Anyone knows that auto insurance companies don’t want you comparing rates. Drivers who shop around at least once a year will most likely switch auto insurance companies because there are good odds of finding lower rate quotes. A recent survey found that consumers who compared rates annually saved an average of $72 a month as compared to drivers who never compared rates.
If finding the most affordable insurance is your intention, then having some knowledge of how to quote and compare insurance coverage can help you be more efficient.
If you want to find the absolute lowest rates, then the best way to find discount Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance is to make a habit of comparing prices annually from different companies who provide auto insurance in Pittsburgh. Drivers can shop around by following these guidelines.
- Step 1: Try to understand policy coverages and the changes you can make to keep rates in check. Many risk factors that increase rates like distracted driving and a poor credit rating can be improved by making minor changes in your lifestyle.
- Step 2: Get rate quotes from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give prices from one company like GEICO or State Farm, while independent agents can provide rate quotes for a wide range of insurance providers.
- Step 3: Compare the new rate quotes to your current policy to see if switching to a new carrier will save money. If you find better rates and switch companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
The key thing to remember is that you’ll want to compare identical coverage information on every quote request and and to analyze as many auto insurance providers as possible. Doing this enables a level playing field and the most accurate and complete price analysis.
The Suzuki Grand Vitara Insurance Cost Equation
Lots of things are taken into consideration when premium rates are determined. Some factors are common sense like your driving record, although others are not quite as obvious such as whether you are married or your vehicle rating. Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that go into determining the price you pay for insurance. When you understand what impacts premium levels, this enables informed choices that may result in better insurance rates.
- See if your company offers a multi-policy discount – Lots of insurance companies will award better rates to insureds who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to ten percent or more. Even with this discount applied, it’s still a good idea to shop around to verify if the discount is saving money. You may still save more without the discount by buying insurance from more than one company.
- Annual mileage impacts rates – The higher the miles on your Suzuki each year the higher the price you pay to insure it. A lot of insurance companies price each vehicle’s coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Autos not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Having an incorrect usage rating on your Grand Vitara may be costing you higher rates. It’s always a good idea to double check that your vehicle rating is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle, because improper ratings can cost you money.
- GPS tracking and theft deterrents reduce rates – Selecting a car model that has a built-in theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your insurance. Systems that thwart thieves like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems help track and prevent auto theft and help lower rates.
- Pay more of a claim out-of-pocket – Physical damage protection, also called comprehensive and collision insurance, insures against damage to your Suzuki. Some examples of covered claims are a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, and damage caused by flying debris. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are required to pay before a claim is paid by your company. The more of the claim you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.
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Gender as a rate factor – Over the last 30 years, statistics show that females take fewer risks when driving. It does not mean females are better drivers. They both get in at-fault accidents in similar percentages, but males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. In addition to higher claims, males also get higher numbers of serious violations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly.
The diagram below illustrates the comparison of Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance costs for male and female drivers. The data assumes no claims or driving violations, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no policy discounts are applied.
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High premiums for youthful drivers – Inexperience drivers have a tendency to be inattentive and easily distracted behind the wheel so insurance rates are higher. Mature drivers are more responsible, cause fewer claims and accidents, and tend to be get fewer driving tickets.
The data below is based on a single driver, full coverage with $100 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.
The most recommended method to compare rate quotes for Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance in Pittsburgh is to take advantage of the fact most of the bigger providers actually pay money for the chance to compare rate quotes. To get started, all you need to do is take a few minutes to give details like whether you drive to work or school, if the vehicle is leased, if you require a SR-22, and how much you drive. That rating data is then submitted to multiple insurance providers and you receive quotes instantly to find the best rate.
If you would like to start a quote now, click here and enter your coverage details.
The companies shown below provide comparison quotes in Pittsburgh, PA. If you wish to find cheap car insurance in Pittsburgh, we recommend you visit two to three different companies in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance analysis
The information displayed next highlights a range of rate quotes for Suzuki Grand Vitara models. Learning a little about how insurance policy rates are established can aid in making smart choices when choosing a car insurance company.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara 2WD | $246 | $420 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,136 | $95 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 2WD | $246 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,210 | $101 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 4WD | $246 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,210 | $101 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 2WD | $246 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,210 | $101 |
| Grand Vitara Special Edition 4WD | $246 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,210 | $101 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 2WD | $246 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,210 | $101 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 4WD | $276 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,240 | $103 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 4WD | $276 | $494 | $346 | $20 | $104 | $1,240 | $103 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data assumes married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, and homeowner. Rate information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can increase or decrease coverage prices significantly.
