How to Save on Chevy Avalanche Insurance in Pittsburgh

Having to pay for overpriced insurance in Pittsburgh can drain your budget and maybe even restrict other spending. Comparing price quotes is free and is an excellent way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.

It’s shocking but over 70% of drivers renewed their policy with the same company for four years or more, and just short of a majority have never quoted rates to find affordable coverage. With the average insurance premium being $1,400, Pittsburgh drivers could pocket nearly $700 a year just by comparing rates, but most undervalue how much savings they would realize if they switched. Consumers have so many insurance companies to choose from, and although it’s nice to have multiple companies, too many choices makes it more difficult to get the best deal for Chevy Avalanche insurance in Pittsburgh.

The companies shown below can provide free quotes in Pennsylvania. If you wish to find cheap auto insurance in PA, it’s highly recommended you compare several of them to get a more complete price comparison.

These nine discounts can lower your insurance rates

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always advertise all possible discounts very well, so the list below contains some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts that you may qualify for.

• Driver Education Discount – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver’s ed class in school or through a local driver safety program.
• Own a Home and Save – Owning a house in Pittsburgh can save a few bucks since owning and maintaining a home is proof of financial responsibility.
• Payment Discounts – By paying your entire bill at once instead of making monthly payments you can actually save on your bill.
• Onboard Data Collection – Drivers who elect to allow companies to analyze vehicle usage by using a telematics device such as Drivewise from Allstate or Snapshot from Progressive could save a few bucks if they have good driving habits.
• Theft Prevention System – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Seat Belt Discounts – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to wear their seat belts can save up to 10 percent (depending on the company) off the personal injury premium cost.
• Good Student Discount – A discount for being a good student can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.
• Claim-Free Discount – Insureds who avoid accidents and claims can save substantially when compared to drivers with a long claim history.
• Early Signing – Select companies give a discount for switching policies before your current expiration date. You could save around 10% when you buy Pittsburgh auto insurance online.

Remember that most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. If you do the math and it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, insurance companies aren’t that generous.

The information below illustrates the difference between Chevy Avalanche insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the policy premium. The rate quotes are based on a female driver, no accidents or driving violations, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, multi-car, marriage, multi-policy, homeowner, and claim-free discounts applied.

If you would like to choose from a list of insurers who offer free Chevy Avalanche insurance quotes in Pennsylvania, click here.

Car insurance statistics and figures

The premium information shown below covers estimates of insurance coverage prices for Chevy Avalanche models. Having a better idea how insurance policy rates are determined can assist in making decisions on which insurance to purchase.

Prices above based on married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and safe-driver. Rate quotes do not factor in specific zip code location which can revise price quotes noticeably.

Can higher deductibles save money?

One common question asked by Pittsburgh drivers is how low should you set your deductibles. The rates shown below may help to conceptualize the rate fluctuation of buying low and high physical damage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $250 comprehensive and collision deductible and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.

Table data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Premium costs do not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can modify premium rates substantially.

Based on the above data, using a $250 deductible costs an average of $15 more each month or $180 every year than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $250 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go more than 17 months between claims, you would probably be better off by selecting a higher deductible.

Insurance rate increases from tickets or accidents

The illustration below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault collisions impact Chevy Avalanche car insurance rates for each different age group. The information is based on a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, $250 deductibles, and no other discounts are factored in.

Exclusive and independent car insurance agents

A lot of people just prefer to talk to a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. An additional benefit of getting online price quotes is that you can find better rates and still have an agent to talk to. Putting coverage with local insurance agencies is important especially in Pittsburgh.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your insurance data is instantly submitted to participating agents in Pittsburgh who will give you bids to get your business. You never need to contact any insurance agencies since rate quotes are delivered immediately to you. If you need to get a price quote from a specific insurance company, feel free to search and find their rate quote page and give them your coverage information.

Two types of car insurance agents

If you are wanting to purchase insurance from a good insurance agency, you need to know there are two types of agencies to choose from. Agents in Pittsburgh are either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments. Both can write policy coverage, but it’s a good idea to understand the difference in how they write coverage because it can factor into your selection of an agent.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent insurance agents are not employed by any specific company so as a result can place your coverage through many different insurance companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If they find a cheaper price, they simply move your policy to a different company and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When comparing rates, it’s recommended you get quotes from several independent agencies to get the most accurate price comparison.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Pittsburgh that can give you pricing information.

More Pittsburgh agents

Exclusive Insurance Agencies

Exclusive insurance agents can only place business with one company like Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agents cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so keep that in mind. These agents are well trained on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Shown below is a list of exclusive insurance agents in Pittsburgh that can give you rate quotes.

More Pittsburgh agents

Deciding on an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the price. Before buying a policy in Pittsburgh, get answers to these questions.

• Do they see any coverage gaps in your plan?
• Are they in the agency full-time?
• Does the agency have a positive business rating?
• Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Pennsylvania?
• How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
• Where would glass claims be handled in Pittsburgh?
• Do they write coverage based solely on cost?
• If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?

