It’s an obvious assumption that car insurance companies want to keep your business as long as possible. Consumers who rate shop once a year will most likely switch auto insurance companies because they stand a good chance of finding a lower-priced policy. A study discovered that consumers who regularly compared rates saved over $3,450 over four years as compared to drivers who never shopped around for lower prices.
If finding the cheapest price on insurance in Pittsburgh is your goal, then knowing how to get price quotes and compare insurance can help make the process easier.
To save the most money, the best way to get affordable auto insurance rates is to compare prices regularly from insurers who sell auto insurance in Pittsburgh. Drivers can shop around by following these steps.
Step 1: Get a basic knowledge of auto insurance and the modifications you can make to keep rates low. Many risk factors that are responsible for high rates such as at-fault accidents and poor credit history can be amended by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Later in this article we will cover more details to help keep prices low and earn a bigger discount.
Step 2: Request rate estimates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only quote rates from a single company like GEICO and Allstate, while independent agencies can provide price quotes from multiple insurance companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your existing coverage to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you can save money and switch companies, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
Step 4: Give proper notification to your current agent or company of your intent to cancel your current car insurance policy and submit the signed application along with the required initial payment to your new carrier. Once received, put the certificate of insurance above your visor, in the console, or in the glove compartment.
One key aspect when comparing rates is that you’ll want to make sure you compare similar limits and deductibles on each price quote and and to get prices from as many companies as possible. This ensures the most accurate price comparison and a thorough price selection.
Coverage analysis
The information shown next showcases different coverage costs for Hyundai Accent models. Being more informed about how car insurance premiums are figured helps drivers make decisions when shopping your coverage around.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accent Blue 2-Dr Hatchback | $148 | $322 | $364 | $22 | $108 | $964 | $80 |
Accent GS 2-Dr Hatchback | $172 | $390 | $364 | $22 | $108 | $1,056 | $88 |
Accent GLS 4-Dr Sedan | $172 | $460 | $484 | $28 | $144 | $1,288 | $107 |
Accent SE 2-Dr Hatchback | $198 | $530 | $364 | $22 | $108 | $1,222 | $102 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Prices based on single female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and claim-free. Rates do not factor in specific garaging location which can raise or lower price quotes noticeably.
Policy deductible comparison
When buying auto insurance, a common question is at what level do you set your deductibles. The rates below illustrate how much more rates are when you buy lower versus higher physical damage deductibles. The first pricing table uses a $100 deductible for physical damage and the second rate chart uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accent Blue 2-Dr Hatchback | $210 | $420 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,035 | $86 |
Accent GS 2-Dr Hatchback | $246 | $512 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,163 | $97 |
Accent GLS 4-Dr Sedan | $246 | $602 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,379 | $115 |
Accent SE 2-Dr Hatchback | $284 | $694 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,383 | $115 |
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Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accent Blue 2-Dr Hatchback | $154 | $284 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $818 | $68 |
Accent GS 2-Dr Hatchback | $180 | $346 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $906 | $76 |
Accent GLS 4-Dr Sedan | $180 | $408 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,094 | $91 |
Accent SE 2-Dr Hatchback | $206 | $468 | $280 | $16 | $84 | $1,054 | $88 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data variables include married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, and safe-driver. Price estimates do not factor in specific zip code location which can alter coverage rates substantially.
Based on this data, using a $100 deductible will cost you approximately $22 more each month or $264 every year than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Because you would be required to pay $400 more to file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to average at least 18 months between claims, you would most likely save money if you elect the higher deductible.
How to determine if higher deductibles are a good idea
Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $103 |
Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $81 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $22 |
Difference between deductibles ($500 – $100): | $400 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $400 / $22 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 18 months |
How careless driving impacts auto insurance rates
The example below highlights how speeding tickets and fender-benders can influence Hyundai Accent insurance prices for each different age group. The premium estimates are based on a single female driver, full physical damage coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are applied.
Full coverage versus liability only rates
The chart below shows the comparison of Hyundai Accent premium costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying the minimum liability limits required in Pennsylvania. The costs are based on no accidents or driving violations, $250 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are applied.
Guidelines for dropping full coverage
There is no set rule for excluding full coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the yearly cost of comp and collision coverage is more than around 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s say your Hyundai Accent claim settlement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is destroyed, you would only receive $5,000 after paying your deductible. If you are paying over $500 annually to have full coverage, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
There are some conditions where dropping full coverage is not a good idea. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you have to carry full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if your emergency fund is not enough to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should keep full coverage.
Choices You Make Can Impact Your Insurance Costs
Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining car insurance rates. If you have a feel for what controls the rates you pay, this allows you to make educated decisions that could result in better car insurance rates. Many factors are considered when premium rates are determined. Some are obvious such as your driving record, but others are less obvious like your continuous coverage and annual miles driven.
Drive a fast vehicle and pay more – The performance level of the vehicle you need insurance for makes a substantial difference in your car insurance bill. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars usually have the lowest rates, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
The following data uses these assumptions: single male driver age 40, full coverage with $250 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. It illustrates Hyundai Accent insurance rates compared to other models that have a range of performances.
Safer cars cost less to insure – Safe vehicles are cheaper to insure. Highly rated vehicles reduce occupant injuries and reduced instances of injuries means less money paid by your insurance company passed on to you as lower rates.
Liability protection risk factors – Liability coverage provides coverage when you are responsible for physical damage or personal injury to other. It will provide legal defense to defend your case. Liability is cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
Better rates with anti-theft devices – Owning a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system all help prevent your car from being stolen.
Increase comp and collision deductibles and save – Protection for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, covers damage that occurs to your Hyundai. Some coverage claims would be running into the backend of another car, flood damage, and windstorm damage. Deductibles for physical damage are how much you are required to spend before a claim is paid by your company. The larger the amount you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the lower your rates will be.
Single drivers take more risk – Having a wife or husband may save some money on your policy. It is viewed as being more responsible and statistics show married drivers tend to have fewer serious accidents.
Which gender costs less? – Statistics have proven that females take fewer risks when driving. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. Men and women are responsible for fender benders in similar numbers, but the males tend to have higher claims. Not only that, but men also receive more costly citations like DWI (DUI) or reckless driving.
The information below illustrates the comparison of Hyundai Accent car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The premium estimates are based on no claims, a clean driving record, comp and collision included, $500 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no other discounts are factored in.
Low credit rating equals high rates – Your credit history is likely to be a major factor in calculating your car insurance rates. Insureds that have good credit tend to file fewer claims than drivers who have bad credit. If your credit history can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your Hyundai Accent by improving your rating.
Insurance loss data for Hyundai Accent vehicles – Auto insurance companies analyze the history of losses to calculate a price that will offset any claims. Vehicles that tend to have higher prevalence or dollar amount of losses will have higher rates. The data below shows the loss history for Hyundai Accent vehicles.
For each policy coverage, the claim amount for all vehicles combined as an average is equal to 100. Percentage values below 100 imply a favorable loss record, while percentages above 100 indicate a higher chance of having a claim or an increased chance of larger losses than average.
Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hyundai Accent | 98 | 109 | 89 | 129 | 129 | 133 |
Data Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
One last note
When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, an insured dropped collision coverage to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest cost.
Affordable Hyundai Accent insurance in Pittsburgh is attainable both online and also from your neighborhood Pittsburgh agents, so get free Pittsburgh car insurance quotes from both of them so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who don’t offer rate quotes online and these regional carriers prefer to sell through local independent agencies.