Birmingham, AL Auto Insurance: Cheap Car Insurance in Birmingham, Alabama

Cheap car insurance rates in Birmingham, Alabama are on average $360/mo. Birmingham, AL companies USAA and Geico have low-cost auto insurance at rates of $140/mo and $180/mo. Our comprehensive guide will help you secure the best Birmingham, AL auto insurance rates.

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Ty Stewart

Licensed Insurance Agent

Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as an insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications.  As an independent licensed insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simpl...

Licensed Insurance Agent

Brandon Frady

Licensed Insurance Agent

Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...

Licensed Insurance Agent

UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023

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A brief overview...

  • Birmingham residents pay $359.78 a month on average for auto insurance, but low-cost car insurance is available from some companies.
  • Women aged 60 receive the lowest average rates in the city.
  • Bundling and discounts can help you save even more on auto insurance.

Are you looking for low-cost auto insurance in Birmingham, AL? Residents of Birmingham need auto insurance that meets the Alabama car insurance requirements and state laws.  Doing all that research is time-consuming, but we can help.

Our comprehensive guide will help you secure the best Birmingham, AL auto insurance rates. We’ll cover the cheapest Birmingham, Alabama, auto insurance companies and show you sample rates, and cover the factors that affect those rates.

Start comparing cheap auto insurance in Birmingham, AL right now by entering your ZIP code into our FREE tool above

Auto Insurance Rates in Birmingham, AL

How much is auto insurance in Birmingham? On average, residents pay $359.78 a month or $4,317.41 annually. That’s much higher than the average Alabama auto insurance rate.

So how much is car insurance in Alabama per month overall? The average rates are $68/month. Why is Birmingham so expensive? Let’s look at the factors.

To get the best auto insurance rates in Birmingham, we have to know what insurance companies look for when creating your rates. For one thing, companies will change your rates for auto insurance by age and gender, but those are not the only demographics companies care about.

Companies will also change your rates for auto insurance by ZIP code, commute length, credit history, and driving record.

Ready to get affordable automobile insurance in Birmingham, Alabama? Keep reading and we’ll help you secure the best auto insurance rates in Birmingham.

Does gender and age affect my auto insurance in Birmingham, AL?

It’s common for companies to determine auto insurance rates by gender and age.  Statistically speaking, young and inexperienced drivers are the most likely to get into an accident.

Older drivers get charged lower monthly rates because the insurance company or Birmingham, AL car insurance agencies is not taking on a huge financial risk by insuring them.

According to DataUSA, the average age in Birmingham is 36. See how much people your age are paying on average for auto insurance in Birmingham, AL in the table below.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Age
Age of DriverAverage Auto Insurance Rate
60-years old$2,185.10
35-years old$2,404.85
25-years old$2,765.86
17-years old$9,405.14

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Teenagers by far pay the most for auto insurance in Birmingham. As you age, you’ll see more savings in your premiums. The following graph compares monthly auto insurance quotes in Birmingham, AL for teenagers versus 34-year-old drivers.

Birmingham, AL Auto Insurance Rate Comparison by Age Legend: 34 Year Old 17 Year Old Farmers State Farm Allstate ALFA Nationwide 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 $31 $233 $43 $102 $45 $194 $32 $62 $41 $86

If you are a young teenage driver, try looking into good student discounts, as well as Drivers Ed and defensive driving courses. Gender has a lesser impact on your average auto insurance rates. See what we mean in the table below.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Gender
Gender of DriverAverage Auto Insurance Rates
Female$3,971.00
Male$4,190.23

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Our analysis of the data shows the difference in monthly premiums between male and female drivers to usually be between 2 and 3 percent.  Now let’s combine age and gender so you can get a clearer idea of what your individual quotes might be.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Age and Gender
DemographicsAverage Auto Insurance Rates
Married 60-year-old female$2,141.04
Married 60-year-old male$2,229.16
Married 35-year-old female$2,403.99
Married 35-year-old male$2,405.70
Single 25-year-old female$2,674.02
Single 25-year-old male$2,857.69
Single 17-year-old female$8,664.96
Single 17-year-old male$10,145.32
Average$4,190.23

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Who received the lowest average auto insurance rates by gender and age monthly? Women aged 60, followed by men of the same age.   When you turn 35, your gender barely matters for your average auto insurance rates. The monthly difference could literally be counted in pennies. 

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What ZIP codes have the cheapest auto insurance rates in Birmingham, AL?

