When it comes to insurance, Pennsylvania residents got lucky–even though this state is surrounded by some of the most expensive states to insure a car and home (New York, New Jersey, and Maryland), Pennsylvania insurance rates are more in line with national averages.
Still, it's nice to save money where possible. These tips will help you get the best rates on your Pennsylvania insurance, whether you're insuring your car or your home.
Saving on Auto Insurance
Auto insurance is a fickle thing; there are a number of factors that can greatly influence your rates, so you can end up paying significantly more if you're not careful. Keep your Pennsylvania insurance rates low with these tips:
- Look for discounts. There are many auto insurance discounts available to Pennsylvania residents. Many companies offer discounted rates, for example, to drivers with clean records, military personnel, good students, multiple car or multiple policies, and so forth.
- Avoid tickets and accidents. Tickets and accidents will increase your Pennsylvania insurance rates and keep them high for years after, so it's best to drive defensively and obey speed limits. In the event you do get a ticket, you can keep it from your record by attending an approved driving course in your area.
- Shop around. Rates vary widely with each company, so compare quotes to save money. You can save time by doing this on a site like LocalInsurance.com, which will provide local rates for free.
Saving on Homeowners Insurance
There's no way around homeowners insurance if you own a home. And if you live in an area prone to flooding (not uncommon given the number of rivers in the state), you will also want to purchase flood insurance.
You can save in a number of ways, including:
- Install protective devices. Insurance is all about risk. Reducing risk of break-ins and fire damage by installing devices like burglar alarms, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, deadbolt locks, and so forth will help you save a percentage on your Pennylvania premiums.
- Update your home. Pennsylvania is rich in history and has many older homes. While these homes have character, they also frequently have outdated plumbing and electrical systems. By updating your wiring and plumbing, you can also save.
- Be aware of new home discounts. Along the same lines as discounted policies for updates, many companies will discount your rates if you live in a home that was constructed within a certain amount of time, usually the past few years.
- Insure your home and car at the same company. Multiple policy discounts are common practice in the insurance industry and can add up to big savings.
Saving on Pennsylvania Insurance Rates
Regardless of what type of insurance you are in the market for, shopping around and comparing rates of different companies is important for getting the best deal. That's where LocalInsurance.com comes in. You can research Pennsylvania insurance, compare rates, and then get local quotes.