How to Save on Pittsburgh Toyota Prius Insurance

To save the most money, the best way to find low-cost prices for Toyota Prius insurance is to compare quotes annually from providers who provide car insurance in Pittsburgh.

1. It will benefit you to learn about how car insurance works and the things you can control to lower rates. Many rating factors that result in higher rates such as accidents, traffic tickets, and a negative credit history can be remedied by being financially responsible and driving safely. This article provides the details to get affordable coverage and find discounts that you may qualify for.
2. Compare prices from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive and direct companies can only quote rates from one company like GEICO or Allstate, while agents who are independent can provide prices from multiple sources.
3. Compare the new quotes to your existing policy to see if you can save by switching companies. If you find better rates, verify that coverage does not lapse between policies.

One piece of advice is that you’ll want to compare similar limits and deductibles on each price quote and and to get rate quotes from as many carriers as you can. This ensures a fair rate comparison and the best price quote selection.

Unfortunately, nearly 70% of consumers kept buying from the same company for four years or more, and roughly 40% of drivers have never taken the time to shop around. Consumers in the U.S. could save almost 46.5% each year, but they don’t believe the amount of savings they would get if they switched to a more affordable policy.

Choosing the most cost-effective insurance policy in Pittsburgh is not that difficult as long as you know where to start. If you already have coverage, you should be able to reduce premiums using the ideas you’re about to read. Consumers just need to learn the most efficient way to compare different rates from many different companies online.

The auto insurance companies shown below provide price comparisons in Pennsylvania. In order to find cheaper auto insurance in Pennsylvania, we recommend you compare several of them to get the best price comparison.

Save a ton by earning discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you might be missing out on some discounts that you may not even know about. Some of these discounts will be visible at the time you complete a quote, but less common discounts must be specially asked for before you will receive the discount.

• Theft Deterrent System – Vehicles that have factory alarm systems and tracking devices have a lower chance of being stolen and earn discounts up to 10% off your Pittsburgh car insurance quote.
• Low Mileage Discounts – Fewer annual miles on your Toyota may allow you to get discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
• Distant College Student Discount – College-age children living away from Pittsburgh attending college without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.
• Telematics Data Discounts – People who choose to allow driving data collection to analyze driving habits by using a telematics device in their vehicle like Drivewise from Allstate or In-Drive from State Farm could save a few bucks as long as they are good drivers.
• Student Discount for Driver Training – Have your child complete a driver education course as it will make them better drivers and lower rates.
• Payment Discounts – If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
• Safe Driver Discounts – Drivers without accidents can save as much as half off their rates compared to rates paid by drivers with frequent claims.
• Defensive Driver – Taking time to complete a defensive driver class may get you a small discount and easily recoup the cost of the course.
• Good Grades Discount – Getting good grades may save as much as 25% on a Pittsburgh car insurance quote. You can use this discount normally up until you turn 25.

Keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to the whole policy. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Despite the appearance that you can get free auto insurance, that’s just not realistic.

The diagram below illustrates the comparison of Toyota Prius auto insurance costs with and without discounts applied to the rates. The price estimates are based on a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, 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 claim-free, safe-driver, marriage, multi-policy, multi-car, and homeowner discounts applied.

A list of companies and some of the premium reductions they offer are shown below.

• GEICO offers premium reductions for seat belt use, good student, membership and employees, military active duty, multi-policy, and anti-theft.
• MetLife has savings for good driver, multi-policy, claim-free, good student, and accident-free.
• State Farm includes discounts for accident-free, driver’s education, defensive driving training, safe vehicle, Steer Clear safe driver discount, Drive Safe & Save, and anti-theft.
• Progressive may have discounts that include multi-vehicle, online signing, homeowner, online quote discount, good student, continuous coverage, and multi-policy.
• Mercury Insurance may include discounts for location of vehicle, annual mileage, multi-policy, low natural disaster claims, good driver, professional/association, and anti-theft.
• 21st Century discounts include 55 and older, driver training, good student, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and student driver.
• Allstate has discounts for safe driver, passive restraint, economy car, 55 and retired, utility vehicle, anti-theft, and teenSMART discount.

