5+ years of finance writing experience
Certificate of financial planning from Boston University
Erin is a personal finance writer and journalist with work featured in major publications. Her writing explores investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more.
Featured in
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.
Updated October 30, 2024
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Table of contents
Located in the heart of West Alabama, the historic city of Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama. With about 38,000 students enrolled, it’s not surprising that Tuscaloosa residents pay slightly higher car insurance rates than the Alabama average.[1]
Drivers in Tuscaloosa pay an average of $173 per month for full-coverage auto insurance, and $64 for liability-only coverage. Those rates are in line with the state averages of $156 and $60, respectively.
Comparing car insurance quotes from multiple companies could help Tuscaloosa drivers find even cheaper rates. Here's what to know about car insurance in Tuscaloosa.
Auto-Owners, State Farm, and USAA are the cheapest car insurance companies for Tuscaloosa drivers.
Tuscaloosa is the fifth-largest city in Alabama, with a population of around 100,000. A city’s population size and density can affect how much its residents pay for car insurance.
Tuscaloosa county had more than 7,500 traffic accidents in 2022, the latest data available from the Alabama Department of Transportation.[2]
Best car insurance companies in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa drivers have no shortage of affordable and highly rated auto insurance companies to choose from. When identifying the best insurance companies in Tuscaloosa, Insurify specifically looked for insurers that offered excellent coverage at an affordable rate, as well as at factors such as customer satisfaction, claims processes, Insurify Quality (IQ) scores, and more.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Best For ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|---|
State Farm | 9.3 | $71 | $37 | Overall |
USAA | 9.4 | $71 | $37 | Military community |
GEICO | 9.0 | $106 | $55 | Discounts |
Best insurer overall: State Farm
User Reviews | 3.2 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $40/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $75/mo |
State Farm offers some of the cheapest insurance rates in Alabama. It also has the highest possible financial strength rating from AM Best. State Farm has a solid reputation — it’s the largest auto insurer in the country and has one of the best customer satisfaction rankings in the Southeast region, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.
More than 100 years in the insurance business
Superior financial strength rating from A.M. Best
Gap insurance not available
Fewer discounts than some competitors
Good
Friendly agents!
I also have my homeowners insurance with them. I had a fire in my hot water heater and a year later, someone stayed in my house while I was gone for 2 months. I came home to a floating kitchen floor. After these incidents, StateFarm cancelled my policy.
Best insurer for military members: USAA
User Reviews | 3.6 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.4/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $40/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $74/mo |
If you or your immediate family member are a military service member or veteran, you’re eligible to get insurance coverage through USAA, which is a full-service financial institution for military families. USAA offers some of the cheapest insurance premiums for Tuscaloosa drivers. It also offers other insurance products, including life insurance and homeowners insurance. Additionally, the company offers a SafePilot program that can save members up to 30% on their insurance premiums.
SafePilot program rewards safe driving
Access to other services and member perks
Only available to veterans and service members
No 24/7 live customer support
Excellent
Significant Increase in Policy Payment
My Opinion
Best insurer for discounts: GEICO
User Reviews | 3.1 |
---|---|
IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.0/10 |
Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $60/mo |
Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $110/mo |
GEICO doesn’t have the cheapest insurance premiums in Tuscaloosa, but it does offer drivers many ways to save. GEICO has an impressive lineup of discounts that includes standard discount options, plus a military discount, a discount for federal employees, a discount for daytime running lights, and more.
Large number of available discounts
Robust digital tools
Higher premiums than some insurers
Rideshare and gap insurance not available
Excellent
It's Expensive
Unpleasant Experience on Cape Cod
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Tuscaloosa
Alabama drivers already enjoy insurance premiums that are lower than the national average, but you have ways to save even more money on car insurance.
One of the most important ways to save money on insurance is to shop around. Insurance premiums can vary significantly from one insurer to the next, even for the same driver. Similarly, the cheapest company for one person may not be the cheapest for another. An insurance-comparison website can help you shop for rates from multiple insurers at once.
Other ways to save money on insurance include:[3]
Bundle your auto insurance with your home insurance or renters insurance.
Take advantage of the discounts insurers offer. Talk to your insurance agent to see what discounts you might be eligible for.
Improve your credit.
Choose a vehicle with high safety ratings.
Reduce your insurance coverage limits.
