Regrettably, most drivers kept buying from the same company for well over three years, and virtually 40% of consumers have never quoted rates to find cheap coverage. Pennsylvania drivers could save up to 55% every year by just comparing rate quotes, but they don’t invest the time required to compare rate quotes online.
If you want to find the absolute lowest rates, then the best way to get low-cost auto insurance rates is to compare quotes once a year from insurers who sell auto insurance in Pittsburgh.
Step 1: Try to learn a little about how insurance companies determine prices and the measures you can control to prevent high rates. Many rating factors that cause rate increases such as traffic violations and a negative credit rating can be improved by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Later in this article we will cover instructions to help reduce prices and find more discounts that you may not know about.
Step 2: Get rate quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can give quotes from one company like Progressive or Allstate, while independent agencies can provide rate quotes from many different companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rates to the premium of your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available in Pittsburgh. If you find better rates, make sure coverage does not lapse between policies.
Step 4: Provide notification to your current agent or company of your intention to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit a down payment along with a completed application to the newly selected company. Once coverage is bound, place the new proof of insurance paperwork in your glove compartment.
The critical component of shopping around is to try to use similar deductibles and liability limits on each price quote and and to get quotes from every company you can. This provides an accurate price comparison and a thorough selection of prices.
Getting a cheap price on insurance is surprisingly easy. You just have to take a couple of minutes comparing free Pittsburgh auto insurance quotes from some recommended companies.
The following companies are our best choices to provide price comparisons in Pennsylvania. To buy the best car insurance in Pennsylvania, we suggest you compare several of them to find the cheapest auto insurance rates.
Auto insurance policy discounts you can’t miss
Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list all their discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down some of the best known and the more hidden credits available to lower your premiums when you buy Pittsburgh auto insurance online. If they aren’t giving you every credit you qualify for, you are just wasting money.
- Cautious Driver Discount – Insureds without accidents can pay as much as 50% less compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
- Driving Data Discount – Drivers who elect to allow their auto insurance company to spy on their driving habits by using a small device installed in their vehicle such as Allstate’s Drivewise and State Farm’s In-Drive system could possibly reduce rates as long as the data is positive.
- Early Renewal Discounts – Some larger companies give discounts for switching to them prior to the expiration date on your current TLX insurance policy. It can save you around 10%.
- Theft Deterrent System – Cars with anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Safety Course Discount – Taking a class that teaches safe driver techniques can save you 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
- Discount for Passive Restraints – Factory options such as air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
- Include Life Insurance and Save – Insurance carriers who offer life insurance give a small discount if you purchase a life policy as well.
- Safety Restraint Discount – Drivers who require all occupants to fasten their seat belts may be able to save a few bucks off the PIP or medical payment premium.
Keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
To view providers that offer multiple discounts in Pennsylvania, click here.
Find Cheaper Auto Insurance with These Tips
A large part of saving on auto insurance is knowing the factors that are used to determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. When consumers understand what controls the rates you pay, this helps enable you to make changes that could help you find lower rates. Many factors are part of the calculation when pricing auto insurance. A few of the factors are predictable like your driving record, although some other factors are not as apparent like your vehicle usage or your commute time.
Tickets can be expensive – Even one speeding ticket or other violation can increase the cost of insurance by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records pay less for auto insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who have dangerous tickets such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to legally drive a vehicle.
More performance means more cost – The performance level of the car you drive makes a big difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates are for smaller low performance passenger models, but your final cost has many other factors.
Long commutes cost more – Driving more miles in a year the higher the price you pay to insure it. Most companies calculate rates based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles that have low annual miles cost less to insure as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. It’s always a good idea to double check that your vehicle rating correctly shows annual mileage, because improper ratings can cost you money. An incorrectly rated TLX can cost quite a bit.
High comp and collision deductibles reduce costs – Your deductibles state the amount of money the insured will be required to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Protection for physical damage, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, protects your car from damage. Some coverage claims are rear-ending another vehicle, hail damage, and damage from wind. The more of the claim you pay before a claim is paid (deductible), the less your company will charge you for insurance.
Amount of liability – Liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if you are found liable for physical damage or personal injury to other. Liability provides for a legal defense to attempt to prove you were not liable. This coverage is relatively inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should buy more than the minimum limits required by law.
Be proud to be claim-free – Insurance companies in Pennsylvania provide lower rates to people who are not frequent claim filers. If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Auto insurance is intended for more catastrophic claims.
Demanding vocation may mean higher prices – Occupations such as fire fighters, business owners, and emergency personnel are shown to have the highest rates due to high stress and long work hours. Other jobs such as professors, engineers and retirees receive lower rates.
