Truthfully, the best way to get the cheapest Nissan Sentra insurance is to compare prices regularly from insurance carriers in Pittsburgh. You can compare prices by completing these steps.
Step 1: Learn about the different coverages in a policy and the things you can control to prevent rate increases. Many factors that increase rates like getting speeding tickets and a poor credit rating can be amended by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. Continue reading for additional tips to help prevent costly coverage and earn larger discounts.
Step 2: Request rate estimates from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Exclusive and direct companies can only give prices from a single company like Progressive or State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes from multiple insurance companies.
Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to the premium of your current policy and determine if cheaper Sentra coverage is available in Pittsburgh. If you find a lower rate quote and switch companies, ensure there is no coverage lapse between policies.
Step 4: Provide adequate notice to your current company to cancel your current policy and submit the completed application along with a down payment to the newly selected company. As soon as you have the new policy, keep your new certificate verifying proof of insurance in your glove compartment.
One bit of advice is to try to use the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on every quote and and to get rate quotes from as many companies as possible. Doing this guarantees an apples-to-apples comparison and a good representation of prices.
Astonishing but true according to a recent study, nearly 70% of drivers have remained with the same auto insurance company for at least four years, and practically 40% of auto insurance customers have never even compared quotes to find cheap rates. Pennsylvania insurance shoppers could pocket up to 55% a year by just shopping around, but most just don’t grasp the amount of savings they would get if they switched to a more affordable policy.
The companies shown below can provide free rate quotes in Pennsylvania. If multiple companies are listed, it’s a good idea that you visit as many as you can in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Coverage information
The price information below showcases estimates of insurance costs for Nissan Sentra models. Having insight into how policy rates are formulated is important for making smart choices when comparing insurance rates.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sentra 2 | $218 | $492 | $398 | $24 | $120 | $1,252 | $104 |
Sentra 2.0 S | $218 | $580 | $398 | $24 | $120 | $1,340 | $112 |
Sentra 2.0 SR | $218 | $580 | $398 | $24 | $120 | $1,340 | $112 |
Sentra 2.0 SL | $250 | $580 | $398 | $24 | $120 | $1,372 | $114 |
Sentra SE-R | $250 | $580 | $398 | $24 | $120 | $1,372 | $114 |
Sentra SE-R SPEC V | $250 | $668 | $398 | $24 | $120 | $1,460 | $122 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data assumes single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy. Premium amounts do not factor in garaging location in Pittsburgh which can increase or decrease auto insurance rates noticeably.
Comparison of policy deductibles
One common question asked by Pittsburgh drivers is which deductible level should you buy. The data tables below help summarize the premium difference when you select higher and lower policy deductibles. The first table uses a $100 deductible for comp and collision and the second price table uses a $1,000 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sentra 2 | $246 | $512 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,231 | $103 |
Sentra 2.0 S | $246 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,321 | $110 |
Sentra 2.0 SR | $246 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,321 | $110 |
Sentra 2.0 SL | $284 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,359 | $113 |
Sentra SE-R | $284 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,359 | $113 |
Sentra SE-R SPEC V | $284 | $694 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,451 | $121 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sentra 2 | $136 | $270 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $854 | $71 |
Sentra 2.0 S | $136 | $318 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $902 | $75 |
Sentra 2.0 SR | $136 | $318 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $902 | $75 |
Sentra 2.0 SL | $158 | $318 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $924 | $77 |
Sentra SE-R | $158 | $318 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $924 | $77 |
Sentra SE-R SPEC V | $158 | $366 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $972 | $81 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Premium data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, and homeowner. Price estimates do not factor in specific garaging location which can decrease or increase premiums substantially.
We can derive from the above data that using a $100 deductible costs an average of $36 more each month or $432 every year averaged for all Sentra models than quoting the higher $1,000 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $900 more out-of-pocket with a $1,000 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally average more than 25 months between claim filings, you would save money by going with a higher deductible. Below is how this determination is made.
Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $112 |
Average monthly premium for $1,000 deductibles (subtract): | – $76 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $36 |
Difference between deductibles ($1,000 – $100): | $900 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $900 / $36 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 25 months |
One important caveat is that raising deductibles to get cheaper rates results in more money out-of-pocket when you do file a claim. That will force you to have some savings in the bank in the event you need to pay the higher deductible in order to repair your vehicle.
