Truthfully, the best way to get the cheapest Nissan Altima insurance is to compare prices at least once a year from companies in Pittsburgh.
- Take a little time to learn about how companies set rates and the factors you can control to keep rates down. Many risk factors that drive up the price such as inattentive driving and a bad credit score can be controlled by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.
- Obtain price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can provide rates from one company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agents can quote rates for a wide range of companies.
- Compare the quotes to your existing policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find a lower rate and make a switch, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Notify your company or agent to cancel your current policy. Submit a completed application and payment to your new insurance company. Be sure to place the new certificate verifying coverage above your visor, in the console, or in the glove compartment.
An important note is to try to use identical coverage information on each price quote and and to analyze as many different companies as possible. This enables a level playing field and the best price quote selection.
It’s safe to assume that auto insurance companies don’t want customers comparing rates. People who shop around for the cheapest rate are inclined to switch to a new company because they stand a good chance of finding coverage at a more affordable price. A study discovered that consumers who compared prices regularly saved about $865 annually as compared to drivers who never shopped around for better prices.
If finding budget-friendly insurance in Pittsburgh is your ultimate objective, then having an understanding of how to shop and compare coverage rates can save time and make the process easier.
If you already have coverage, you will be able to shop for the lowest rates using these techniques. Locating affordable car insurance in Pittsburgh is easy to do. Nevertheless, Pennsylvania consumers must understand how companies determine what you pay because rates are impacted by many factors.
Cheapest Nissan Altima insurance rate quotes in Pittsburgh
When quoting car insurance, remember that quoting more helps locate a better price. Some regional insurers cannot provide online price quotes, so it’s necessary to compare rates on coverage from those companies, too.
The providers in the list below are ready to provide free quotes in Pennsylvania. In order to find cheap auto insurance in Pittsburgh, PA, we recommend you compare several of them to find the lowest auto insurance rates.
Car insurance analysis for a Nissan Altima
The rate information below showcases a range of policy rates for Nissan Altima models. Being more informed about how insurance prices are calculated can help customers make smart policy decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima 2.5 4-Dr Sedan | $200 | $338 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $994 | $83 |
| Altima 2.5 S 4-Dr Sedan | $200 | $400 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,056 | $88 |
| Altima Hybrid 4-Dr Sedan | $226 | $400 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,082 | $90 |
| Altima 2.5 S 2-Dr Coupe | $226 | $400 | $380 | $22 | $114 | $1,142 | $95 |
| Altima 3.5 SR 4-Dr Sedan | $226 | $400 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,082 | $90 |
| Altima 3.5 SR 2-Dr Coupe | $226 | $460 | $380 | $22 | $114 | $1,202 | $100 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data assumes married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, and homeowner. Premium costs do not factor in specific garaging location which can modify rates considerably.
Physical damage deductibles: Should you raise them?
When comparing car insurance rates, the most common question is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The figures shown below help summarize the premium difference of buying low and high comp and collision deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $100 physical damage deductible and the second set of prices uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima 2.5 4-Dr Sedan | $284 | $512 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,269 | $106 |
| Altima 2.5 S 4-Dr Sedan | $284 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,359 | $113 |
| Altima Hybrid 4-Dr Sedan | $320 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,395 | $116 |
| Altima 2.5 S 2-Dr Coupe | $320 | $602 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,453 | $121 |
| Altima 3.5 SR 4-Dr Sedan | $320 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,395 | $116 |
| Altima 3.5 SR 2-Dr Coupe | $320 | $694 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,545 | $129 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima 2.5 4-Dr Sedan | $206 | $346 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,000 | $83 |
| Altima 2.5 S 4-Dr Sedan | $206 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,062 | $89 |
| Altima Hybrid 4-Dr Sedan | $234 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,090 | $91 |
| Altima 2.5 S 2-Dr Coupe | $234 | $408 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,148 | $96 |
| Altima 3.5 SR 4-Dr Sedan | $234 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,090 | $91 |
| Altima 3.5 SR 2-Dr Coupe | $234 | $468 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,208 | $101 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and safe-driver. Premium amounts do not factor in specific location which can increase or decrease auto insurance rates significantly.
We can derive from the above data that using a $100 deductible will cost you roughly $25 more each month or $300 annually than buying the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $400 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you tend to average at a minimum 16 months between claims, you would save more money if you decide on a higher deductible.
