You are not allowed to drive without a certain level of auto insurance in the State of Alabama. So doing without your Alabama auto insurance coverage is certainly out of the question. What we'll be talking about is how you can get the best coverage (or the coverage you prefer) at the best price possible...

First you need to understand the minimum requirements for Alabama auto insurance. Then you also have to know what this minimum covers and whether it's in your best interest to stick with this minimum or go for something a little more extensive albeit more expensive.

Alabama auto insurance minimum requirements are that each driver must carry liability insurance that cover bodily injury and property damage. These liability insurance coverages must cover up to $20,000 total bodily injury coverage per person, $40,000 total for bodily injury coverage per accident and a total of $10,000 total for property damage.

Is this minimum enough? It depends on how exposed you want to be. If, for example, someone is injured in an accident where you're at fault and sues you for an amount several times higher than your liability limit, what would you do? Would you stake your investments or future earnings to take care of that?

Also, do bear in mind that this minimum does not cover the damages to your car or bodily injury if you are hit by an uninsured driver. For me, I think this minimum really does not give you enough coverage. But, you know your needs better. But if it's all about cost, I'll show you how you can get a more extensive Alabama auto insurance coverage for less...

1) Keep a good driving record. Try your utmost too to avoid those tickets. They cost you more than the fines you pay. A clean driving record tells insurers that you're a low risk Alabama auto insurance candidate. And, the lower the risk associated with insuring you, the lower your rates.

2) Taking classes in defensive driving will do your rates a world of good. Defensive drivers are less likely to have accidents.

3) Buy a vehicle that has safety and theft-deterrence features. For anti-theft features, it's better to have those that make the thief know that they are not likely to have an easy time. Thieves generally, prefer easy targets.

4) Buy a car that falls into a less-expensive-to-insure category. Sports cars, expensive cars and such are usually more expensive to insure than smaller cars.

5) Do all within your power to reduce your mileage. If it makes sense, use the public transport more often. Carpooling is another way to lower your mileage. The less the time you spend on the road, the lower the chances of an accident. That translates to lower Alabama auto insurance premiums.

6) Insuring more than one car with the same company gives you discounts in most cases.

7) This is the mother of them all: Visit at least three auto insurance quotes sites that cover Alabama. Obtain and compare quotes from them. It takes only a few minutes. However, it can save you a few hundred dollars and sometimes much more.