The chart below shows how different deductible levels and can change Nissan Sentra insurance prices for each age group. The data is based on a married male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.
Careless driving habits raise car insurance rates
The example below shows how traffic citations and at-fault collisions can impact Nissan Sentra car insurance rates for different age groups of insureds. The premiums assume a married female driver, comp and collision included, $100 deductibles, and no policy discounts are applied.
Cost comparison with and without full coverage
The illustration below compares Nissan Sentra car insurance costs with full coverage compared to only the Pennsylvania minimum liability coverage. The rates are based on no claims or driving violations, $500 deductibles, marital status is single, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to switch to liability coverage only
There is no set rule of when to stop paying for comp and collision coverage, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of coverage is more than around 10% of the vehicle’s replacement cost less your deductible, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Nissan Sentra replacement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most you would get paid by your company is $5,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If you are paying in excess of $500 annually for your policy with full coverage, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
There are a few situations where dropping physical damage coverage is not a good idea. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to maintain full coverage to satisfy the loan requirements. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle in the even your car is totaled, you should maintain full coverage.
Discount Pittsburgh insurance quotes
Not too many consumers would say insurance is affordable, but you might find some hidden discounts that may help make it more affordable. Some trigger automatically when you complete an application, but occasionally some discounts must be inquired about in order for you to get them.
- Good Driver Discount – Drivers who avoid accidents may save up to 50% more than drivers with accident claims.
- Telematics Discount – Insureds that choose to allow their insurance company to spy on when and where they use their vehicle by using a telematic data system like In-Drive from State Farm and Progressive’s Snapshot could possibly reduce rates if their driving habits are good.
- Federal Government Employee – Active or former government employment can earn a discount up to 10% with a few insurance companies.
- Early Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you could save up to 5%.
- Discounts for Multiple Vehicles – Drivers who insure all your vehicles on a single policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Seat Belt Discounts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save 10% or more off PIP or medical payments premium.
- Own a Home – Owning a home in Pittsburgh may trigger a policy discount on insurance because it requires a higher level of personal finance.
- Accident-Free Discounts – Pittsburgh drivers who stay claim-free are rewarded with significantly better rates on Pittsburgh auto insurance quote as opposed to drivers who are more careless.
- Early Renewal Discounts – Some insurance companies provide a discount for renewing your policy prior to the expiration date on your current Sentra insurance policy. This can save 10% or more.
- Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive lower premium rates.
Discounts reduce rates, but you should keep in mind that most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like you could get a free insurance policy, nobody gets a free ride.
The chart below shows the comparison of Nissan Sentra insurance costs with and without discounts applied. The prices are based on a female driver, no violations or accidents, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, multi-car, and marriage discounts applied.
Popular insurance companies and their offered discounts are shown below.
- GEICO policyholders can earn discounts including multi-vehicle, membership and employees, good student, driver training, emergency military deployment, military active duty, and federal employee.
- Auto-Owners Insurance has savings for multi-policy, air bags, student away at school, safe vehicle, group or association, and mature driver.
- American Family may offer discounts for accident-free, multi-vehicle, good driver, bundled insurance, mySafetyValet, and defensive driver.
- Esurance discounts include multi-car, Switch & Save, Pac-12 alumni, homeowner, online quote, safety device, and DriveSense.
- Progressive offers premium reductions for continuous coverage, good student, multi-vehicle, online quote discount, and multi-policy.
- State Farm offers discounts including accident-free, good student, good driver, multiple autos, multiple policy, safe vehicle, and anti-theft.
- AAA includes discounts for AAA membership discount, good student, anti-theft, multi-policy, multi-car, good driver, and pay-in-full.
When getting free Pittsburgh auto insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to every prospective company to apply every possible discount. Some credits might not be offered in Pittsburgh. To locate companies that offer some of these discounts in Pennsylvania, click this link.
Choosing Nissan Sentra insurance is an important decision
Despite the high insurance cost for a Nissan Sentra in Pittsburgh, paying for insurance is required by state law in Pennsylvania and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.
