Finding the Best Car Insurance in Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is home to over 300,000 residents who rely on their vehicles to commute to work, school, and daily activities. With so many drivers on the road, having proper car insurance coverage is essential. This article will explain everything you need to know about car insurance requirements, costs, and how to find the best rates in Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

In Pennsylvania, all drivers are required to carry the following minimum liability insurance coverage:

• Bodily Injury Liability:
  • $15,000 per person
  • $30,000 per accident
• Property Damage Liability:
  • $5,000
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury:
  • $15,000 per person
  • $30,000 per accident
• First Party Medical Benefits:
  • $5,000

These state-mandated minimums provide basic protection, but experts recommend carrying more coverage whenever possible. Many major accidents exceed the minimum limits, leaving you vulnerable to expensive lawsuits or out-of-pocket expenses.

Consider increasing your limits or adding optional coverages like comprehensive and collision. This provides more complete protection for your vehicle and assets.

What Factors Affect Car Insurance Costs in Pittsburgh?

Car insurance rates can vary dramatically between companies and individuals in Pittsburgh. Some major factors that affect your premiums include:

Driving Record – Drivers with past violations and accidents pay higher rates. Even one ticket or accident can increase your costs substantially. Maintaining a clean record saves you money.

Credit History – Insurers view drivers with poor credit as higher-risk and charge them increased premiums. Keeping your credit in good shape helps lower insurance costs.

Coverage Levels – Minimum liability limits are cheap, but provide limited protection. Increasing your coverage with higher limits or extra coverages costs more upfront but better protects your assets if an accident occurs.

Deductibles – Choosing higher deductibles reduces your monthly premiums but means you pay more out-of-pocket if you file a claim. Lower deductibles cost more each month but reduce the amount you pay per claim.

Car Make/Model – Insuring luxury cars, sports cars, or vehicles with high theft rates costs more due to increased loss potential. Family sedans and other common everyday cars tend to have lower premiums.

Age – Teen drivers and elderly drivers are viewed as higher risk and charged increased rates. Middle-aged drivers generally pay the lowest premiums.

Gender – Statistically, male drivers under age 25 have more accidents. As a result, young men pay more for coverage compared to young female drivers.

Marital Status – Married drivers pay less overall compared to single drivers. Having multiple drivers on one policy often reduces each person’s costs.

Annual Mileage – Drivers with long commutes or high annual mileage have increased accident risk. Keeping your yearly mileage low can benefit your insurance rate.

Location – Urban areas like Pittsburgh see more auto claims than rural regions. Additionally, different ZIP codes within the city can have varying cost factors.

Average Car Insurance Rates in Pittsburgh, PA

Car insurance costs differ between individuals based on their unique risk profile. However, Pittsburgh drivers pay around $1,674 per year on average for full coverage. This is over $400 per year higher than the national average premium.

Here are the estimated annual insurance rates for common driver profiles in Pittsburgh:

*Quote estimates assume full coverage on a 2010 Toyota Camry with $500 deductibles and state minimum liability limits. Rates will vary based on specific factors.

Pittsburgh premiums tend to be higher due to increased risk of accidents from busy urban roads and the prevalence of weather claims. However, insurers compete aggressively for local customers. Shopping around and comparing quotes can save you hundreds per year.

Finding the Best Car Insurance Rates in Pittsburgh

The best way to maximize savings on Pittsburgh car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple top insurers. Each company assesses risk differently, leading to wide variances in pricing.

Follow these steps to make sure you get the lowest available rate:

• Shop rates from national insurers like GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive that operate locally in Pennsylvania. Compare to quotes from regional and local companies as well.

• Raise your deductibles to $500 or $1,000 to reduce costs if you have savings to pay out-of-pocket for minor claims.

• Ask about all available discounts such as safe driver, low mileage, good student, defensive driving courses, and multi-policy bundles.

• Limit your coverage to liability only if you drive an older vehicle worth less than $3,000. Collision and comprehensive don’t make financial sense on cheaper cars.

• Consider usage-based programs (if available) that use telematics or an app to measure driving habits and offer discounted rates for safe drivers.

• Review quotes carefully to verify you’re getting identical coverage between companies for accurate price comparisons.

• Check rates regularly as new discounts, driving history changes, and life events can open up additional savings opportunities.

Getting quotes from at least 3-5 different insurers ensures you have leveraged the competition and found the best rate for your situation. Spending a few hours shopping around for car insurance could save you hundreds of dollars each year.

Top Auto Insurance Companies in Pittsburgh

Numerous national, regional, and local insurance providers offer policies to Pittsburgh motorists. Here are some top insurers known for competitive rates and strong financial ratings in the city:

• State Farm – Local agents and strong customer service make State Farm a leading choice. They offer standard discounts plus options like Drive Safe & Save usage-based program.

• Geico – Geico focuses on low-cost direct sales without agents. Their rates start very competitively, and they offer a useful mobile app plus standard discounts.

