If you want to save the most money, the best way to get more affordable Volkswagen Passat insurance in Pittsburgh is to compare prices annually from insurance carriers who provide auto insurance in Pennsylvania.
- First, gain an understanding of auto insurance and the modifications you can make to prevent high rates. Many risk factors that result in higher prices like tickets, at-fault accidents, and bad credit can be controlled by being financially responsible and driving safely. This article gives additional ideas to keep prices down and earn a bigger discount.
- Second, compare prices from exclusive agents, independent agents, and direct providers. Direct companies and exclusive agencies can only give rate quotes from a single company like GEICO or State Farm, while agents who are independent can provide price quotes from multiple insurance companies.
- Third, compare the new rate quotes to your existing policy and see if you can save money. If you find a better price and change companies, make sure there is no lapse between the expiration of your current policy and the new one.
- Fourth, tell your current company to cancel your existing policy. Submit a down payment and signed policy application to the newly selected company. Once received, safely store the certificate verifying proof of insurance with your vehicle’s registration.
A valuable tip to remember is to use the same deductibles and limits on each quote request and and to analyze every company you can. This helps ensure an accurate price comparison and the best price selection.
It’s an obvious statement that car insurance companies want to prevent you from shopping around. Drivers who get price quotes annually are very likely to switch companies because of the good chance of finding a lower rate. A recent survey discovered that people who compared rates regularly saved about $865 annually compared to policyholders who never compared prices.
If finding budget-friendly rates on car insurance is the reason you’re here, then learning about how to choose a company and compare car insurance can help simplify the task of finding more affordable coverage.
When comparison shopping, there are several ways to compare rate quotes from many different Pennsylvania insurance companies. The quickest method to lower the rate you pay for Volkswagen Passat insurance is to use the internet to compare rates.
Just remember that comparing a wide range of rates helps locate more affordable rates. Some smaller insurers do not give Pittsburgh Passat insurance quotes online, so it’s recommended that you also compare price quotes from them as well.
The providers in the list below offer price comparisons in Pittsburgh, PA. To locate the best auto insurance in PA, we suggest you compare several of them in order to find the most affordable rates.
Analysis of Volkswagen Passat rates
The table shown next covers estimates of coverage costs for Volkswagen Passat models. Being able to understand how auto insurance premiums are established can help guide drivers when making smart policy decisions.
| Model | Comp | Collision | Liability | Medical | UM/UIM | Annual Premium | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat Komfort Station Wagon | $246 | $500 | $264 | $16 | $78 | $1,104 | $92 |
| Passat Komfort 4-Dr Sedan | $246 | $500 | $310 | $18 | $92 | $1,166 | $97 |
| Get Your Own Custom Quote Go | |||||||
Table data represents married female driver age 50, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $100 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include safe-driver, claim-free, homeowner, multi-policy, and multi-vehicle. Rates do not factor in vehicle location which can alter premium rates substantially.
Car insurance rates are higher with tickets and accidents
The information below highlights how speeding tickets and at-fault claims influence Volkswagen Passat premium costs for different age groups of insureds. The rate quotes are based on a married male driver, full coverage, $250 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
Full coverage rates compared to liability-only
The chart below compares Volkswagen Passat car insurance costs with full physical damage coverage compared to only buying liability only. The rates are based on no accidents or driving violations, $1,000 deductibles, drivers are not married, and no additional discounts are factored in.
When to eliminate full coverage
There is no set rule to stop paying for physical damage coverage, but there is a general school of thought. If the yearly cost of full coverage is more than 10% of the settlement you would receive from your company, then you might want to consider buying only liability coverage.
For example, let’s say your Volkswagen Passat replacement value is $4,000 and you have $1,000 policy deductibles. If your vehicle is severely damaged, the most your company would pay you is $3,000 after paying the physical damage deductible. If it’s costing you more than $300 annually for comprehensive and collision coverage, then you might consider buying liability only.
There are some conditions where dropping physical damage coverage is not recommended. If you still have a lienholder on your title, you have to maintain full coverage in order to prevent the bank from purchasing higher-priced coverage. Also, if your finances do not allow you to purchase a different vehicle if your current one is damaged, you should not buy liability only.