First, most states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means it is punishable by state law to not carry specific limits of liability insurance coverage 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 Sentra has a lienholder, most banks will make it mandatory that you have full coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totaled. If you do not keep the policy in force, the bank may buy a policy for your Nissan at an extremely high rate and require you to reimburse them for it.
Third, insurance safeguards both your vehicle and your personal assets. It will also provide coverage for hospital and medical expenses for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, will also pay for a defense attorney in the event you are sued. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of carrying enough insurance are definitely more than the cost, particularly if you ever have a claim. In a recent study of 1,000 drivers, the average customer overpays as much as $855 a year so you should quote your policy with other companies at least once a year to make sure the price is not too high.
Which auto insurance company is best in Pittsburgh?
Finding the highest-rated insurance company is difficult considering how many different insurance companies sell coverage in Pennsylvania. The rank data in the next section may help you select which auto insurers you want to consider comparing rate quotes with.
Top 10 Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies Overall
- The General
- Titan Insurance
- The Hartford
- Progressive
- Travelers
- State Farm
- Farmers Insurance
- Erie Insurance
- Safeco Insurance
- USAA
What is the best car insurance coverage?
When selecting the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique.
For instance, these questions may help highlight if you would benefit from professional advice.
- Is motorclub coverage worth it?
- Is pleasure use cheaper than using my Nissan Sentra to commute?
- Does my Nissan Sentra need full coverage?
- What if I owe more than I can insure my car for?
- Does every company file a SR-22 automatically?
- How high should deductibles be on a Nissan Sentra?
- Who does medical payments coverage extend to?
- What discounts do I qualify for?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form. It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.
When to have guidance from an agent
Certain consumers still like to go talk to an agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Licensed agents can help you choose the best coverages and give you someone to call. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is that you can find better rates and still have an agent to talk to. Buying from local agencies is important especially in Pittsburgh.
For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, your insurance data is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will give you quotes for your coverage. You don’t have to even leave your home since rate quotes are delivered to you. If you want to get a price quote from one company in particular, don’t hesitate to go to their quote page and give them your coverage information.
When looking for a reliable agent, it’s important to understand the different types of agencies and how they can service your needs differently. Car insurance agents in Pittsburgh may be either exclusive or independent. Both can sell and service car insurance coverage, but it’s good to learn the difference in the companies they write for because it can influence the selection process.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so as a result can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies and find you cheaper rates. If you want to switch companies, your agent can just switch to a different company which requires no work on your part.
If you are comparing car insurance prices, you will definitely want to get several quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the best price comparison. Many write coverage with smaller regional carriers which may have better rates.
Shown below are Pittsburgh independent insurance agents that may be able to give you price quotes.
- Preston and Grafton Insurance Agency
2012 Murray Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15217 – (412) 586-7340 – View Map - T.W. Butts Insurance Agency
4893 Campbells Run Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15205 – (412) 787-7800 – View Map - McGroarty and Bradburn Insurance
4175 Steubenville Pike – Pittsburgh, PA 15205 – (412) 444-4470 – View Map
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Exclusive agents can only write with one company and examples are Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They are unable to shop your coverage around so keep that in mind. Exclusive agencies receive a lot of sales training on sales techniques and that enables them to sell even at higher rates. Consumers sometimes purchase coverage from exclusives mainly due to loyalty to the company and solid financial strength.
The following are Pittsburgh exclusive agents who can help you get price quote information.
- George O’Korn – State Farm Insurance Agent
4486 Steubenville Pike – Pittsburgh, PA 15205 – (412) 921-1182 – View Map - Tad Paterra – State Farm Insurance Agent
984 Greentree Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15220 – (412) 922-2622 – View Map - Mike Newell – State Farm Insurance Agent
4772 Liberty Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15224 – (412) 621-0600 – View Map
Picking the best auto insurance agent should depend on more than just a cheap price quote. Below are some questions you should ask.
- Will the quote change when the policy is issued?
- Can you choose the body shop in case repairs are needed?
- What insurance companies do they work with in Pittsburgh?
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- Has the agent ever had any license suspensions?
- How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
- Will they give you a referral list?
- Do they write coverage based solely on cost?