Do you want lower-priced Dodge Dakota insurance in Pittsburgh? Searching for the cheapest insurance for a Dodge Dakota in Pennsylvania can normally be a painful process, but you can follow a few tricks to save time. There is a right way and a wrong way to buy car insurance so we’re going to tell you the best way to price shop coverage for a new or used Dodge and get the cheapest rates.
You should make it a habit to get comparison quotes at least once a year since insurance prices are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. If you had the best rate on Dodge Dakota insurance in Pittsburgh two years ago a different company probably has better premium rates today. There is lot of inaccurate information about Dakota insurance online but you can learn some good information on how to buy car insurance cheaper in Pittsburgh.
Cheapest Dodge Dakota insurance quotes in Pittsburgh
The following companies offer comparison quotes in Pennsylvania. If your goal is to find cheaper car insurance in Pittsburgh, PA, it’s highly recommended you compare several of them to get the best price comparison.
Rates and statistics
The coverage table shown below showcases detailed analysis of coverage costs for Dodge Dakota models. Understanding how insurance prices are figured helps drivers make smart choices when buying a car insurance policy.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota ST Ext Cab 2WD | $240 | $502 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,312 | $109 |
| Dakota Bighorn Ext Cab 2WD | $240 | $502 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,312 | $109 |
| Dakota Lonestar Ext Cab 2WD | $274 | $502 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,346 | $112 |
| Dakota ST Crew Cab 2WD | $274 | $502 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,346 | $112 |
| Dakota Bighorn Crew Cab 2WD | $274 | $590 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,434 | $120 |
| Dakota Lonestar Crew Cab 2WD | $274 | $590 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,434 | $120 |
| Dakota Bighorn Ext Cab 4WD | $310 | $502 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,268 | $106 |
| Dakota ST Ext Cab 4WD | $310 | $502 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,268 | $106 |
| Dakota Laramie Crew Cab 2WD | $310 | $590 | $420 | $24 | $126 | $1,470 | $123 |
| Dakota ST Crew Cab 4WD | $310 | $502 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,268 | $106 |
| Dakota Lonestar Ext Cab 4WD | $310 | $502 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,268 | $106 |
| Dakota Bighorn Crew Cab 4WD | $310 | $502 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,268 | $106 |
| Dakota TRX Crew Cab 4WD | $310 | $590 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,356 | $113 |
| Dakota TRX Crew Cab 4WD | $310 | $590 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,356 | $113 |
| Dakota Lonestar Crew Cab 4WD | $310 | $590 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,356 | $113 |
| Dakota Laramie Crew Cab 4WD | $346 | $590 | $336 | $20 | $100 | $1,392 | $116 |
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Table data represents married female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, homeowner, multi-vehicle, safe-driver, and claim-free. Price estimates do not factor in vehicle garaging location which can lower or raise insurance rates substantially.
Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies
The information below illustrates the difference between Dodge Dakota yearly insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The prices are based on no accidents, no driving violations, $250 deductibles, single marital status, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
When to drop comp and collision
There is no clear-cut formula to stop buying physical damage coverage, but there is a general guideline. If the annual cost of coverage is more than around 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, the it may be a good time to stop paying for full coverage.
For example, let’s assume your Dodge Dakota settlement value is $7,000 and you have $1,000 full coverage deductibles. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident, the most you would get paid by your company is $6,000 after you pay the deductible. If you are paying over $600 a year to have full coverage, then it might be time to buy liability only.
There are some scenarios where removing full coverage is not recommended. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to keep full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest. Also, if you cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not drop full coverage.
Why you need to buy insurance
Despite the potentially high cost of Dodge Dakota insurance, paying for insurance is required by state law in Pennsylvania and it also provides benefits you may not be aware of.
First, just about all states have mandatory liability insurance requirements which means you are required to buy a minimum amount of liability insurance if you want to drive legally. 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.
Second, if you have a loan on your Dodge Dakota, it’s guaranteed your bank will stipulate that you have insurance to guarantee loan repayment. If you do not pay your insurance premiums, the lender may have to buy a policy to insure your Dodge at an extremely high rate and force you to reimburse them much more than you were paying before.
Third, insurance protects not only your Dodge but also your assets. Insurance will pay for medical bills for both you and anyone you injure as the result of an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also pays expenses related to your legal defense if anyone sues you for causing an accident. If you have damage to your Dodge as the result of the weather or an accident, comprehensive and collision coverage will pay to repair the damage minus the deductible amount.
The benefits of buying insurance are without a doubt worth the cost, especially with large liability claims. But the average American driver is currently overpaying as much as $855 a year so compare rates once a year at a minimum to make sure the price is not too high.
Take these six policy discounts and save on Dodge Dakota insurance in Pittsburgh
Not many people think insurance is cheap, but there could be available discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Certain discounts will be applied when you complete an application, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings.
- Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of 20 to 30 percent.
- Discount for Multiple Policies – If you can combine your homeowners and auto policy and insure them with the same company you will save as much as 10 to 15 percent.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles could earn cheaper rates.
- Seat Belts Save – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to fasten their seat belts may be able to save a few bucks off the medical payments premium.
- Pittsburgh Homeowners Pay Less – Just being a homeowner may earn you a small savings since home ownership is proof that your finances are in order.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars and trucks equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more on Dakota insurance in Pittsburgh.
We need to note that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though the math looks like you can get free auto insurance, you’re out of luck.
The example below illustrates the comparison of Dodge Dakota insurance rates with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The prices are based on a male driver, no accidents or driving violations, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, comp and collision included, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with multi-policy, claim-free, multi-car, homeowner, marriage, and safe-driver discounts applied.
Larger insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts are shown below.
- American Family has savings for TimeAway discount, Steer into Savings, defensive driver, early bird, multi-vehicle, mySafetyValet, and air bags.
- Farm Bureau policyholders can earn discounts including multi-policy, 55 and retired, multi-vehicle, renewal discount, driver training, and good student.
- State Farm discounts include Drive Safe & Save, anti-theft, defensive driving training, good student, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and accident-free.
- Travelers may have discounts that include driver training, multi-car, home ownership, new car, early quote, good student, and save driver.
- The Hartford offers discounts for good student, bundle, vehicle fuel type, driver training, anti-theft, air bag, and defensive driver.
- GEICO offers premium reductions for five-year accident-free, air bags, daytime running lights, military active duty, and seat belt use.
- Progressive has discounts for good student, online quote discount, continuous coverage, homeowner, and multi-policy.
When getting free Pittsburgh car insurance quotes, it’s a good idea to each company which discounts you qualify for. Discounts might not be offered on policies in Pittsburgh. If you would like to view providers with the best Dodge Dakota insurance discounts in Pennsylvania, click this link.
Car insurance is unique, just like you
When it comes to coverage online or from an agent for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
For instance, these questions may help you determine whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.
- What discounts do I qualify for?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Can I insure my car for more than it’s worth?
- Does rental coverage apply when I am renting a car?
- Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
- Is there coverage for my trailer?
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.
Compare prices but buy from a local Pittsburgh insurance agent
Some consumers still prefer to talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Insurance agents are very good at helping people manage risk and help submit paperwork. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you may find the best rates but also keep your business local.
After completing this quick form, the quote information gets sent to companies in Pittsburgh who will give you bids and help you find cheaper coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent to you instantly. In the event you want to get a comparison quote from a specific insurance company, feel free to navigate to their website to submit a rate quote request.
Finding the right insurance company needs to be determined by more than just the quoted price. Any good agent in Pittsburgh should know the answers to these questions.
- If you raise deductibles, how much can you save?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- Will the company cover a rental car if your car is getting fixed?
- Are they able to provide referrals?
- Is every driver in your family covered?
Multiple types of auto insurance agents in Pittsburgh
If you want a good Pittsburgh insurance agent, it’s helpful to know the different types of agents and how they differ in how they quote coverages. Pittsburgh agents can be described as either independent or exclusive. Either can sell affordable auto insurance policies, but it’s a good idea to understand the difference in the companies they write for since it can affect buying decisions.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents that elect to be exclusive can only quote rates from one company and examples are Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. They receive a lot of sales training on what they offer which helps them compete with independent agents. Some consumers prefer to choose to use a exclusive agent mainly due to the brand legacy rather than low rates.
Listed below are exclusive insurance agencies in Pittsburgh who may provide you with price quotes.
- Joy Capozzi – State Farm Insurance Agent
3111 Banksville Rd #207 – Pittsburgh, PA 15216 – (412) 344-3014 – View Map - Darla Zeli – State Farm Insurance Agent
2513 E Carson St – Pittsburgh, PA 15203 – (412) 431-7166 – View Map - David Masters – State Farm Insurance Agent
1900 Murray Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15217 – (412) 422-1616 – View Map
Independent Auto Insurance Agents
Independent agencies are appointed with more than one company so they can insure your vehicles with a variety of different insurance companies and get you the best rates possible. If premiums increase, your agent can just switch to a different company and that require little work on your part. If you need cheaper auto insurance rates, you absolutely need to get several quotes from several independent insurance agents for the best price selection. Most have the option of insuring with small mutual carriers which can be an advantage.
The following are independent agencies in Pittsburgh that are able to give price quote information.
- Nationwide Insurance: Barry Lumsden
600 Grant St – Pittsburgh, PA 15219 – (412) 415-1954 – View Map - Ron Dunn Insurance Agency, LLC
124 Ingram Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15205 – (412) 922-1126 – View Map - Celik Insurance Agency Inc.
