Alabama, the beautiful “Heart of Dixie”, holds treasures of all kinds. From Tennessee River canyons in the north to the white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico in the south, this state has something to offer every traveler. Famous for its southern hospitality, Alabama boasts historical museums, space exploration facilities, fine dining, world famous BBQ and a rich music scene. Taking a road trip through America’s “Yellowhammer State” can be an unforgettable adventure. And now, CheapCarInsurance.com has taken time to put together this information-packed list to help you be better protected in your travels.
What is the Average Cost of Auto Insurance in Alabama?
- In Alabama state minimum liability costs around $67 a month or $805 a year. A full coverage costs around $240 a month or $2,874 a year.
CheapCarInsurance costs are pulled from real auto policy quotes in Alabama – for a used vehicle driver who is single, middle aged & has a clean driving record.
Here is a list of the average auto insurance costs for popular cities in Alabama:
| Alabama City: | State Minimum Liability: | SM Monthly: | Full Coverage: | FC Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $660 | $55 | $2,377 | $198 |
| Birmingham | $805 | $67 | $2,874 | $240 |
| Decatur | $646 | $54 | $2,375 | $198 |
| Dothan | $672 | $56 | $2,327 | $194 |
| Florence | $652 | $54 | $2,346 | $196 |
| Gadsden | $723 | $60 | $2,607 | $217 |
| Hoover | $796 | $66 | $2,668 | $222 |
| Huntsville | $726 | $60 | $2,472 | $206 |
| Madison | $711 | $59 | $2,432 | $203 |
| Mobile | $788 | $66 | $2,789 | $232 |
Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Alabama
- In Alabama on average the cheapest auto insurance providers are Progressive, USAA and GEICO. State minimum liability car insurance starts at $38 a month or $457 a year. Full coverage car insurance costs around $139 a month or $1,673 a year with Progressive.
| Insurance Provider: | State Minimum: | Monthly: | Full Coverage: | Monthly: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progressive | $457 | $38 | $1,673 | $139 |
| USAA | $535 | $45 | $2,176 | $181 |
| GEICO | $654 | $54 | $2,475 | $206 |
| Allstate | $721 | $60 | $2,450 | $204 |
| State Farm | $935 | $78 | $3,110 | $259 |
Alabama Car Insurance Costs by Vehicle Type
The average cost of your auto insurance in Alabama will depend on quite a few factors including your driving record, where you live in the state, and personal demographics such as age, gender and if you plan to bundle other insurance types. However, here is a good idea of what you can expect to pay in AL based on the type of vehicle you want to insure.
| Alabama | Average Annual Premium: | Min | Max | Monthly Avg: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car | $1,908 | $1,644 | $2,360 | $159 |
| SUV | $1,859 | $1,606 | $2,283 | $155 |
| EV / Electric | $2,122 | $1,834 | $2,609 | $177 |
| Luxury | $2,714 | $2,355 | $3,281 | $226 |
| Truck | $2,268 | $1,969 | $2,787 | $189 |
How Does Age Affect Insurance Costs?
As mentioned your age will also affect your overall premium costs for your auto insurance policy. Based off of data, insurance providers will usually charge more for new teen drivers. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference in costs will be as well as the age bracket that it changes over time. Here is a breakdown of the average costs in AL for car insurance based on your age:
| Auto Insurance Costs by Age: | Male | Female | Average Monthly Payment: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age: 16 - 20 | $4,122 | $3,763 | $329 |
| Age: 21 - 30 | $2,091 | $2,021 | $171 |
| Age: 30 - 40 | $1,679 | $1,712 | $141 |
| Age: 40 - 50 | $1,620 | $1,644 | $136 |
| Age: 50 - 64 | $1,597 | $1,591 | $133 |
| Age: 65+ | $2,035 | $1,896 | $164 |
Average Auto Premium Costs by City for Used Vehicles
Your location can affect your average car insurance costs. If you drive a used vehicle here is the average cost you can expect to pay based on your specific city in AL.