Your auto insurance rates may differ depending on where you call home. Companies do determine rates for auto insurance by ZIP code. To determine your insurance by ZIP codes, reviews of crime rates and neighborhood density are performed.

In general, highly populated neighborhoods recieve the highest auto insurance rates by ZIP codes because more drivers on the road increases the likelihood of an accident.

The areas with the lowest insurance ZIP codes are usually less dense and have very low crime rates. Find your ZIP code in the table below to see if you’re saving money simply by your address.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by ZIP Code
ZIP CodeAverage Auto Insurance Rates
35226$4,042.19
35209$4,055.54
35213$4,078.14
35210$4,110.35
35222$4,217.41
35294$4,220.93
35233$4,254.74
35235$4,282.68
35212$4,299.18
35254$4,309.63
35205$4,311.26
35234$4,313.45
35203$4,324.46
35215$4,333.49
35221$4,352.97
35224$4,378.65
35211$4,399.33
35204$4,412.69
35206$4,412.92
35228$4,414.01
35217$4,418.31
35208$4,421.74
35249$4,422.26
35207$4,429.53
35214$4,494.03
35218$4,542.68

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The differences are stark. If you live in 35226, you pay $500 less per year for auto insurance than those who have a 35218 ZIP code. Remember, denser areas and places with higher crime rates are usually the cause for the higher rates.  Take a look at some monthly comparison quotes for auto insurance in Birmingham, AL and other nearby cities in the following graph.

Average Auto Insurance Rates in Alabama Legend: Tuscaloosa Montgomery Mobile Huntsville Birmingham Farmers State Farm Allstate ALFA Nationwide 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 $27 $30 $34 $25 $31 $33 $33 $36 $36 $43 $40 $39 $45 $41 $45 $29 $30 $31 $28 $32 $40 $43 $43 $39 $41

Fortunately, Birmingham residents pay less than most other major cities in Alabama.

Which companies have the best auto insurance rates in Birmingham, AL?

While it seems like men and teenagers pay the highest auto insurance rates by Birmingham standards, believe it or not, auto insurance companies look at even more demographics than just your age, gender, and ZIP code.

To truly secure lower auto insurance rates, you also have to pay attention to your commute length, credit history and driving record.

Companies weigh all of these factors in different ways. One group may charge more for people with longer commutes. Another company may not change rates at all no matter how long you drive. Keep in mind that some major companies may not be as active in your city, which means they’ll never give out the most competitive auto insurance quotes, regardless of your demographics.

Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates by Company

Let’s look at who has the cheapest auto insurance rates in Birmingham by company. Check out the following table.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Company
Age, Gender, & Marital StatusUSAATravelersNationwideAllstateGeicoFarmersProgressiveLiberty MutualState Farm
Married 60-year-old female$1,265.91$1,466.79$1,683.75$1,945.32$2,184.96$2,314.00$2,343.31$2,776.10$3,289.22
Married 60-year-old male$1,235.79$1,461.16$1,741.50$1,981.33$2,276.70$2,466.83$2,501.46$3,108.41$3,289.22
Married 35-year-old female$1,356.12$1,553.74$1,848.41$2,137.97$2,288.17$2,593.90$2,849.78$3,394.39$3,613.47
Married 35-year-old male$1,373.20$1,576.24$1,870.24$2,029.69$2,288.44$2,574.77$2,659.19$3,666.04$3,613.47
Single 25-year-old female$1,767.28$1,469.41$2,056.95$2,370.02$2,420.20$2,938.46$3,341.94$3,609.52$4,092.40
Single 25-year-old male$1,903.91$1,663.61$2,299.99$2,414.30$2,248.42$3,036.78$3,576.16$3,838.35$4,737.70
Single 17-year-old female$4,085.53$8,648.37$4,970.37$7,672.27$6,170.81$10,277.09$12,123.86$12,736.67$11,299.67
Single 17-year-old male$4,525.18$13,674.67$6,395.06$8,252.13$6,063.52$10,578.13$13,528.23$14,166.20$14,124.73
Average$2,189.12$3,939.25$2,858.28$3,600.38$3,242.65$4,597.50$5,365.49$5,911.96$6,007.49

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USAA auto insurance rates are very competitive, however, only active or retired military personnel and their families are eligible to use their services.

Don’t skip over Travelers insurance; while their rates for teenagers are unreasonable, they offer some of the best rates for drivers who are 25 and older.

If you have a teenager on your policy, Nationwide and Geico may be better options for you than Travelers.  The following graph shows monthly rates from different auto insurance agencies in Birmingham.

