If your goal is the lowest price, then the best way to get cheaper auto insurance rates in Pittsburgh is to begin comparing prices regularly from different companies that sell auto insurance in Pennsylvania. Price quotes can be compared by completing these steps.
- Try to understand auto insurance and the factors you can control to keep rates low. Many risk factors that drive up the price like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and a lousy credit rating can be rectified by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility. Continue reading for more ideas to help prevent costly coverage and find additional discounts.
- Quote rates from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only provide price estimates from a single company like GEICO and Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes from multiple companies. View a list of agents
- Compare the quotes to your current policy premium to see if a cheaper price is available. If you can save some money, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Notify your company or agent to cancel your existing policy. Submit a down payment and signed policy application for the new policy. Immediately keep your new certificate of insurance in an easily accessible location.
One piece of advice is that you’ll want to compare identical limits and deductibles on every quote and and to analyze every insurance company. Doing this guarantees the most accurate price comparison and the best price quote selection.
Unfortunately, nearly 70% of consumers kept their coverage with the same auto insurance company for well over three years, and about 40% of consumers have never compared rates from other carriers. Many consumers in Pennsylvania could save an average of nearly $690 each year, but they just don’t understand the benefits if they switched to a more affordable policy.
Choosing the best rates in Pittsburgh is actually very simple if you learn how to start. Virtually every driver who buys car insurance will find a lower-cost policy. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania car owners do need to know how the larger insurance companies determine how much to charge because rates fluctuate considerably.
How do Car Insurance Companies Determine Acura MDX Insurance Premiums?
When buying insurance it’s important to understand some of the factors that help calculate your premiums. If you understand what impacts premium levels, this enables informed choices that could help you find lower rates.
Lower performance equals lower insurance prices – The performance level of the car, truck or SUV you are insuring makes a significant difference in how high your rates are. The lowest performance passenger vehicles receive the most favorable rates, but your final cost has many other factors.
The following chart uses these variables: single female driver age 20, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It illustrates Acura MDX car insurance rates compared to other models that have different performance rating factors.
Consolidate policies and save money – Most companies afford discounts to policyholders who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can amount to ten or even fifteen percent. Even with this discount applied, it’s still a good idea to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal. You may still be able to save even more than the discount by insuring with multiple companies.
Extra coverages you don’t use – Insurance companies have many add-on coverages that can waste your money but may not be useful. Things like vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness, and term life insurance could be just wasting money. You may think they are a good idea initially, but if they’re wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
Single drivers take more risk – Your spouse actually saves money compared to being single. Marriage is viewed as being less irresponsible and it’s statistically proven that drivers who are married file infrequent claims.
Cautious drivers pay less – Even one ticket may increase your cost substantially. Attentive drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers unfortunate enough to have multiple citations such as DUI, reckless driving or excessive speeding might be required by their state to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to legally drive.
The chart below shows how traffic citations and accidents increase Acura MDX premium costs for each different age group. The rate quotes are based on a single female driver, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.
Is insurance cheaper for men or women? – Statistics demonstrate females are less aggressive when driving. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. Men and women are responsible for fender benders at a similar rate, but men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also have more aggressive citations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly. Male teenagers tend to get in the most accidents and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
The example below shows the difference between Acura MDX annual premium costs for male and female drivers. The data assumes no claims or driving citations, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Loss statistics for an Acura MDX – Insurers use claims history to calculate a rate that will offset losses. Models that the data shows to have higher claim frequency or loss amount will have higher premium rates.
The next table shows the loss history for Acura MDX vehicles. For each coverage type, the claim amount for all vehicles compiled together is a value of 100. Values under 100 imply a favorable loss record, while percentage values above 100 point to more frequent losses or statistically larger losses.
| Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura MDX 4dr 2WD | 73 | 80 | 102 | 63 | 56 | 63 |
| Acura MDX 4dr 4WD | 81 | 85 | 123 | 65 | 60 | 59 |
Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years
There are several ways to compare prices from companies that offer auto insurance in Pennsylvania. The best method to find the cheapest Acura MDX insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. When quoting auto insurance, remember that getting more free quotes helps you find the best price.
