![Lindsay VanSomeren](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/a1f270d6fe/lindsay-vansomeren.jpg/m/100x100/smart/filters:quality(90))
Lindsay VanSomeren is an insurance and personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared in publications such as FICO, Credit Karma, The Balance, and more. She enjoys helping people learn how to manage their money better so they can live the lives they envision for themselves.
![Lequita Westbrooks](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/1f152b4c61/img_3113.jpg/m/100x100/smart/filters:quality(90))
![Lequita Westbrooks](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/1f152b4c61/img_3113.jpg/m/56x56/smart/filters:quality(90))
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
Updated
At Compare.com, it’s our mission to give you the tools to find the best (and most affordable) insurance for your unique needs and budget. We strive to provide information that’s helpful, clear, and unbiased, and we believe that comparing insurance companies should never put you at risk of spam. Our editorial team — which is made up of experienced writers, editors, insurance agents, and data analysts — has spent thousands of hours researching and creating the coverage overviews, side-by-side comparisons, and detailed reviews you see across our site.
While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Table of contents
Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, meaning you must buy a bit more coverage than residents of other states. That drives up car insurance costs for Pittsburgh residents, who pay an average monthly premium of $166. But getting cheaper rates is possible if you know where to look.
State Farm offers some of the most affordable rates to drivers in Pittsburgh. In this guide, we’ll explore the cheapest insurance companies for a variety of drivers and ways to save on your bill.
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance rates in Pittsburgh, with an average cost of $53 per month.
The average Pittsburgh driver pays around $94 per month for liability insurance and $166 for full coverage.
Pennsylvania drivers must have a minimum 15/30/5 policy plus $5,000 in first-party medical benefits.
How Much Is Car Insurance in Pittsburgh?
The average cost of car insurance for Pittsburgh drivers is $149 per month — but this is just an average. Your own rate may be higher or lower depending on many different factors. For example, some car insurance companies charge much higher rates than others.
The table below shows average car insurance rates in Pittsburgh compared to state and national averages, according to Compare.com data.
Location ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Liability Insurance ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Pittsburgh | $94 | $166 | $130 |
Pennsylvania | $95 | $169 | $132 |
National average | $107 | $197 | $152 |
Pittsburgh drivers pay an average of $94 per month for liability-only insurance and $166 per month for full coverage. Let’s take a look at some of the cheapest insurance companies in Pittsburgh.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Pittsburgh
Even though drivers in the Pittsburgh area spend an average of $130 per month on car insurance, there’s a good chance you can pay a lot less if you shop around and compare quotes from different insurers.
The table below lists the five cheapest car insurance companies in Pittsburgh and each company’s average monthly premium, based on Compare.com data.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $53 |
Mile Auto | $55 |
Erie | $62 |
Plymouth Rock | $63 |
Auto-Owners | $67 |
National General | $69 |
Travelers | $81 |
GEICO | $83 |
Progressive | $84 |
Root | $85 |
Foremost | $89 |
Allstate | $94 |
Direct Auto | $96 |
The General | $96 |
Safeco | $97 |
Nationwide | $106 |
USAA | $109 |
Bristol West | $125 |
Chubb | $126 |
Dairyland | $128 |
CSAA | $140 |
State Auto | $147 |
Liberty Mutual | $173 |
State Farm offers the cheapest rates, on average, with Pittsburgh drivers paying around $53 per month, according to our data.
But since many factors go into your actual rates, another insurer may work better for you. We’ll walk through a few of the best companies in the next section.
The Best Auto Insurance Companies for Pittsburgh Drivers
Many factors affect your car insurance rates, so there isn’t one single best auto insurer for everyone. Some companies charge higher rates than others for younger drivers, for example, or for those with negative marks on their driving records.
We chose the following insurers based on a combination of their average rates in Pittsburgh, available discounts, customer ratings and reviews, and coverages offered in Pittsburgh.
Best value: State Farm
Average premium: $85 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.90 out of 5
Rideshare coverage available
Great customer service reputation
Dozens of local agents
Higher rates for drivers with bad credit
Not available in some nearby states
Gap insurance offered only for financed cars
State Farm is the largest insurance company in the nation, with nearly 40 agents operating in the Pittsburgh area. The company offers some of the most affordable rates in Pittsburgh. Notably, for a company of its size, it has excellent J.D. Power ratings for overall customer satisfaction, claims satisfaction, mobile app usefulness, and shopping experience.
