063.58USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,873.57
35224BIRMINGHAM$4,249.02Liberty Mutual$5,834.03State Farm$5,831.78USAA$2,269.43Nationwide$2,856.39
35221BIRMINGHAM$4,226.77Liberty Mutual$6,257.81Progressive$5,602.74USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,873.57
35203BIRMINGHAM$4,223.99State Farm$6,357.26Liberty Mutual$6,096.21USAA$2,231.20Nationwide$2,850.02
35215BIRMINGHAM$4,220.08State Farm$6,226.47Liberty Mutual$5,919.67USAA$2,274.46Nationwide$2,851.73
35234BIRMINGHAM$4,217.90Liberty Mutual$6,257.81State Farm$6,219.94USAA$2,155.97Nationwide$2,850.02
36615MOBILE$4,216.38Liberty Mutual$5,975.78State Farm$5,597.24USAA$2,362.45Nationwide$2,892.99
36568SAINT ELMO$4,216.23Liberty Mutual$5,707.92Progressive$5,418.79USAA$2,456.32Nationwide$2,892.99
35061DOLOMITE$4,215.19State Farm$5,786.74Progressive$5,647.51USAA$2,269.43Nationwide$2,873.57
35118MULGA$4,207.95State Farm$5,719.65Progressive$5,695.97USAA$2,175.10Nationwide$2,854.65
35254BIRMINGHAM$4,202.26Liberty Mutual$6,212.13State Farm$5,833.15USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,850.02
36587WILMER$4,201.84Liberty Mutual$5,849.24State Farm$5,451.50USAA$2,456.32Nationwide$2,892.99
35212BIRMINGHAM$4,190.95Liberty Mutual$6,212.13State Farm$5,977.25USAA$2,155.97Nationwide$2,860.41
36605MOBILE$4,190.04Liberty Mutual$5,991.29State Farm$5,573.78USAA$2,362.45Nationwide$2,892.99

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There is a $1,118 difference between the average annual rates of the most and least expensive zip codes!

Cheapest ZIP Codes in Alabama CityAverage by ZIP CodesMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
36360OZARK$3,310.05Liberty Mutual$4,955.21State Farm$4,086.51USAA$1,826.53Nationwide$2,547.96
36322DALEVILLE$3,310.67Liberty Mutual$4,981.81State Farm$3,979.43USAA$1,843.52Nationwide$2,547.96
36316CHANCELLOR$3,330.06Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,072.52USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
36303DOTHAN$3,337.79Liberty Mutual$4,927.08State Farm$4,349.12USAA$1,794.84Nationwide$2,453.69
36318COFFEE SPRINGS$3,338.62Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,149.63USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
36467OPP$3,345.93Liberty Mutual$5,257.07State Farm$3,843.23USAA$1,944.34Nationwide$2,547.96
36312ASHFORD$3,349.21Liberty Mutual$4,842.63State Farm$4,350.89USAA$1,895.52Nationwide$2,453.69
36374SKIPPERVILLE$3,354.03Liberty Mutual$5,080.35State Farm$4,141.65USAA$1,968.02Nationwide$2,547.96
35661MUSCLE SHOALS$3,354.44Liberty Mutual$4,837.56State Farm$4,287.95USAA$1,997.99Nationwide$2,352.67
36477SAMSON$3,356.68Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,019.48USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
36362FORT RUCKER$3,359.23Liberty Mutual$4,981.81State Farm$4,002.07USAA$1,773.67Nationwide$2,547.96
36343GORDON$3,362.40Liberty Mutual$4,842.63State Farm$4,289.77USAA$1,895.52Nationwide$2,453.69
36370PANSEY$3,365.75Liberty Mutual$4,842.63State Farm$4,353.63USAA$1,895.52Nationwide$2,453.69
36330ENTERPRISE$3,368.24Liberty Mutual$4,981.81State Farm$4,267.32USAA$1,843.52Nationwide$2,547.96
36352NEWTON$3,369.81Liberty Mutual$4,927.08State Farm$3,967.13USAA$1,968.02Nationwide$2,547.96
35616CHEROKEE$3,370.38Liberty Mutual$4,938.03State Farm$4,161.05USAA$1,997.99Nationwide$2,352.67
36319COLUMBIA$3,371.40Liberty Mutual$4,842.63State Farm$4,705.91USAA$1,794.84Nationwide$2,453.69
36320COTTONWOOD$3,375.53Liberty Mutual$4,927.08State Farm$4,357.19USAA$1,895.52Nationwide$2,453.69
36314BLACK$3,376.28Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,092.44USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
36321COWARTS$3,381.81Liberty Mutual$4,927.08State Farm$4,520.17USAA$1,895.52Nationwide$2,453.69
35674TUSCUMBIA$3,383.56Liberty Mutual$4,837.56State Farm$4,368.92USAA$1,997.99Nationwide$2,352.67
35660SHEFFIELD$3,384.35Liberty Mutual$4,837.56State Farm$4,345.68USAA$1,997.99Nationwide$2,352.67
36344HARTFORD$3,384.67Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,090.04USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
36453KINSTON$3,384.75Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$3,985.85USAA$1,970.91Nationwide$2,547.96
36305DOTHAN$3,384.78Liberty Mutual$4,927.08State Farm$4,498.87USAA$1,794.84Nationwide$2,453.69

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What are the cheapest rates by city?

Prefer to search by cities rather than zip code? Check out the tables below.