How to determine if raising deductibles makes sense
| Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $117 |
| Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $92 |
| Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $25 |
| Difference between deductibles ($500 – $100): | $400 |
| Divide difference by monthly savings: | $400 / $25 |
| Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 16 months |
One thing to be aware of is that raising deductibles to save money means you will have to pay more of your own money when you have a physical damage claim. That will force you to have some extra savings in the event you have to pay the deductible to have repairs made.
Premiums by gender and age
The illustration below illustrates the difference between Nissan Altima premium costs for male and female drivers. Data assumes no claims or violations, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are single, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
Best reasons to buy car insurance in Pennsylvania
Even though it can be expensive, insuring your vehicle is required in Pennsylvania but it also protects you in many ways.
- Most states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means it is punishable by state law to not carry a specific minimum amount of liability insurance coverage if you don’t want to risk a ticket. 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.
- If your vehicle has a loan, most banks will have a requirement that you buy full coverage to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If coverage lapses or is canceled, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Nissan at a more expensive rate and require you to pay a much higher amount than you were paying before.
- Insurance protects your vehicle and your assets. It will also pay for most medical and hospital costs for you, any passengers, and anyone injured in an accident. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, also covers all legal expenses up to the policy limit in the event you are sued. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance definitely exceed the price paid, especially when you need to use it. On average, a vehicle owner in Pittsburgh is overpaying over $750 every year so compare quotes from several companies at every policy renewal to help ensure money is not being wasted.
Pittsburgh Insurance Rates are Influenced by These Factors
Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that go into determining your premiums. If you understand what determines premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that may result in lower rates. Many things are part of the equation when quoting car insurance. Some are obvious like a motor vehicle report, although some other factors are not quite as obvious such as whether you are married or your commute time.
Infrequent drivers can save – Driving more miles each year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies price each vehicle’s coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. An improperly rated Altima is throwing money out the window. Verify your insurance policy correctly shows the correct driver usage.
Deductibles are a factor – Insurance for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, insures against damage to your Nissan. Examples of some claims that would be covered would be colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles state the amount of money the insured will be required to pay before a claim is paid by your company. The larger the amount you choose to pay out-of-pocket, the less your insurance will be.
Big city or small town – Having an address in small towns and rural areas may provide you with better prices if you are looking for the lowest rates. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident in addition to lower liability claims. Urban drivers tend to have more aggressive driving styles and longer commute times. Longer commute distances translates into higher accident risk.
Cautious drivers pay the best rates – Whether or not you get tickets can have a huge impact on auto insurance premiums. Getting just one speeding ticket or other violation may increase your cost by twenty percent. Good drivers pay less for auto insurance as compared to those with violations. Drivers unfortunate enough to have severe citations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form with the DMV in their state in order to legally drive.
The information below highlights how speeding tickets and accident claims can affect Nissan Altima insurance premiums for different age groups. Data assumes a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $500 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Insurance loss data for Nissan Altima vehicles – Auto insurance companies factor in historical loss data to help set a rate to offset losses. Vehicles that the data shows to have increased losses will cost more for coverage. The data below shows the historical loss data for Nissan Altima vehicles.
For each policy coverage, the claim amount for all vehicles averaged together is equal to 100. Values that are under 100 mean the vehicle has better than average losses, while values that are above 100 point to more losses or statistically larger claims.
| Vehicle Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima | 110 | 97 | 119 | 144 | 147 | 114 |
Data Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years
Pittsburgh insurance discounts
Not many people think insurance is cheap, but you may qualify for discounts to help bring down the price. Some discounts will apply at the time of quoting, but some discounts are required to be specifically requested before you get the savings. If you are not receiving all the discounts possible, you could be saving more on your insurance.
- Discounts for Safe Drivers – Safe drivers can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates compared to accident prone drivers.
- Telematics Devices – Insureds that choose to allow driving data submission to monitor driving manner by installing a telematics device like Allstate’s Drivewise may get a rate reduction as long as the data is positive.
- Early Payment Discounts – By making one initial payment instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
- No Claims – Insureds with no claims or accidents can save substantially when compared to accident-prone drivers.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles may allow you to get better prices on cars that stay parked.
- Student Driver Training – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers successfully complete driver’s ed class if it’s offered in school.