| AL City: | Avg. Annual Premium: | Avg. Monthly Costs: | Luxury | EV / Electric | SUV | Truck | Car /Sedan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | $1,978 | $165 | $2,469 | $1,927 | $1,696 | $2,062 | $1,734 |
| Adamsville | $2,490 | $208 | $3,064 | $2,439 | $2,139 | $2,605 | $2,205 |
| Adger | $2,337 | $195 | $2,877 | $2,290 | $2,006 | $2,449 | $2,066 |
| Akron | $2,194 | $183 | $2,809 | $2,126 | $1,856 | $2,278 | $1,903 |
| Alabaster | $2,298 | $192 | $2,799 | $2,266 | $1,980 | $2,407 | $2,040 |
| Albertville | $2,159 | $180 | $2,657 | $2,118 | $1,851 | $2,257 | $1,913 |
| Alexander City | $2,024 | $169 | $2,546 | $1,969 | $1,725 | $2,109 | $1,772 |
| Alexandria | $2,154 | $179 | $2,651 | $2,114 | $1,848 | $2,248 | $1,908 |
| Alpine | $2,170 | $181 | $2,718 | $2,120 | $1,850 | $2,264 | $1,900 |
| Andalusia | $1,951 | $163 | $2,515 | $1,882 | $1,643 | $2,026 | $1,686 |
| Anniston | $2,133 | $178 | $2,630 | $2,094 | $1,829 | $2,226 | $1,888 |
| Arab | $2,109 | $176 | $2,601 | $2,068 | $1,809 | $2,206 | $1,863 |
| Ardmore | $2,111 | $176 | $2,604 | $2,076 | $1,814 | $2,201 | $1,863 |
| Argo | $2,174 | $181 | $2,685 | $2,135 | $1,863 | $2,272 | $1,916 |
| Ariton | $1,930 | $161 | $2,412 | $1,880 | $1,656 | $2,012 | $1,692 |
| Arley | $2,188 | $182 | $2,798 | $2,124 | $1,847 | $2,280 | $1,892 |
How Much Does Car Insurance Cost for a New Vehicle?
If you have a newer vehicle, you may pay more because the costs to insure a newer vehicle is expensive. However, sometimes you will actually pay less because the safety features are so advanced compared to older model cars that you pay less because you are less likely to get in an accident. Here is a breakdown of costs for insuring newer vehicles based on the city you live in.
| AL City | Annual Premium | Avg. Monthly Costs | Luxury | EV / Electric | SUV | Truck | Car /Sedan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | $2,097 | $175 | $2,715 | $1,928 | $1,700 | $2,251 | $1,889 |
| Adamsville | $2,631 | $219 | $3,365 | $2,446 | $2,139 | $2,826 | $2,378 |
| Adger | $2,478 | $207 | $3,177 | $2,294 | $2,012 | $2,667 | $2,242 |
| Akron | $2,350 | $196 | $3,104 | $2,147 | $1,878 | $2,518 | $2,105 |
| Alabaster | $2,429 | $202 | $3,077 | $2,269 | $1,984 | $2,615 | $2,200 |
| Albertville | $2,293 | $191 | $2,933 | $2,126 | $1,865 | $2,465 | $2,077 |
| Alexander City | $2,154 | $179 | $2,805 | $1,977 | $1,738 | $2,309 | $1,940 |
| Alexandria | $2,285 | $190 | $2,924 | $2,119 | $1,856 | $2,454 | $2,069 |
| Alpine | $2,314 | $193 | $3,006 | $2,131 | $1,866 | $2,485 | $2,083 |
| Andalusia | $2,088 | $174 | $2,774 | $1,897 | $1,665 | $2,239 | $1,866 |
What is Minimum Auto Liability in Alabama?
