The Wise Insurance Shopper

The best information about US auto & home insurance companies on the Web!



  Alabama Auto & Home Insurance Shopping Guide 2023    

Updated: December 2022


Here are three reasons why most people pay too much for their auto or home insurance and fail to find the company that can save them a lot of money:

1. Many people never shop their auto or home insurance, sticking with the same company and paying their renewal year after year.

2. If people do shop their insurance coverage, they do not check with enough companies, failing to find the company or companies with the best combination of coverage, service, and rates for them.

3. People only get quotes online, instead of speaking with an insurance professional trained to quote them the coverage they need at the best price, with all the discounts they deserve. It is always best to buy insurance from an agent. A good agent can make the difference between loving or hating your insurance company.

How this guide can help you find the best company for you:

Many auto or home insurance customers do not know all the companies available in their state or their recent complaint records, making it unlikely they will find the company with the best rates, coverage & service for them. Some of the best companies are not very well known because they do little advertising. The objective of this guide is to show you all the major companies offering auto and/or home insurance coverage in Alabama and the three-year auto & home insurance complaint record for each company. Links are provided to the website for each company so you can contact an agent near you or get a price quote online if available. None of the hyperlinks on my website are affiliate links and I receive no financial compensation from any company.

Will you be eligible for all these auto and home insurance companies?

Insurance companies have different eligibility criteria, so not everyone may qualify for all the companies shown in this guide. However, everyone can benefit by shopping, even if they have recent claims or other factors making them ineligible for some companies. If you do not qualify for many of the companies in this guide due to recent claims, property condition/location, driving record, or other factors, there should still be agents representing companies listed in this guide who can help you. Please email me at help@smartshopyourcarinsurance.com to let me know if none of the agents or companies listed in this guide can help you or if there is any incorrect information in this guide.

The Major Auto and Home Insurance Companies in Alabama

If you are looking for a company available in Alabama with a much better than average auto and home insurance complaint record, scroll down to check out these companies:

Alfa Insurance

Auto-Owners Insurance

Country Financial Insurance

Here are the biggest & best auto and home insurance brands in Alabama you may or may not know, listed in alphabetical order:

1. Alfa Insurance

Alfa is a group of insurance companies with insurance products available in eleven states, but its core business is primarily in Alabama, Georgia, & Mississippi. Founded in 1946, its home office is in Montgomery, AL. Alfa offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

2021 market share for Alfa Insurance:

Alfa is the third largest auto insurer and second largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Alfa Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Alfa Insurance is consistently much better than the industry average. If you choose a good agent, you are likely to be happy with its customer and claims service.

How to buy a policy from Alfa Insurance:

Alfa sells its insurance through its own network of Alfa agents with offices located in communities throughout Alabama. There is no discount or lower rate for getting a quote online from the Alfa website or any other website.

Check out the Alfa website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.alfainsurance.com/


2. Allstate Insurance

Allstate is a well-known, heavily advertised insurance company and is one of the largest auto & home insurance companies in almost all US states. Founded in 1931, Its corporate office is in Northfield Township, IL. Allstate offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

Allstate owns these additional brands, also selling auto and/or home insurance: Encompass, Esurance, and National General. Esurance is no longer selling new policies in Alabama.

2021 market share for Allstate Insurance:

Allstate is the second largest auto insurer and third largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Allstate Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Allstate Insurance is not consistently better than the industry average. If Allstate has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Allstate insurance:

Allstate sells its insurance through its own network of Allstate agents with offices located in communities throughout Alabama. Allstate insurance may also be available in Alabama from select independent insurance agencies appointed to represent the company. There may be a discount for buying online from Allstate, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.

Check out the Allstate website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.allstate.com/


3. Auto-Owners Insurance

Auto-Owners Insurance is a group of insurance companies offering insurance products in 26 US states. Established in 1916, Auto-Owners is headquartered in Lansing, MI. Auto-Owners offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

2021 market share for Auto-Owners Insurance:

Auto-Owners is not among the ten largest Alabama auto insurers, but it is the eighth largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Auto-Owners Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Auto-Owners Insurance is consistently much better than the industry average. If you choose a good agent, you are likely to be happy with its customer and claims service.

How to buy a policy from Auto-Owners Insurance:

Auto-Owners sells its insurance exclusively through a network of select independent insurance agencies with offices located in communities throughout Alabama. You cannot get a price quote online from the Auto-Owners website and there is no discount or lower rate for buying online from any other website.