Most Expensive Cities in Alabama Average by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
Fairfield$4,264.43Liberty Mutual$6,147.30State Farm$6,063.58USAA$2,197.21Nationwide$2,873.57
Saint Elmo$4,216.23Liberty Mutual$5,707.92Progressive$5,418.79USAA$2,456.32Nationwide$2,892.99
Dolomite$4,215.19State Farm$5,786.74Progressive$5,647.51USAA$2,269.43Nationwide$2,873.57
Mulga$4,207.95State Farm$5,719.65Progressive$5,695.97USAA$2,175.10Nationwide$2,854.65
Wilmer$4,201.84Liberty Mutual$5,849.24State Farm$5,451.50USAA$2,456.32Nationwide$2,892.99
Birmingham$4,190.23State Farm$6,007.49Liberty Mutual$5,911.96USAA$2,189.12Nationwide$2,858.28
Docena$4,185.44State Farm$5,902.61Liberty Mutual$5,618.17USAA$2,269.43Nationwide$2,856.39
Belle Fontaine$4,176.36Progressive$5,698.79Liberty Mutual$5,689.68USAA$2,271.38Nationwide$2,892.99
Irvington$4,168.74Liberty Mutual$5,689.68Progressive$5,418.79USAA$2,271.38Nationwide$2,892.99
Mobile$4,150.99Liberty Mutual$5,839.86State Farm$5,385.47USAA$2,313.95Nationwide$2,934.05
Pleasant Grove$4,149.20State Farm$6,096.92Liberty Mutual$5,645.78USAA$2,269.43Nationwide$2,854.65
Coden$4,143.95Progressive$5,698.79Liberty Mutual$5,499.30USAA$2,271.38Nationwide$2,892.99
Bayou La Batre$4,140.91Liberty Mutual$5,699.74Progressive$5,698.79USAA$2,271.38Nationwide$2,892.99
Brookside$4,137.24State Farm$5,941.80Liberty Mutual$5,618.17USAA$2,175.10Nationwide$2,932.70
Adamsville$4,132.10State Farm$5,887.35Liberty Mutual$5,618.17USAA$2,175.10Nationwide$2,856.39
New Castle$4,131.09State Farm$5,642.79Liberty Mutual$5,610.66USAA$2,175.10Nationwide$2,864.25
Grand Bay$4,129.30Liberty Mutual$5,689.68Progressive$5,542.78USAA$2,271.38Nationwide$2,892.99
Homewood$4,120.43Liberty Mutual$5,640.09State Farm$5,442.31USAA$2,136.84Nationwide$2,857.91
Shannon$4,115.23Liberty Mutual$5,926.94State Farm$5,642.79USAA$2,122.64Nationwide$2,905.60
Chunchula$4,104.58Liberty Mutual$5,756.28State Farm$5,230.84USAA$2,456.32Nationwide$2,892.99
Fultondale$4,101.89State Farm$5,807.06Liberty Mutual$5,619.12USAA$2,224.19Nationwide$2,864.25
Bessemer$4,094.60Liberty Mutual$5,903.18State Farm$5,594.29USAA$2,215.44Nationwide$2,888.62
Prichard$4,093.80Liberty Mutual$6,008.88State Farm$4,858.67USAA$2,456.32Nationwide$2,892.99
Dora$4,089.71Liberty Mutual$5,814.99State Farm$5,642.79USAA$2,175.10Nationwide$2,932.70
Eight Mile$4,080.85Liberty Mutual$5,640.36State Farm$5,075.54USAA$2,445.27Nationwide$2,892.99

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Similar to the zip code price difference, the most and least expensive cities show over a thousand dollar difference.

Cheapest Cities in Alabama Average by CityMost Expensive CompanyMost Expensive Rate2nd Most Expensive Company2nd Most Expensive RateCheapest CompanyCheapest Rate2nd Cheapest Company2nd Cheapest Rate
Ozark$3,310.05Liberty Mutual$4,955.21State Farm$4,086.51USAA$1,826.53Nationwide$2,547.96
Daleville$3,310.66Liberty Mutual$4,981.81State Farm$3,979.43USAA$1,843.52Nationwide$2,547.96
Chancellor$3,330.05Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,072.52USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
Coffee Springs$3,338.62Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,149.63USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
Opp$3,345.94Liberty Mutual$5,257.07State Farm$3,843.23USAA$1,944.34Nationwide$2,547.96
Ashford$3,349.21Liberty Mutual$4,842.63State Farm$4,350.89USAA$1,895.52Nationwide$2,453.69
Skipperville$3,354.03Liberty Mutual$5,080.35State Farm$4,141.65USAA$1,968.02Nationwide$2,547.96
Muscle Shoals$3,354.44Liberty Mutual$4,837.56State Farm$4,287.95USAA$1,997.99Nationwide$2,352.67
Samson$3,356.68Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,019.48USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
Fort Rucker$3,359.23Liberty Mutual$4,981.81State Farm$4,002.07USAA$1,773.67Nationwide$2,547.96
Pansey$3,365.75Liberty Mutual$4,842.63State Farm$4,353.63USAA$1,895.52Nationwide$2,453.69
Enterprise$3,368.24Liberty Mutual$4,981.81State Farm$4,267.32USAA$1,843.52Nationwide$2,547.96
Newton$3,369.81Liberty Mutual$4,927.08State Farm$3,967.13USAA$1,968.02Nationwide$2,547.96
Cherokee$3,370.38Liberty Mutual$4,938.03State Farm$4,161.05USAA$1,997.99Nationwide$2,352.67
Columbia$3,371.40Liberty Mutual$4,842.63State Farm$4,705.91USAA$1,794.84Nationwide$2,453.69
Black$3,376.27Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,092.44USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
Cowarts$3,381.81Liberty Mutual$4,927.08State Farm$4,520.17USAA$1,895.52Nationwide$2,453.69
Dothan$3,382.47Liberty Mutual$4,905.97State Farm$4,474.03USAA$1,878.79Nationwide$2,477.26
Tuscumbia$3,383.56Liberty Mutual$4,837.56State Farm$4,368.92USAA$1,997.99Nationwide$2,352.67
Sheffield$3,384.35Liberty Mutual$4,837.56State Farm$4,345.68USAA$1,997.99Nationwide$2,352.67
Hartford$3,384.66Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,090.04USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
Kinston$3,384.75Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$3,985.85USAA$1,970.91Nationwide$2,547.96
Geneva$3,389.89Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,057.17USAA$1,980.54Nationwide$2,547.96
Pinckard$3,394.50Liberty Mutual$4,927.08State Farm$4,076.33USAA$1,968.02Nationwide$2,547.96
New Brockton$3,395.84Liberty Mutual$4,880.47State Farm$4,367.30USAA$1,970.91Nationwide$2,547.96

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What are the best Alabama car insurance companies?

The multitude of drivers on the roads means that insurance providers are in demand. More companies, though, means more choices. It can be hard to find an insurance company that is right for YOU.

How do you know what rates actually provide you with the best benefits for your money? Insurers all promise their coverage is the best, but these declarations are simply not true.

We want you to know your options before you throw in the towel and stick with the same provider you’ve always had. There are important factors to consider when choosing a provider, but luckily they are fairly straightforward.

So if you need help knowing what insurer you should choose, keep reading. We have covered everything from companies’ ratings to average premium rates.

The Largest Companies’ Financial Ratings

The financial standing of a company is important. After all, you want to make sure the company you pick won’t go bankrupt in a year! That’s why we want to cover the AM Best ratings of the largest insurance providers in Alabama.