Raise your comprehensive and collision insurance deductible.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Tuscaloosa: Auto-Owners
Liability car insurance is the cheapest type of policy you can buy. When you buy this type of auto insurance policy, you’ll only have two coverages: bodily injury liability and property damage liability. These coverages will pay for injuries to others or damage to other people’s property when you’re at fault for an accident. However, liability insurance won’t cover any of your injuries or damage to your vehicle, so it works best for drivers with older, less-expensive vehicles that aren't financed or leased..
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Auto-Owners | $40 |
State Farm | $40 |
USAA | $40 |
Allstate | $43 |
COUNTRY Financial | $44 |
Travelers | $55 |
National General | $58 |
GEICO | $60 |
Direct Auto | $62 |
Nationwide | $68 |
Progressive | $72 |
Farmers | $74 |
Safeco | $80 |
AssuranceAmerica | $82 |
Clearcover | $83 |
Foremost | $94 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $95 |
GAINSCO | $121 |
Liberty Mutual | $125 |
Bristol West | $129 |
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Tuscaloosa: Auto-Owners
If you want more coverage than liability insurance can provide, you probably want full-coverage insurance. A full-coverage policy is more expensive than a liability-only one, but it includes coverages like collision and comprehensive, which pay for damage to your own vehicle. Full coverage can also include uninsured motorist coverage, medical payments, and more.
If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or leasing company will require you to purchase full coverage car insurance.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Quote ▲▼ |
---|---|
Auto-Owners | $74 |
USAA | $74 |
State Farm | $75 |
Allstate | $80 |
COUNTRY Financial | $82 |
Travelers | $101 |
GEICO | $110 |
Nationwide | $127 |
Safeco | $132 |
National General | $134 |
Progressive | $135 |
Farmers | $136 |
Clearcover | $142 |
AssuranceAmerica | $148 |
Direct Auto | $153 |
Midvale Home & Auto | $163 |
Liberty Mutual | $214 |
Foremost | $236 |
GAINSCO | $260 |
Bristol West | $312 |
Cheapest recent rates near Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Drivers in and around Tuscaloosa, Alabama have found policies from GAINSCO, First Acceptance, Farmers, and more, through Insurify in the last few days.
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Tuscaloosa, Alabama within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
*Quotes generated for Insurify users in and around Tuscaloosa, Alabama within the last 10 days. Last updated on October 30, 2024
Car insurance requirements in Alabama
Nearly every state, including Alabama, requires drivers to have a certain amount of liability insurance. Under Alabama law, the driver who’s at fault for an accident is also financially responsible for any damages, both to people and property.
Alabama drivers must have the following auto insurance coverage:[4]
Coverage ▲▼ | Minimum Requirements ▲▼ |
---|---|
Bodily injury liability |
|
Property damage liability |
|
In addition to the insurance coverages Alabama drivers are required to have, many types of optional insurance coverage are also available, including:
Comprehensive
This covers damage that doesn’t result from a car accident, such as theft and weather-related events.
Collision
This pays for damages to your car if you collide with another car or object, even if you’re at fault.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist
If you’re in an accident with someone who has no insurance, or who doesn’t have enough insurance, this will help cover the costs.
Medical payments (MedPay)
This optional add-on can help pay for medical expenses, funeral expenses, and more for you and your passengers if you’re injured in an accident, even if you’re at fault.
Gap insurance
If you total your car but still owe money on it, gap insurance will cover the difference between your outstanding loan balance and what insurance pays you for your car.
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance generally covers towing, jump-starts, flat-tire changes, and more, though exact coverage varies by insurer.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Your driving history is an important factor insurance companies consider when setting rates. Having a clean driving history can help you get lower insurance premiums. On the other hand, any incidents on your driving record, including speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, driving under the influence, and more, can increase your rates.
The amount your rates will increase depends on the severity of the incident and any previous violations on your driving record.
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket: State Farm
If you’re caught speeding, your insurance premiums will increase. The number of tickets you have and how much over the speed limit you were driving will both affect how much your rates increase. You can expect a ticket to affect your rates for anywhere from three to five years, but its effect may lessen over time.
