Are you burned out from being strong-armed to keep your car insured? You have the same problem as the majority of other drivers in Pennsylvania.
A study showed that nearly 70% of consumers have bought car insurance from the same company for at least four years, and nearly half have never even compared quotes to find lower-cost rates. With the average premium in Pennsylvania being $1,363, drivers could save roughly 55% every year, but most undervalue how much savings they would realize if they replace their high priced policy.
Steps to finding affordable Toyota Matrix insurance in Pittsburgh
Truthfully, the best way to find discount Toyota Matrix insurance in Pittsburgh is to compare quotes annually from providers who sell auto insurance in Pennsylvania. This can be done by following these guidelines.
- First, try to comprehend how insurance works and the measures you can take to prevent expensive coverage. Many policy risk factors that are responsible for high rates like traffic violations and an unacceptable credit history can be improved by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes. Read the full article for tips to help prevent expensive coverage and find more discounts that you may not know about.
- Second, request rate estimates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Direct and exclusive agents can provide rates from a single company like Progressive or Farmers Insurance, while independent agencies can give you price quotes for a wide range of companies. View rates
- Third, compare the price quotes to the premium of your current policy to see if cheaper Matrix coverage is available in Pittsburgh. If you can save money, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Fourth, provide adequate notice to your current company of your intention to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit payment and a signed application to your new company or agent. Immediately put the new certificate verifying proof of insurance with the vehicle registration.
The most important part of shopping around is that you’ll want to make sure you compare the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on each quote and and to get rates from as many different companies as possible. Doing this provides an apples-to-apples comparison and a complete selection of prices.
There are many insurers to purchase coverage from, and although it’s nice to have a choice, it makes it harder to locate the cheapest rates for Toyota Matrix insurance in Pittsburgh.
Smart consumers take time to compare rates periodically since prices trend upward over time. If you had the best price on Toyota Matrix insurance in Pittsburgh last year a different company probably has better rate quotes today. You can search a lot of Matrix insurance out there, but we’re going to give you some solid techniques on how to lower your car insurance premiums.
Buying affordable auto insurance in Pittsburgh is really quite easy. If you are already insured or just want to reduce your rates, follow these tips to find better prices without reducing protection. You just need to use the quickest way to compare prices online.
Companies offering Toyota Matrix insurance in Pennsylvania
The auto insurance companies shown below are ready to provide comparison quotes in Pittsburgh, PA. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you get price quotes from several of them in order to get a fair rate comparison.
Insurance coverage details
The premium information displayed below covers a range of coverage prices for Toyota Matrix models. Having a better understanding of how policy rates are established can benefit drivers when making smart choices when comparing insurance rates.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matrix 2WD | $282 | $512 | $432 | $26 | $130 | $1,382 | $115 |
Matrix S 2WD | $322 | $602 | $432 | $26 | $130 | $1,512 | $126 |
Matrix S AWD | $322 | $602 | $432 | $26 | $130 | $1,512 | $126 |
Matrix XRS 2WD | $322 | $602 | $432 | $26 | $130 | $1,512 | $126 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Data based on single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, multi-vehicle, homeowner, multi-policy, and claim-free. Price estimates do not factor in specific location which can affect coverage prices noticeably.
Where to set your deductibles
When buying insurance, a common question is how high or low should comp and collision deductibles be. The figures shown below summarize the premium difference when you choose different physical damage deductibles. The first set of prices uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second rate chart uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matrix 2WD | $222 | $428 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,123 | $94 |
Matrix S 2WD | $254 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,233 | $103 |
Matrix S AWD | $254 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,233 | $103 |
Matrix XRS 2WD | $254 | $506 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,233 | $103 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Matrix 2WD | $180 | $346 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $974 | $81 |
Matrix S 2WD | $206 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,062 | $89 |
Matrix S AWD | $206 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,062 | $89 |
Matrix XRS 2WD | $206 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,062 | $89 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Cost estimates assume married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, claim-free, safe-driver, multi-vehicle, and homeowner. Information does not factor in specific garaging location which can modify auto insurance rates greatly.
Using the data above, we can ascertain that using a $250 deductible will cost you roughly $14 more each month or $168 annually than buying the higher $500 deductible. Because you 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 have more than 18 months between claim filings, you would most likely save money if you choose a higher deductible.