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For context, AM Best’s highest rating is A++, which means that AM Best considers a company to be superior.

ProvidersAM RatingDirect Premiums WrittenMarket ShareLoss Ratio
State Farm A$837,85325.21%69.98%
Allstate Insurance GroupA+$345,60310.40%49.83%
GeicoA++$334,83510.07%74.78%
Progressive Group A+$237,4407.14%59.82%
USAA Group A++$232,3346.99%79.17%
Nationwide Corp GroupA+$92,6282.79%67.33%
Amtrust NGH GroupA-$82,9402.50%65.13%
Liberty Mutual Group A$82,1402.47%68.13%
Farmer's Insurance Group NR$79,9812.41%53.33%

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Remember when we talked about loss ratios? None of the companies above have loss ratios higher than a hundred percent (which means none are at risk of going bankrupt). A few companies, though, are a little low on their loss ratio numbers and could work on improving their numbers.

Companies with Best Ratings

JD Power rates companies based purely on customer satisfaction. If customers aren’t satisfied with a company, that company will receive a low rating from JD Power.

JD Power judges customer satisfaction on the following:

  • Interaction
  • Policy offerings
  • Policy information
  • Price
  • Billing process
  • Claims

Below, you can see JD Power’s ratings for companies in Alabama.

southeast region JD Power

The above data shows that some of Alabama’s largest providers (Geico, Progressive, etc.) are average at customer service — not terrible but not outstanding either.

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Companies with Most Complaints in Alabama

We have given you the lists showing statistics about the 10 largest companies in Alabama and customer service, so let’s look at customer complaints next.

Top 10 Providers of Car Insurance in AlabamaCompany Complaint Ratio 2017Total Complaints 2017
Liberty Mutual Group 5.95222
Allstate Insurance Group 0.97163
Progressive Group 0.75120
Nationwide Corp Group0.2825
Geico.0076
USSA Group 02
Amtrust NGH Group02
State Farm 02
Farmers Insurance Group 00

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While some of these numbers may seem discouraging, make sure to also look into HOW a company handle’s customer’s complaints. If you hang up after a call with a company and don’t find yourself ranting about the terrible service, it shows the company has decent customer service.

What are Alabama car insurance rates by company?

Let’s move on from company ratings to another important factor insurance rates. It is an indisputable fact that different carriers have different rates. Looking at these differences and what impacts rates will help you decide which company offers the best prices for your needs.

CompanyAverageCompared to State Average (+/-)Compared to State Average (%)
Safeco Ins Co of IL$5,292.39$1,588.6430.02%
State Farm Mutual Auto$4,776.58$1,072.8322.46%
Progressive Specialty$4,438.18$734.4216.55%
Mid-Century Ins Co$4,176.74$472.9811.32%
Travelers Home & Marine Ins Co$3,696.27-$7.48-0.20%
Allstate P&C$3,307.43-$396.32-11.98%
Geico $2,863.93-$839.83-29.32%
Nationwide Mutual Fire$2,656.70-$1,047.05-39.41%
USAA$2,125.57-$1,578.19-74.25%

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In comparison to the state average, there are SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES in price. USAA is almost 75 percent cheaper than the national average, whereas Safeco Insurance Company is 30 percent higher.

Commute Rates

Let’s look at another rate changer commute rates. At some companies, you pay more for longer commutes. This is fine if you have a short commute, but you may want to look into other companies if you have a long commute each day.

Company Commute and Annual Mileage Annual Average Cost
Liberty Mutual10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$5,292
Liberty Mutual25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$5,292
State Farm25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$4,891
State Farm10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$4,661
Progressive10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$4,438
Progressive25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$4,438
Farmers10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$4,176
Farmers25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$4,176
Travelers10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$3,696
Travelers25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$3,696
Allstate10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$3,307
Allstate25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$3,307
Geico25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$2,916
Geico10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$2,811
Nationwide10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$2,656
Nationwide25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$2,656
USAA25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.$2,222
USAA10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.$2,028

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At most companies with commute rate changes, there is over a hundred dollar difference! This may not seem like much, but an extra few dollars saved here and there can add up into significant savings at the end of a year.

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Coverage Level Rates

Another factor in rates is the coverage level. The price differences below may tempt you into purchasing lower coverage, but remember that better coverage is indispensable in an accident.

GroupCoverage TypeAnnual Average
Liberty MutualHigh$5,558.30
Liberty MutualMedium$5,267.49
Liberty MutualLow$5,051.39
State FarmHigh$5,039.03
ProgressiveHigh$4,915.73
State FarmMedium$4,770.51
State FarmLow$4,520.21
FarmersHigh$4,459.72
ProgressiveMedium$4,414.44
FarmersMedium$4,123.31
ProgressiveLow$3,984.36
FarmersLow$3,947.19
TravelersHigh$3,804.37
TravelersMedium$3,769.91
TravelersLow$3,514.54
AllstateHigh$3,426.86
AllstateMedium$3,301.93
AllstateLow$3,193.49
GeicoHigh$3,096.97
GeicoMedium$2,851.46
NationwideHigh$2,693.25
NationwideLow$2,643.86
GeicoLow$2,643.35
NationwideMedium$2,633.00
USAAHigh$2,213.25
USAAMedium$2,114.13
USAALow$2,049.32

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At some of the above companies, the switch from low to high coverage isn’t astronomical. For an extra few hundred dollars a year, you could jump from low to high coverage on your vehicle.

Credit History Rates

Let’s move onto another factor in rate changes credit history. While some companies won’t give discounts for good credit, they WILL increase their rates if you have bad credit.

Alabama’s average credit score is 654. This is below the national average credit score of 675.

Alabama’s average credit score is 21 points below the national average, which means Alabama residents may have a little trouble getting better rates.