Tuscaloosa drivers with speeding tickets pay, on average, 273 per month for full-coverage car insurance and $101 for liability-only policies. The following table shows monthly liability quotes for Tuscaloosa drivers with speeding tickets.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With Ticket ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $40 | $56 |
State Farm | $40 | $55 |
USAA | $40 | $55 |
Allstate | $43 | $59 |
COUNTRY Financial | $44 | $62 |
Travelers | $55 | $76 |
National General | $58 | $80 |
GEICO | $60 | $83 |
Direct Auto | $62 | $85 |
Nationwide | $68 | $95 |
Progressive | $72 | $99 |
Farmers | $74 | $102 |
Safeco | $80 | $112 |
AssuranceAmerica | $82 | $114 |
Clearcover | $83 | $116 |
Foremost | $94 | $140 |
GAINSCO | $121 | $180 |
Liberty Mutual | $125 | $186 |
Bristol West | $129 | $178 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident: State Farm
If you’re involved in a car accident, your insurance premiums may increase, especially if you caused the accident. A more expensive accident may have a greater effect on your premiums. However, you could even see your insurance premiums increase after an accident where someone else was at fault.
An accident pushes average full-coverage car insurance rates to $282 per month for Tuscaloosa drivers. Liability-only policies average $104 per month with an at-fault accident.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | With Accident ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $40 | $58 |
State Farm | $40 | $57 |
USAA | $40 | $58 |
Allstate | $43 | $62 |
COUNTRY Financial | $44 | $66 |
Travelers | $55 | $80 |
National General | $58 | $84 |
GEICO | $60 | $87 |
Direct Auto | $62 | $91 |
Nationwide | $68 | $99 |
Progressive | $72 | $105 |
Farmers | $74 | $107 |
Safeco | $80 | $113 |
AssuranceAmerica | $82 | $118 |
Clearcover | $83 | $128 |
Foremost | $94 | $145 |
GAINSCO | $121 | $168 |
Liberty Mutual | $125 | $193 |
Bristol West | $129 | $185 |
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI: State Farm
Certain driving offenses have a greater effect on your insurance premiums because of their severity. Driving under the influence generally comes with a larger rate increase than many other violations. Some insurers may deny you coverage altogether. It’s worth noting that if you’re convicted of a DUI in Alabama, you’ll also have your license suspended and could face fines and jail time.[5]
Tuscaloosa drivers with DUI convictions see average car insurance rates of $317 per month for full coverage and $117 for liability only.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Clean Record ▲▼ | Has DUI ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $40 | $70 |
State Farm | $40 | $70 |
USAA | $40 | $70 |
Allstate | $43 | $75 |
COUNTRY Financial | $44 | $77 |
Travelers | $55 | $96 |
National General | $58 | $101 |
GEICO | $60 | $104 |
Direct Auto | $62 | $108 |
Nationwide | $68 | $118 |
Progressive | $72 | $125 |
Farmers | $74 | $129 |
Safeco | $80 | $139 |
AssuranceAmerica | $82 | $143 |
Clearcover | $83 | $145 |
Foremost | $94 | $164 |
GAINSCO | $121 | $211 |
Liberty Mutual | $125 | $218 |
Bristol West | $129 | $225 |
Cheapest car insurance for seniors: Auto-Owners
Car insurance rates tend to fall as a driver ages, but then they begin to increase again slightly once a driver reaches their 70s, as their risk of an accident increases.[6] To lower insurance rates, seniors can look into pay-per-mile insurance or take a defensive driving course to score a discount.
The average cost of car insurance for senior drivers in Tuscaloosa is $130 per month for full coverage and $48 for liability only. The following table shows monthly quotes from some top insurers for Tuscaloosa seniors.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Auto-Owners | $30 | $55 |
State Farm | $30 | $55 |
USAA | $30 | $56 |
Allstate | $33 | $61 |
COUNTRY Financial | $33 | $62 |
Travelers | $41 | $75 |
National General | $42 | $98 |
Direct Auto | $46 | $114 |
GEICO | $46 | $84 |
Nationwide | $48 | $90 |
Progressive | $49 | $92 |
Farmers | $55 | $101 |
AssuranceAmerica | $59 | $106 |
Safeco | $64 | $106 |
Clearcover | $66 | $113 |
Foremost | $71 | $178 |
GAINSCO | $97 | $208 |
Bristol West | $98 | $238 |
Liberty Mutual | $100 | $170 |
Cheapest car insurance for teens: COUNTRY Financial
Teens and young drivers pay more for car insurance than any other age group, as they’re at the highest risk of getting into an accident. Teen drivers — especially males — tend to engage in more high-risk driving activities, including distracted driving, speeding, driving without a seat belt, and more. The increased risk results in significantly higher insurance premiums.[7]
Teens can stay on their parents’ insurance policy, complete an approved driver education course, and look into good student discounts to bring down their car insurance costs. Tuscaloosa teens with their own car insurance policies see average monthly rates of $323 for full coverage and $119 for minimum coverage.