Average Birmingham, AL Monthly Auto Insurance Rates Legend: Birmingham Farmers State Farm Allstate ALFA Nationwide 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 $31 $43 $45 $32 $41

Keep in mind there are other factors to consider when searching for the best auto insurance in Birmingham, AL.

Look into the company’s customer service reviews. Find out if they’re available 24 hours a day if you need to file a claim during non-business hours.

These questions can help you determine what company truly is best for you and your circumstances.

Best Auto Insurance for Commute Rates

Some companies will charge you more if you have an extra-long commute. Fortunately, the average commute time in Birmingham is only 2p minutes, 5 minutes less than the national average. Wondering how to lower premiums? To insurance companies, a shorter commute means less of a chance of an accident. You guessed it — that means lower auto insurance premiums. What companies will charge you more for a long drive to work? Find out in the table below.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Commute
CompaniesAvearage Annual Rates for
10 Miles Commute
6,000 Annual Mileage
Avearage Annual Rates for
25 Miles Commute
12,000 Annual Mileage
Average Annual Rates
USAA$2,088.91$2,289.32$2,189.12
Nationwide$2,858.29$2,858.29$2,858.29
Geico$3,185.43$3,299.88$3,242.66
Allstate$3,600.38$3,600.38$3,600.38
Travelers$3,939.25$3,939.25$3,939.25
Farmers$4,597.49$4,597.49$4,597.49
Progressive$5,365.49$5,365.49$5,365.49
State Farm$5,861.03$6,153.94$6,007.49
Liberty Mutual$5,911.96$5,911.96$5,911.96

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USAA, Geico, and State Farm are the only companies who charge more for longer commutes. To avoid the extra charges, consider using Nationwide, Allstate, or Travelers.

Best Auto Insurance for Coverage Level Rates

You may consider purchasing higher coverage for your vehicle if you have a new car, especially if you’re financing or leasing it. See how much extra coverage may cost you in the table below.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Coverage
CompaniesAvearage Annual Rates for Low CoverageAvearage Annual Rates for Medium CoverageAvearage Annual Rates for High CoverageAverage Annual Rates
USAA$2,112.11$2,177.73$2,277.51$2,189.12
Nationwide$2,846.84$2,833.51$2,894.51$2,858.29
Geico$2,982.07$3,229.38$3,516.51$3,242.65
Allstate$3,461.38$3,593.53$3,746.23$3,600.38
Travelers$3,733.17$4,017.19$4,067.38$3,939.25
Farmers$4,314.91$4,530.54$4,947.03$4,597.49
Progressive$4,815.04$5,341.26$5,940.18$5,365.49
Liberty Mutual$5,628.59$5,882.78$6,224.51$5,911.96
State Farm$5,670.19$6,002.66$6,349.60$6,007.48

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Fortunately, you can opt for higher coverage and still receive low-cost auto insurance in Birmingham. High coverage through USAA and Nationwide are only around $100 more annually than low coverage.   The following graph compares monthly rates for basic coverage versus a more comprehensive auto insurance policy.

Basic vs. Comprehensive Monthly Auto Insurance Rates Legend: Basic Coverage Comprehensive Coverage Farmers State Farm Allstate ALFA Nationwide 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 $31 $85 $43 $124 $45 $120 $32 $119 $41 $90

Naturally, the more insurance coverage you purchase, the higher your monthly premiums will be. However, you can purchase the coverage you need and keep your monthly rate relatively low by raising your deductible. Yes, you will have higher out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim, but you will have lower monthly premiums as a result.

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Best Auto Insurance for Credit History Rates

Your credit score plays a significant role in what you get charged monthly for your vehicle insurance. See how having fair or poor credit can increase your rates in the table below.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Credit History
CompaniesAvearage Annual Rates with Good CreditAvearage Annual Rates with Fair CreditAvearage Annual Rates with Poor CreditAverage Annual Rates
USAA$1,710.01$1,915.30$2,942.03$2,189.11
Nationwide$2,433.90$2,691.11$3,449.85$2,858.29
Geico$2,659.22$2,940.68$4,128.05$3,242.65
Allstate$2,863.33$3,501.39$4,436.41$3,600.38
State Farm$3,340.71$4,927.22$9,754.53$6,007.49
Travelers$3,801.02$3,727.48$4,289.24$3,939.25
Liberty Mutual$4,075.12$5,198.92$8,461.84$5,911.96
Farmers$4,206.26$4,439.13$5,147.09$4,597.49
Progressive$4,870.07$5,199.01$6,027.40$5,365.49

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Auto insurance companies in Birmingham, Alabama consider your credit score to be a sign of financial responsibility. Therefore, if you have poor credit, your rates will skyrocket. Take a look at the following chart, which shows how your monthly rates can double if you have poor credit.