2407 Mt Troy Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15212 – (412) 323-9300 – View Map
After talking to the agent and getting reasonable responses for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that meets the requirements to service your policy. Just understand that you are entitled to cancel your policy at any time so never feel you’re contractually obligated to a specific agent for the full policy term.
Car insurance coverages explained
Knowing the specifics of a car insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage for your vehicles. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Dodge Dakota.
Due to the fact that many Pennsylvania drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Pennsylvania limits are 15/30/5), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for expenses such as X-ray expenses, ambulance fees and nursing services. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Liability insurance
Liability insurance will cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people. Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have limits of 15/30/5 that translate to a limit of $15,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $30,000, and a limit of $5,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability can pay for claims like attorney fees, legal defense fees and loss of income. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford. Pennsylvania state law requires minimum liability limits of 15/30/5 but it’s recommended drivers buy more liability than the minimum.
The chart below demonstrates why low liability limits may not provide you with enough coverage.
Collision coverage protection
This will pay to fix damage to your Dakota resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, driving through your garage door and scraping a guard rail. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible on your Dakota to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as falling objects, hail damage, damage from flooding and damage from getting keyed. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Ratings for Pittsburgh car insurance companies
Buying coverage from the best insurance provider can be rather challenging considering how many different companies sell coverage in Pennsylvania. The ranking data in the next section could help you select which auto insurance companies you want to consider when comparing rate quotes.
| Company | Value | Customer Service | Claims | Customer Satisfaction | A.M Best Rating | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The General | 96 | 100 | 92 | 91% | A- | 95 |
| Titan Insurance | 87 | 96 | 94 | 93% | A+ | 92.9 |
| The Hartford | 88 | 96 | 91 | 93% | A+ | 92.6 |
| Progressive | 84 | 94 | 99 | 90% | A+ | 92.4 |
| Travelers | 84 | 93 | 100 | 87% | A++ | 92.3 |
| State Farm | 84 | 93 | 95 | 87% | A++ | 91 |
| Farmers Insurance | 87 | 92 | 90 | 85% | A | 90.6 |
| Erie Insurance | 79 | 93 | 90 | 87% | A+ | 88.6 |
| Safeco Insurance | 85 | 91 | 87 | 86% | A | 88.4 |
| USAA | 71 | 93 | 98 | 87% | A++ | 88 |
| GEICO | 73 | 93 | 95 | 85% | A++ | 87.1 |
| 21st Century | 85 | 85 | 91 | 89% | A | 86.9 |
| Liberty Mutual | 72 | 91 | 97 | 83% | A | 86.4 |
| AAA Insurance | 85 | 85 | 88 | 86% | A | 85.8 |
| Nationwide | 71 | 90 | 93 | 83% | A+ | 84.9 |
| Allstate | 69 | 92 | 92 | 83% | A+ | 84.4 |
| American Family | 77 | 96 | 80 | 85% | A | 83.8 |
| Esurance | 70 | 80 | 89 | 77% | A+ | 79.2 |
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Data Source: Insure.com Best Car Insurance Companies
One last thing about your coverage
Lower-priced car insurance in Pittsburgh is attainable online and with local Pittsburgh insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to get a complete price analysis. Some car insurance companies may not offer online quoting and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.
People change insurance companies for many reasons like poor customer service, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, questionable increases in premium or policy cancellation. Regardless of your reason, finding the right car insurance provider is not as hard as you think.
As you shop your coverage around, don’t be tempted to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
How to find more affordable Dodge Dakota insurance in Pittsburgh
Truthfully, the best way to find cheaper Dodge Dakota insurance is to start comparing prices yearly from companies in Pittsburgh. This can be done by following these guidelines.
- Step 1: Try to learn about auto insurance and the measures you can control to prevent high rates. Many factors that drive up the price like high-risk driving behaviors and poor credit history can be controlled by being financially responsible and driving safely.
- Step 2: Compare rates from independent agents, exclusive agents, and direct companies. Exclusive and direct companies can only give prices from a single company like GEICO or Farmers Insurance, while independent agents can give you price quotes for many different companies.
- Step 3: Compare the price quotes to your current policy to see if a cheaper price is available. If you find a lower rate quote and make a switch, make sure the effective date of the new policy is the same as the expiration date of the old one.
- Step 4: Give proper notification to your current agent or company to cancel your existing policy and submit payment and a completed application to your new carrier. Immediately store the certificate verifying coverage in your glove compartment.
A tip to remember is that you’ll want to compare the same amount of coverage on each quote request and and to get rate quotes from as many car insurance companies as possible. Doing this enables a level playing field and a good representation of prices.
More information is available at these links:
- Understanding Car Crashes Video (iihs.org)
- Steps to Take After an Auto Accident (Insurance Information Institute)
- Automakers compete to add autobraking (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)