Check out the Auto-Owners website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.auto-owners.com/


4. Country Financial Insurance

Country Financial is a group of insurance companies offering insurance products in these 19 US states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. Established in 1925, Country Financial is headquartered in Bloomington, IL. Country Financial offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

2021 market share for Country Financial Insurance:

Country Financial is not among the ten largest Alabama auto insurers, but it is the ninth largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Country Financial Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Country Financial is consistently much better than the industry average. If you choose a good agent, you are likely to be happy with its customer and claims service.

How to buy a policy from Country Financial Insurance:

Country Financial sells its insurance through its own group of Country Financial agents located in sales offices across Alabama. There is no discount or lower rate for getting a quote from the Country Financial website or buying online.

Check out the Country Financial website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.countryfinancial.com/


5. Farmers Insurance

Farmers Insurance Group is a heavily advertised group of insurance companies, fairly well-known for auto and homeowners insurance, available in many US states. Founded in 1928, Farmers home office is in Los Angeles, CA. Farmers offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

In recent years, Farmers Insurance Group has acquired additional insurance companies, still operating as separate brands, such as Foremost, 21st Century, and Bristol West. Farmers Insurance Group itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Insurance Group.

In 2020, Farmers purchased Metlife Auto & Home and renamed these former Metropolitan companies as Farmers companies, some now available direct from the company under the brand name of Farmers GroupSelect, marketed as a group benefit through employers. Former Metlife Auto & Home agents may now be Farmers agents and independent agents formerly representing Metlife Auto & Home may now represent Farmers. Metlife Auto & Home insurance policyholders by now should be aware of the rebranding and how Farmers new ownership impacts them.

2021 market share for Farmers Insurance:

Farmers is the seventh largest auto insurer and the sixth largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Farmers Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Farmers Insurance is not consistently better than the industry average. If Farmers has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Farmers Insurance:

Farmers sells its insurance through its own network of Farmers agents with offices located in communities throughout Alabama. There is no discount or lower rate for buying online or direct from Farmers.

Check out the Farmers website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.farmers.com/


6. GEICO Insurance

GEICO, a very heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for selling insurance direct to the public, operates in almost all US states, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Established in 1936, GEICO is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD. GEICO underwrites auto insurance only, but sells other types of personal insurance, such as homeowners insurance, acting as an agent for other companies. So, for example, if you buy homeowners insurance from GEICO, your home is not insured by GEICO, but by another company GEICO represents as an agent.

2021 market share for GEICO Insurance:

GEICO is the fifth largest auto insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for GEICO Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto insurance complaint record for GEICO is not consistently better than the industry average. Since most GEICO customers do not have an agent to help them if they have a service problem, you should consider other companies instead of GEICO (if you do not have a good GEICO agent available to you), unless the price savings with GEICO is so much, it is worth it to you to chance service or claims problems you will need to handle on your own.

How to buy a policy from GEICO Insurance:

GEICO is best known for selling direct to the public through its website or by phone. However, in some states, including Alabama, GEICO sells through agents with offices located in the state. It is always best to have a personal agent to help you make sure you are getting the lowest rate for which you qualify. You do not get a lower rate for buying direct from GEICO instead of a GEICO agent, as it should be the same rate if you are quoted accurately with all the discounts for which you are eligible.

Check out the GEICO website to learn more about the company and see if there is a GEICO insurance agent near you:

https://www.geico.com/


7. Liberty Mutual Insurance

Liberty Mutual Insurance Group is a heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for auto and home insurance, available in most US states. Founded in 1912, the Liberty Mutual home office is in Boston, MA. Liberty Mutual offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

Liberty Mutual also owns Safeco Insurance, which operates as a separate brand, and is sold through independent insurance agencies. In 2022, Liberty Mutual acquired State Auto Insurance, which is also available through independent agents.

2021 market share for Liberty Mutual Insurance (including Safeco policyholders):

Liberty Mutual is the eighth largest auto insurer and the seventh largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Liberty Mutual Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Liberty Mutual is not consistently better than the industry average. If Liberty Mutual has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Liberty Mutual Insurance:

Liberty Mutual sells its insurance direct from the company and through its own group of Liberty Mutual agents operating from sales offices in various communities throughout a state. Liberty Mutual agents also represent other auto & home insurance companies through Comparion Insurance Agency, a national agency owned by Liberty Mutual. There may be a discount for buying online from Liberty Mutual, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.