Auto Insurance Rates by Credit Score Legend: Excellent Credit Poor Credit Farmers State Farm Allstate ALFA Nationwide 15 30 45 60 75 90 $26 $68 $30 $100 $36 $71 $31 $53 $38 $56

If you don’t have a great credit score and qualify for USAA, their rates are the most affordable. Civilians should consider looking into Nationwide.

Best Auto Insurance for Driving Record Rates

The more tickets, citations, and violations you have on your driving record, the higher your monthly premiums will be. Furthermore, if you have some serious mistakes on your record, such as a DUI, your insurance company may refuse to cover you at all. Take a look at the table below to see how just one violation can increase your rates.

Birmingham, AL Average Annual Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record
CompaniesAvearage Annual Rates with a Clean RecordAvearage Annual Rates with 1 AccidentAvearage Annual Rates with 1 DUIAvearage Annual Rates with 1 Speeding ViolationAverage Annual Rates
USAA$1,682.43$2,115.36$3,138.88$1,819.78$2,312.22
Geico$2,169.90$3,518.07$4,395.55$2,887.08$3,361.17
Nationwide$2,499.27$2,499.27$3,643.46$2,791.13$2,880.67
Allstate$3,043.53$3,601.72$4,301.48$3,454.78$3,648.91
Travelers$3,278.50$3,437.92$5,055.15$3,985.42$3,923.86
Farmers$3,867.36$5,013.05$4,890.78$4,618.78$4,590.40
Liberty Mutual$4,630.17$6,465.16$6,306.24$6,246.26$5,800.52
Progressive$4,834.04$6,115.02$5,214.17$5,298.74$5,387.74
State Farm$5,398.12$6,752.27$5,939.77$5,939.77$6,030.05

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Just one speeding ticket may increase your rates by $200. If you’re looking for auto insurance for people with bad driving records, not all hope is lost. Fortunately, for some minor incidents, you could qualify for an accident forgiveness discount. The graph below shows how your monthly premiums can increase after a traffic violation.

Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Violations Legend: Perfect Record Minor Speeding Ticket DUI/Reckless Driving Major At-Fault Accident Farmers State Farm Allstate ALFA Nationwide 10 20 30 40 50 60 $31 $45 $53 $50 $43 $47 $47 $54 $45 $49 $58 $61 $32 $34 $43 $35 $41 $42 $66 $57

Avoid the extra fees altogether by practicing safe driving. You could save even more by qualifying for safe driver discounts.  At the beginning of 2020, Alabama changed a state auto insurance law that previously suspended your driver’s license if you were caught driving without proof of insurance two times within a four-year span.

Previously, your license would be suspended for four months even if you could prove you were covered by insurance

The new law no longer leads to a mandatory registration suspension. Local news station WAAY31 covers the story in more detail in the following video. https://youtu.be/WDaX_KyTtbE While the new law gives motorists more leeway, if you’re caught driving without insurance, you still must pay a $400 fine.

What affects auto insurance rates in Birmingham, AL?

There are more factors that affect auto insurance than your gender, age, credit history, and driving record.  It is common for companies to use auto insurance rating tiers when determining your rates. If you’re a higher risk driver, you’ll pay more for coverage.

Low-risk drivers get the best auto insurance quotes.

The goal is cheap car insurance, so keep reading. To fully answer the question of how are auto insurance premiums calculated, we also have to look at the road conditions, crime rates, and traffic congestion in the city.

Road Conditions in Birmingham, AL

Road conditions can heavily impact the rates for average auto insurance in Birmingham. Poorly structured roads cause more accidents. More accidents means higher rates. Take a look at Birmingham’s road conditions in the following table.

Birmingham, AL Road Conditions
Road TypesPercentage of All Roads
Poor share18%
Mediocre share18%
Fair share15%
Good share49%

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The good news is, over 75 percent of Birmingham roads are in fair or good condition. The vehicle operating cost is just under $500.

Vehicle Theft in Birmingham, AL

If you live in an area with a high number of vehicle thefts, it will raise your auto insurance rates. According to Neighborhood Scout, Birmingham’s property crime rates high compared to the national average. See what we mean in the table below.

