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When you have a vehicle in Alabama, it is required by the state that you have at least the minimum required insurance that is mandated. You also must have proof of your insurance policy in the vehicle and must show it when required. Not having auto insurance in the state can open you up to fines and fees, and you may have your vehicle’s registration suspended. When you need an auto insurance policy, contact us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL to get started with a policy of your own. 

Liability Insurance in Alabama

Getting your auto insurance in the state requires that you have two types of liability coverage in the policy and three different minimum amounts of coverage. There is one minimum amount required for bodily injury liability for one person who has injuries after an accident that you caused. There is another amount required for all of those who have injuries after an accident that you are at fault for. There is another amount required for property damage liability to pay for the damage done to another person’s property in an accident that you are liable for. 

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury

This type of insurance is required to be presented as a part of the insurance policy, but it is possible for you to refuse this coverage and still keep legal insurance. However, it’s a good idea to keep this coverage in place so that you are protected in case of a driver who has no insurance or has too little insurance. With this coverage, you will also have better peace of mind in knowing that you are protected in case of accidents with those drivers. 

Get Auto Insurance in Alabama

When you have a vehicle in the state, you have to be covered. For a policy of your own, call us at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL.

When shopping for automobile insurance, you may find yourself really confused. There are many terms that you need to understand, so that you know exactly what your insurance covers (and what it doesn’t). Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL provides this guide in navigating auto insurance coverage. 

Here are some terms that you need to know:

Claim

If you are ever involved in a car accident, you are going to submit a claim to your insurance in order to get payment. 

Collision Insurance

This will cover expenses to fix your vehicle if you are involved in an accident. 

Comprehensive Insurance

This covers expenses that you may be facing for any reason, including storm damage and vandalism. 

Liability Insurance

The liability part of your insurance covers any medical bills that you may be facing if you hurt someone when you were in an accident. It can also help you pay legal fees. Some plans will even cover property damage. 

Deductible

The deductible is the amount of money that you will have to pay, before your insurance pays out. This could be as low as five hundred dollars, though you may have a pretty high deductible. Usually, the higher your deductible, the less you will pay monthly. You have to find a balance between monthly pay and what you could pay if something happens to your car. 

Contact Us Today

There are many terms that you need to know when shopping for insurance. You need to know the different types of insurance, such as liability, comprehensive, and collision. You also need to understand what a deductible is and what that means for your monthly costs. 

If you want to make sure that you are fully protected before you get behind the wheel, don’t hesitate to contact us today at Harris Insurance in Jasper, AL. 

Auto insurance is required. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have choices.

Minimum coverage is rarely sufficient. In Alabama, the state mandates only liability insurance. This law sets a baseline of $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and a total of $50,000 for any accident. This also includes another $25,000 in property damage protection per accident. This is commonly listed as "25/50/25" coverage. This means these thresholds are the maximum payout you would receive from your insurance provider. 

For this reason, Harris Insurance recommends upping your coverage. Serving Jasper, AL, the agency lists six options to add to expand your auto insurance to gain more protection.

Collision

This covers damage to your vehicle in the event you collide with an object or another vehicle.

Comprehensive

All other damage falls under comprehensive coverage. This includes theft, vandalism, falling objects, or weather-related damage.

Uninsured motorist

If you are involved in an accident with another driver who has inadequate or lapsed coverage, this kicks in. It may reimburse for damage, bodily injury, and any medical bills.

Medical payments

As the name implies, this coverage pays for medical expenses following an incident. This applies no matter who is at fault.

Roadside assistance

Avoid being stranded. Roadside assistance helps with towing costs, battery jumps, flat tires, and other costs incurred if your vehicle breaks down on the roadway.

Rental car reimbursement

Following an accident, your car may need repairs or replacement. These policies fill in that gap, reimbursing for rental car expenses while your primary vehicle is being fixed.

Contact an agent in Jasper, AL

Bare minimum coverage is never the best. In the event of an accident, too little protection can lead to crippling out-of-pocket costs. Harris Insurance can evaluate your needs and find the right auto insurance policy for you. Call today.

This is a common scenario. You are shopping for car insurance, and identify coverages that will protect you and your car optimally. But at the point of paying, you only settle for basic car insurance in the name of saving some bucks. But is this wise?

Purchasing basic auto insurance might seem like an excellent idea at first glance but may turn catastrophic when you are involved in a significant incidence. According to Harris Insurance of Jasper, AL, here is why basic car insurance isn’t always a good idea.

Required auto insurance in Alabama

Motorists in Alabama are required to include the below coverages in their auto insurance:

• Bodily injury liability: This insurance policy protects you when you cause an accident, inflicting bodily harm to third parties. The required minimum amount is $25,000 per accident and a minimum of $50,000 for accidents involving several victims.
• Property damage liability: It protects you when you are at fault for an accident that causes property damage to third parties. The minimum amount required is $25,000 per accident.

Now, should you settle with a car insurance policy that includes the above coverages, are you safe? Are the coverages sufficient to cover you in all facets of car ownership? The answer is no. At Harris Insurance, we usually advise our clients to increase coverage limits and consider other car insurance coverages.

Why basic car insurance is never enough

If you are settling for basic auto insurance, you need to upgrade because basic car insurance:

• Has insufficient coverage limits: The insurance limits of "50/25/25" won’t suffice when involved in a severe accident. Uncovered car accident expenses mean that your assets will be at stake.
• Covers third parties only: Basic car insurance doesn’t cover you and your car. That said, you need to consider comprehensive, collision, PIP, and other optional car insurance covers for optimal protection.

Are you looking to insure your vehicle beyond the minimum? If you are in Jasper, AL and its environs, please contact Harris Insurance for a well-rounded car insurance policy.