You are unique and your car insurance should be too

When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really isn’t a “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that
Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether your personal situation might need an agent’s assistance.

• How much liability coverage do I need in Pennsylvania?
• What does roadside assistance cover?
• How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
• Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
• Is pet coverage available?
• Can my babysitter drive my car?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Three reasons car insurance is important

Despite the fact that car insurance is not cheap in Pittsburgh, maintaining insurance is mandatory in Pennsylvania but it also protects more than you think.

• Almost all states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to carry a specific minimum amount of liability protection in order to drive the car legally. 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 you have a loan on your Chevy, most banks will require that you have insurance to ensure they get paid if you total the vehicle. If you let the policy lapse, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Chevy at a significantly higher premium and require you to reimburse them for the much more expensive policy.
• Insurance protects not only your vehicle but also your financial assets. It will also pay for many types of medical costs incurred in an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, will also pay attorney fees in the event you are sued. If you have damage to your Chevy as the result of the weather or an accident, your car insurance policy will pay all costs to repair after the deductible has been paid.

The benefits of insuring your car more than cancel out the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. On average, a vehicle owner in Pittsburgh is overpaying over $825 a year so it’s recommended you shop around each time the policy renews to make sure the price is not too high.

Learn about insurance coverages for a Chevy Avalanche

Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are the usual coverages offered by insurance companies.

Medical payments and PIP coverage

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for things like X-ray expenses, hospital visits, EMT expenses and prosthetic devices. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Collision coverage protection

This coverage pays for damage to your Avalanche resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage protects against things such as scraping a guard rail, colliding with another moving vehicle, backing into a parked car, crashing into a building and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible on your Avalanche to bring the cost down.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage

This protects you and your vehicle when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Chevy Avalanche.

Since many Pennsylvania drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Pennsylvania limits are 15/30/5), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Normally the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Coverage for liability

This can cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people. It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show policy limits of 15/30/5 which means $15,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $30,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $5,000. Alternatively, you may have a combined single limit or CSL that pays claims from the same limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.

Liability can pay for claims such as emergency aid, attorney fees, repair costs for stationary objects, funeral expenses and structural damage. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but you should buy as much as you can afford. Pennsylvania state minimum liability requirements are 15/30/5 but it’s recommended drivers buy more coverage.

The illustration below shows why the minimum limit may not be enough.

Comprehensive auto coverage

Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for things such as damage from getting keyed, rock chips in glass, damage from a tornado or hurricane and hitting a deer. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Pittsburgh auto insurance companies ranked

Selecting the best company can be rather challenging considering how many choices there are in Pennsylvania. The company rank data shown below may help you choose which providers to look at comparing price quotes from.

Top 10 Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Value

1. The General
2. The Hartford
3. Titan Insurance
4. Farmers Insurance
5. 21st Century
6. Safeco Insurance
7. AAA Insurance
8. State Farm
9. Travelers
10. Progressive

Top 10 Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies Ranked by Customer Service

1. Titan Insurance
2. The Hartford
3. American Family
4. Progressive
5. USAA
6. Travelers
7. State Farm
8. GEICO
9. Erie Insurance
10. Allstate

Persistence will pay off

You just read many ideas to reduce Chevy Avalanche insurance prices online in Pittsburgh. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the lowest prices are with some of the smallest insurance companies. Smaller companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like State Farm or Progressive.

Lower-priced Chevy Avalanche insurance in Pittsburgh is available from both online companies and with local Pittsburgh insurance agents, so get free Pittsburgh auto insurance quotes from both of them so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who don’t offer the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies work with local independent agencies.

Steps to finding low-cost Chevy Avalanche insurance in Pittsburgh

The best way we recommend to get budget car insurance rates is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from different companies in Pittsburgh. Rates can be compared by completing these steps.

Step 1: It will benefit you to learn about how companies set rates and the modifications you can make to prevent expensive coverage. Many rating factors that result in higher prices such as at-fault accidents, careless driving, and a substandard credit history can be remedied by paying attention to minor details.

Step 2: Compare rates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only quote rates from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes for a wide range of insurance providers.

Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to the price on your current policy to see if cheaper Avalanche coverage is available. If you can save some money and change companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.

Step 4: Provide proper notification to your current company of your intent to cancel the current policy and submit a completed policy application and payment for the new coverage. As soon as you can, store the proof of insurance paperwork in an easily accessible location.

One thing to remember is to compare similar coverage information on each quote request and and to look at as many different companies as possible. This helps ensure a fair rate comparison and many rates to choose from.

Even more information can be read in these articles:

• Protect Yourself Against Auto Theft (Insurance Information Institute)
• How Much is Pittsburgh Auto Insurance for a Chevrolet Silverado? (FAQ)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for Unemployed Drivers in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
• Tread Depth and Tire Safety (State Farm)
• A Tree Fell on Your Car: Now What? (Allstate)
• Determining Auto Insurance Rates (GEICO)