GroupCredit HistoryAnnual Average
State FarmPoor Credit$7,745.72
Liberty MutualPoor Credit$7,579.54
ProgressivePoor Credit$5,010.88
FarmersPoor Credit$4,682.41
Liberty MutualFair$4,648.39
ProgressiveFair$4,294.18
AllstatePoor Credit$4,087.50
TravelersPoor Credit$4,030.96
FarmersFair$4,029.11
ProgressiveGood$4,009.47
State FarmFair$3,920.59
FarmersGood$3,818.70
Liberty MutualGood$3,649.25
GeicoPoor$3,643.23
TravelersGood$3,562.21
TravelersFair$3,495.65
AllstateFair$3,209.78
NationwidePoor Credit$3,206.13
USAAPoor Credit$2,856.60
State FarmGood$2,663.44
AllstateGood$2,625.01
GeicoFair$2,598.14
NationwideFair$2,501.40
GeicoGood$2,350.42
NationwideGood$2,262.59
USAAFair$1,859.65
USAAGood$1,660.45

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Yikes! Bad credit will raise your rates by THOUSANDS! That’s a hefty hike in price. In fact, a recent study by Consumer Reports shows that most insurance companies are more concerned with your credit score than with your driving record!

Driving Record Rates

Another part of your history that insurance companies will look at is your driving record. If you have a bad driving record, insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver and raise your rates. If you have a clean driving history, you’ll certainly end up with better rates than if you have poor driving history. And of course, the severity of your policy increase depends on the type of violation on your record and how many subsequent violations you have.

GroupDriving RecordAnnual AverageGroup Driving Record Annual Average
Liberty MutualWith 1 accident$5,778.33TravelersWith 1 speeding violation$3,749.72
Liberty MutualWith 1 DUI$5,650.89FarmersClean record$3,514.01
Liberty MutualWith 1 speeding violation$5,590.03NationwideWith 1 DUI$3,384.37
State FarmWith 1 accident$5,341.26AllstateWith 1 accident$3,315.55
ProgressiveWith 1 accident$5,037.78TravelersWith 1 accident$3,230.82
TravelersWith 1 DUI$4,725.83AllstateWith 1 speeding violation$3,177.32
State FarmWith 1 DUI$4,725.25GeicoWith 1 accident$3,108.04
State FarmWith 1 speeding violation$4,725.25TravelersClean record$3,078.73
FarmersWith 1 accident$4,545.66USAAWith 1 DUI$3,047.46
FarmersWith 1 DUI$4,434.02AllstateClean record$2,816.35
ProgressiveWith 1 speeding violation$4,399.76NationwideWith 1 speeding violation$2,594.63
State FarmClean record$4,314.58GeicoWith 1 speeding violation$2,583.05
ProgressiveWith 1 DUI$4,305.95NationwideClean record$2,323.90
FarmersWith 1 speeding violation$4,213.26NationwideWith 1 accident$2,323.90
Liberty MutualClean record$4,150.32USAAWith 1 accident$2,051.34
ProgressiveClean record$4,009.21GeicoClean record$1,935.00
AllstateWith 1 DUI$3,920.50USAAWith 1 speeding violation$1,768.57
GeicoWith 1 DUI$3,829.62USAAClean record$1,634.90

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An accident, speeding violation, or DUI can all raise your rates by over a thousand dollars. A clean driving record and a good credit score are the best ways to keep your rates down, so drive carefully.

Number of Insurers in Alabama

There are 18 domestic insurance providers and 858 foreign insurance providers. This makes for a total of 876 insurers to choose from in Alabama.

Unfortunately, whether a company is domestic or foreign won’t really help you make a choice.

Domestic insurance simply means a company is formed under Alabama’s state law. On the other hand, foreign insurance is formed under the laws of any other U.S. state.

It’s up to you which you feel more comfortable with, but the small number of domestic insurers means you will probably end up with a foreign insurer.

What Alabama state laws do you need to know?

In order to follow the law, you need to know the law! But it can often be confusing to understand the different driving laws. After all, driving laws are slightly different across states.

Breaking a driving law, though, will result in a fine and perhaps other penalties (such as a suspended license).

Since knowing your state laws is important, we are going to give you an overview of essential laws in Alabama. We will cover everything from insurance laws to rules of the road so that you can avoid tickets.

So keep scrolling to discover what you need to know about driving in the state of Alabama!

We’ve talked before about the insurance requirement for drivers in the state of Alabama. Every driver must have car insurance. According to the NAIC, before you can use your car insurance you must file the proper insurance forms.

The Mandatory Liability Insurance Law of 2013 requires all drivers to have auto insurance for their registered vehicles.

While all drivers must have insurance, there is a small catch. Insurance companies can refuse to sell you car insurance if you are a high-risk driver. If insurers refuse to sell a car insurance plan to you, you will have to purchase insurance from Alabama’s Auto Insurance Plan (AAIP).

If you practice safe driving and state laws, you can be proactive in preventing being labeled as a high-risk driver. In turn, this will save you from increased rates.

High-Risk Insurance

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, accidents happen. If an accident happens to you, authorities may require you to fill out an SR-22 form. This form is essentially an application for high-risk insurance, which means your rates will become higher.

There are multiple situations where authorities may require you to fill out an SR-22 form.

  • A DUI/DWI
  • Uninsured driving
  • Traffic violation that causes serious injury/death
  • High number of points on driving record
  • High-risk car (think sports cars, etc.)
  • Over 70-years-old

If you are considered a high-risk driver and have SR-22 forms on your account, insurance providers may not cover you. You will then need to apply to the AAIP for car insurance.

Low-Cost Insurance

Alabama doesn’t have a low-cost insurance program, but there are still plenty of ways to save money on car insurance. Ask your insurance provider about the following:

  • Good driver discount
  • Good student discount
  • Multi-car discount
  • Homeowner’s discount

These are some of the basic discounts you can receive, but there are dozens more that are specific to an insurance provider, so make sure to get a full list of discounts.

Windshield Coverage

Car owners dread that small, telltale crack in their windshield. That crack may stay small for a while and pass inspection, but inevitably another jostle will make the crack spread, making the purchase of a new windshield necessary.

If the crack obstructs your view of the road, it is illegal, and you could receive a ticket.

This is when it pays to have comprehensive insurance. Most insurers with comprehensive insurance plans will replace or repair your windshield. Insurers must also use replacement parts that are similar in quality in order to make sure your car is the same as it was before.

We should note that a comprehensive plan is necessary for windshield replacement because insurance providers are NOT required by Alabama law to replace windshields.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Alabama

Insurance fraud is a crime. Every year, billions of dollars are stolen in fraudulent claims. If you commit insurance fraud in Alabama, you will face fines and/or jail time.

According to the IIHS, there are three main ways to commit insurance fraud.

  1. Faking an accident/making a false claim
  2. Adding extra damages/injuries/etc. onto a claim
  3. Application fraud or premium avoidance

Insurance fraud is such a problem that in 2017, the Alabama Department of Insurance investigated 223 cases of insurance fraud. If you are honest about your claims, though, there is no need to worry about being investigated for fraud!