Insurance is not optional in Pennsylvania
Even though it’s not necessarily cheap to insure a Volkswagen in Pittsburgh, paying for insurance may be required and benefits you in several ways.
First, most states have minimum liability requirements which means state laws require a minimum amount of liability protection in order to be legal. 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 Volkswagen Passat, it’s guaranteed your bank will make it a condition of the loan that you have insurance to guarantee their interest in the vehicle. If you default on your policy, the bank may buy a policy for your Volkswagen at a significantly higher premium and force you to pay much more than you were paying before.
Third, insurance safeguards both your Volkswagen and your assets. It will also cover medical bills incurred in an accident. Liability coverage, the one required by state law, also pays for attorney fees and expenses if you are named as a defendant in an auto accident. If your car is damaged in a storm or accident, your policy will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of buying enough insurance definitely exceed the cost, especially if you ever need it. But the average American driver is currently overpaying as much as $855 a year so you should quote rates at every renewal to ensure rates are competitive.
Why You Might Pay Inflated Rates in Pittsburgh
Multiple criteria are taken into consideration when premium rates are determined. A few of the factors are predictable such as traffic violations, but other factors are more obscure such as whether you are married or your vehicle rating. A large part of saving on car insurance is knowing the factors that play a part in calculating your premiums. If you have a feel for what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this helps enable you to make changes that could help you find big savings.
Save money with theft deterrents – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can save you some money. Theft prevention features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder auto theft.
High deductibles save money – The deductibles you choose state the amount of money you are required to spend if a covered claim is submitted. Insurance for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, protects your car from damage. Some examples of covered claims are collision with another vehicle, damage from fire, or theft of your vehicle. The more of the claim you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less money you will pay for car insurance.
Influences performance influences auto insurance premiums – The type of car you are buying insurance for makes a huge difference in how high your rates are. The best insurance prices will generally be found on small economy passenger models, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
The following chart uses these assumptions: single female driver age 20, full coverage with $1000 deductibles, and no discounts or violations. The data compares Volkswagen Passat car insurance rates compared to other models that have different performances.
Tough employer may mean higher prices – Occupations like judges, business owners, and miners generally have higher premiums than the average policyholder because of job stress and incredibly demanding work hours. Other occupations such as farmers, athletes and homemakers get better rates.
Claims statistics for a Volkswagen Passat – Car insurance companies take into consideration insurance loss statistics for every vehicle as a tool for profitable underwriting. Vehicles that the data shows to have higher prevalence or dollar amount of losses will have a higher cost to insure.
The information below illustrates the historical loss data for Volkswagen Passat vehicles. For each insurance policy coverage type, the claim amount for all vehicles, without regard to make or model, is equal to 100. Values under 100 mean the vehicle has better than average losses, while numbers above 100 indicate more frequent claims or an increased likelihood of larger losses.
| Make and Model | Collision | Property Damage | Comp | Personal Injury | Medical Payment | Bodily Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Passat | 101 | 99 | 99 | 111 | 113 | 102 |
Statistics from IIHS.org for 2013-2015 Model Years
Earn discounts on Pittsburgh auto insurance
Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but there are discounts available that may help make it more affordable. Certain reductions will be credited when you complete an application, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for prior to receiving the credit.
- Federal Employees – Employees or retirees of the government could provide a small rate reduction with select insurance companies.
- Low Miles Discount – Maintaining low annual mileage can earn lower auto insurance rates due to less chance of an accident.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to fasten their seat belts can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- Anti-lock Brakes – Cars equipped with ABS or steering control have fewer accidents so companies give up to a 10% discount.
- No Claims – Good drivers with no accidents get the best auto insurance rates in comparison with bad drivers.
- Student Driver Training – Reduce the cost of insurance for teen drivers by having them enroll and complete driver’s education in high school.
- Life Insurance – Not all auto insurance companies offer life insurance, but some may give you a small discount if you purchase some life insurance too.
Just know that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you aren’t that lucky.
The information below shows the difference between Volkswagen Passat premium costs with and without discounts being applied to the rates. The rates are based on a male driver, no violations or accidents, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows premium with no discounts. The second shows the rates with claim-free, safe-driver, multi-policy, homeowner, multi-car, and marriage discounts applied.
If you would like to see a list of providers who offer cheap Volkswagen Passat insurance quotes in Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, click here.