• Progressive – Progressive features an online/mobile quote process and usage-based Snapshot program. Good for high-risk drivers thanks to accident forgiveness coverage.

• Allstate – Allstate has a large local presence and decent discounts. Their Drivewise program provides discounts based on driving behavior tracked by an app or device.

• Erie – Regional insurer Erie is a strong option for Pennsylvania drivers. They offer local agents and additional discounts not available from national companies.

• Travelers – Travelers combines very competitive pricing with a long history and excellent financial strength. They also offer accident forgiveness to keep rates low after your first crash.

Comparing quotes among these top insurers ensures you find the best price available. Remember to also check rates from smaller local companies like Erie Insurance for added competition.

Expert Tips for Finding Cheap Car Insurance in Pittsburgh

Follow these expert tips to make sure you’re getting the lowest rate on quality coverage:

• Bundle home and auto policies – Combining home and car insurance with one company earns multi-line discounts up to 30% off your total premium. But make sure the bundle savings outweigh any rate differences.

• Maintain excellent credit – Most insurers use your credit-based insurance score to set rates. Keeping your credit strong and avoiding missed payments can translate to big savings.

• Ask about discounts – Don’t assume your insurer will automatically apply discounts. Ask to have each one reviewed to lower your costs.

• Drop unnecessary extras – Scale back optional coverages like rental reimbursement or roadside assistance if money is tight. You can add them back later.

• Increase deductibles – Going from a $250 deductible up to $500 or $1,000 can reduce premiums 20% or more. Just be prepared to pay that amount if you have a claim.

• Limit driving mileage – Less time on the road means lower accident risk. Try carpooling, combining errands, and using public transportation to reduce mileage.

Is Pennsylvania a No-Fault Car Insurance State?

Pennsylvania uses a hybrid no-fault and tort liability system for auto accident injury claims. No-fault coverage pays for medical expenses and lost wages up to the policy limit, regardless of fault. This allows fast payment to take care of injury bills.

The tort system is used when injuries exceed the no-fault limit. At that point, an injury claim proceeds like any other state. The at-fault driver becomes liable for additional medical costs and other damages.

Pennsylvania no-fault laws help streamline smaller cases and reduce lawsuits between drivers. But the tort system still holds reckless drivers fully accountable in serious crashes. This balanced approach keeps car insurance costs lower across the state.

How to Reduce Car Insurance Premiums in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh drivers pay some of the highest car insurance rates nationwide. Thankfully, there are proven ways to lower your costs while still getting quality protection:

• Improve your credit score – Insurers heavily consider your credit. Excellent credit (780+) can save hundreds per year.

• Ask about discounts – Take advantage of every available discount such as safe driver, low mileage, and multi-policy bundles.

• Raise deductibles – Increasing deductibles to $500, $750 or $1,000 can reduce premiums substantially.

• Drop unnecessary coverage – Removing extras like rental reimbursement saves money without affecting required liability limits.

• Compare quotes frequently – Shop at least once per year and when life events occur to find cheaper rates.

• Limit driving mileage – Less time on the road results in lower risk and premiums.

• Take a defensive driving course – Completing an accident avoidance course earns a discount up to 10% for three years.

Putting some effort into improving your risk profile and shopping carefully makes finding affordable Pittsburgh car insurance much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies have the cheapest car insurance in Pittsburgh?

The cheapest company varies between individuals based on risk factors and discounts. Erie, Geico, State Farm and Progressive tend to offer very competitive rates on average. Compare quotes to see which insurer gives you the lowest price.

How much is car insurance per month in Pittsburgh?

Average monthly premiums range from about $140 per month for minimum liability coverage to over $200 for full coverage. However, your exact rate depends on many personal factors. Teens and high-risk drivers pay substantially more.

How can I get the cheapest car insurance in Pittsburgh?

Improve your credit, take advantage of all available discounts, choose higher deductibles, reduce driving mileage, and compare quotes regularly to find the lowest possible car insurance rate. Dropping unnecessary extras like rental coverage also cuts costs.

What zip codes in Pittsburgh have the highest car insurance rates?

Car insurance rates run higher in urban zip codes of Pittsburgh that have more claims and accidents. For example, downtown and East Liberty zips like 15206, 15201, 15212, and 15219 tend to have the most expensive premiums on average.

How much is car insurance for a 16 year old in Pittsburgh?

Teen drivers have very high average rates. In Pittsburgh, car insurance costs around $5,800 per year on average for a 16-year-old driver, and $3,700 annually for a 17 year old. Adding your teen to your own policy can help reduce these costs.

The Bottom Line

Finding affordable car insurance in Pittsburgh starts with understanding the major cost factors and minimum requirements. Comparing rates from multiple top companies ensures you get the best price. Maintaining good credit, limiting mileage, and qualifying for all available discounts also keeps your premiums low.
Use this guide as a resource to learn how car insurance works in Pittsburgh and start saving money on your policy today.