If you want to save money, the best way to get discount car insurance rates is to compare prices annually from companies who provide auto insurance in Pittsburgh. Rates can be compared by following these guidelines.
- Step 1: Get an understanding of the coverage provided by your policy and the steps you can take to drop your rates. Many risk factors that increase rates like traffic citations, accidents, and an imperfect credit history can be remedied by making lifestyle changes or driving safer. This article provides more information to prevent expensive rate increases and get additional discounts that may have been overlooked.
- Step 2: Compare rates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can give quotes from a single company like GEICO and State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide rate quotes from multiple companies.
- Step 3: Compare the new rates to the price on your current policy to see if a cheaper rate is available. If you can save money and buy the policy, ensure coverage does not lapse between policies.
- Step 4: Provide notification to your current agent or company of your intention to cancel your current coverage. Submit the required down payment along with the signed application to the newly selected company. Be sure to store the proof of insurance certificate in an accessible location in your vehicle.
The key thing to know about shopping around is to use similar limits and deductibles on every price quote and and to compare as many different companies as possible. Doing this helps ensure a level playing field and a complete selection of prices.
A recent insurance study discovered that the vast majority of consumers kept buying from the same company for four years or more, and just short of a majority have never compared rates with other companies. Pittsburgh drivers could save themselves roughly 55% a year just by comparing rates, but they mistakenly think it’s difficult to compare rates online.
If you have insurance now or need a new policy, you can use these tips to cut your premiums while maximizing coverage. Choosing the best rates in Pittsburgh is really quite easy. Shoppers just need to use the least time-consuming way to shop using one simple form.
Toyota Highlander insurance analysis
The premium table below outlines different prices for Toyota Highlander models. Learning more about how rates are figured helps drivers make smart choices when purchasing an insurance policy.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Highlander 2WD | $178 | $292 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $976 | $81 |
Highlander 4WD | $200 | $356 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,062 | $89 |
Highlander Sport 4WD | $200 | $356 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,062 | $89 |
Highlander SE 2WD | $200 | $356 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,062 | $89 |
Highlander Sport 2WD | $200 | $356 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,062 | $89 |
Highlander Limited 2WD | $224 | $420 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,150 | $96 |
Highlander SE 4WD | $224 | $420 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,150 | $96 |
Highlander Limited 4WD | $224 | $420 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,150 | $96 |
Highlander Hybrid 4WD | $224 | $420 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,150 | $96 |
Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD | $224 | $420 | $372 | $22 | $112 | $1,150 | $96 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Prices based on single male driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, and safe-driver. Premium amounts do not factor in specific location information which can modify premium rates substantially.
Higher deductibles lower rates
One common question asked by Pittsburgh drivers is which deductible level should you buy. The comparison tables below can help you visualize how much more rates are when you select higher and lower deductibles. The first data set uses a $100 physical damage coverage deductible and the second data table uses a $500 deductible.
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Highlander 2WD | $284 | $420 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,177 | $98 |
Highlander 4WD | $320 | $512 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,305 | $109 |
Highlander Sport 4WD | $320 | $512 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,305 | $109 |
Highlander SE 2WD | $320 | $512 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,305 | $109 |
Highlander Sport 2WD | $320 | $512 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,305 | $109 |
Highlander Limited 2WD | $356 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,431 | $119 |
Highlander SE 4WD | $356 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,431 | $119 |
Highlander Limited 4WD | $356 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,431 | $119 |
Highlander Hybrid 4WD | $356 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,431 | $119 |
Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD | $356 | $602 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,431 | $119 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Highlander 2WD | $206 | $284 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $938 | $78 |
Highlander 4WD | $234 | $346 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,028 | $86 |
Highlander Sport 4WD | $234 | $346 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,028 | $86 |
Highlander SE 2WD | $234 | $346 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,028 | $86 |
Highlander Sport 2WD | $234 | $346 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,028 | $86 |
Highlander Limited 2WD | $260 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,116 | $93 |
Highlander SE 4WD | $260 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,116 | $93 |
Highlander Limited 4WD | $260 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,116 | $93 |
Highlander Hybrid 4WD | $260 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,116 | $93 |
Highlander Hybrid Limited 4WD | $260 | $408 | $330 | $20 | $98 | $1,116 | $93 |
Get Your Own Custom Quote Go |
Price data assumes married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, homeowner, multi-policy, claim-free, and safe-driver. Rate quotes do not factor in zip code location which can decrease or increase insurance rates significantly.
Based on the above data, using a $100 deductible will cost you about $24 more each month or $288 a year than opting for the higher $500 deductible. Since you would have to pay $400 more if you file a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $100 deductible, if you normally go at a minimum 17 months between claims, you would save money if you elect the higher deductible. The numbers below show how you can make this decision for your own policy.