Do you need full coverage?
The chart below illustrates the comparison of Toyota Matrix premium costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. Data assumes no violations or accidents, $500 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to stop buying comprehensive and collision coverage
There is no set rule for excluding comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, but there is a guideline you can use. If the yearly cost of full coverage is more than around 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then it might be time to consider dropping full coverage.
For example, let’s pretend your Toyota Matrix replacement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $5,000 after paying your policy deductible. If you are currently paying more than $500 a year to have full coverage, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
There are some conditions where dropping full coverage is not financially feasible. If you still owe a portion of the original loan, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to prevent your loan from defaulting. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is totaled, you should keep full coverage in place.
Save money with these seven discounts
Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but you can get discounts that could help you make your next renewal payment. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you get a quote, but some discounts are required to be specifically requested before being credited.
- Multiple Vehicles – Purchasing coverage when you have all your vehicles on a single policy can reduce the rates for all insured vehicles.
- Low Miles Discount – Driving fewer miles can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all vehicle occupants to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off the PIP or medical payment premium.
- Data Collection Discounts – Drivers that enable companies to scrutinize driving patterns through the use of a telematics system like Allstate’s Drivewise might see lower rates as long as they are good drivers.
- Driver Training Discounts – Taking a defensive driver class is a good idea and can lower rates and easily pay for the cost of the class.
- ABS and Traction Control Discounts – Cars and trucks that have anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more on Matrix insurance in Pittsburgh.
- Save over 55 – Seniors may qualify for a small discount on rates.
One thing to note about discounts is that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Just because you may think you could get a free insurance policy, it just doesn’t work that way.
The example below visualizes the comparison of Toyota Matrix annual premium costs with and without discounts applied to the premium. The costs are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no claims, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-car, claim-free, multi-policy, marriage, safe-driver, and homeowner discounts applied.
A few of the larger companies and a selection of discounts are outlined below.
- State Farm discounts include Steer Clear safe driver discount, good driver, anti-theft, driver’s education, multiple autos, passive restraint, and accident-free.
- Esurance offers discounts including multi-policy, good driver, homeowner, online shopper, and anti-lock brakes.
- Progressive offers premium reductions for homeowner, multi-policy, online signing, continuous coverage, online quote discount, good student, and multi-vehicle.
- Liberty Mutual may offer discounts for newly married, multi-policy, new vehicle discount, exclusive group savings, and new graduate.
- Auto-Owners Insurance offers discounts for multiple vehicles, mature driver, anti-lock brakes, air bags, and good student.
- GEICO policyholders can earn discounts including multi-vehicle, emergency military deployment, good student, defensive driver, and military active duty.
When quoting, ask each company or agent which discounts you may be entitled to. Depending on the company, some discounts may not be available in every state. To locate companies who offer cheap Toyota Matrix insurance quotes in Pittsburgh, click here.
Car insurance can be complex
When it comes to choosing the best car insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply.
Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you might need an agent’s assistance.
- Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
- Should I buy only the required Pennsylvania minimum liability coverage?
- If I use my vehicle for business use is it covered?
- Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
- Are rock-chip repairs free?
- Does car insurance cover theft of personal property?
- How high should my medical payments coverage be?
- Do I have ACV or replacement cost coverage?
- Do I have newly-acquired coverage?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It is quick, free and may give you better protection.
Auto insurance is available from local agents
Some consumers still like to go talk to an agent and that is a smart decision Good insurance agents will help you protect your assets and help you file claims. The best thing about comparing rate quotes online is you may find lower rates and also buy local.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Pittsburgh who will give you quotes for your insurance coverage. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to visit any agencies since rate quotes are delivered to your email. In the event you want to get a rate quote from a particular provider, just search and find their rate quote page to submit a rate quote request.
Finding the right company needs to be determined by more than just the bottom line cost. The following questions are important to ask.
- Are they actively involved in the community?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
- Is insurance their full-time profession?
- Are they able to provide referrals?
- Is the coverage adequate for your vehicle?
- Are they primarily personal or commercial lines agents in Pittsburgh?
- Who are their largest clients?
