How to Compare Pittsburgh Lexus GS 450h Insurance

The preferred way to find affordable quotes for auto insurance rates is to compare quotes annually from providers in Pittsburgh.

Step 1: Learn about how auto insurance works and the measures you can take to keep rates down. Many risk factors that increase rates like traffic violations, accidents, and a negative credit rating can be remedied by making lifestyle changes or driving safer.

Step 2: Request rate estimates from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give rate quotes from one company like Progressive and State Farm, while independent agents can provide prices from many different companies.

Step 3: Compare the price quotes to your existing rates and see if there is a cheaper rate. If you can save money and make a switch, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.

Step 4: Notify your agent or company of your intent to cancel your current auto insurance policy and submit a down payment along with a completed application to your new company or agent. Once the paperwork is finalized, safely store the proof of insurance paperwork with your vehicle’s registration.

One thing to point out is to make sure you enter similar limits and deductibles on every price quote and to quote with as many car insurance companies as possible. This guarantees the most accurate price comparison and plenty of rates choose from.

Statistics show that the vast majority of consumers in Pennsylvania have been with the same company for a minimum of four years, and approximately 38% of consumers have never compared insurance rates at all. American drivers can save hundreds of dollars each year just by comparing rates, but most undervalue how much savings they would realize if they just switched companies.

Locating the best rates in Pittsburgh seems hard but is not really that difficult. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will definitely be able to shop for the lowest rates using the techniques covered below. Although Pennsylvania vehicle owners must learn the way insurance companies determine how much to charge because rates fluctuate considerably.

Companies offering affordable Lexus GS 450h price quotes in Pittsburgh, PA

The following companies are ready to provide comparison quotes in Pittsburgh, PA. To locate the best auto insurance in Pittsburgh, PA, it’s a good idea that you visit as many as you can to find the cheapest car insurance rates.

Lexus GS 450h insurance rates and statistics

The rate table shown next highlights detailed analysis of coverage costs for Lexus GS 450h models. Having a better understanding of how insurance prices are figured can aid in making smart policy decisions.

Table data represents single female driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $500 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, safe-driver, multi-policy, multi-vehicle, and claim-free. Premium costs do not factor in zip code location which can revise auto insurance rates noticeably.

Auto insurance deductibles

The hardest decision when buying coverage is how high should the deductibles for physical damage be. The figures shown below outline the differences in price when you choose different physical damage deductibles. The first table uses a $250 physical damage deductible and the second data table uses a $500 deductible.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, multi-policy, homeowner, and multi-vehicle. Prices do not factor in garaging location in Pittsburgh which can decrease or increase coverage rates significantly.

Using the premium rates above, we can conclude that using a $250 deductible costs approximately $19 more each month or $228 each year averaged for all GS 450h models than selecting the higher $500 deductible. Due to the fact that you would have to pay $250 more if you turn in a claim with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you go more than 13 months between claims, you would save money if you choose the higher deductible.

The example below illustrates how your choice of deductibles and can raise or lower Lexus GS 450h yearly insurance costs for each age group. The rates are based on a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no discounts are applied to the premium.

Careless Pittsburgh drivers pay higher rates

The diagram below demonstrates how citations and at-fault accidents can impact Lexus GS 450h insurance costs for each different age group. The rate quotes are based on a married female driver, comp and collision included, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are taken into consideration.

Lexus GS 450h insurance costs by age and gender

The information below compares Lexus GS 450h car insurance rates for male and female drivers. The information is based on no claims, a clean driving record, comprehensive and collision coverage, $250 deductibles, single status, and no discounts are applied.

Comparison of full coverage and liability-only policies

The example below compares Lexus GS 450h car insurance costs with full coverage and liability only. The rate quotes are based on a clean driving record, no claims, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no additional discounts are factored in.

When to stop buying full coverage

There is no specific rule to drop full coverage on your policy, but there is a broad guideline. If the annual cost of coverage is more than about 10% of any settlement you would receive from your insurance company, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.