Physical damage deductible comparison
When shopping for auto insurance, a common question is how low should you set your deductibles. The rates below may aid in understanding how much more you’ll pay when you buy lower versus higher insurance deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $250 deductible and the second set of rates uses a $500 deductible.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara 2WD | $288 | $428 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,189 | $99 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 2WD | $288 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,267 | $106 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 4WD | $288 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,267 | $106 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 2WD | $288 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,267 | $106 |
| Grand Vitara Special Edition 4WD | $288 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,267 | $106 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 2WD | $288 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,267 | $106 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 4WD | $320 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,299 | $108 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 4WD | $320 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,299 | $108 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara 2WD | $234 | $346 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,028 | $86 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 2WD | $234 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,090 | $91 |
| Grand Vitara Premium 4WD | $234 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,090 | $91 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 2WD | $234 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,090 | $91 |
| Grand Vitara Special Edition 4WD | $234 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,090 | $91 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 2WD | $234 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,090 | $91 |
| Grand Vitara Limited 4WD | $260 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,116 | $93 |
| Grand Vitara XSport 4WD | $260 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,116 | $93 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Prices based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Rate information does not factor in the specific area where the vehicle is garaged which can affect premiums noticeably.
Using the premium rates above, we can conclude that using a $250 deductible will cost you approximately $15 more each month or $180 annually than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $250 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you tend to have at a minimum 17 months between claims, you would save money by going with a higher deductible.
The information below shows how choosing a deductible and can raise or lower Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance rates for different categories of driver ages. The information is based on a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no policy discounts are applied.
Price comparison of only insuring for liability
The illustration below shows the comparison of Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance rates with liability coverage only compared to full coverage. The price estimates are based on no claims, a clean driving record, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are taken into consideration.
When to drop comprehensive and collision
There is no written rule to stop buying physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general school of thought. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is about 10% or more of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then it’s probably a good time to buy liability coverage only.
For example, let’s assume your Suzuki Grand Vitara claim settlement value is $9,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, you would only receive $8,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If it’s costing you more than $800 a year for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.
There are a few cases where dropping physical damage coverage is not financially feasible. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you are required to maintain full coverage as part of the loan requirements. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle in case of an accident, you should keep full coverage on your policy.
Here’s why insurance is not optional
Despite the high insurance cost for a Suzuki Grand Vitara in Pittsburgh, maintaining insurance may be required and benefits you in several ways.
- Most states have mandatory insurance requirements which means you are required to carry a specific minimum amount of liability insurance 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 you have a lien on your Suzuki, it’s most likely the lender will make it mandatory that you carry insurance to guarantee payment of the loan. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender may insure your Suzuki at a much higher rate and force you to pay for the much more expensive policy.
- Insurance safeguards both your assets and your car. It will also cover many types of medical costs for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. Liability coverage will also pay for a defense attorney if someone files suit against you as the result of an accident. If your vehicle suffers damage from an accident or hail, collision and comprehensive (also known as other-than-collision) coverage will pay to restore your vehicle to like-new condition.
The benefits of insuring your car more than cancel out the cost, particularly when you have a large claim. Today the average American driver overpays as much as $750 every year so compare quotes from several companies every year to ensure rates are competitive.
Auto insurance policy discounts you can’t miss
Some insurers do not advertise every discount they offer in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of a few of the more well known as well as some of the hidden auto insurance savings.
- No Claim Discounts – Good drivers with no accidents can earn big discounts when compared to bad drivers.
- Driver’s Ed – Teen drivers should enroll and complete driver’s education in school.
- Defensive Driving Course – Successfully completing a course in defensive driving is a good idea and can lower rates and easily pay for the cost of the class.
- Seat Belts Save – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save a little off the personal injury premium cost.
- Discount for Good Grades – This discount could provide a savings of up to 20% or more. The discount lasts until age 25.
- Telematics Devices – Insureds who allow their auto insurance company to analyze vehicle usage remotely such as Progressive’s Snapshot and State Farm’s In-Drive might see lower rates if they are good drivers.
As a footnote on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the whole policy. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Despite the appearance that having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way.