Gals tend to cost less – Statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean males are worse at driving than females. They both cause fender benders in similar numbers, but guys tend to have higher claims. Men also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.
Acura TLX insurance claim data – Insurance companies use claims history when setting rates for each model. Models that tend to have high amounts or severity of claims will be charged more to insure. The table below illustrates the insurance loss data for Acura TLX vehicles.
For each insurance policy coverage type, the claim amount for all vehicles, without regard to make or model, is equal to 100. Numbers under 100 imply a favorable loss record, while numbers shown that are more than 100 indicate higher probability of having a loss or an increased probability of a larger loss.
| Vehicle Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura TLX 4dr 2WD | 90 | 75 | 97 | 93 | 74 | 77 |
| Acura TLX 4dr 4WD | 120 | 75 |
Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
Statistics from IIHS.org for 2013-2015 Model Years
Local Pittsburgh insurance agencies
Many drivers just prefer to go talk to an agent and that is not a bad decision Most agents can make sure you are properly covered and help file insurance claims. A good thing about getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find cheap auto insurance quotes but also keep your business local.
After filling out this quick form, your insurance data gets sent to insurance agents in Pittsburgh that can give you free Pittsburgh auto insurance quotes to get your business. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to leave your computer because prices are sent to the email address you provide. In the event you want to get a comparison quote from a specific company, you just need to navigate to their website and fill out the quote form the provide.
Picking an company needs to be determined by more than just the price. These questions are important to ask:
- Do they see any coverage gaps in your plan?
- Are they primarily personal or commercial lines agents in Pittsburgh?
- Do they offer claims assistance after hours?
- Do they have designations such as AIC, CPCU, or CIC?
- Is the quote a firm price?
Exclusive and independent Pittsburgh auto insurance agents
If you need to find a local Pittsburgh insurance agency, it helps to know the two different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Auto insurance agents in Pittsburgh may be either independent or exclusive. Either one can insure your vehicles properly, but it’s important to point out why they differ since it can affect your selection of an agent.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel write business for a single company and some examples include Farmers Insurance, Allstate, or State Farm. They are unable to provide other company’s prices so they have to upsell other benefits. Exclusive agents are highly trained on what they offer which can be an advantage. Some people will only choose to use a exclusive agent primarily because of loyalty to the company rather than low rates.
Below is a list of exclusive insurance agencies in Pittsburgh willing to provide rate quotes.
- Mike Newell – State Farm Insurance Agent
4772 Liberty Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15224 – (412) 621-0600 – View Map - GEICO Insurance Agent
9026 St Simon Way – Pittsburgh, PA 15237 – (412) 364-7170 – View Map - John Cosey – State Farm Insurance Agent
5869 Forbes Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15217 – (412) 521-7070 – View Map
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agents are not limited to a single company and that is an advantage because they can write policies with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to do anything. If you are comparing auto insurance prices, we recommend you get insurance quotes from several independent agencies to have the most options to choose from. Most also write with smaller regional carriers who may have lower rates.
Listed below are independent agencies in Pittsburgh who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Nationwide Insurance: Joshua Michael Dott Agency
513 Towne Square Way – Pittsburgh, PA 15227 – (412) 927-2400 – View Map - Celik Insurance Agency Inc.
2407 Mt Troy Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15212 – (412) 323-9300 – View Map - Wagner Agency, Inc.
5020 Centre Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15213 – (412) 681-2700 – View Map
Insurance agents can help
Always keep in mind that when comparing your policy for your personal vehicles, there really is not a one-size-fits-all type of policy. Your financial needs are unique.
For example, these questions could help you determine whether your personal situation could use an agent’s help.
- Am I covered if I have no license?
- How do I insure my teen driver?
- When should I remove comp and collision on my Acura TLX?
- Are my friends covered when driving my car?
- Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
- Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
- Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
- Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?
If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, free and you can get the answers you need.
You can find cheap coverage
Consumers switch companies for many reasons like extreme rates for teen drivers, high prices, delays in responding to claim requests and not issuing a premium refund. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a great new company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.
When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s very important that you do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the lowest possible cost while not skimping on critical coverages.
You just learned a lot of tips how to compare Acura TLX insurance rates in Pittsburgh. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the better chance you’ll have of finding inexpensive Pittsburgh auto insurance quotes. Drivers may even discover the best rates are with the least-expected company.
For more information, feel free to visit these articles:
- What is a Telematics Device? (Allstate)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- What Insurance is Cheapest for Low Mileage Drivers in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Pittsburgh Car Insurance for a Nissan Versa? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance for Retired Military in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for High Mileage Drivers in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Think You’re a Safe Driver? (State Farm)
- New Honda safety features benefit drivers of all ages (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)