Statute of Limitations

Every state has a different amount of time in which you can file a claim also known as a statute of limitations. If you don’t file and resolve your claim within the statute of limitations, you lose your chance to be paid the money you are owed.

The statute of limitation’s time limit usually starts on the date of your accident, so make sure to file as soon as possible. Below, you will see Alabama’s statute of limitations, which is short compared to other states.

  • Personal Injury: Two years
  • Property Damage: Two years

Two years may seem like a long time, but it is easy to forget things that you put off until tomorrow or next week. So make sure to file that claim as soon as possible so you can get the claim process started.

After all, the sooner you are paid the better!

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What are some Alabama state-specific laws?

If you are a motorcyclist living in or passing through Alabama, you are required to wear a helmet. While some states allow motorcyclists to wear helmets at their discretion, Alabama requires helmets to keep motorcyclists as safe as possible.

Another fact you should know is that Alabama does NOT have an unfair claims settlement act.

What is the unfair claims settlement act?

Essentially, it requires insurers to fully disclose what a policy covers so that insurers don’t conveniently “forget” benefits when you make a claim.

Because Alabama doesn’t have this law, it is important for you to know your policy inside and out. If you know what insurers owe you, you will notice a small mistake.

Vehicle Licensing Laws

If you drive without insurance, you face strict penalties. While the cost of car insurance can be daunting, the penalties for skipping are worse.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in AlabamaDetails
1st Offense- Fine up to $500
- Registration suspension with $200 reinstatement fee
2nd Offense- Fine up to $1,000 and/or six-month license suspension
- $400 reinstatement fee with four-month registration suspension

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If you recall, Alabama accepts the following as proof of financial responsibility.

  1. A valid liability insurance ID card
  2. A copy of your car’s insurance policy
  3. A valid insurance binder (temporary form of car insurance)
  4. A picture of your insurance ID card on your smartphone

If you are pulled over by authorities or are in an accident, you must provide proof of registration, proof of insurance, and a driver’s license.

The State of Alabama Online Insurance Verification System of 2013 allows law enforcement to immediately check your vehicle’s insurance status if they pull you over.

If you don’t have car insurance, Alabama may suspend your vehicle’s registration. Authorities will notify you if your registration is being suspended. According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, there are specific reasons authorities may suspend your vehicle registration.

  • “The Department did not receive a timely response to a questionnaire that was sent to verify the MLI coverage on the vehicle.”
  • “The insurer identified in the response to the questionnaire has failed to confirm or has denied coverage on the vehicle for the insurance verification date as requested.”

Clearly, it is important to have insurance, otherwise, you could lose the right to drive altogether because of a suspended license and registration.

Teen Driver Laws

In every state, teens have special driving laws that restrict the type of passengers and driving hours, which are both contributors to accidents in inexperienced drivers. These restrictions help teen drivers learn in a semi-controlled environment to help protect both them and other drivers.

To have a learner’s license (also known as a permit), teens must be at least 15 years old. As well, before teens can receive a restricted (junior) license or adult license, they must meet the requirements below.

Requirements for Getting a License in AlabamaTime Restrictions
Mandatory Holding Period 6 months
Minimum Supervised Driving Time 50 hours (none with driver education)
Minimum Age 16 years old

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Teens with restricted licenses have special driving regulations.

Restrictions for Restricted Licenses in AlabamaDetails
Nighttime restrictionsMidnight to 6 a.m.
Passenger restrictions (family members excepted unless noted otherwise)no more than 1 passenger
Minimum age at which restrictions may be liftedDetails
Nighttime restrictions 17 and licensed for 6 months (minimum age: 17)
Passenger restrictions 17 and licensed for 6 months (minimum age: 17)

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Now that we’ve covered young drivers, let’s move to onto another important age group — older drivers.

Older Driver License Renewal Procedures

In Alabama, older drivers don’t have special requirements when renewing their licenses. In fact, the renewal process is the EXACT same as the general population.

  • Renew license every FOUR years
  • Proof of adequate vision is NOT required at time of renewal
  • Can renew their license online/by mail every other renewal

Alabama’s every other renewal policy means older drivers can go up to eight years without having to make an in-person trip to the DMV.

New Residents

It’s pretty simple. If you own a vehicle and are moving to Alabama, you need car insurance. The Alabama Mandatory Liability Insurance Act requires all drivers to have liability insurance in the coverage amounts below.

  • $25,000 to pay for one person injured from the accident
  • $50,000 to pay for all people injured from the accident
  • $25,000 to pay for any property damage from the accident

Since liability insurance amounts vary from state to state, you will need to makes sure your current provider updates your liability insurance to match Alabama’s.

You will also need updated insurance ID cards with your new address. Some providers may actually give you a small discount for a change of address!

License Renewal Procedures

The license renewal procedures for the general population are the same as the older population.

  • Renew license every FOUR years
  • Proof of adequate vision is NOT required at time of renewal
  • Can renew their license online/by mail every other renewal

Once again, this means you can go eight years without a trip to the DMV. Not too bad.

Negligent/Reckless Drivers

Negligent or reckless driving is a serious issue. If people endanger themselves or others through careless driving, authorities WILL charge the drivers with reckless driving.

Alabama law lists the penalties as the following.

  • 1st Conviction — imprisonment for five to 90 days. Fine $25 to $500.
  • 2nd Conviction — imprisonment for 10 days to six months. Fine $50 to $500. License suspension.

Reckless driving risks both your own and others’ safety, so drive carefully.

What are Alabama rules of the road?

If you know the rules of the road inside and out, you increase your chances of staying safe while driving. Not to mention keeping others safe as well!

Keep reading to learn about some of Alabama’s most important rules of the road.

Fault vs No-Fault

Alabama is an at-fault state. This means the at-fault driver is liable for all costs created by the accident, such as medical and property damage bills.

If an at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or has poor coverage, he or she will not be able to pay off all the accident costs and risks going bankrupt.

So make sure to follow the law and get insurance, as it is costly not to! Having insurance will make sure you don’t lose your savings over an accident.

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

Keeping right is as simple as it sounds. If you are driving slower than the traffic around you, keep to the right of the road. As a general rule, you should always pass on the left, but there are certain circumstances when you can pass on the right.

