As is true in almost every state in the Union, Alabama requires each of its drivers to purchase automobile insurance. Failure to purchase insurance - and then driving on a public roadway - can result in fines and fees and wasted time that, ultimately, is more than if you had simply found and purchased cheap automobile insurance in the first place.
So how do you get the best rates on automobile insurance in Alabama? The answer is surprisingly simple.
Start with your own driving record. If you want the best rates on automobile insurance then you are going to have to drive legally and safely - all the time. If you earn even one speeding ticket or other moving violation then you can't expect to get the best rates on automobile insurance.
If you are stupid enough and irresponsible enough to drive when drunk or when impaired and you are convicted of a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) then it will be years - usually a minimum of 3 years - before you will be offered automobile insurance at anything approaching an affordable rate.
Getting the best rates on automobile insurance begins with your choice of car. In the eyes of your insurance company not all cars are created equal. Some cars cost a lot more to insure than others. If you're really serious about paying the least amount of money possible for your insurance then begin by asking your agent for a list of the least-expensive cars to insure.
If you can keep your car in a garage at night then you will save money on your insurance.
If you can use public transportation for as many of your "driving" needs as possible, you may be able to save quite a bit on your insurance. If you can keep your average driving down to less than 500 miles a month you could qualify for a Low Mileage Discount on your monthly premium.
If you have recently stopped working and you are no longer driving back and forth to work everyday then you will also save money on your insurance. Let your agent know about any change in your routine driving habits.
Adding simple anti-theft features to your car can save you some serious money. Ask your agent how much you could save if you simply purchase (and regularly use) a simple steering wheel locking device. There is also a relatively simple electronic device that shuts off your fuel pump unless you punch in a secret code or press a hidden button. Such devices are inexpensive and relatively easy-to-install yourself. Talk to your agent and see what your monthly savings could be.
Check around at work as well as with any clubs, groups or associations you might belong to and see if any of them offer a group discount rate on automobile insurance. You'd be surprised at how common this is becoming.
If you are 25 years old or younger stay in school and get good grades. If you can manage to maintain at least a "B" average then you could save 5% each month with your Good Student Discount.
If you are 55 or older ask if you qualify to take a special driver's refresher course. Not every company offers this discount, but if you qualify and you pass the course it can save you a cool 10% per month on your insurance premiums.
And then there's your deductible. The bigger your deductible the smaller your monthly automobile insurance premium will be. Of course, you need to exercise caution when increasing your deductible because if you ever have a claim you will have to come up with your deductible in cash. Don't promise to pay more than you can actually afford.
Now it's time for you to go online and find 3 different websites that permit you to make quick and easy comparisons of auto insurance prices among different insurance companies. Using everything you have learned from this article carefully enter the exact same information onto the form on at least 3 different comparison websites.
Now simply pick the company that offers the best price for the insurance you want. That's it. You're done. You've done your homework and you've compared prices and now you've got the best rates on automobile insurance in Alabama and you'll be saving money every single month for a long time to come. Congratulations!
Like all but a tiny handful of states, Arkansas requires every person who drives a motorized vehicle on Arkansas roads to purchase automobile insurance. In Arkansas the minimum liability insurance that a driver must carry is $25,000 bodily injury per person with $50,000 per accident plus an additional $25,000 in property insurance.
If you own a newer vehicle, or a very expensive model, and your vehicle is financed, your lender may require that you carry more than the state-required minimum coverage.
Arkansas also has a system in place to keep track of every single registered vehicle in the state of Arkansas ? the moment any vehicle becomes uninsured, the state of Arkansas has the ability to revoke that vehicle's registration, rendering that vehicle illegal to drive.
In other words, Arkansas is serious about drivers purchasing automobile insurance, and since you have to purchase automobile insurance in order to drive on public roads, it just makes sense to search around in order to get the best rates on automobile insurance here in Arkansas.
But before you jump online and start looking for great automobile insurance rates there are a few simple steps you can take that will insure that you are able to get the great rates you need.
Start by driving safely and legally. In other words, speeding tickets and other moving violations are going to shoot your automobile insurance premiums sky high. And if you are convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) you can forget finding great rates on your automobile insurance for a minimum of three years.
Younger drivers are considered a bad risk and so their insurance premiums are traditionally higher than most other driver's rates. However, if you are under 25 and still in school, and you can maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average then you can qualify for a Good Student Discount on your insurance and save anywhere from 5% to 15% each and every month.
Older drivers can get a break as well. If you're 55 or older you may be able to take a special driver's refresher course and save as much as 10% on your monthly premium. Not all insurance companies offer this discount, so check with your agent.
If you only drive a few miles each week, talk to your agent about a Low Mileage Discount ? there's no point paying for automobile insurance when your car's just sitting in the garage.
And speaking of garages, if you have a garage that you can keep your car in at night you may qualify for an additional discount.
Is your car an older model? If your car no longer has any Kelly Blue Book value you may want to discontinue paying for comprehensive and collision insurance since your insurance company won't pay off on those coverages anyway.
And before you buy that brand new expensive muscle car be sure to check with your agent regarding just how much it's going to cost you in insurance premiums each month. When it comes to how much your insurance is going to cost, not all cars are created equal ? some cost a lot more to insure than others.
How much of a deductible can you afford? The more you can afford to pay out of your own pocket any time you have a claim ? and so the less your insurance company is going to pay ? the less your insurance company will charge you each month for the coverage.
O.K., now it's time to get online and check out the prices of automobile insurance policies offered by different insurance companies. Remember, no one website compares all of the different insurance companies, so if you really want the very best rates on automobile insurance that you can possibly find in Arkansas, you are going to have to spend a little extra time and make comparisons on at least 3 different sites.
The extra time you take will be well repaid in savings on your automobile insurance premium that will add up month after month.
Both Alexis Jensen & Larry Nez are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.