- Paper-free Discount – A few larger companies will provide an incentive get Pittsburgh auto insurance on the web.
- Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
One thing to note about discounts is that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only cut individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though it may seem like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
The example below visualizes the comparison of Nissan Altima insurance prices with and without discounts applied to the premium. The data assumes a female driver, a clean driving record, no claims, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, multi-car, homeowner, safe-driver, marriage, and claim-free discounts applied.
Some of the larger companies that may have most of these discounts include:
If you want the cheapest Nissan Altima rate quotes, ask every company the best way to save money. Discounts may not apply to policies in Pittsburgh. To see insurance companies that offer the discounts shown above in Pittsburgh, click this link.
Special considerations
Always remember that when buying coverage online or from an agent for your vehicles, there really isn’t a “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different.
These are some specific questions may help you determine if your insurance needs might need professional guidance.
- Is a blown tire covered by insurance?
- Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- What does medical payments cover?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
- Why do I need rental car insurance?
- Am I covered if I back into my garage door?
- Is pet coverage available?
- Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
- How high should deductibles be on a Nissan Altima?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.
When should I get advice from an insurance agent?
A lot of people would prefer to go talk to an agent and that is OK! One of the best bonuses of comparing car insurance online is the fact that drivers can get better rates and still choose a local agent. And providing support for local agencies is still important in Pittsburgh.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), your information is instantly submitted to companies in Pittsburgh who will gladly provide quotes to get your business. You won’t even need to contact any insurance agencies because prices are sent to you. It’s the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If you have a need to compare prices from a specific car insurance provider, just navigate to their website and fill out their quote form.
If you would like to find a good insurance agency, you must know there are a couple types of agencies and how they can quote your rates. Pittsburgh agents can be classified as either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive.
Independent Insurance Agents
These type of agents are not limited to a single company and that is an advantage because they can write policies with a variety of different insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, they can switch companies in-house and you don’t have to switch agencies. If you are comparing car insurance prices, you absolutely need to include price quotes from a couple of independent agencies to maximize your price options. Many independent agencies also insure through smaller companies that many times have cheaper rates.
The following is a partial list of independent insurance agencies in Pittsburgh that may be able to provide competitive price quotes.
- D Johnson Insurance Agency
12806 Frankstown Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15235 – (412) 744-4800 – View Map - Preston and Grafton Insurance Agency
2012 Murray Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15217 – (412) 586-7340 – View Map - Casto Insurance Agency
1900 Painters Run Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15241 – (412) 257-4300 – View Map
Exclusive Car Insurance Agencies
These type of agents normally can only provide a single company’s rates and examples are AAA, Allstate, State Farm, or Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents cannot compare other company’s rates so they really need to provide good service. They are well trained on sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers sometimes purchase coverage from exclusives partially due to the brand rather than having the cheapest rates.
Below is a list of exclusive insurance agents in Pittsburgh that can give you price quote information.
- Danielle Howard – State Farm Insurance Agent
1500 Ardmore Blvd Ste 403 – Pittsburgh, PA 15221 – (412) 351-3305 – View Map - Adriana Pasquini – State Farm Insurance Agent
735 Copeland St, FL2, Pittsburgh 15232 – FL2, PA 15232 – (412) 904-1268 – View Map - Mike Dudenas – State Farm Insurance Agent
901 Castle Shannon Blvd – Pittsburgh, PA 15234 – (412) 561-5012 – View Map
Finding the right insurance agent should include more criteria than just a cheap price. Some important questions to ask are:
- What company holds the largest book of business for them?
- Is coverage determined by price?
- Will they give you a referral list?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- If independent agents, which companies do they recommend?
- Where would your vehicle be repaired?
- Do they offer rental car reimbursement?
- Is insurance their full-time profession?
Smart shoppers get results
We just covered quite a bit of information on how to save on Nissan Altima insurance in Pittsburgh. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the better your chances of lowering your prices. You may even find the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies.
When trying to cut insurance costs, never buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best possible price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
Cost effective Nissan Altima insurance is possible on the web and also from your neighborhood Pittsburgh agents, and you should compare rates from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies do not offer the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies sell through independent insurance agencies.
More tips and info about auto insurance is available in the articles below:
- Anti-Lock Brake FAQ (iihs.org)
- Uninsured Motorist Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)
- Vehicle Insurance (Wikipedia)