- The Minimum Liability Insurance of Alabama policy states that liability coverage is required for all vehicles operated in Alabama.
- Liability Coverage minimums:
- $25,000 for death or bodily injury, per person.
- $50,000 for death or bodily injury, if multiple individuals are involved.
- $25,000 for property damage.
- Failure to insure a vehicle can result in a $500 fine for the first offense and a $1,000 fine for the second or subsequent offenses.
- Also, Alabama’s DMV makes it clear that if the vehicle is registered without insurance, fees can reach an additional $400 with a mandatory four-month registration suspension.
New Driver License Requirements
- The Alabama Department of Public Safety requires every driver who operates a vehicle on public roadways to be licensed.
- New drivers or residents with a license that has been expired for 3 years or more must pass the drivers examination. An out of state driver with a license not expired over one year may obtain an Alabama license without taking the road test.
- New drivers must be 16 years of age or older to obtain a regular Alabama drivers license.
- If under age 19, drivers must provide proof of secondary school graduation or current enrollment.
- Vision Screening. The vision test determines an applicant’s ability to clearly see, and if the applicant normally wears corrective lenses then the lenses should be worn for the test.
Failure to pass the test will result in a mandatory eye examination by an eye specialist to determine the need for corrective lenses. Either lenses will be issued and the applicant can report back to the screening administrator, or the exam will indicate no lenses are necessary and the applicant can take the remainder of the exam. - Written Test. The written test evaluates the applicant’s knowledge of the Alabama Driver License Manual. Upon successful completion of this test, a regular driver license applicant will receive his/her picture license in the mail within 30 days. An applicant for a learner’s license will be issued a restricted picture license upon completion of the exam.
A learners license may be obtained by applicants ages 15 and 16; however, multiple restrictions apply, including the mandatory presence of a licensed occupant 21 years of age or older. The “Y” restriction license is valid for four years, at which time an applicant 16 years of age or older may complete the road test to obtain a regular drivers license. - Road Test. The applicant must provide his/her own vehicle for the test, and the vehicle must be insured and registered. It must be in safe and proper working order and be adequately equipped. For a list of vehicle requirements for the road test, visit Alabama’s DPS website. A licensed driver must drive the vehicle to the test site, and, if the applicant fails, a licensed driver must be present to drive the vehicle away.
The road test evaluates the applicants ability to observe, to conrol the vehicle, to make a quick stop, to signal and turn, to backing, to knowledge of and obedience to traffic signs and signals and to make a successful three point turn. The test administrator may terminate the test and fail the applicant immediately if the applicant fails to obey a traffic law, refuses to cooperate with the administrator, is involved in an accident that the applicant could have avoided and/or the applicant makes any dangerous action. - Fees. Every applicant must provide a testing fee of $5.00 and a license fee of $23.50.
DUI & DWI Laws
- BAC limit: .08 Alabama DPS has instituted mandatory imprisonment/community service for any and all subsequent DUI/DWI violations. Following are the violations pertinent to each offense:
- First Offense:
- Minimum $500 and maximum $2,000 fine. Also, an additional $100 fine for the Impaired Drivers Trust Fund (IDTF) is required. (The IDTF fee applies in every subsequent offense as well.)
- Mandatory 90 day license suspension along with completion of DUI school.
- Possible imprisonment up to one year.
- Second Offense:
- Minimum $1,000 and maximum $5,000 fine.
- Minimum 20 days community service with up to 1 year of imprisonment possible.
- 1 year license suspension.
- Third Offense within 5 Years:
- Minimum $2,000 and maximum $10,000 fine.
- Minimum 60 days imprisonment without the possibility of suspension or probation. Maximum 1 year imprisonment.
- 3 year license suspension.
- Fourth or Subsequent Offenses within 5 Years – Class C Felony:
- Minimum $4,000 and maximum $10,000 fine.
- Minimum 1 year and maximum 10 years imprisonment.
- 5 year license suspension.
