Why does my policy have more than one deductible?

A policy commonly carries a flat deductible for most claims and a separate percentage-based wind and hail deductible in storm-exposed states like Georgia.

Does my own insurance cover me when I stay in an Airbnb or VRBO?

The host's short-term rental policy protects the host, not you. As an Airbnb or VRBO guest, your own homeowners or renters insurance usually covers your belongings and personal liability away from home, within policy limits, while travel insurance covers trip-specific risks neither the host nor your home policy will.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

No. Standard homeowners policies exclude all flood damage regardless of cause.

What does uninsured motorist coverage do?

If you are hit by a driver with no insurance or not enough insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage pays your medical bills.

When do we use Selective for flood coverage versus NFIP?

Selective private flood wins for Zone X and moderate AE properties where it beats NFIP on price and offers higher limits with ALE coverage.

Does Alabama use contributory negligence?

Q: Where does this rule come from?

In Golden v. McCurry, 392 So. 2d 815 (Ala. 1980), the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed this rule for a driver stipulated to be only 1 percent at fault, and left any change to the legislature. Alabama is one of a handful of states that still use this strict standard instead of a comparative-fault approach.

All FAQs

Quick answer: Yes. Alabama follows pure contributory negligence, a driver found even slightly at fault (as little as 1 percent) can be barred from recovering damages entirely (Golden v. McCurry, 392 So. 2d 815, Ala. 1980). Alabama is one of a handful of states that still use this strict standard.

Does Alabama use contributory negligence?

Yes. Alabama follows pure contributory negligence, a driver found even slightly at fault for a crash, as little as 1 percent, can be barred from recovering damages from the other driver entirely.

Where does this rule come from?

In Golden v. McCurry, 392 So. 2d 815 (Ala. 1980), the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed this rule for a driver stipulated to be only 1 percent at fault, and left any change to the legislature. Alabama is one of a handful of states that still use this strict standard instead of a comparative-fault approach.

What does this mean in practice after a crash?

A driver who is even minimally at fault, running a slightly stale yellow light while the other driver was speeding, for example, risks recovering nothing at all, not a reduced amount. That all-or-nothing structure is stricter than a system that simply reduces an award by the claimant's share of fault.

What should a driver do given this rule?

Because an at-fault driver's own insurance is not a guaranteed path to being paid, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy becomes more important in Alabama than in a state with comparative fault. A coverage review can confirm your own coverage accounts for this. See Alabama auto insurance for more.