Step 1: Determining What You Need

When purchasing Pennsylvania Auto Insurance, you need to be sure your coverage is adequate, but you also don't want to pay any more than what is necessary. The state of Pennsylvania mandates that all drivers carry a minimum amount of liability coverage. This minimum is as follows:

$15,000 bodily injury liability per injured person
$30,000 bodily injury per accident
$5,000 property damage liability coverage
$5,000 personal injury protection (PIP)

Pennsylvania does not mandate compulsory uninsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage, or UM, protects you against losses should another driver not have adequate insurance. Pennsylvania also follows a tort system of auto insurance, which means an at-fault driver is responsible for any losses incurred. Therefore, it's simply a good idea to carry some measure of uninsured motorist coverage.

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Step 2: Shopping for a Quote Online

All auto insurance providers are not equal. It isn't enough to just get one quote from one company or agent. And just because your brother-n-law "knows a guy" won't guarantee you the lowest rate possible. So you're going to want to do some comparison shopping.

The easiest way to compare companies' prices is to use an online insurance quote engine. Most sites will require you to enter some basic information about the make and model of your car, your driving needs, and your driving record. A quote engine will return a number of quotes from several different companies. You'll find that quotes can vary in price significantly, and in some cases by hundreds of dollars. And if you're paying a lot right now because of a couple of tickets, or perhaps an accident, then shopping for a different company could yield fantastic savings.

Step 3: Shop by Phone

After you've shopped online for a quote, you should look up the phone numbers of other insurance providers in your immediate location. Many local auto insurance companies are so small that they are often overlooked by online search engines. But for the very same reason, they often times can offer extremely competitive rates. These companies will require you to provide the same information as the online quote engine, so be sure to have this information on hand when you call.

After obtaining a quote over the phone, you must confirm not only the price, but the coverage types and amounts you were quoted. Ask the company to fax or email you the quote so you'll have a written record of it.

Step 4: Ask about Discounts

As you're shopping, be sure to explore any all discounts for which you may qualify. You may not be offered a discount if you don't ask for one. Some of the more commonly offered discounts are discounts for a good driving record, favorable credit score, vehicle safety equipment, and a good student discount.