Insurance prices vary depending on many factors including your age, what type of car you drive, and where you live, but just because you’re required to have car insurance, doesn’t mean you need to overpay. Fortunately, finding and purchasing cheap car insurance in Pittsburgh is easy, and there are many options available. Here’s some helpful information about the legal requirements for car insurance in Pittsburgh, what different companies have to offer, and what factors could impact your insurance rates.
Car Insurance Requirements in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
When shopping for cheap car insurance in the Pittsburgh area, make sure it fills the minimum state requirements. Some companies could offer coverage at lower levels, leaving you vulnerable to a three-month suspension of your license and registration or a $500 fee. This could happen if a police officer pulls you over or you get into an accident and you can’t show proof of adequate insurance.
Pennsylvania is a no-fault state for car insurance, meaning that each driver pays for their own costs, no matter who caused an accident. Many people believe this helps prevent lawsuits and ultimately reduces costs for insurance companies. In Pennsylvania, drivers must have at least:
- $15,000 of bodily injury coverage per person
- $30,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident
- $5,000 of property damage coverage per accident
- $5,000 of first-party medical coverage per accident
There are no exemptions from Pennsylvania’s car insurance requirements. That means everyone must have coverage, and self-insurance or promising to pay for any expenses on your own isn’t allowed.
Cheap Insurance Companies in Pittsburgh
Here are some of the best, most affordable car insurance companies that service the Pittsburgh area.
Erie Insurance
Erie Insurance has excellent customer service, and it’s among the cheapest in the Pittsburgh area. It doesn’t have many online options, but it offers many discounts for young drivers. You can also get discounts for occupant-sensing air bags, security systems, safe driving records, safety equipment, and students with high grades. Erie offers car insurance through a network of independent agents, so it’s easy to get help in person or over the phone when you need it.
USAA
USAA provides coverage for military personnel, their spouses, and their children. They also offer many perks, including roadside assistance, repair estimates, windshield repair services, and an online portal where you can upload accident photos for later use. Discounts are available for:
- Rental cars
- Moving
- Keeping a vehicle in storage
- Having a clean driving record for five years or more
- Getting good grades or being the parent of someone who does
- Completing a defensive driving course
- Having low annual mileage
- Owning more than one car
- Having another type of coverage with USAA, like homeowners insurance
USAA’s SafePilot program is available in 37 states, including Pennsylvania. You can sign up by downloading a smartphone app that tracks your driving habits and then awards a discount based on that information. You can cancel the program at any time, and it won’t raise your rates.
GEICO
GEICO received 881 out of 1,000 points from J.D. Power’s 2021 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. The company is one of the least expensive car insurance providers in Pennsylvania, and it offers discounts for:
- Driver education
- Safety and security features
- A good driving history
- Customer loyalty
- Air bags
- Daytime running lights
- A vehicle that’s under three years old
- Seat belt use
Military personnel and federal employees can save money with GEICO as well. Anyone can get insurance with GEICO, but it started as the Government Employees Insurance Company in 1936. Along with traditional insurance, you can add coverage for breakdowns if you have a newer vehicle with less than 15,000 miles. The plan’s deductible is just $250.
Progressive
Progressive offers renters, homeowners, and commercial coverage along with car insurance. Anyone can apply through their extensive network of independent insurance agents, and discounts are available for:
- People with a long history of continuous coverage
- Those who sign up online, choose automatic payments, or select paperless billing
- Homeowners
- Drivers who pay for a year or more of coverage in advance
- People with coverage for multiple vehicles
- Good students
- Students who live away from home
- Teen drivers
Most of Progressive’s plans also include roadside assistance. You can also choose gap insurance, coverage for custom-made parts or accessories, and disappearing deductible coverage. This means your deductible gets lower the longer you spend accident- or ticket-free. If your pet becomes injured in a car accident, pet coverage can help you with the veterinary bill. The Progressive app works with iPhone and Android devices. You can use it to make payments, access your insurance documents, and look at your account history.
Factors That Could Impact Your Insurance Rates in Pittsburgh
A variety of factors could have an impact on your insurance rates. These variables may include:
- Gender
- Age
- Marital status
- Education level
- The cost of the vehicle and its safety ratings and features
- Credit history
- ZIP code
With most companies, married people in their 50s with college degrees and good credit scores get the lowest rates. Teen drivers usually have the highest rates because they have the least driving experience. However, your rates could be even higher if you were convicted of an offense like driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving. In Pennsylvania, insurers aren’t allowed to consider race, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin when determining car insurance rates. The average car insurance rate for folks in Pittsburgh is $121 per month.
To choose cheap car insurance in Pittsburgh that meets your needs, think about the current value of your vehicle. If you might have trouble replacing it after an accident, think about adding comprehensive and collision coverage that will compensate you for some expenses, even if an accident was your fault. If you can afford to repair or replace your vehicle regardless of the circumstances, you can save money by getting the minimum amount of liability insurance required. However, you’ll need to take care of many vehicle repairs by yourself.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
