The Cheapest Auto Insurance in Pittsburgh in 2024

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 $149. 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.

Key Takeaways:

• State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance rates in Pittsburgh, with an average cost of $88 per month.
• The average Pittsburgh driver pays around $93 per month for liability insurance and $204 for full coverage.
• Pennsylvania drivers must have a minimum 15/30/5 policy plus $5,000 in first-party medical benefits.

In This Article:

• Average Price for Car Insurance in Pittsburgh
• Cheapest Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies
• Best Pittsburgh Car Insurance Companies of 2024
• Pittsburgh Rate Breakdowns by Driver and Coverage Type
• Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Requirements
• Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Let’s take a look at some of the cheapest insurance companies in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies

Even though drivers in the Pittsburgh area spend an average of $149 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.

State Farm offers the lowest rate on auto policies in Pittsburgh, with an average cost of $88 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.

Top 3 Best Pittsburgh Insurance Companies of 2024

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: $88 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.90 out of 5

Pros:

• Rideshare coverage available
• Great customer service reputation
• Dozens of local agents to choose from

Cons:

• 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: $102 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.75 out of 5

Pros:

• Rate lock feature available
• Lots of coverage options
• Highly rated by customers

Cons:

• 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: $100 per month
• Compare.com Rating: 4.59 out of 5

Pros:

• Excellent mobile app
• Many options to save money
• Above-average claims process satisfaction

Cons:

• 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 Company for Liability Insurance: State Farm

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. The average liability policy costs $93 per month in Pittsburgh, according to our research, but it 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:

State Farm has the cheapest car insurance rates in Pittsburgh for liability insurance, at $64 per month, according to our data.

If you have room in your budget, consider buying an insurance policy offering full coverage.

Cheapest Company for Full-Coverage Insurance: State Farm

The average full-coverage policy in Pittsburgh costs $204 per month. Full-coverage policies offer 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 table below shows the cheapest full-coverage options in Pittsburgh.

Our research found that State Farm offers the cheapest full-coverage policies in Pittsburgh, costing an average of $112 per month.

Next, let’s see how driving records influence rates.

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.

Let’s take a closer look at how different incidents affect your insurance costs.

Cheapest car insurance in Pittsburgh after a ticket: State Farm

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 25%, according to Compare.com data.

State Farm is the cheapest auto insurer in Pittsburgh for drivers with speeding tickets — it charges an average of $141 per month.

Cheapest car insurance in Pittsburgh after an accident: State Farm

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 $147 per month, according to Compare.com data.

Cheapest car insurance in Pittsburgh after a DUI: State Farm

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 $170 per month.

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 65–69, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

Here’s how age can affect your premiums in Pittsburgh, according to Compare.com data.

Let’s take a closer look at the cost of insurance for teens and seniors in Pittsburgh.

Cheapest car insurance for Pittsburgh teens: State Farm

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.

State Farm offers Pittsburgh teenagers the cheapest rates on average, at $187 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for Pittsburgh seniors: State Farm

As senior drivers approach retirement, 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.

State Farm is the cheapest car insurer for Pittsburgh drivers in their 60s and 70s, with rates of $82 and $76 per month, respectively, according to Compare.com data.

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 safe: 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.

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Pittsburgh?

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance rates to Pittsburgh drivers, at $64 per month for liability-only insurance, according to our analysis. But your actual rate will depend on a variety of factors, like your driving history, coverage levels, and age.

How much is car insurance in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh drivers pay an average rate of $149 per month, according to Compare.com data. Liability insurance and full-coverage rates are $93 and $204 per month, respectively.

How much car insurance does Pennsylvania require?

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.

What happens if you get caught driving without insurance in Pittsburgh?

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.

What is the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania?

State Farm offers the cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania, at $105 per month, according to our data.

Data 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.

Sources:

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6. Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?” accessed June 5, 2024.
7. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “2022 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics,” accessed June 5, 2024.
8. University of Pittsburgh, “PittPerks,” accessed June 5, 2024.
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