It is fascinating to see trends in car insurance from the beginning of mass media and internet marketing. The following chart shows trends in the United States: A look at Pennsylvania’s premiums from 2000 to 2004, which is the most recent year for statistics.
The average car insurance premium in Pennsylvania was $698.56 in 2000. This is the average annual car insurance premium that Pennsylvania drivers pay. This led to 17 states with higher annual premiums in 2001 than Pennsylvania. This amount increased to $698.56 in 2001. In 2003, the average premium was $812.67. As you can see there has been a significant change in premiums over that period. The trend begins to flatten when you look at the 2004 rates. In Pennsylvania, the average rate in 2004 was $842.66. This is a 3.70% increase over 2003. In 2004, 17 states had higher premiums. In 2003, rates in 20 states were higher than Pennsylvania’s.
The numbers provide some insight into Pennsylvania’s premiums relative to other states. The maximum speed limit for rural areas in Pennsylvania is 65. This is the maximum speed that people can drive on state highways. Underwriters consider lower speeds to be better for claims. Companies can therefore offer slightly lower rates in states that have lower speed limits. Companies also consider the 55 mph speed limit in Pennsylvania when setting rates.
Pennsylvania’s auto insurance premiums were $842.66 on average in 2004. This is an increase of 3.70% from the average rate of $812.67 in 2003. The 2004 figures show that liability coverage averaged $507.66 and collision averaged $312.63. Comprehensive averaged $130.85. There were 32 states that had higher average premiums than others, and 17 states that had lower ones. There were 20 states that had higher rates in 2003 than Pennsylvania. If we look at the longer term, car insurance premiums in Pennsylvania were $698.56 in 2000 and $698.56 in 2001. There were 17 states with higher premiums in 2000. Companies can also charge higher rates for DUI and alcohol violations. Pennsylvania currently has a 0.08 blood alcohol limit for driving under the influence.
If you’re smart about looking for quotes and know where to search, Pennsylvania can provide cheap car insurance. Many online websites allow users to get instant, free quotes online. There are generally two types of online quotes. These are websites owned by the company who will be writing your policy. While they might advertise the possibility of comparing quotes from other companies, you will usually only receive one quote. Another type of site is what are known in the industry as “lead broker” but are also called “comparison websites” to the general public. These websites collect basic information about you and match you with agents or companies that offer policies in your area. This allows you to compare rates from different companies. Due to the high competition this system creates, brokers will often offer the best rates upfront. These services have a downside: you will most likely be contacted by a broker directly, sometimes by phone. After clicking “submit”, expect multiple calls.
Finding affordable car insurance in Pennsylvania today isn’t difficult. To save time, ensure you have all the relevant information about your car, drivers, and driving record before you visit an online quote site. To get the best price, choose one or two major direct carriers that you have seen on TV. You can also contact a few lead brokers to obtain a complete range of pricing options. Be sure to review claims history and practice, and not always choose the lowest rate. Before you decide to switch carriers, carefully consider all your options. If they do their research and approach the process rationally, people can save hundreds of dollars each year on Pennsylvania car insurance. We are sure you will, too, with the above information.