The companies shown below can provide price comparisons in Pittsburgh, PA. If multiple companies are listed, it’s highly recommended you visit as many as you can to find the cheapest auto insurance rates.
Acura MDX insurance analysis
The coverage table displayed below outlines a range of insurance costs for Acura MDX models. Having a better understanding of how premiums are figured can aid in making smart choices when selecting a policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDX 4WD | $276 | $420 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,166 | $97 |
| MDX with Tech Package 4WD | $276 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,240 | $103 |
| MDX with Tech/Entertainment 4WD | $276 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,240 | $103 |
| MDX Advance 4WD | $276 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,240 | $103 |
| MDX Advance/Entertainment 4WD | $276 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,240 | $103 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data rating is based on married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, and homeowner. Table data does not factor in your specific Pittsburgh location which can revise insurance rates considerably.
Higher deductibles save money
When comparing insurance rates, the most common question is how high or low should comp and collision deductibles be. The following tables can help illustrate the differences in premium rates between high and low deductibles. The first set of rates uses a $250 deductible for physical damage and the second price table uses a $1,000 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDX 4WD | $320 | $428 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,221 | $102 |
| MDX with Tech Package 4WD | $320 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,299 | $108 |
| MDX with Tech/Entertainment 4WD | $320 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,299 | $108 |
| MDX Advance 4WD | $320 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,299 | $108 |
| MDX Advance/Entertainment 4WD | $320 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,299 | $108 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDX 4WD | $198 | $270 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $916 | $76 |
| MDX with Tech Package 4WD | $198 | $318 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $964 | $80 |
| MDX with Tech/Entertainment 4WD | $198 | $318 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $964 | $80 |
| MDX Advance 4WD | $198 | $318 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $964 | $80 |
| MDX Advance/Entertainment 4WD | $198 | $318 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $964 | $80 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Price information does not factor in specific Pittsburgh garaging location which can raise or lower coverage prices considerably.
We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible would cost the average driver about $28 more each month or $336 annually averaged for all MDX models than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Because you would pay $750 more to settle a claim with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you usually have more than 27 months between claims, you would save money if you opt for a higher deductible.
Calculate savings of higher deductibles
| Average monthly premium for $250 deductibles: | $107 |
| Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $79 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $28 |
| Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $250): | $750 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $750 / $28 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 27 months |
One important issue to know is that increasing deductibles to save money means you will have to pay more when you have to file a claim. You will want to have enough disposable income in order to pay the deductible.
The diagram below shows how choosing a deductible and can affect Acura MDX insurance costs for different age groups. The prices are based on a single female driver, full physical damage coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.
Insurance is not optional but you don’t have to overpay
Even though it can be expensive, maintaining insurance is a good idea for several reasons.
First, the majority of states have compulsory liability insurance requirements which means the state requires specific limits of liability insurance in order to get the vehicle licensed. In Pennsylvania these limits are 15/30/5 which means you must have $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $5,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your Acura MDX has a loan, it’s most likely the lender will have a requirement that you have insurance to ensure the loan is repaid in case of a total loss. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Acura for a much higher rate and force you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
Third, insurance preserves both your car and your assets. It will also cover most medical and hospital costs for not only you but also any passengers injured in an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, will also pay to defend you if you cause an accident and are sued. If you receive damage to your vehicle caused by a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive coverages will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of buying insurance more than cancel out the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. On average, a vehicle owner in Pittsburgh is overpaying over $700 annually so you should quote your policy with other companies at least once a year to be sure current rates are still competitive.
Pittsburgh insurance discounts
Not too many consumers would say insurance is affordable, but you can get discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Most are applied at the time you complete a quote, but some discounts are required to be specifically requested before you will receive the discount.
- ABS Brakes – Cars with ABS braking systems or traction control have fewer accidents and the ABS can save up to 10%.
- New Vehicle Savings – Adding a new car to your policy can save up to 30% since new vehicles are generally safer.
- Drivers Education – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class as it can save substantially.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Options like air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings of more than 20%.
- Drive Less and Save – Keeping the miles down on your Acura could earn lower insurance rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- Multi-policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you will save at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, nobody gets a free ride. Any qualifying discounts will bring down your policy cost.