Average monthly premium for $100 deductibles: | $113 |
Average monthly premium for $500 deductibles (subtract): | – $89 |
Monthly savings from raising deductible: | $24 |
Difference between deductibles ($500 – $100): | $400 |
Divide difference by monthly savings: | $400 / $24 |
Number of months required between physical damage coverage claims in order to save money by choosing the higher deductible | 17 months |
The diagram below demonstrates how deductible levels and can influence Toyota Highlander insurance costs for different age groups. The prices are based on a single male driver, full physical damage coverage, and no discounts are applied.
Drive responsibly or pay higher rates
The information below demonstrates how citations and at-fault claims drive up Toyota Highlander car insurance costs for different age groups. The prices are based on a married female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, $100 deductibles, and no discounts are factored in.
Should you buy full coverage?
The chart below compares Toyota Highlander insurance premiums with and without full coverage. The premium estimates are based on a clean driving record, no at-fault accidents, $250 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no discounts are factored in.
Are you wasting money on full coverage?
There is no exact rule to stop buying physical damage coverage on your policy, but there is a general guideline you can use. If the annual cost of comprehensive and collision coverage is more than about 10% of the replacement cost minus the deductible, then you might consider buying liability only.
For example, let’s say your Toyota Highlander claim settlement value is $8,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most your company will settle for is $7,000 after you pay the deductible. If premium cost is more than $700 a year for physical damage coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.
There are a few cases where eliminating full coverage is not financially feasible. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to keep full coverage as part of the loan conditions. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle in the event your current vehicle is totaled, you should maintain full coverage.
How Insurance Companies Determine Toyota Highlander Insurance Prices
The best way to find cheaper car insurance is to take a look at some of the elements that come into play when calculating the price you pay for car insurance. When consumers understand what impacts premium levels, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may result in lower premium levels. Many different elements are taken into consideration when premium rates are determined. Most are fairly basic like an MVR report, although some other factors are less apparent such as your credit history and annual miles driven.
- Rates may be lower depending on your employer – Careers such as military generals, air traffic controllers, and medical professionals generally pay the highest average rates in part from stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, professions such as scientists, athletes and the unemployed receive lower rates.
- Being married reduces risk – Having a significant other can get you a discount on your car insurance bill. It is viewed as being less irresponsible and it’s statistically proven that married drivers tend to file fewer claims.
- Protect yourself with liability insurance – The liability section of your policy will afford coverage in the event that you are ruled to be at fault for an accident. It provides legal defense which can cost a lot. Liability is cheap compared to other policy coverages, so buy as much as you can afford.
- Higher rates for coverage lapses – Having a lapse in insurance coverage is a fast way to increase your rates. Not only will you pay higher rates, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a steep fine or even jail time. Then you may be required to file a SR-22 with the Pennsylvania department of motor vehicles.
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Toyota Highlander historical loss data – Insurers factor in historical loss data to determine a rate that will be profitable for them. Vehicles that the data shows to have increased claim numbers or amounts will cost more for coverage. The next table illustrates the loss history for Toyota Highlander vehicles.
For each policy coverage, the claim amount for all vehicles, as a total average, is a value of 100. Percentage values below 100 imply a favorable loss record, while percentage values above 100 indicate a higher chance of having a claim or a tendency for claims to be larger.
Toyota Highlander Insurance Loss Statistics Vehicle Model Collision Property Damage Comp Personal Injury Medical Payment Bodily Injury Toyota Highlander 4dr 2WD 88 82 94 94 78 75 Toyota Highlander 4dr 4WD 95 86 117 88 74 78 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4dr 4WD 111 143 BETTERAVERAGEWORSEEmpty fields indicate not enough data collected
Statistics from IIHS.org for 2013-2015 Model Years
Ratings for Pittsburgh auto insurance companies
Buying coverage from a good quality insurer is difficult considering how many different companies insure vehicles in Pennsylvania. The ranking data shown next can help you pick which insurers to look at purchasing from.
Top 10 Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies by A.M. Best Rank
- USAA – A++
- GEICO – A++
- Travelers – A++
- State Farm – A++
- Allstate – A+
- Nationwide – A+
- Esurance – A+
- Erie Insurance – A+
- Progressive – A+
- Titan Insurance – A+
In the end, you can save money
When trying to cut insurance costs, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are a lot of situations where someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and learned later that it was a big error on their part. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at the best possible price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
In this article, we covered a lot of tips how to shop for Toyota Highlander insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote Pittsburgh car insurance, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the lowest car insurance rates are with some of the smallest insurance companies. Smaller companies often have lower premium rates on specific markets compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
More detailed insurance information can be read in the articles below:
- Teen Driving Statistics (iihs.org)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance for a Nissan Sentra in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Auto Insurance Rates for Ride Shares in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Vehicle Insurance in the U.S. (Wikipedia)
- Liability Insurance Coverage (Nationwide)