The illustration below shows the difference between Suzuki Grand Vitara annual premium costs with and without discounts applied. The premiums assume a female driver, no claims or driving violations, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $250 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, marriage, safe-driver, multi-policy, claim-free, and homeowner discounts applied.
Companies and a partial list of their discounts are included below.
- AAA offers discounts including multi-policy, multi-car, pay-in-full, AAA membership discount, good student, and good driver.
- Progressive has discounts for multi-policy, continuous coverage, multi-vehicle, homeowner, online signing, good student, and online quote discount.
- State Farm may offer discounts for multiple policy, anti-theft, good driver, good student, accident-free, and passive restraint.
- Esurance offers premium reductions for paid-in-full, good student, defensive driver, good driver, and safety device.
- Nationwide includes discounts for easy pay, defensive driving, multi-policy, business or organization, good student, anti-theft, and family plan.
If you need lower rates, check with each company the best way to save money. Discounts may not apply to policyholders in every state. If you would like to see a list of insurance companies who offer cheap Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance quotes in Pittsburgh, click here.
Get rate quotes but still have a local Pittsburgh insurance agent
Many drivers would rather talk to an insurance agent and that is a smart decision The biggest benefit of comparing insurance online is the fact that drivers can get cheaper car insurance rates but also keep your business local.
By using this short form, your coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents in Pittsburgh who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to do any legwork since price quotes are sent to you. You can find the lowest rates AND an agent nearby. If you want to get a rate quote for a specific company, you can always search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.
Finding the right insurer needs to be determined by more than just a cheap quote. You should also get answers to these questions.
- Are they able to provide referrals?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- How long has their agency been in business in Pittsburgh?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- Do they have cheaper tiers of coverage?
- What company holds the largest book of business for them?
- Where would your vehicle be repaired?
Pick the best auto insurance agent in Pittsburgh for you
When researching a local Pittsburgh insurance agency, it helps to know the two different types of agencies that you can select. Agents in Pittsburgh can be categorized as either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
These type of agents generally can only insure with one company like Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are not able to provide rate quotes from other companies so they really need to provide good service. Exclusive insurance agents are well schooled on sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers often purchase coverage from exclusives mainly due to the prominence of the brand rather than having the cheapest rates.
Below is a list of exclusive insurance agencies in Pittsburgh that are able to give price quote information.
- Darlene Shelton-Lamot – State Farm Insurance Agent
911 Western Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15233 – (412) 322-1064 – View Map - Danielle Howard – State Farm Insurance Agent
1500 Ardmore Blvd Ste 403 – Pittsburgh, PA 15221 – (412) 351-3305 – View Map - Paul Lukitsch – State Farm Insurance Agent
200 Fleet St #100 – Pittsburgh, PA 15220 – (412) 921-2008 – View Map
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not restricted to one company and that enables them to quote your coverage with lots of companies and find you the best rates. If you want to switch companies, they simply move the coverage in-house which requires no work on your part. If you need cheaper insurance rates, you definitely need to contact a few independent agents to have the most options to choose from. A lot of them also have access to smaller regional carriers that may provide cheaper insurance rates.
The following are independent insurance agencies in Pittsburgh who can help you get rate quotes.
- Nationwide Insurance: Barry Lumsden
600 Grant St – Pittsburgh, PA 15219 – (412) 415-1954 – View Map - Preston and Grafton Insurance Agency
2012 Murray Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15217 – (412) 586-7340 – View Map - Hurley Insurance Brokers
3508 Fifth Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15213 – (412) 682-6100 – View Map
After getting answers to your satisfaction to these questions as well as a price you’re happy with, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that meets your needs to adequately provide insurance.
Don’t give up on affordable rates
People switch companies for a number of reasons such as poor customer service, questionable increases in premium, delays in responding to claim requests or even denial of a claim. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch switching companies is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.
We’ve covered a lot of tips how to reduce Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance premium rates online in Pittsburgh. It’s most important to understand that the more rate comparisons you have, the higher your chance of finding affordable Pittsburgh auto insurance quotes. You may even find the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies.
Some insurance providers do not offer internet price quotes and usually these small insurance companies only sell through independent agents. Cheap Suzuki Grand Vitara insurance in Pittsburgh can be sourced from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Pittsburgh, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates.
More information is located at the links below
- What if I Can’t Find Coverage? (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for Single Moms in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- What does Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Cover? (Allstate)
- Distracted Driving Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- What are my Rights when Filing a Claim? (Insurance Information Institute)