Beginning Auto Insurance: All State's Comprehensive Guide

Allstate is one of the largest auto insurance companies in the nation, offering a wide range of coverage options and discounts to its customers. The company also provides several other financial products, including life, home, and renters insurance. Allstate auto insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The company offers a variety of coverage options, including accident forgiveness, new car replacement, and a safe-driving bonus every six months. In addition, Allstate provides rideshare insurance in many states and offers a free car-buying service with advertised discounts. With its range of coverage options and discounts, Allstate auto insurance is a competitive choice for those looking to insure their vehicles.

Discounts for students, retirees, and safe drivers

Allstate offers 12 car insurance discounts across four main categories: driving history, car safety, loyalty, and payment. While Allstate does not disclose exact discount amounts publicly, there are several ways for students, retirees, and safe drivers to save on their auto insurance.

Students

Students who are unmarried and under 25 years old can benefit from the Smart Student discount. To qualify, students must attend school at least 100 miles away from their car, successfully complete the teenSMART program, or maintain a GPA of 2.7 or above.

Retirees

Although there are no specific discounts for retirees, Allstate offers a Multi-Policy Discount for those who bundle their auto insurance with a home, life, or renters policy. Retirees who own a home, for example, may be able to take advantage of this discount.

Safe Drivers

Safe drivers can benefit from several Allstate discounts. The Safe Driving Club offers a bonus every six months that you drive without accidents, plus $100 off your collision deductible for each year without accidents (up to $500 total). Additionally, safe drivers who consistently pay their entire Allstate bill on time via automatic withdrawal are likely to save a significant amount.

Allstate also offers a Driver Training Discount for those who complete an approved driver education course. The Drivewise program is another option, where your driving is monitored through the Allstate smartphone app, and safe driving discounts are provided accordingly.

Allstate's Drivewise app

Allstate's Drivewise program is a telematics program that helps drivers reduce their insurance costs by promoting safer driving habits. The program has transitioned to mobile app usage, with the Allstate app monitoring driving behaviour through users' smartphones.

To get started with Drivewise, download the Allstate mobile app and create an account at AllstateRewards.com. Ensure that your location services are always turned on, as the app uses this data to detect when a trip starts and ends. Additionally, make sure your phone has at least 5% battery power to ensure the app functions throughout your trips.

The app collects a range of driving data, including timestamps, location, speed, duration, distance, idle time, braking and acceleration events, high-speed events, and time ranges. This data is used to provide personalized feedback and potential rewards through premium discounts.

Drivewise is ideal for drivers who maintain the speed limit, drive during daylight hours, and avoid extreme or sudden braking. It can also be a helpful tool for parents of teen drivers, allowing them to monitor their children's driving performance.

While Drivewise offers the potential for savings, it's important to note that it may not be suitable for everyone. For example, drivers who frequently brake due to heavy traffic or those who drive in areas with high-speed limits may find the app's limitations challenging. Additionally, data privacy concerns may arise as Allstate agents and customer service representatives can access driver data.

Mandatory and enhanced coverage

When it comes to auto insurance, there are two main types of coverage: mandatory coverage and enhanced coverage.

Mandatory Coverage

Mandatory auto insurance coverage is the minimum amount of insurance that is required by law in a particular province or territory. This type of coverage typically includes third-party liability, direct compensation for property damage, and accident benefits. The specific requirements for mandatory auto insurance vary from province to province in Canada. For example, in Alberta, the minimum requirement for mandatory auto insurance is $200,000 in third-party liability, direct compensation for property damage, and accident benefits coverage. On the other hand, in British Columbia, the minimum requirement is Basic Autoplan insurance, which includes up to $200,000 in basic vehicle damage coverage, $200,000 in third-party liability, up to $1 million in underinsured motorist protection, and inverse liability protection.

Enhanced Coverage

Enhanced auto insurance coverage is additional insurance that provides more protection than the mandatory minimum. It offers higher limits and broader coverage for both the policyholder and their passengers. Enhanced coverage options vary by insurer but may include:

• Collision coverage: This pays to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged in a collision with another object or vehicle.
• Comprehensive coverage: This protects your vehicle from events out of your control, such as fire, theft, or vandalism.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: This covers injuries and property damage caused by a driver with little or no insurance.
• Medical payments coverage: This pays for medical and funeral expenses for you, your family members, or your passengers.
• Personal injury protection: This provides similar protection to medical payments coverage but may include additional benefits.
• Enhanced accident benefits: These benefits provide care and recovery benefits with no overall limit, including costs like chiropractic treatments, medication, physiotherapy, counselling, dental care, and home support.

It is important to note that the availability of enhanced coverage options and their specific details may vary depending on your location and insurance provider. It is always a good idea to consult with a local qualified insurance representative to understand the specific mandatory and enhanced coverage requirements and options in your area.

Getting a quote

To get a quote for Allstate Auto Insurance, you can either call them at 1-800-ALLSTATE or contact a local advisor. Before you do so, ensure that your browser is up-to-date and that you are not using private browsing mode. You should also ensure that JavaScript is turned on in your browser settings. If you are still experiencing issues, you can call the above number or contact a local advisor for support.

When you request a quote, you will be asked a series of questions about your vehicle, driving history, and personal information. It is important to answer these questions accurately and honestly to ensure that you receive an accurate quote. Some of the information you will need to provide includes your name, address, date of birth, driver's license number, vehicle make and model, and annual mileage. You may also be asked about any previous accidents or violations you have had and the purpose for which you use your vehicle.

If you have any specific coverage requirements or discounts you would like to inquire about, be sure to mention these to the representative. For example, if you are interested in adding rental car coverage or roadside assistance to your policy, or if you are eligible for any discounts such as a good student discount or a safe driver discount.

Additionally, keep in mind that your quote may vary depending on a variety of factors, including your age, driving record, vehicle type, and location. Allstate may also offer different types of coverage options, such as liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance, so be sure to understand the differences and choose the coverage that best suits your needs.

Overall, getting a quote for Allstate Auto Insurance is a straightforward process, and by providing accurate information and considering your specific needs, you can be confident in finding the right coverage for yourself.

Allstate's car-buying service

One of the key benefits of the Allstate car-buying service is the ability to see what others have paid for the car you want, so you know what a fair price is. This transparency ensures that you are well-informed before stepping into a dealership. You can also get competitive price offers on in-stock inventory from local Certified Dealers, allowing you to make a confident decision.

Additionally, the service allows you to trade in or sell your current car. You can get a cash offer for your vehicle in just a few minutes, making it convenient if you're looking to upgrade. The Allstate car-buying service also provides over $2,000 in benefits when you purchase from a Certified Dealer, including additional perks to keep you and your new car happy.

The process is simple. You can start by searching for the car you want, comparing prices, and seeing what others have paid. Once you've found the right car, you can visit your local Certified Dealer to test drive and finalize the purchase.

Frequently asked questions