For example, let’s pretend your Lexus GS 450h settlement value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is damaged in an accident, the most you would receive is $3,000 after the deductible is paid. If premium cost is more than $300 annually for full coverage, then it may be the right time to buy liability only.

There are some cases where removing full coverage is not in your best interest. If you have an outstanding loan on your vehicle, you have to keep full coverage to protect the lienholder’s interest in the vehicle. Also, if your savings is not enough to buy a different vehicle if your current one is in an accident, you should not drop full coverage.

Six Tips to Get Cheap Pittsburgh Insurance Premiums

Multiple criteria are part of the calculation when you get your auto insurance bill. Some factors are common sense such as your driving history, but others are more obscure such as whether you are married or how safe your car is.

The factors shown below are some of the major factors utilized by car insurance companies to help set your rates.

• Do you know your comp and collision deductibles? – Comp and collision deductibles define how much you are willing to pay if the claim is covered. Protection for physical damage, aka comp and collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. Examples of covered claims would be a windshield broken by a bird, fire damage, and damage caused by road hazards. The larger the amount you have to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.

• Premiums are lower the older you get – Drivers with little experience have a tendency to be less responsible when driving with friends and because of this, their insurance rates are much higher. More experienced drivers have been proven to be more responsible, are lower risk to insure, and are safer drivers.

  The next chart uses these assumptions: single driver, full coverage with $500 deductibles, and no discounts or violations.

• Insurance companies don’t like frequent insurance claims – If you’re an insured who likes to file claims you can look forward to much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Car insurance companies in Pennsylvania generally give the best rates to policyholders who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Your insurance policy is intended for larger claims.
• Your address can influence rates – Being located in less populated areas of the country has definite advantages if you are looking for the lowest rates. Fewer drivers means reduced accidents and lower theft and vandalism rates. People who live in big cities have to deal with traffic congestion and more severe claims. More time behind the wheel translates into higher accident risk.
• Advanced theft deterrents – Buying a car that has a built-in theft deterrent system can earn a premium discount. Anti-theft devices like OnStar found on GM vehicles, advanced tracking like LoJack, and vehicle immobilization systems can thwart vehicle theft.
• Don’t skimp on liability insurance – Liability insurance will provide protection if ever a jury decides you are liable for damages caused by your negligence. Liability provides for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. This coverage is relatively inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not skimp.

• Lexus GS 450h claim data – Companies factor in historical loss data to help determine the rate you pay. Models that the data determines to have a trend towards higher claim severity or frequency will cost more for coverage. The table below demonstrates the actual insurance loss data for Lexus GS 450h vehicles.

  For each coverage type, the loss probability for all vehicles compiled together is a value of 100. Numbers under 100 suggest a better than average loss history, while percentage values above 100 indicate frequent claims or an increased probability of a larger loss.

  
  

  Auto Insurance Loss Data for Lexus GS 450h Models

  Vehicle Model	Collision	Property Damage	Comp	Personal Injury	Medical Payment	Bodily Injury
  Lexus GS 450h Hybrid 4dr	208		250

  BETTER

  AVERAGE

  WORSE

  Empty fields indicate not enough data collected
  Data Source: iihs.org (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) for 2013-2015 Model Years

Auto insurance policy discounts for Lexus GS 450h insurance in Pittsburgh

Not many people think insurance is cheap, but you may qualify for discounts that can help lower your rates. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you quote, but a few need to be inquired about prior to receiving the credit.

• Passive Restraint Discount – Factory options such as air bags or automatic seat belts may qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
• Discounts for Responsible Drivers – Insureds who avoid accidents can save as much as half off their rates compared to accident prone drivers.
• Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles on your Lexus can qualify you for better prices on cars that stay parked.
• Claim-Free Discount – Good drivers with no accidents pay much less as compared to accident-prone drivers.
• Driver Training Discounts – Successfully completing a course in safe driver could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.

