Affordable Ford Escape Insurance in Pittsburgh

A study showed that about 70% of customers have bought auto insurance from the same company for a minimum of four years, and nearly 40% of drivers have never taken the time to shop around. Most drivers in Pittsburgh can save hundreds of dollars each year by just shopping around, but they think it’s difficult to find cheaper auto insurance rates.

If you want to save money, the best way to find lower priced Ford Escape insurance is to do an annual price comparison from providers that sell auto insurance in Pittsburgh.

Step 1: It will benefit you to learn about how car insurance works and the things you can control to keep rates low. Many things that result in higher rates such as tickets, at-fault accidents, and an unacceptable credit history can be controlled by improving your driving habits or financial responsibility.

Step 2: Compare price quotes from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct and exclusive agents can only give rate quotes from a single company like Progressive or Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes from multiple companies.

Step 3: Compare the quotes to your existing coverage to see if a cheaper price is available in Pittsburgh. If you find a lower rate, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.

Step 4: Give notification to your current company of your decision to cancel your current car insurance policy. Submit the completed application along with a down payment for your new coverage. Make sure you put the new proof of insurance certificate with the vehicle registration.

A key point to remember is to try to use the same physical damage deductibles and liability limits on each quote and and to look at every insurance company. This provides an apples-to-apples comparison and many rates to choose from.

If you have coverage now, you will surely be able to cut your premiums using the ideas presented in this article. Comparison shopping for the most affordable insurance coverage in Pittsburgh is simple if you know the tricks. Although Pennsylvania vehicle owners can benefit by having an understanding of the way companies calculate your policy premium and use this information to your advantage.

Best Ford Escape insurance rate quotes in Pennsylvania

The auto insurance companies shown below have been selected to offer price comparisons in Pittsburgh, PA. If multiple companies are listed, we recommend you compare several of them in order to find the cheapest rates.

Insurance rate breakdown

The premium information displayed next highlights estimates of insurance prices for Ford Escape models. Having a good grasp of how car insurance premiums are calculated can assist in making decisions when shopping around.

Cost estimates assume married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, homeowner, safe-driver, and multi-policy. Price estimates do not factor in specific zip code location which can impact prices greatly.

Higher deductibles save money

When shopping for car insurance, a common question is the level to set your comp and collision deductibles. The comparison tables below may help you to understand the rate fluctuation of buying low and high coverage deductibles. The first price estimate table uses a $250 deductible for comp and collision and the second rate chart uses a $500 deductible.

Data variables include 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. Rate quotes do not factor in vehicle location which can lower or raise price quotes noticeably.

We can estimate from the data above that using a $250 deductible will cost in the ballpark of $12 more each month or $144 each year averaged for all Escape models than requesting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would have 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 21 months between claim filings, you would probably save some money if you elect the higher deductible. Here is an example of how we made this calculation.

Difference between full coverage and liability only rates

The information below visualizes the comparison of Ford Escape insurance costs with full coverage and liability only. The costs are based on no violations or claims, $1,000 deductibles, marital status is single, and no policy discounts are applied.

Should you pay for full coverage or liability only?

There is no definitive rule of when to drop full coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is about 10% or more of the replacement cost of your vehicle minus the policy deductible, then it could be time to drop full coverage.

For example, let’s assume your Ford Escape settlement value is $9,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled, the most your company will settle for is $8,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying more than $800 a year for full coverage, then you might want to think about dropping full coverage.

There are some conditions where only buying liability is not in your best interest. If you still owe money on your vehicle, you must maintain physical damage coverage in order to keep the loan. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should maintain full coverage.

Lower rate quotes with these ten discounts

Not too many consumers would say auto insurance is affordable, but you might find some hidden discounts that many people don’t even know exist. Certain credits will be shown when you get a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied before you get the savings.

• Military Rewards – Having a deployed family member can result in better auto insurance rates.
• Early Switch Discount – A few companies allow discounts for signing up before your current coverage expires. It could save around 10% when you buy Pittsburgh auto insurance online.
• Life Insurance Discount – Not every insurance company offers life insurance, but if they do you may earn lower prices if you buy life insurance from them.
• Organization Discounts – Being a member of qualifying employment or professional organizations could trigger savings when shopping for auto insurance.
• College Student Discount – Kids who attend college more than 100 miles from Pittsburgh and do not take a car to college could qualify for this discount.
• Discounts for Government Workers – Having worked for a branch of the government could qualify for a slight premium decrease with a few auto insurance companies.
• Early Payment Discounts – If you can afford to pay the entire bill rather than spreading payments over time you can actually save on your bill.
• Waiver for an Accident – Not necessarily a discount, but some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free prior to being involved in the accident.
• Discount for Good Grades – Maintaining excellent grades may save as much as 25% on a Pittsburgh auto insurance quote. This discount can apply until age 25.
• Multiple Cars – Insuring multiple cars with the same auto insurance company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.

Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Despite the appearance that all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

The information below compares Ford Escape insurance premiums with and without discounts. The price estimates are based on a male driver, a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, full physical damage coverage, and $500 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with homeowner, claim-free, multi-car, marriage, safe-driver, and multi-policy discounts applied.