Birmingham, AL Property Crime Rates
Property Crime TypeBirmingham
(Rate Per 1,000)
National Average
(Rate Per 1,000)
Burglary12.213.76
Theft44.815.95
Motorvehicle theft8.42.29

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Unfortunately, the higher-than-average rate of vehicle thefts does cause your auto insurance premiums to increase in Birmingham. Why? To make up for the risk of replacing a stolen vehicle. If you drive a car model that is more likely to get stolen, consider adding more coverage to protect yourself and your vehicle.

Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

Just like it sounds, Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report ranks the 200 largest cities in the country by how safe the drivers are.

Birmingham made it to number 50 on the list, which is pretty good; however, the city is down by 11 spots from the year prior.

On average, drivers go 10 years between claims and experience around 22 hard braking events for every 1,000 miles driven.

Vehicle Type and Auto Insurance

If you have a luxury vehicle, chances are you’ll have to pay more for auto insurance. Why? The car will cost more to replace than a basic sedan. See the chart shows below for more details about how your car type impacts your monthly rates.

Auto Insurance Rates by Vehicle Make and Model Legend: 2015 Honda Accord 2012 Porche Boxster Spyder Farmers State Farm Allstate ALFA Nationwide 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 $31 $129 $43 $154 $45 $119 $32 $118 $41 $106

As you can see, there is a significant difference between insuring a regular sedan and a fancy sports car. If cheap auto insurance is your goal, consider investing in a more affordable vehicle.

How is traffic in Birmingham, AL?

When it comes to traffic problems in Birmingham, the major causes of traffic jams are usually due to rush hour traffic.

Rush hour traffic is one of the nation’s most common causes of traffic congestion.

If you drive to work between seven to nine in the morning and drive home between four and six in the evening, TomTom warns that you’ll feel the effects of traffic congestion.  During peak traffic congestion, drivers spend nine extra minutes for every half-hour-long drive in the morning stuck in traffic. You lose another 14 minutes stuck in traffic for every half-hour-long trip in the evenings. Inrix reports that Birmingham drivers lost a total of 34 hours to traffic congestion in 2019. How does this impact your auto insurance in Birmingham, AL? Bumper-to-bumper traffic increases your risk of getting into an accident.

If you’re wondering how to reduce traffic congestion, try driving when the roads are less busy. Or use public transportation or a bike whenever possible.

If you live in a high-traffic area notorious for motor vehicle accidents, it is likely that your monthly premiums will reflect this danger in the form of a higher payment. You can see the fatal accident statistics for Birmingham in the chart below.

Fatal Accidents in Birmingham, AL Legend: Birmingham Fatal accident count Vehicles involved in fatal crashes Fatal crashes involving drunk persons Fatalities Persons involved in fatal crashes Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 33 54 8 38 77 4

There were 38 fatalities recorded in 2013, which is low compared to some major cities. Your automotive insurance company will adjust their rates accordingly.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Cheap Auto Insurance in Birmingham, AL

Refer back to this guide as much as needed while comparison shopping. In the meantime, check out our frequently asked questions below for more information.

#1 – Who has the cheapest auto insurance in Alabama? How do I find cheap auto insurance near me?

The cheapest provider in Alabama is USAA. Enter your ZIP code to find the best rates near you and check with many Birmingham, AL car insurance companies to compare.

#2 – Why is auto insurance expensive in Birmingham, AL?

Auto insurance in Birmingham is actually cheaper than most other major cities in Alabama. Road conditions, crime rates, and individual demographics all impact auto insurance rates.

#3 – How much is a no-insurance ticket in Alabama?

Fines start at $500 but increase to $1,000 for second offenses.

#4 – How can I get auto insurance for the cheapest rate in Birmingham, AL?

Practice safe driving, look for discounts you qualify for, and comparison shop to secure cheap auto insurance in Alabama. Birmingham, AL car insurance agents might be able to help, but online shopping is the fastest way to compare.

#5 – What auto insurance is required in Alabama?

The minimum auto insurance requirements in Birmingham, AL are $20,000 for an individual and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury liability coverage. The state also requires$25,000 for property damage liability coverage.

#6 – How much is auto insurance in Alabama per month?

Your monthly rates will change depending on which company you use and your individual demographics. For example, State Farm’s rates will be different than the General insurance rates.

Compare cheap auto insurance in Birmingham, AL now by entering your ZIP code into our FREE tool below. 

Free Auto Insurance Comparison

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