Best customer service: Erie
Average premium: $79 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.75 out of 5
Rate lock feature available
Lots of coverage options
Highly rated by customers
Poor mobile app ratings
Limited options for discounts
Limited transferability to other states
Erie offers insurance products in only 12 states, so you may be out of luck if you eventually move elsewhere. But if you plan to stay within Erie’s footprint, you’ll benefit from the highest-rated insurer for overall customer satisfaction by J.D. Power, which also gave Erie high rankings for its auto claims process and ease of policy shopping.
Best discount options: Safeco
Average premium: $93 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.59 out of 5
Excellent mobile app
Many options to save money
Above-average claims process satisfaction
Policies only purchased through an agent
Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Less-than-ideal financial stability rating
Safeco offers a 15% discount if you bundle policies for your home and car, as well as up to 30% off for using the telematics program on its app. But the real savings come from its other policy perks and discounts, including accident forgiveness, a diminishing deductible for collisions, and 2.5% cash back each time you renew a policy without having filed a claim.
Cheapest Liability Insurance
The coverage levels you choose can greatly affect the cost of car insurance. A policy that meets state-minimum coverage requirements is generally your cheapest option. Liability insurance pays only for the other driver’s medical bills and vehicle repairs if you cause an accident.
Here are the cheapest auto insurance companies in Pittsburgh for liability insurance, according to Compare.com data:
Average Liability Rates by Company
If you have room in your budget, consider buying an insurance policy offering full coverage.
Cheapest Full-Coverage Insurance
Full-coverage policies include collision and comprehensive coverage (in addition to liability insurance). These coverages protect your own car against damage from car accidents and non-collision incidents, such as tree damage, fires, and theft.
That’s why full-coverage premiums are more expensive — although most insurance experts say it’s a smart money move. The chart below shows the cheapest full-coverage options in Pittsburgh.
Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
Next, let’s see how driving records influence rates.
Compare Pittsburgh Auto Insurance Rates by Age
Age also has a significant effect on car insurance rates. Generally, rates will be higher when you’re younger, but the cost will go down as you age. In Pennsylvania, 17-year-old drivers were involved in 4.3% of all accidents in 2022, compared to only 1.0% of seniors aged 65 to 69, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Here’s how age can affect your premiums in Pittsburgh, according to Compare.com data.
Age Group ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Teens | $216 | State Farm | $92 |
40s | $133 | State Farm | $51 |
Seniors | $104 | State Farm | $40 |
Young drivers typically pay the highest car insurance rates of all age groups because of their lack of experience and because they’re more likely to be distracted when driving. But teens can lower their rates by looking for student discounts and staying on their parents’ insurance.
The citywide average for teen drivers in Pittsburgh is $216 per month, according to our data. State Farm offers Pittsburgh teenagers the cheapest rates on average, at $92 per month.As senior drivers approach retirement age, they’ll typically see cheaper rates. That’s because they have more driving experience and tend to drive less (and more safely) since they don’t need to go to work every morning.
Pittsburgh seniors pay an average of $104 per month for auto coverage, according to Compare.com data. State Farm is the cheapest car insurer for these drivers, with a rate of $40 per month.
Compare Pittsburgh Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record
Your driving record has a significant effect on your car insurance rates. Driving dangerously increases your chances of getting into an accident and filing a claim, so insurers charge higher rates for certain infractions to make up for the risk. That means drivers with a clean driving record typically get better rates.
The table below shows how your driving history can affect rates in Pittsburgh and the cheapest company for each violation, according to Compare.com data.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Clean record | $130 | State Farm | $53 |
Speeding ticket | $157 | State Farm | $63 |
At-fault accident | $168 | State Farm | $67 |
DUI | $194 | State Farm | $83 |
Getting a speeding ticket doesn’t mean you’ve caused an accident — but it does show insurers that you’re a risky driver. After a speeding ticket, the average insurance rates go up by 27%, according to Compare.com data.
State Farm is the cheapest auto insurer in Pittsburgh for drivers with speeding tickets — it charges an average of $63 per month.
If you cause an accident, you can expect a 34% increase in your premiums since insurers will now consider you high risk. State Farm is the cheapest auto insurer in Pittsburgh for drivers after an accident, with an average rate of $67 per month, according to Compare.com data.