JUSTIA U.S. Law says you can pass on the right in the following instances:

  • The vehicle you are passing is turning left or about to
  • The roadway is wide enough for two or more lines of vehicles that moving in the same direction

You can only use the above maneuvers if you can do so safely (and without driving off the roadway, such as onto the shoulder). As for passing on the left, Alabama has a new anti-road rage bill in place.

The law prohibits drivers from traveling on the left side of the road for more than a mile and a half unless they are passing other vehicles.

As for the move over law, it is also common-sense driving.

If you see the following vehicles on the side of the road, move over. If you can’t move over (such as on a one-lane road), make sure to slow down significantly.

  • Police/emergency vehicles
  • Car crashes
  • Utility service vehicles
  • Garbage truck vehicles (on duty)
  • Any car with hazard lights on

It is extremely important to move over for these vehicles, as people are walking around them. Deaths occur every year from drivers failing to move over. This law is intended to create a safety cushion around vehicles on the side of the road, so make sure to follow the law!

Speed Limits

Below is the information on Alabama’s MAX speed limits. Be aware that speed limits vary from road to road — these speed limits are the absolute highest speeds that can be on roadways.

Type of RoadwaySpeed Limit
Rural Interstates70 mph
Urban Interstates65 mph
Other Limited Access Roads65 mph
Other Roads65 mph

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If you go over the posted speed limits, you will receive a fine and points on your driving record (which may raise your insurance prices).

Seat Belt and Car Seat Laws

Alabama also has laws on seat belt and car seat use. These laws make sure drivers and passengers are safe — seat belt use helps prevent occupants from being thrown from the car in accidents.

If you violate Alabama’s seat belt laws, you will receive fines.

Read more: What are the Alabama car seat laws?

If you violate Alabama’s seat belt laws, you will receive fines.

Safety Belt Laws in AlabamaDetails
Effective SinceJune 18, 1991
Primary EnforcementYes; effective since December 9, 1999
Age/Seats Applicable15+ years old in front seat
1st Offense Max Fine$25 plus fees

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Primary enforcement means that if an officer sees you are not wearing a seatbelt, they can pull you over and ticket you.

Alabama put a new law into effect on September 1, 2019, that requires backseat passengers to also buckle up.

Alabama laws on car seats are fairly simple. Follow the rules below to keep children safe in the car.

Type of Car Seat RequiredAge/Weight
Rear-Facing Child Restraint Younger than one year old or less than 20 pounds
Forward-Facing Child Restraint One to four years old or 20 - 40 pounds
Child Booster SeatFive (but under six years old)
Adult Belt Permissible Six through 14 years

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The fine for breaking the above laws is $25 plus fees.

As for riding in the cargo areas of pickup trucks, Alabama doesn’t have laws restricting this. Just make sure to use common sense for everyone’s safety, as people can easily be thrown from the back of pickups at sharp turns.

Ridesharing

If you want to become a rideshare driver (Uber, Lyft, etc.), you will need to purchase ridesharing insurance. In Alabama, only the following providers offer ridesharing insurance.

  • Farmers
  • Geico
  • State Farm
  • USAA

You will also need to have proof that your vehicle has undergone vehicle safety checks (an inspection) and is properly registered and insured. However, if you have a bad driving record, the likelihood is that the rideshare company will reject your application.

You must also be 21 years old and have at least three years of driving experience. Want to know more? The links below will take you to the specific requirements for popular ridesharing companies.

Automation on the Road

You might think of an automated vehicle as a self-driving car. But automation is actually present in many of our cars. IIHS defines automated cars as the following:

“Automation is the use of a machine or technology to perform a task or function that was previously carried out by a human. One example is adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set speed.”

If you have a fully automated car, automated vehicle drivers have to follow the laws below.

Automation Vehicle Laws in Alabama
Details
Driving AllowedDeployment
Operator License RequiredYes
Operator Required to be in the VehicleDepends on level of vehicle automation
Liability Insurance RequiredYes

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DUI Laws

Did you know 28.3 percent of all driving fatalities in Alabama are alcohol-related? Drunk-driving is one of the biggest culprits in driving fatalities.

Alabama has made drunk driving illegal (the same as every state) to help cut back on the number of drunk driving fatalities. The more that people are aware of the consequences of driving drunk, the less incentive there is to drive under the influence.

DUI Law in AlabamaDetails
Name for Offense Driving under the influence (DUI)
BAC Limit0.08
High BAC Limit 0.15
Criminal Status1st to 3rd offenses are misdemeanors; 4th+ in 5 years is a class C felony
Look Back Period 5 years

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If you break the law, there are strict penalties in place that grow steadily worse with each offense.

DUI - 1st OffenseDetails
License RevokedMandatory 90 days
Jail TimeUp to one year in a municipal or county jail (no time minimum)
Fine$500 to $2,000
+$100 for Impaired Drivers Trust Fund
Other Mandatory DUI school

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DUI - 2nd Offense
Details
License Revoked1 year
Jail Time48 consecutive hours at least (up to 1 year) OR no less than 20 days of community service
Fine$1,000 to $5,000
+$100 for Impaired Drivers Trust Fund
Other NA

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DUI - 3rd Offense
Details
License Revoked3 years
Jail Time60 days to 1 year in a municipal or county jail
Fine$2,000 to $10,000
+$100 for Impaired Drivers Trust Fund
Other NA

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DUI - 4th Offense
Details
License Revoked5 years
Jail Time1 to 10 years
Fine$4,000 to $10,000
Other NA

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These strict penalties are in place for a reason — drunk driving strips away people’s judgment and results in frequent and often deadly accidents. In 2017, there were 268 deaths from alcohol-related accidents.

So stay safe — never drink and drive and encourage others to do the same. Otherwise, you could lose the right to drive altogether, along with jail time and steep fines.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

There isn’t a specific law in place about marijuana-impaired driving in Alabama, but you can still be charged with impaired driving.

Did you know marijuana can stay in your system for weeks after using? If an officer thinks you’re impaired and tests you, you can still be charged with impaired driving EVEN if you aren’t high at the time.

Driving under the influence of marijuana will result in many of the same penalties as a DUI — suspended license, fines, and jail time.

Distracted Driving Laws

All it takes is a second with your eyes off the road for there to be an accident. Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents. In fact, distracted driving is just as dangerous as driving drunk!

Alabama has created the following cellphone use laws to help regulate distracted driving.