Insurance Company ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
COUNTRY Financial | $67 | $124 |
USAA | $69 | $128 |
Auto-Owners | $70 | $130 |
State Farm | $71 | $132 |
Allstate | $79 | $146 |
GEICO | $99 | $181 |
Travelers | $103 | $188 |
Direct Auto | $117 | $288 |
National General | $118 | $272 |
Nationwide | $122 | $227 |
Progressive | $133 | $249 |
Farmers | $134 | $246 |
AssuranceAmerica | $156 | $282 |
Clearcover | $164 | $281 |
Safeco | $165 | $272 |
Foremost | $173 | $434 |
GAINSCO | $218 | $469 |
Bristol West | $226 | $546 |
Liberty Mutual | $229 | $392 |
Tuscaloosa car insurance quotes by credit tier
Your credit history is another factor that insurance companies use to help set premiums. The better your credit, the better your insurance rates are likely to be. On the other hand, poor credit is likely to land you higher rates.
Some states have prohibited insurers from using credit as a determining factor for car insurance, but Alabama isn’t one of these states.
Rates by Credit Tier
Is car insurance more expensive in Tuscaloosa?
Tuscaloosa's car insurance costs are comparable to Alabama state average costs, but lower than national averages. The average cost of full-coverage car insurance in Tuscaloosa is $173 per month, while liability-only policies average $64. That's less than the national averages of $211 and $104, respectively.
Rates vary by city based on several factors, including crime rate, ZIP code, the number of car accidents, the percentage of uninsured drivers, and more.
More cities in Alabama
Insurance rates vary across the state of Alabama. Factors like population density, local weather patterns, accident rates, and rates of vehicle theft all affect the cost of car insurance in different cities. The following table illustrates average monthly car insurance rates in some other Alabama cities.
City ▲▼ | Full Coverage ▲▼ | Liability Only ▲▼ |
---|---|---|
Birmingham | $185 | $69 |
Huntsville | $147 | $64 |
Madison | $170 | $61 |
Mobile | $186 | $71 |
Montgomery | $185 | $69 |
Tuscaloosa car insurance FAQs
Before buying car insurance in Tuscaloosa, read the answers to these frequently asked questions.
How much is car insurance in Tuscaloosa?
Car insurance in Tuscaloosa averages $173 per month for full coverage and $64 for liability-only policies. Your actual rates may be higher or lower than your city's averages based on factors that are individual to you, such as your age, gender, and driving history.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Tuscaloosa?
Auto-Owners is the cheapest car insurance company for Tuscaloosa drivers, with liability-only policies as low as $40 per month. Tuscaloosa drivers can also find affordable coverage with the city's second- and third-cheapest insurers, State Farm and USAA which have liability rates starting at $40 and $40, respectively.
What are the best car insurance companies in Tuscaloosa?
State Farm is one of the best overall car insurance companies in Tuscaloosa because of its affordable rates and highly rated customer satisfaction. Other top insurers include USAA and GEICO. However, the best insurer for you may be different based on your coverage needs, your budget, and other factors.
Is it illegal to drive without insurance in Alabama?
Yes. It’s illegal to drive without insurance in Alabama. A driver caught without insurance can expect to pay a fine of up to $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for a second or subsequent offense.[8]
What is the minimum car insurance requirement in Alabama?
Alabama drivers are required to have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage, as well as $50,000 per accident of property damage liability coverage.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Related articles
More cities in Alabama
Sources
- University of Alabama. "Quick Facts."
- Alabama Department of Transportation. "2022 Crash Facts."
- Insurance Information Institute. "How to save money on car insurance."
- Alabama Department of Insurance. "Automobile Insurance FAQs."
- Nolo. "Alabama's DUI Laws and the Penalties for a Conviction."
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Older drivers."
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Teen Drivers and Passengers: Get the Facts."
- Alabama Department of Revenue. "Mandatory Liability Insurance Law."
Erin Gobler is a personal finance writer and journalist based in Madison, Wisconsin. With more than five years of experience, Erin has covered topics such as investing, credit cards, mortgages, insurance, and more. Her work has been featured in major publications like Business Insider, Fox Business, and Time. Erin received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2013, studying journalism and political science. She also received a certificate of financial planning from Boston University in 2022.
7+ years in content creation and management
5+ years in insurance and personal finance content
Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.
Featured in
30+ years in financial services
Clinical Professor of Finance, University of San Diego
Dan is a well-recognized and widely quoted financial services expert, regularly appearing in a variety of national and local media as a subject matter expert.