What Is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Car Insurance?

Pennsylvania, similar to most states, requires all drivers, including those who live in Pittsburgh, to carry a certain amount of car insurance to operate a motor vehicle on state roadways. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania car insurance rates vary from driver to driver depending on each driver’s history and other personal details.

Pennsylvania Insurance Requirements

According to MoneyGeek, Pennsylvania law mandates that every driver carry 15/30/5 minimum coverage limits. That means that when you purchase your car insurance policy, it should include:

• $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $30,000 bodily injury liability per vehicle
• $5000 property damage liability

Pittsburgh drivers also have the option of purchasing full coverage with 100/300/100 limits. A full-coverage policy includes:

• $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
• $300,000 bodily injury liability per vehicle
• $100,000 property damage liability

MoneyGeek recommends that Pittsburgh drivers purchase full coverage because state minimums usually aren’t enough to cover damages in a severe accident. If you have minimum coverage and you’re in a severe accident, you’ll likely end up paying for some of the damages out-of-pocket.

How Much Do Pittsburgh Drivers Pay for Car Insurance?

MoneyGeek notes that Pittsburgh drivers pay less for car insurance than drivers who live in larger cities. For example, Philadelphia drivers pay, on average, $2134 a year in car insurance premiums. Pittsburgh drivers pay, on average, $973 a year. Pittsburgh has fewer cars on the road, so Pittsburgh drivers are at less risk of getting in an accident.

Of course, rates vary from one provider to the next. MoneyGeek breaks down the average cost for Pittsburgh drivers by insurance company:

• Erie: $661 a year
• USAA: $694 a year
• Travelers: $750 a year
• GEICO: $753 a year
• State Farm: $763 a year
• Nationwide: $778 a year
• Allstate: $937 a year
• Nationwide: $944 a year
• Esurance: $1281 a year
• Progressive: $1320 a year
• MetLife: $1540 a year

Factors That Affect Pittsburgh Car Insurance Rates

If you’re a Pittsburgh driver shopping for car insurance, you may pay more or less than the city average, depending on several factors that insurance companies use to calculate rates. According to The Zebra, these factors include:

• Your Age: Pittsburgh drivers in their teens pay more for car insurance than any other age group in the city. The insurance industry classifies teen drivers as a high-risk group because they don’t have that much driving experience. If you’re a teen driver, you can expect your insurance rates to decrease as you enter your 20s. In fact, there’s an average gap of $2557 between teen driver insurance rates and the rates paid by drivers in their 20s.
• Your Marital Status: On average, single Pittsburgh drivers pay $113 more a year for car insurance than married drivers. Industry data shows that single drivers file more claims, making them more of a risk to insure.
• Your Driving Record: If you have speeding citations, reckless driving charges, DUIs, or at-fault accidents on your record, you’ll pay higher rates than someone with a clean record. The amount you’ll pay depends on the severity and frequency of offenses.
• Your Credit Rating: A poor credit rating can also trigger a car insurance rate increase because drivers with bad credit histories are also considered a high-risk group. If you’re a Pittsburgh driver with a “Very Poor” rating, you can see your insurance rates decrease by $1093 a year, on average, if you move up to the “Fair” tier. If you improve your rating from “Very Poor” to “Exceptional,” you could see a 59 percent rate decrease.
• Your Location: If you live in a Pittsburgh neighborhood that has high rates of car accidents, automobile accidents, and vandalism, you’ll pay higher insurance rates.

Consequences of Driving Infractions for Pittsburgh Drivers

According to CarInsurance.com, a Pittsburgh driver can expect to see their insurance rates increase by up to 8 percent after receiving a ticket for tailgating or running a stop sign. More serious infractions, such as a DUI or reckless driving, can trigger an increase as high as 76 percent.

In many cases, the state of Pennsylvania will require drivers convicted of a DUI to have their insurance provider file an SR-22 form on their behalf. An SR-22 is your insurance provider’s guarantee to the state that you are meeting the legal requirements for car insurance. If you’re required to provide an SR-22, you can count on your insurance rates to increase for as long as you’re required to provide it.

If you’re at fault for an accident, your rates may increase by as little as 4 percent or as much as 28 percent. However, if you have to file a comprehensive claim, your provider typically won’t raise your rates. That’s because comprehensive insurance covers incidents out of your control, such as natural disasters or falling objects.

Discounts for Pittsburgh Drivers

Even if you’re in a high-risk group, insurance companies offer several discounts that you can take advantage of to lower your rates. According to QuoteWizard, common discounts include:

• Bundling Discounts: If you already have homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance, bundling your car insurance policy with the same provider can earn you a discount of up to 20 percent.
• Military Discounts: Many companies offer active-duty and retired military members a discount. Some insurance providers will extend this discount to immediate family members.
• Senior Discounts: If you’re a Pittsburgh driver age 55 or older, you may qualify for some significant discounts. Some providers offer additional discounts to AARP members, while other companies offer discounts regardless of affiliation.
• Safe Driver Discounts: Many insurance providers allow drivers to track their driving habits with a telematics device or mobile app. If the device shows that the driver has safe habits, they can receive significant discounts. Your provider may offer discounts simply for maintaining a clean driving record or refraining from filing claims over a specified amount of time.
• Good Student Discounts: If you add your teen driver to your car insurance policy, they may qualify for a discount if they maintain a 3.0-grade point average. Some providers offer this discount to college students under the age of 25.

Check this out if you need additional information, resources, or guidance on car insurance.

Sources:

Compare the Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Pittsburgh, PA | moneygeek.com

Pittsburgh, PA Car Insurance | thezebra.com

Best Car Insurance In Pittsburgh, PA | carinsurance.com

Best Auto Insurance Rates in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | quotewizard.com

Car Insurance for Young Drivers | caranddriver.com

Car Insurance for Bad Drivers | caranddriver.com

Car Insurance | caranddriver.com

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