The difference between Pittsburgh auto insurance agents
When researching a local agent, there are two types of agencies that you can choose from. Auto insurance agents in Pittsburgh can be classified as either exclusive agents or independent agents. Both can insure your vehicles properly, but it’s worth learning the difference in how they write coverage since it may influence your selection of an agent.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
These type of agents can usually just insure with one company such as Farmers Insurance, State Farm, or Allstate. Exclusive agents cannot provide rate quotes from other companies so always compare other rates. Exclusive agents are usually well trained on what they offer and that enables them to sell even at higher rates.
The following are Pittsburgh exclusive agencies who may provide you with price quotes.
Eric Morris – State Farm Insurance Agent
2015 Babcock Blvd – Pittsburgh, PA 15209 – (412) 821-0225 – View Map
George O’Korn – State Farm Insurance Agent
4486 Steubenville Pike – Pittsburgh, PA 15205 – (412) 921-1182 – View Map
Darla Zeli – State Farm Insurance Agent
2513 E Carson St – Pittsburgh, PA 15203 – (412) 431-7166 – View Map
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Agents of this type do not have single company limitations and that is an advantage because they can write policies with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If they quote lower rates, your policy is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparing auto insurance rates, it’s a good idea to include rate quotes from independent agents in order to have the best price comparison.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance 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
Riley Insurance
2544 Library Rd # 205 – Pittsburgh, PA 15234 – (412) 563-2390 – View Map
Celik Insurance Agency Inc.
2407 Mt Troy Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15212 – (412) 323-9300 – View Map
Educate yourself about auto insurance coverages
Learning about specific coverages of a auto insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are the usual coverages available from auto insurance companies.
Collision coverage protection
This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Matrix resulting from a collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against things like damaging your car on a curb, driving through your garage door, colliding with a tree, hitting a parking meter and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Another option is to raise the deductible on your Matrix in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
This provides protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Toyota Matrix.
Since many Pennsylvania drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (15/30/5 in Pennsylvania), their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for bills for hospital visits, doctor visits and dental work. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as a broken windshield, falling objects, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from getting keyed and vandalism. The maximum payout your auto insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Liability
This coverage will cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property in an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show values of 15/30/5 that translate to $15,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $30,000 in injury protection per accident, and $5,000 of coverage for damaged property.
Liability coverage pays for claims like structural damage, legal defense fees, medical services and court costs. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy higher limits if possible. Pennsylvania requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but it’s recommended drivers buy better liability coverage.
The next chart shows why the minimum limit may not be enough coverage.
More quotes mean more auto insurance savings
When buying insurance coverage, make sure you don’t skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where an insured cut physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Some insurance providers do not provide online rate quotes and many times these regional carriers only sell coverage through independent insurance agents. Affordable Toyota Matrix insurance in Pittsburgh can be found from both online companies in addition to many Pittsburgh insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best selection.
Throughout this article, we presented a lot of techniques to shop for Toyota Matrix insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding cheaper Pittsburgh car insurance quotes. Consumers could even find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. These smaller insurers may only write in your state and offer lower prices than their larger competitors like Allstate and Progressive.
Steps to finding cheaper Toyota Matrix insurance in Pittsburgh
If you want to save the most money, the best way to find more affordable Toyota Matrix insurance is to make a habit of regularly comparing prices from insurers who can sell car insurance in Pittsburgh.
- Get an understanding of what is in your policy and the things you can change to prevent rate increases. Many rating criteria that increase rates like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, and a bad credit rating can be improved by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.
- Get rate quotes from direct carriers, independent agents, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can give quotes from a single company like GEICO or Allstate, while independent agents can give you price quotes from multiple companies. Find a Pittsburgh insurance agent
- Compare the new rates to your current policy premium and determine if there is any savings. If you find a better price and switch companies, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
The key aspect of shopping around is that you’ll want to make sure you compare identical limits and deductibles on each quote request and and to get prices from as many companies as feasibly possible. This ensures a level playing field and a complete price analysis.
More information can be read at the links below
- Insurance losses by make and model (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for a Jeep Grand Cherokee in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for Seniors in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Eight Auto Insurance Myths (Insurance Information Institute)
- Collision Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)
- Uninsured Motorists: Threats on the Road (Insurance Information Institute)