Will just any policy work for me?
When choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Every insured’s situation is different.
For example, these questions can aid in determining whether you might need an agent’s assistance.
- How much liability coverage do I need in Pennsylvania?
- Are my friends covered when driving my car?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Is there a penalty for late payment?
- What are the best liability limits?
- How much coverage applies to personal belongings?
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
- If my pet gets injured in an accident are they covered?
- What states are considered no-fault?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form.
You may require the services of a local insurance agent
Many drivers would prefer to sit down and talk to an agent and that is recommended in a lot of cases An additional benefit of getting online price quotes is that you can find cheap rate quotes and still buy from a local agent.
Once you complete this form (opens in new window), the quote information is sent to insurance agents in Pittsburgh who will give competitive quotes for your insurance coverage. There is no need to contact any insurance agencies as quotes are delivered directly to you. Get lower rates AND an agent nearby. If you wish to get a price quote from a specific company, just find their quoting web page to submit a rate quote request.
Picking the best insurer is decision based upon more than just a cheap price. The questions below may impact your decision as well.
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Do you need full coverage on every vehicle?
- Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
- Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Pittsburgh?
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
When searching for a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two different agency structures and how they work. Insurance agents can be described as either independent or exclusive.
Exclusive Insurance Agents
Exclusive agents normally can only provide a single company’s rates and some examples include American Family, State Farm, and Allstate. Exclusive agencies are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Exclusive agents are well schooled on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently choose to use a exclusive agent mostly because of high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.
Below are Pittsburgh exclusive insurance agencies willing to provide price quotes.
- Allstate Insurance: Thomas Bianco
1154 Freeport Rd – Pittsburgh, PA 15238 – (412) 967-7655 – View Map - Mike Dudenas – State Farm Insurance Agent
901 Castle Shannon Blvd – Pittsburgh, PA 15234 – (412) 561-5012 – View Map - Danielle Howard – State Farm Insurance Agent
1500 Ardmore Blvd Ste 403 – Pittsburgh, PA 15221 – (412) 351-3305 – View Map
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents can sell policies from many different companies and that allows them to write policies with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If they find a cheaper price, they simply move your policy to a different company and you can keep the same agent. If you are comparing insurance prices, we highly recommend that you get several quotes from independent agents to get the best comparison. Many independent agencies also insure through small regional insurance companies that may provide cheaper insurance rates.
The following are independent agencies in Pittsburgh that are able to give rate quotes.
- Riley Insurance
2544 Library Rd # 205 – Pittsburgh, PA 15234 – (412) 563-2390 – View Map - McIlrath Insurance Agency
4601 Clairton Blvd – Pittsburgh, PA 15236 – (412) 882-9000 – View Map - Wagner Agency, Inc.
5020 Centre Ave – Pittsburgh, PA 15213 – (412) 681-2700 – View Map
After getting acceptable answers to any questions you may have and locked in a price quote, you’ve probably found an insurance agency that can be trusted to properly service your insurance policy. Keep in mind you can always terminate your policy for any reason so don’t assume that you’re stuck with the insurance policy for any length of time.
Don’t give up on cheaper coverage
As you restructure your insurance plan, make sure you don’t buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many instances, drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
People change insurance companies for any number of reasons including poor customer service, denial of a claim, extreme rates for teen drivers or an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Whatever your reason, choosing a new company is easier than you think.
Lower-priced Volkswagen Passat insurance in Pittsburgh is available both online and also from your neighborhood Pittsburgh agents, so you need to quote Pittsburgh auto insurance with both to get a complete price analysis. Some car insurance companies may not have rate quotes online and most of the time these regional carriers work with independent insurance agents.
To learn more, feel free to visit the articles below:
- What is Covered by GAP Insurance? (Allstate)
- Who Has Cheap Pittsburgh Auto Insurance Quotes for Electric Cars? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Quotes for Good Students in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Young Drivers in Pittsburgh? (FAQ)
- Who Has Cheap Pittsburgh Auto Insurance for a 20 Year Old Female? (FAQ)
- Rental Car Insurance Tips (Insurance Information Institute)
- No-Fault Auto Insurance Statistics (Insurance Information Institute)
- Child Safety FAQ (iihs.org)
- Parking Tips to Reduce Door Dings (State Farm)