Check out the Liberty Mutual website to learn more about the company and get a price quote online:

https://www.libertymutual.com/

But a Liberty Mutual agent may be able to get you the lowest rate!

Find a Liberty Mutual agent in Alabama at the Comparion Insurance website:

https://www.comparioninsurance.com/


8. Nationwide Insurance

Nationwide Insurance is a group of insurance companies, not as well-known as some of the largest US auto & home insurance companies, available in almost all US states. Founded in 1926, Nationwide Insurance is headquartered in Columbus, OH. Nationwide offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

In 1998, Nationwide acquired the companies of Allied Insurance to increase its customer base in the Midwest. Nationwide is still using the network of independent insurance agents appointed to represent Allied to sell its insurance. In some US states, the Allied companies, now co-branded as Nationwide, are the largest Nationwide subsidiaries insuring auto & homes.

In 2012, Nationwide completed its acquisition of Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company, expanding its brand through additional independent insurance agents across 32 US states.

In 2020, Nationwide completed its transition from using its own network of agents to selling & servicing its insurance through independent insurance agencies, with many of its formerly exclusive agents becoming independent agents, able to represent multiple insurance companies.

2021 market share for Nationwide Insurance:

Nationwide is the tenth largest auto insurer and the tenth largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Nationwide Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Nationwide Insurance is not consistently better than the industry average. If Nationwide has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Nationwide Insurance:

Nationwide sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies located in communities throughout Alabama. There may be a discount for buying online from Nationwide, but it may be worth it to pay a little more to have a personal agent to help if you have a claims or service problem. Get a price quote from an agent first, then check to see if you can get a lower rate for the same coverage online.

Check out the Nationwide Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.nationwide.com/


9. Progressive Insurance

Progressive, a very heavily advertised group of insurance companies, best known for selling insurance direct to the public, but is also available from most independent insurance agencies, operates in almost all US states. Established in 1937, Progressive is headquartered in Mayfield, OH.

Like GEICO, Progressive underwrites auto insurance only, but sells other types of personal insurance, acting as an agent for other companies. However, in 2015, Progressive bought controlling interest in American Strategic Insurance (ASI), which it now uses as its primary home insurer. If Progressive sells you a policy not underwritten by Progressive or ASI, they are acting as an agent and not as your insurance company. For example, Progressive represents Homesite Insurance and sells its homeowners insurance. If Progressive sells you a Homesite homeowners insurance policy, Progressive is your agent and Homesite is the insurance company insuring your home.

2021 market share for ASI & Progressive Insurance:

Progressive is the fourth largest auto insurer in Alabama. Although not in the top ten, American Strategic Insurance, wholly owned by Progressive, has almost 2% of the Alabama homeowners insurance market, placing it among the major home insurers in the state.

Complaint record for ASI & Progressive Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for ASI & Progressive is not consistently better than the industry average. If Progressive has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue. If you choose to buy direct from Progressive, your price savings needs to be significant, for it to be worth you having to fix claims or service problems on your own. Check out recent Progressive customers reviews online to see what problems may come up when you buy direct. Click this link to see Progressive Insurance customer reviews at the Yelp website.

How to buy a policy from Progressive Insurance:

If you want to find the best price with Progressive, you want to get a price quote direct from the company and from a local independent insurance agent representing Progressive. It may be counter-intuitive, but an agent may have the best rates for you. Also, the agent represents other companies that may have better rates for you than Progressive. Always check with an agent first, then check to see if there is a lower rate for buying direct saving you enough money to be worth not having an agent.

Check out the Progressive website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.progressive.com/


10. Safeco Insurance

Safeco Insurance is a group of insurance companies available across the USA, but it is best known in western states. Safeco is not available in Hawaii, Delaware, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and D.C. Safeco has been owned by Liberty Mutual since 2008 yet continues to operate as a separate entity and brand. Founded in 1923, Safeco Insurance is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Safeco offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

2021 market share for Safeco Insurance:

Safeco, as a part of Liberty Mutual, contributes significantly to Liberty Mutual being the eighth largest auto insurer and the seventh largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Safeco Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Safeco is not consistently better than the industry average. If Safeco has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Safeco Insurance:

Safeco sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies located in communities throughout Alabama. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or online from the Safeco website or any other website.