The chart below illustrates the difference between Acura MDX insurance prices with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The data is based on a male driver, no claims or driving citations, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, comprehensive and collision coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, marriage, claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, and multi-car discounts applied.
Car insurance companies that may have some of the discounts shown above possibly include:
If you want the cheapest Acura MDX rate quotes, ask each company or agent which discounts you qualify for. Discounts may not apply to policyholders everywhere. For a list of insurers who offer insurance discounts in Pittsburgh, click here.
Buying car insurance from Pittsburgh insurance agencies
Many drivers just want to get advice from a local agent and doing that can be a smart decision A good thing about comparing car insurance online is the fact that drivers can get cheap rate quotes and still choose a local agent.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, your information is submitted to local insurance agents in Pittsburgh that give free quotes to get your business. It makes it easy because there is no need to drive around as quotes are delivered directly to you. You’ll get the best rates without having to waste a lot of time. If for some reason you want to get a rate quote for a specific company, you just need to navigate to their website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Selecting an insurance company needs to be determined by more than just the quoted price. The following questions are important to ask.
- What is their Better Business Bureau rating?
- How would your car be valued if totaled?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
- What are their preferred companies if they are an independent agency?
- Are they giving you every discount you deserve?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Is the coverage adequate for your vehicle?
Pick the best car insurance agent in Pittsburgh for you
If you are wanting to purchase car insurance from a local insurance agency, there are two different types of agencies and how they work. Agencies in Pittsburgh are considered either independent agents or exclusive agents.
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Agents that elect to be exclusive can only quote rates from one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance, State Farm, or Allstate. Exclusive agencies are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so you need to shop around if the rates are high. Exclusive agents receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which helps overcome the inability to quote other rates. Consumers often buy insurance from these agents mainly due to the prominence of the brand rather than low price.
Below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Pittsburgh who can help you get price quote information.
- GEICO Insurance Agent
9026 St Simon Way – Pittsburgh, PA 15237 – (412) 364-7170 – View Map - Michael Dear State Farm
2632 Brownsville Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15227 – (412) 884-9700 – View Map - Mike Dudenas – State Farm Insurance Agent
901 Castle Shannon Blvd – Pittsburgh, PA 15234 – (412) 561-5012 – View Map
Independent Agents
Independent agents can quote rates with many companies and that is an advantage because they can write policies through lots of different companies and get the cheapest rates. If premiums increase, the business is moved internally and you can keep the same agent. If you need cheaper car insurance rates, we recommend you get several quotes from a few independent agents to have the best price comparison. A lot of them also have access to small mutual carriers which can save you money.
The following is a list of independent insurance agents in Pittsburgh who can help you get rate quotes.
- Kartsonas Agency, Inc.
421 Cochran Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15228 – (412) 563-5900 – View Map - Joe Vojtas Agency – ERIE Insurance
9800B McKnight Rd #226 – Pittsburgh, PA 15237 – (412) 847-3743 – View Map - McElhinny Insurance Agency LLC
5624 Brownsville Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15236 – (412) 650-5700 – View Map
After you get good answers to any questions you have and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to service your policy. But keep in mind once you purchase a policy you can cancel your coverage any time you want so never assume that you’re stuck with a policy for a certain time period.
You can lower your auto insurance rates
People switch companies for many reasons like an unsatisfactory settlement offer, unfair underwriting practices, delays in responding to claim requests or poor customer service. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a great new company is not as hard as you think.
As you quote Pittsburgh car insurance, make sure you don’t skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
You just read a lot of tips how to lower your Acura MDX insurance rates in Pittsburgh. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding low cost Pittsburgh car insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the lowest rates are with a small local company.
Additional auto insurance information is located at these links:
- Teen Driving Statistics (iihs.org)
- What Auto Insurance is Cheapest with Multiple Speeding Tickets in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance for Drivers with Bad Credit in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Retired Military in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Medical Payments Coverage (Liberty Mutual)
- Five Tips to Save on Auto Insurance (Insurance Information Institute)
- Liability Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)
- Auto Insurance Learning Center (State Farm)