Even if you’ve never caused an accident, if authorities catch you driving while intoxicated, it’s serious business. That’s why rates typically go up by 50% after a DUI, according to Compare.com data.
In Pittsburgh, State Farm is the cheapest option for drivers with a DUI, charging an average of $83 per month.
Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Requirements
Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to purchase a minimum level of coverage to drive legally in the state. Here are the requirements:
Bodily injury liability (BI): $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
Property damage liability (PD): $5,000 per accident
Medical benefits: $5,000 for you and your passengers
Drivers in Pennsylvania must choose between a “limited tort” and a “full tort” policy since Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state. Limited-tort policies are cheaper, but you waive most rights to sue for pain and suffering if someone injures you.
How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Pittsburgh
You can’t control every factor when it comes to how much companies charge for car insurance — like your age. Still, you can lower your rates without sacrificing coverage by following the strategies below:
Drive safely: Good drivers pay less for car insurance and don’t have to file claims as often. Improve your driving skills and avoid traffic violations and accidents to reduce your rates.
Look for teen discounts: Ask your insurer about discounts for young adults, such as college students attending school away from home.
Look for employer discounts: Some insurance companies will reduce your rates if you have insurance through your employer or if you belong to a large organization, such as the University of Pittsburgh.
Build good credit: Improving your credit gets you better car insurance rates since insurers link good credit to less risk.
Go to school: Earning a college degree can help lower your rates since insurers consider your education level when setting rates.
Compare quotes: Get quotes from multiple companies to compare rates before your current policy lapses.
Pittsburgh Auto Insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Pittsburgh.
State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance rates to Pittsburgh drivers, at $53 per month, according to our analysis. But your actual rate will depend on a variety of factors, like your driving history, coverage levels, and age.
Pittsburgh drivers pay an average rate of $130 per month, according to Compare.com data. Liability insurance and full-coverage rates are 94 and $166 per month, respectively.
Pennsylvania requires drivers to have liability car insurance with coverage limits of $15,000 per person for injuries (up to $30,000 per accident) and $5,000 for property damage. It also requires drivers to purchase $5,000 in medical benefits coverage.
Driving without insurance in Pittsburgh comes with fines of at least $300 and three-month license and vehicle registration suspensions. You’ll also have to pay additional fees to reinstate them.
Mile Auto offers the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania, at $78 per month, according to our data.
Sources
Insurance Information Institute, “Background on: No-fault auto insurance,” accessed December 4, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “Property and Casualty Insurance Industry 2023 Top 25 Groups And Companies By Countrywide Premium,” accessed December 4, 2024.
J.D. Power, “Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Pennsylvania Insurance Department, “Automobile Insurance Guide,” accessed December 4, 2024.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners, “NAIC Consumer Shopping Tool for Auto Insurance,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?” accessed December 4, 2024.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “2022 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics,” accessed December 4, 2024.
University of Pittsburgh, “PittPerks,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Visit Pittsburgh, “Colleges & Universities,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Insurance Law Overview and Frequently Asked Questions,” accessed December 4, 2024.
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
- All of Compare.com's content is written and reviewed for accuracy by a team of experienced writers and editors who are experts on the topics they cover.
- None of Compare.com's content is ever influenced by the companies and brands we partner with.
- Compare.com's editorial team operates independently of any of the company's partnership or business development interests. We publish unbiased information strictly for the benefit of our readers.
- All of the content you see on Compare.com is based on comprehensive analysis and all data is gathered and vetted from trustworthy sources.
Learn more about us, our team, and what makes us tick.
![Lindsay VanSomeren](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/a1f270d6fe/lindsay-vansomeren.jpg/m/96x96/smart/filters:quality(90))
Lindsay VanSomeren is an insurance and personal finance writer who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. Her work has also appeared in publications such as FICO, Credit Karma, The Balance, and more. She enjoys helping people learn how to manage their money better so they can live the lives they envision for themselves.
![Lequita Westbrooks](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/1f152b4c61/img_3113.jpg/m/100x100/smart/filters:quality(90))
![Lequita Westbrooks](https://a.storyblok.com/f/295508/1f152b4c61/img_3113.jpg/m/56x56/smart/filters:quality(90))
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.