Check out the Safeco website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.safeco.com/


11. State Farm Insurance

State Farm is a well-known, heavily advertised insurance company and is the largest auto & home insurer in many US states. Founded in 1922, the headquarters for State Farm is in Bloomington, IL. State Farm offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

In 2021, State Farm purchased GAINSCO, a nonstandard auto insurance company operating in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. GAINSCO continues to operate as a separate brand and is available through independent insurance agencies appointed to represent GAINSCO. State Farm agents may not yet offer GAINSCO nonstandard auto insurance. State Farm itself does not offer nonstandard auto insurance, which insures drivers with a poor driving record, too many claims, or other circumstances making them ineligible for standard auto insurance.

2021 market share for State Farm Insurance:

State Farm is the largest auto insurer and the largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for State Farm Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for State Farm is not consistently better than the industry average. If State Farm has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from State Farm Insurance:

State Farm sells its insurance through its own network of State Farm agents with offices located in communities throughout Alabama. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or online from State Farm or any other website.

Check out the State Farm website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.statefarm.com/


12. Travelers Insurance

Travelers Insurance is a group of insurance companies available in most US states and is perhaps not as well-known as other brands, as it does not advertise as much as some other major auto and home insurance companies. Founded in 1853, Travelers Insurance is headquartered in New York City, NY. Travelers offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market.

2021 market share for Travelers Insurance:

Travelers is the ninth largest auto insurer and the fifth largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for Travelers Insurance:

The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for Travelers is not consistently better than the industry average. If Travelers has the coverage you need at a competitive price, be sure to choose a good agent willing & able to help if you have a problem with a claim or other service issue.

How to buy a policy from Travelers Insurance

Travelers sells its insurance through a network of select independent insurance agencies located in communities throughout Alabama. There is no discount or lower rate for buying direct or online from Travelers or any other website.

Check out the Travelers Insurance website to learn more about the company and find an agent near you:

https://www.travelers.com/


13. USAA Insurance

USAA is a group of insurance companies providing financial services to active US military & veterans. Established in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio, TX. USAA insurance and banking products are not available if you do not meet its membership requirements.

To be considered for USAA insurance, you must be eligible for membership in USAA, most commonly by being a current military member or honorably discharged veteran, immediate family member of someone in the military, or a former policyholder. .

USAA offers auto insurance, residential property (homeowners, condominium, renters) insurance, and other types of policies usually available from companies in the personal insurance market. For some common types of personal insurance, USAA partners with other companies. For example, USAA partners with Progressive for motorcycle insurance. Be sure to know which company is actually insuring you before buying insurance from USAA.

2021 market share for USAA Insurance:

Despite its restricted membership, USAA is the sixth largest auto insurer and fourth largest home insurer in Alabama.

Complaint record for USAA Insurance:

Contrary to its long reputation for superior service, The 2019-2021 auto and home insurance complaint record for USAA is not consistently better than the industry average. Since you will not have an agent to help you if you have a problem, be sure to see what USAA customers are saying about the company online before choosing USAA. You can click this link to see USAA Insurance customer reviews at the Yelp website.

How to buy a policy from USAA Insurance:

The only way to buy a policy or get a price quote is from the USAA website or calling the company. USAA sells direct and does not use agents. Learn more about USAA and its eligibility requirements at their website linked here:

https://www.usaa.com/?wa_ref=pub_global_home


Do not make this mistake when shopping for auto or home insurance:

Most insurance shoppers do not check with enough companies and do not contact any independent agents. There are more auto and home insurance companies available in Alabama. Some companies, not among the companies with the largest auto or home insurance market share in the state, were not included in this shopping guide. Some of these companies are brands you may or may not know, like Hartford Insurance or State Auto Insurance. Many of these companies, including Hartford & State Auto, are available through independent agents across Alabama. The agents you find through the Auto-Owners, Nationwide, Progressive, Safeco, & Travelers websites are independent agents representing other companies. Make sure you check with agents representing each of the companies listed in this shopping guide to help you find the insurance agent with the best combination of coverage, service, and price for you.

There are a few more important auto and home insurance companies, not available through most independent agents, you can find out about here in my supplemental auto & home insurance guide.

Why can you rely on my guides to help you find the best insurance companies for you? Check out my webpage explaining the sources of the information I use in my auto & home insurance guides, how I use the information, and what it should mean to you, to help you best use this guide.