When getting free Pittsburgh car insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to each insurance company which discounts they offer. Some discounts listed above may not be available in Pittsburgh. To see insurance companies with the best discounts in Pittsburgh, click here to view.

Insurance coverage details

The rate information shown below covers different coverage prices for Toyota Prius models. Learning as much as possible about how insurance policy premiums are established helps drivers make informed decisions when shopping around for a new policy.

Above prices assume single male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, multi-vehicle, homeowner, safe-driver, and claim-free. Rate quotes do not factor in specific zip code location which can revise insurance rates significantly.

Should you raise deductibles?

A question often asked by Pittsburgh drivers is how high should the physical damage deductibles be. The comparisons below may help to conceptualize the difference in cost between high and low physical damage deductibles. The first rate quote example uses a $250 physical damage coverage deductible and the second price chart uses a $500 deductible.

Data rating is based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, and multi-policy. Information does not factor in specific location information which can change price quotes considerably.

Based on this data, we can arrive at the conclusion that using a $250 deductible could cost the average driver approximately $13 more each month or $156 each year than requesting the higher $500 deductible. Since you would pay $250 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go more than 19 months between claims, you would probably save some money by selecting a higher deductible.

The illustration below demonstrates how choosing different deductibles and can raise or lower Toyota Prius insurance costs for each age group. The rate quotes are based on a married male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no other discounts are factored in.

Should you buy full coverage?

The illustration below illustrates the difference between Toyota Prius yearly insurance costs when comparing full coverage to liability only. The costs are based on no violations or accidents, $500 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are factored in.

When to stop paying for full coverage

There is no definitive rule of when to exclude physical damage coverage, but there is a guideline you can consider. If the annual cost of having full coverage is 10% or more of the settlement you would receive from your company, then you may need to consider dropping full coverage.

For example, let’s say your Toyota Prius replacement value is $6,000 and you have $1,000 physical damage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company would pay you is $5,000 after the policy deductible has been paid. If premium cost is more than $500 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.

There are a few situations where buying only liability insurance is not advised. If you haven’t paid off your loan, you have to keep full coverage in order to satisfy the requirements of the loan. Also, if you don’t have enough money to buy a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not opt for liability only.

Local Pittsburgh insurance agencies

Some people still like to buy from a licensed agent and that is not a bad decision Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help you file claims. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find cheap car insurance rates and also buy local.

After filling out this quick form, your information is submitted to participating agents in Pittsburgh who will gladly provide quotes for your insurance coverage. You never need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. If you wish to compare rates from a specific company, just navigate to their website and complete a quote there.

Picking the best insurer needs to be determined by more than just a cheap price. These are some questions your agent should answer.

• Does the agent recommend any additional coverage?
• Does the company use OEM repair parts?
• Will they give you a referral list?
• Is auto insurance their primary focus in Pittsburgh?
• What company holds the largest book of business for them?

Shown below are Pittsburgh car insurance companies that can give you price quote information for Toyota Prius insurance in Pittsburgh.

View more Pittsburgh agents

After you get positive responses for all questions you ask as well as a price you’re happy with, you have narrowed it down to an insurance company that can be relied on to insure your vehicles.

Insurance agents can help

When choosing your policy, there is no one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that.
For example, these questions could help you determine whether or not you may require specific advice.

• Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
• Who is covered when they drive my Toyota Prius?
• How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
• Can my babysitter drive my car?
• Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
• Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
• Am I insured when driving a different vehicle?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.

Find Toyota Prius Insurance at a Discount

When buying insurance it’s important to understand the different types of things that are used to determine your policy premiums. If you have some idea of what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this allows you to make good choices that may reward you with big savings.

The itemized list below are some of the most common factors used by your company to calculate your rates.