Laws on Cellphones while Driving in Alabama
Details
Hand-held ban16-year-old drivers; 17-year-old drivers who have held an intermediate license for fewer than 6 months
Text ban All drivers
Enforcement Primary

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Remember, primary enforcement allows officers to pull you over just for texting on your phone while driving.

Is there a lot of vehicle theft in Alabama?

Do you know what hazards to watch out for on your roads? All it takes is one mistake for an accident to happen! Knowing what the main driving risks are in Alabama can help you stay wary and avoid potential accidents.

To stay as safe as possible, keep reading to learn about the major causes of accidents in Alabama, as well as information about vehicle theft and commute times.

Some types of cars are stolen significantly more often than other models. Check below to see if your vehicle makes the list!

Vehicle Make/Model Vehicle Year Total Stolen
Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)2005499
Ford Pickup (Full Size)2006357
Toyota Camry2014205
Nissan Altima2014191
Chevrolet Impala2004191
Honda Accord1998180
GMC Pickup (Full Size)1999152
Dodge Pickup (Full Size)1998138
Ford Mustang2002122
Ford Explorer2002119

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The FBI also created a 2013 report on the number of cars stolen by cities.

CityMotor
Vehicle
Thefts
Abbeville3
Adamsville11
Addison2
Alabaster26
Alexander City30
Aliceville6
Andalusia17
Anniston98
Arab60
Ardmore1
Arley4
Ashford0
Ashland4
Ashville5
Athens12
Atmore10
Auburn70
Bay Minette18
Bear Creek2
Bessemer209
Birmingham1,478
Blountsville8
Brent6
Brewton13
Bridgeport0
Brilliant2
Butler3
Camp Hill2
Carbon Hill13
Cedar Bluff6
Centre19
Centreville2
Chickasaw19
Childersburg3
Citronelle18
Clanton19
Clayton1
Coaling7
Collinsville3
Cordova4
Creola1
Crossville3
Cullman30
Dadeville10
Daleville14
Daphne16
Dauphin Island2
Decatur153
Demopolis4
Dora15
Dothan109
Double Springs2
Douglas3
East Brewton6
Eclectic0
Elba3
Enterprise47
Eufaula25
Eutaw4
Evergreen14
Fairfield73
Fairhope19
Fayette8
Flomaton3
Florala3
Florence103
Foley22
Fyffe1
Gadsden200
Gardendale15
Geneva10
Georgiana4
Glencoe5
Grant4
Greenville0
Guin2
Gulf Shores21
Guntersville27
Gurley2
Hackleburg4
Hamilton9
Hanceville13
Hartford3
Hartselle20
Headland2
Helena9
Henagar7
Hokes Bluff7
Hoover108
Hueytown28
Huntsville703
Ider4
Irondale35
Jackson5
Jacksonville13
Jasper39
Jemison2
Kinsey1
Lafayette7
Lake View1
Lanett35
Leeds28
Leesburg4
Leighton0
Level Plains2
Lincoln33
Linden2
Livingston6
Loxley22
Luverne8
Madison39
Maplesville2
Margaret2
McIntosh0
Midfield28
Midland City3
Millbrook38
Mobile4681
Monroeville26
Montevallo9
Moody18
Morris2
Moulton3
Moundville6
Mountain Brook10
Mount Vernon10
Muscle Shoals45
Napier Field3
New Brockton1
New Hope7
Newton1
Northport41
Notasulga4
Odenville7
Oneonta16
Opelika54
Owens Crossroads2
Oxford50
Ozark32
Pelham24
Pell City31
Phenix City270
Piedmont16
Pine Hill0
Pleasant Grove12
Powell4
Prattville79
Priceville1
Prichard213
Ragland0
Rainbow City21
Rainsville10
Red Bay1
Reform1
Riverside5
Robertsdale11
Russellville20
Samson4
Saraland32
Sardis City4
Satsuma14
Scottsboro24
Selma103
Sheffield30
Silverhill2
Slocomb1
Snead6
Southside9
Springville5
Sulligent0
Sumiton12
Summerdale11
Sylacauga24
Sylvania2
Talladega47
Tallassee57
Tarrant13
Taylor1
Thorsby0
Town Creek1
Trinity6
Troy52
Tuscaloosa151
Tuscumbia35
Tuskegee45
Valley50
Valley Head2
Vance4
Vestavia Hills24
Warrior10
Weaver7
Wedowee3
Wetumpka8
Winfield8
Woodstock2
York4

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Birmingham is the absolute worst city for vehicle theft, with 1,478 vehicles stolen in 2013! Up next, we will look at some of the risk factors you should look out for that involve harmful and risky behavior by drivers.

Alabama’s Crash Report

Where you live can play a role in the number of traffic fatalities. Three of Alabama’s cities made it onto the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) list of highest city fatalities.

CityTotal KilledPedestrians KilledPercent of Total Killed2016 City PopulationFatality Rate Per 100,000 Population
Birmingham441022.7212,15720.74
Montgomery27622.2200,02213.50
Mobile35925.7192,90418.14

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Road type also influences traffic fatalities. Generally, higher speeds on rural roads equal greater impacts. The worse the impact, the more likely there is to be a fatality.

Alabama Traffic Fatalities by Road Type2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
Total9698488628958658538208501,083948
Rural608512527515510562544590803596
Urban359335327378351285274260280352
Unknown2182462000

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Another factor is person type. By person type, we mean the type of vehicle driven and if the person is a pedestrian, vehicle occupant, or cyclist.

Alabama Fatalities by Person Type 20132014201520162017
Passenger Car Occupants357337355416395
Light Pickup Truck Occupants 151150156169145
Light Utility Truck Occupants137116111166143
Van Occupants2015232427
Light Truck (Other) Occupants10391
Large Truck Occupants2515163520
Bus Occupants30100
Other/Unknown Occupants121510259
Motorcyclists80656711279
Pedestrians599698120119
Bicyclists and Other Cyclists 69937
Other/Unknown Non-occupants22143
State Total8538208501,083948

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Ever wondered what types of crashes are the worst? The NHTSA collected data on the most fatal crashes in Alabama.

Crash Type20132014201520162017
Total Fatalities (All Crashes)8538208501,083948
- (1) Single Vehicle512508482639564
- (2) Involving a Large Truck1098410114499
- (3) Involving Speeding253237236329257
- (4) Involving a Rollover278249269331290
- (5) Involving a Roadway Departure580492540663605
- (6) Involving an Intersection (or Intersection Related)123125158208145

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The NHTSA also collected data on a five-year fatality trend for the top 10 counties in Alabama.