To find auto insurance companies that have a full spectrum of discounts in Pennsylvania, click here to view.

Everyone needs different insurance coverages

Always keep in mind that when comparing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really isn’t a perfect coverage plan. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover whether your personal situation might need an agent’s assistance.

• How do I buy GAP insurance?
• Who does medical payments coverage extend to?
• What does roadside assistance cover?
• Will my Ford Escape be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
• Do I have coverage if I rent a car in Mexico?
• What is the premium to book value ratio for dropping full coverage?
• Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
• Is business property covered if stolen from my car?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form.

Independent or exclusive insurance agencies

Some consumers just want to get advice from a local agent and often times that is recommended An additional benefit of comparing car insurance online is you can get cheap rate quotes and still have an agent to talk to.

After completing this form (opens in new window), your information gets sent to insurance agents in Pittsburgh who will give competitive quotes for your coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered immediately to you. It’s the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping. In the event you want to get a comparison quote from a particular provider, you would need to visit that company’s website and submit a quote form there.

Picking an insurance company is decision based upon more than just the bottom line cost. These are valid questions to ask:

• How long has their agency been open in Pittsburgh?
• Has the agent ever had any license suspensions?
• How is replacement cost determined on your vehicle?
• Is the quote a firm price?
• Does the agency have a positive business rating?
• Does the agent help file claims?
• Where would glass claims be handled in Pittsburgh?

Types of auto insurance agents

When searching for a good insurance agency, you must know there are a couple types of agencies and how they differ in how they quote coverages. Car insurance agents in Pittsburgh can be described as either independent or exclusive.

Exclusive Car Insurance Agencies

Agents that elect to be exclusive can only place business with one company and examples are Allstate, AAA, Farmers Insurance, and State Farm. Exclusive agencies are unable to compare other company’s rates so they really need to provide good service. Exclusive agents receive extensive training on the products they sell which helps them sell on service rather than price. Drivers often use the same agent mostly because of the prominent brand name and strong financial ratings.

Below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Pittsburgh that are able to give comparison quotes.

• Steve Long – State Farm Insurance Agent
  2830 W Liberty Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15216 – (412) 531-5600 – View Map
• Jack Dumbaugh – State Farm Insurance Agent
  1236 Grove Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15234 – (412) 884-8100 – View Map
• Darlene Shelton-Lamot – State Farm Insurance Agent
  911 Western Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15233 – (412) 322-1064 – View Map

More insurance agents

Independent Agents

These agents do not sell for just one brand so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your premiums go up, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies.

If you need lower rates, you should always get quotes from independent agents to get the best comparison. Most also have access to smaller regional carriers which can save you money.

Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Pittsburgh that are able to give rate quotes.

• Feeney Insurance Agency
  1350 Old Freeport Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15238 – (412) 963-8850 – View Map
• The Dowd Insurance Agency
  998 Greensburg Pike – East Pittsburgh, PA 15112 – (412) 271-5477 – View Map
• James L Smith Insurance Agency Inc
  304 Cochran Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15228 – (800) 701-5909 – View Map

More insurance agents

Auto insurance coverages explained

Learning about specific coverages of your auto insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Medical payments and PIP coverage – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for bills like hospital visits, ambulance fees and EMT expenses. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers you and your occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – This provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Ford Escape.

Due to the fact that many Pennsylvania drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (15/30/5), their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.

Collision coverage – This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Escape caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against claims like driving through your garage door, backing into a parked car and colliding with another moving vehicle. 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. Another option is to choose a higher deductible on your Escape to bring the cost down.

Comprehensive auto coverage – Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hitting a deer, vandalism, damage from getting keyed, damage from flooding and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The most your auto insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Auto liability insurance – Liability insurance provides protection from damage that occurs to other’s property or people. Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see liability limits of 15/30/5 which stand for a limit of $15,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $30,000, and property damage coverage for $5,000.

Liability insurance covers things such as pain and suffering, medical services, legal defense fees and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but buy higher limits if possible. Pennsylvania state law requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but it’s recommended drivers buy more coverage.

The next chart demonstrates why buying the state minimum limits may not provide you with enough coverage.

What is YOUR best insurance company?

When you buy Pittsburgh auto insurance online, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to get the best coverage possible at the best possible price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.

Throughout this article, we presented many ideas to compare Ford Escape insurance prices in Pittsburgh. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the better likelihood of getting inexpensive Pittsburgh auto insurance quotes. Consumers may even find the most savings is with an unexpected company.

Drivers who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, delays in responding to claim requests, unfair underwriting practices or even lack of trust in their agent. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be easy and end up saving you some money.

For more information, feel free to visit the articles below:

• What is Full Coverage? (Allstate)
• Who Has the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes for a Ford Explorer in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
• Who Has the Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates for a Jeep Wrangler in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
• How Much are Pittsburgh Auto Insurance Quotes for 18 Year Olds? (FAQ)
• Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)
• Vehicle Insurance in the U.S. (Wikipedia)
• Teen Driving and Texting (State Farm)