• Drive less and save – The higher the miles on your Toyota every year the more you will pay for insurance. Almost all companies calculate prices determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. A policy that improperly rates your Prius is throwing money out the window. Verify your insurance declarations sheet shows the proper vehicle usage.
• Your location is important – Having an address in less populated areas may provide you with better prices when trying to find low car insurance rates. Fewer drivers and short commutes means reduced accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. People who live in big cities have to deal with more traffic problems and more severe claims. Spending more time driving translates into higher accident risk.

• Good drivers pay the best rates – Getting just one ticket may increase your cost forty percent or more. Drivers who don’t get tickets pay lower auto insurance prices than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who have multiple tickets such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may face state-mandated requirements to maintain a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to legally drive a vehicle.

  The example below highlights how traffic violations and at-fault fender-benders influence Toyota Prius auto insurance rates for different age groups. The premium estimates are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

• Cheaper premiums with safer cars – Vehicles that have high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. Vehicles engineered for safety reduce the chance of injuries and fewer serious injuries translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims which can result in lower premiums.
• Getting married can lower costs – Having a spouse actually saves money when shopping for insurance. Having a spouse generally demonstrates drivers are more financially stable and it’s statistically proven that married couples file fewer claims.

• Toyota Prius historical loss data – Insurance companies include the past claim history for a vehicle to help calculate premium rates. Vehicles that are shown to have higher claim frequency or loss amount will have increased rates. The table below shows the actual insurance loss data for Toyota Prius vehicles.

  For each insurance policy coverage type, the loss probability for all vehicles compiled together is considered to be 100. Numbers shown that are under 100 represent a good loss history, while numbers above 100 point to more losses or statistically larger losses.

  
  

  Insurance Loss Ratings for Toyota Prius Vehicles

  Make and Model	Collision	Property Damage	Comp	Personal Injury	Medical Payment	Bodily Injury
  Toyota Prius C Hybrid	113	100	87	120	121	113
  Toyota Prius Hybrid	101	97	98	103	118	103
  Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid	98	89	87	106	114	93
  Toyota Prius V Hybrid	94	86	88	88	94	97

  BETTER

  AVERAGE

  WORSE

  Data Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2013-2015 Model Years

Protect more than your Toyota vehicle

Despite the high cost of buying insurance for a Toyota Prius in Pittsburgh, paying for car insurance is a good idea for several reasons.

• Almost all states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means state laws require a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage if you drive a vehicle. 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 took out a loan on your Prius, almost every bank will stipulate that you carry insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you cancel or allow the policy to lapse, the bank will be required to insure your Toyota for a much higher rate and require you to fork over the higher price.
• Insurance protects not only your car but also your financial assets. Insurance will pay for most medical and hospital costs for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. One policy coverage, liability insurance, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If damage is caused by hail or an accident, comprehensive and collision coverage will cover the repair costs.

The benefits of insuring your car more than cancel out the cost, especially if you ever need it. According to a 2015 survey, the average American driver is overpaying over $865 each year so compare rate quotes at every policy renewal to make sure the price is not too high.

Best car insurance company in Pennsylvania

Picking a high-quality auto insurance company can be rather challenging considering how many choices you have in Pittsburgh. The information in the next section may help you select which auto insurance companies to look at shopping your coverage with.

Keep this in mind when shopping around

Throughout this article, we presented many tips how you can reduce Toyota Prius insurance car insurance rates online in Pittsburgh. The key concept to understand is the more you quote Pittsburgh car insurance, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest car insurance rates are with a lesser-known regional company. Smaller companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate or State Farm.

Cost effective Toyota Prius insurance is available both online in addition to many Pittsburgh insurance agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies may not offer online rate quotes and these smaller providers only sell through independent insurance agencies.

Additional detailed information can be read at these sites:

• Steps to Take After an Auto Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
• How Much is Pittsburgh Auto Insurance for Felons? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Pittsburgh Auto Insurance Quotes for Business Use? (FAQ)
• What Auto Insurance is Cheapest for a School Permit in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
• Five Tips to Save on Auto Insurance (Insurance Information Institute)
• A Tree Fell on Your Car: Now What? (Allstate)
• Parking Tips to Reduce Door Dings (State Farm)
• Event Data Recorders FAQ (iihs.org)