County 20132014201520162017
Jefferson County9277809083
Mobile County6576727775
Madison County3333244537
Tuscaloosa County2738415037
Baldwin County3827323726
Talladega County2715193026
Etowah County1315143125
Cullman County1419252524
Shelby County1620192624
Blount County13651723
Top 10 County Total377361368465380
State Total (Includes All Counties)8538208501,083948

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Did you know one of the worst culprits of traffic fatalities is speeding? Below, we have listed NHTSA’s report on speeding deaths by county.

County 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Autauga County41235
Baldwin County657107
Barbour County31013
Bibb County10040
Blount County33194
Bullock County51213
Butler County13425
Calhoun County41592
Chambers County51451
Cherokee County86341
Chilton County55953
Choctaw County13223
Clarke County25221
Clay County10120
Cleburne County31040
Coffee County14142
Colbert County445411
Conecuh County12324
Coosa County26062
Covington County07102
Crenshaw County00202
Cullman County7661210
Dale County33240
Dallas County13252
Dekalb County115599
Elmore County712994
Escambia County47726
Etowah County44186
Fayette County00103
Franklin County03212
Geneva County11401
Greene County52502
Hale County43022
Henry County02023
Houston County453103
Jackson County33484
Jefferson County2112172012
Lamar County10211
Lauderdale County42343
Lawrence County20054
Lee County23227
Limestone County5312143
Lowndes County34017
Macon County65182
Madison County1832149
Marengo County03041
Marion County41201
Marshall County34774
Mobile County1522161914
Monroe County10352
Montgomery County42262
Morgan County62325
Perry County12111
Pickens County30330
Pike County22114
Randolph County32111
Russell County14625
Shelby County52275
St. Clair County26624
Sumter County01333
Talladega County107101110
Tallapoosa County23171
Tuscaloosa County311131411
Walker County76447
Washington County12134
Wilcox County25312
Winston County20464

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Another major culprit in traffic fatalities is drunk driving. Drinking severely impairs a driver’s judgment, which is the last thing you want when driving! All it takes is one slight swerve off of the road or a missed stop sign to cause a fatal accident.

County 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Autauga County61343
Baldwin County9101097
Barbour County22213
Bibb County20132
Blount County33144
Bullock County43441
Butler County12236
Calhoun County23563
Chambers County51371
Cherokee County40250
Chilton County54332
Choctaw County31144
Clarke County33211
Clay County10101
Cleburne County31130
Coffee County13284
Colbert County42228
Conecuh County04231
Coosa County04121
Covington County14014
Crenshaw County11131
Cullman County25788
Dale County94433
Dallas County58464
Dekalb County83387
Elmore County48593
Escambia County46635
Etowah County46434
Fayette County13002
Franklin County01100
Geneva County12403
Greene County22213
Hale County30033
Henry County00010
Houston County54191
Jackson County22334
Jefferson County2724212726
Lamar County20010
Lauderdale County35573
Lawrence County24123
Lee County23266
Limestone County54755
Lowndes County42125
Macon County54266
Madison County111051416
Marengo County26113
Marion County21101
Marshall County42365
Mobile County2324232321
Monroe County12312
Montgomery County12111185
Morgan County42534
Perry County10122
Pickens County42120
Pike County02724
Randolph County22021
Russell County16343
Shelby County27674
St. Clair County43154
Sumter County23314
Talladega County844118
Tallapoosa County21351
Tuscaloosa County71319108
Walker County56556
Washington County04211
Wilcox County44312
Winston County10103

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A sobering part of drinking and driving is that many teens participate in this dangerous act. While the national average for underage drunk driving deaths is 1.2 fatalities per 100,000 population, Alabama’s rate is much higher!

Alabama’s fatality rate for underage drunk driving is 2.7 deaths per 100,000!

Unfortunately, Alabama’s teen fatality rate is among the HIGHEST rates in the U.S. Clearly, underage drinking is a major problem in Alabama. If you take a look at the table below, you can see the teen arrest rate in Alabama.

Number of Under 18 DWI Arrests in 2016:Total Per One Million People (DUI Under 18 Arrests) in 2016:State Rank:
2825.5348

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Alabama only ranks 48th in the U.S. for the number of underage arrests for drinking and driving, even though there is a high number of underage fatalities.

EMS Response Time

We’ve covered numerous statistics that are depressing. Now that you know what dangers to watch out for, let’s look at more uplifting data — EMS response times in Alabama.

After all, you want to feel confident that help will arrive shortly!

Location of IncidentTime of Crash to EMS NotificationEMS Notification to EMS ArrivalEMS Arrival at Scene to Hospital ArrivalTime of Crash to Hospital ArrivalTotal Fatalities in Crashes
Rural9.45 min13.32 min35.28 min56.82 min715
Urban6.25 min6.83 min27.03 min39.50 min264

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In Alabama, it takes the EMS under an hour to reach the hospital in both rural and urban settings! These EMS response times are great, seeing as you will be at the hospital in under an hour from the time of your call.

Transportation

In today’s busy world, there is always somewhere to be! From work to dinner with friends, driving is by far the most common means of transportation.

To drive, you’ll need a car. Most Alabama residents have more than one, though. Ownership of two to three cars is the norm, which is a lot of cars!

Alabama car ownership chart

In the U.S. the average commute time is 25.3 minutes. Alabama’s commute is slightly less, which is good news for Alabama drivers. A few minutes saved each day may not seem like much, but if you had a long drive before you’ll quickly appreciate those few extra minutes.

Alabama commute time

We have also included the most common methods of transportation. As expected, the most common method is driving alone, followed by carpooling.

Alabama commuter type

Congratulations, you did it! You’ve reached the end of this comprehensive guide and are now prepared to hit the streets of Alabama! Start comparison shopping today by entering your zip code below in our FREE online tool below!

Before making any final decisions on your insurance company, it is important to learn as much as you can about your local insurance providers, and the coverages they offer. Call your local insurance agent to clear up any questions that you might have. Questions to consider asking include, “What is the best coverage plan for me/my family/my situation?” “What are the minimum coverage requirements in my state and what form of coverage do you recommend?” “Do you guys offer any bundle discounts if I take out both my auto insurance and home insurance with you?” and “What is the average rate of insurance quotes you guys offer?”

Before making any big insurance decisions, use our free tool to compare insurance quotes near you. It’s simple, just plug in your zip code and we’ll do the rest!

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