Troy Car Insurance
Auto insurance is a fairly expensive product that you will have to purchase in Troy, Alabama if you own a vehicle that is registered in the state.
While it may not cost a substantial amount of money, most drivers in Alabama will agree that they pay too much for coverage that they do not even really want to use. If you are just moving to Troy or you are going to start car shopping for the first time, it is important to have a consumer guide that will help you educate yourself and make the best decisions.
This consumer guide to Troy car insurance will do more than just teach you about the mandatory liability insurance laws enforced in the state.
It will also teach you about supplemental coverage options, when they should be considered, and how they actually protect you.
Once you learn about coverages, you can move on to learning unbiased tips on how you can save your hard-earned money and find the lowest insurance rates in Alabama.
Read this valuable guide and you will be prepared to build the best car insurance plan that is value-priced with a Troy insurer that you can trust. Then, use our FREE comparison tool above to find affordable rates for car insurance!
What are the auto insurance laws in Troy?
Every state has their own insurance laws. The reason that there are different coverage requirements that can differ so significantly is because some states operate under a tort system and others will operate under a no-fault system.
Alabama operates under a tort system, which states that everyone who owns a vehicle and operates that vehicle is legally liable to cover the financial damages that they cause. To be found liable in an accident, you must be at least 51% at fault after the loss as has been investigated.
Because there is a tort system in Alabama, there are mandatory liability insurance laws in place.
State officials in Alabama have set a minimum insurance requirement that says that you need to have Bodily Injury and Property Damage to ensure that you can pay for the damages that you cause. Here is a description of how the required coverages work and the limits that you must carry:
- Bodily Injury - In a tort-based state like Alabama, you must carry Bodily Injury (BI) to pay for the medical bills that are accrued after an accident if you were at fault and a third-party was injured. If you live in Troy, you need to carry no less than $25,000 for each individual, up to $50,000 for the entire accident
- Property Damage - Tort states also require you to carry a liability coverage called Property Damage (PD). This will pay if you damage property that someone else owns or that is owned by the public. You can carry no less than $25,000 per accident
How much liability insurance is required?
You should always consider pricing the cost of higher liability limits, even if you are buying coverage on a limited budget.
Choosing higher limits could only cost the difference of a few dollars and could become that level of protection that you needed to keep you out of court one day.
If you choose low limits of liability, there is a possibility that one day you will cause severe damages that will lead to the loss of your home, your income and your other assets. Be sure you understand the risks of buying state minimum coverage before you feel safe and secure.
Most experts will recommend that drivers buy no less than $100,000 each person, $300,000 each accident and $100,000 for property damage. If your net worth is above average, your coverage limits should be as well.
Additional Coverage Types Available in Alabama
Now that you have learned about the requirements, it is important to learn about the supplemental coverage types that you can add on to your policy for added premiums.
Liability insurance will protect your assets when someone else suffers injuries or sustains damage, but what coverage is available to help you recover from the loss? While protection for you and your family is not required, it is always something to consider.
Here are the options and when you should consider selecting these add-ons.
- Medical Payments
In a tort-based state, determining fault can take time. As the claims adjusters are deciding who caused the accident, you may need to see the doctor. This can get expensive if you do not insurance or if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan.
Medical Payments coverage will pay for your medical bills and also for the medical bills of your family and passengers. The great thing about this coverage is that it does not matter who is at fault for the loss for the payments to be disbursed.
For anyone who wants to cover their deductible or to receive treatment without any hassles, medical payments is the answer.
- Uninsured Motorist
It has been estimated by the Insurance Research Council that 19.6% of drivers in Alabama have no insurance.
Based on the population in Troy, this means that there could be 3600 drivers in your city getting in their car without any liability coverage that will pay your bills if they hit you. Uninsured Motorist coverage will provide you with the protection that they are not.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) will pay for your medical bills and lost wages just like your liability pays to a third-party. For the coverage to kick in, the uninsured driver must have no insurance or little insurance. Your UM coverage can match up to the limits that you hold for Bodily Injury.
Everyone who drives on public roads has a need for this supplement.
- Comprehensive and Collision
Comprehensive and collision are physical damage coverage types that will pay to repair or replace your car if it is in a covered loss.
Comprehensive pays for losses caused by fire, theft and vandalism. Collision will pay to repair the car if it is damaged in a loss. You must pay a deductible for comprehensive losses or at-fault collision claims. If your car has value or is financed, you need both coverages.
- Rental Reimbursement
If you are in an at-fault accident, you have to pay for your replacement car on your own while your vehicle is being repaired. If you do not have an extra vehicle, you do not need the replacement car, but you will if you do not have an extra car.
Rental car pays a daily rate for a replacement car if it is not operable because of a loss.
How to Save Money on Car Insurance in Troy
Now that you know how coverage forms work and who needs each type of coverage, it is time to learn how you can save money without just electing to care a bare bones policy.
Saving money is not about just taking the minimum that you are offered. Instead, it is about being resourceful and understanding the product. Here are some tips on saving off of your premiums without rejecting coverage:
- Insure multiple vehicles with the same insurer for discounts
- Bundle other lines of insurance with the insurer for savings on each policy
- Lower your annual mileage for a cheaper rating
- Carpool or take public transportation for a pleasure rating
- Raise deductibles if you have a risky driving record
- Take driver education classes
- Take traffic school if you get a moving violation
- Choose a safe vehicle if you are shopping for a car
- Install an alarm to get anti-theft discounts
- Stay with the same insurer for loyalty discounts
Buying Troy car insurance does not have to be a chore that you cannot handle if you learn about the product. Now that you know what is available to you, you can be confident in what you build and what you buy.
The most effective way that you can save money on your Troy car insurance is to shop around. Every company has their own rates, and finding that perfect fit is key.
To find the perfect fit for car insurance, use our FREE online quote tool today!