One last thing about discounts, most credits do not apply to the whole policy. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.

The chart below illustrates the comparison of Lexus GS 450h auto insurance rates with and without discounts applied to the premium. The price estimates are based on a female 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 homeowner, claim-free, multi-policy, marriage, multi-car, and safe-driver discounts applied.

If you would like to see a list of providers that offer the discounts shown above in Pittsburgh, click here to view.

Shop online but buy locally

A lot of people still prefer to get professional advice from a licensed agent and that is recommended in a lot of cases One of the benefits of getting online price quotes is you can get the best rates and still buy from a local agent.

After filling out this quick form, your insurance data is submitted to local insurance agents who can give free rate quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. There is no reason to even leave your home as quotes are delivered to you instantly. You can find better rates and an insurance agent to talk to. If you wish to compare rates from one company in particular, you just need to visit that company’s website and fill out their quote form.

Finding the right insurance company shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price quote. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

• Does the agency have a current Errors and Omissions policy?
• What are their preferred companies if they are an independent agency?
• Which insurance company do they prefer to write with?
• Do they regularly work with personal auto policies in Pittsburgh?
• Is there a local claims center in Pittsburgh?
• How are claims handled?
• Will you work with the agent or an assistant?
• Do they reduce claim amounts on high mileage vehicles?

Not all auto insurance agents are the same

If you are wanting to find an insurance agent, there are a couple of different types of agencies and how they are slightly different. Agencies in Pittsburgh are categorized either independent (non-exclusive) or exclusive.

Exclusive Insurance Agencies

Exclusive insurance agents have only one company to place business with like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, or Farmers Insurance. Exclusive agencies are unable to give you multiple price quotes so you might not find the best rates. They are highly trained on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell on service rather than price.

Shown below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Pittsburgh that can give you price quote information.

More Pittsburgh agents

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company and that is an advantage because they can write policies through many companies and potentially find a lower price. If premiums increase, they simply switch companies in-house which is easy for the insured.

When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include a few independent agents for the best price selection.

The following is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Pittsburgh that are able to give price quotes.

More Pittsburgh agents

Which auto insurance company is best in Pittsburgh?

Buying coverage from a highly-rated car insurance company can be challenging considering how many companies provide coverage in Pittsburgh. The information below can help you choose which auto insurance companies to look at buying from.

Top 10 Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies Overall

1. The General
2. Titan Insurance
3. The Hartford
4. Progressive
5. Travelers
6. State Farm
7. Farmers Insurance
8. Erie Insurance
9. Safeco Insurance
10. USAA

Top 10 Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies by A.M. Best Rank

1. USAA – A++
2. GEICO – A++
3. Travelers – A++
4. State Farm – A++
5. Allstate – A+
6. Nationwide – A+
7. Esurance – A+
8. Erie Insurance – A+
9. Progressive – A+
10. Titan Insurance – A+

In the end, you can save money

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an insured cut collision coverage only to regret at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The goal is to buy enough coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

We just showed you many ways to save on Lexus GS 450h insurance in Pittsburgh. It’s most important to understand that the more you quote Pittsburgh car insurance, the higher your chance of finding cheaper Pittsburgh car insurance quotes. You may even be surprised to find that the lowest priced insurance comes from some of the lesser-known companies. Regional companies may often insure only within specific states and give better rates than their larger competitors like Progressive or GEICO.

Cheaper Lexus GS 450h insurance in Pittsburgh can be bought online as well as from independent agents in Pittsburgh, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies do not provide online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

To learn more, take a look at the resources below:

• Speed and Speed Limit FAQ (iihs.org)
• How Much is Auto Insurance for a Hyundai Sonata in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
• Who Has Affordable Pittsburgh Auto Insurance Rates for First-time Drivers? (FAQ)
• Vehicle Insurance (Wikipedia)
• Warning systems don’t curb driver distraction (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Distracted Driving (Insurance Information Institute)
• Preventing Carjacking and Theft (Insurance Information Institute)