Erie, Pennsylvania, is a snow lover's dream come true—the city itself is one of the snowiest places in the US, with an average snowfall of 88 inches a year.
Living in a winter wonderland provides ample opportunity for snow sports and beautiful surroundings, but it can also be dangerous. This is one reason Erie insurance quotes tend to be a little higher than national averages; the potential for car accidents and damage from ice and falling snow can increase your risk for filing a claim, which tends to drive rates up.
If you're underinsured and need to file a claim, you can find yourself in a world of hurt. Knowing Erie insurance basics and coverage requirements can help you stay covered, so you spend less time worrying about your insurance and more time enjoying the snow.
Erie Auto Insurance
By law, Pennsylvania drivers are required to have liability coverage that includes bodily injury liability of at least $15,000 per person and up to $30,000 per accident, property damage of $5,000, and personal injury protection of $5,000. This coverage is far from adequate in the event of a serious accident. In order to be adequately covered, consider the following:
- Increasing bodily injury to $100,000/$300,000
- Adding uninsured/underinsured to stay covered if you're hit by drivers who don't carry liability insurance
- Covering your own car's repairs with collision insurance
- Protecting your car from non-accident related damage such as hail, ice storms, or theft with comprehensive insurance
Adding coverage will increase your Erie insurance quotes, but you can save money by increasing your deductible, looking for discounts, and keeping your driving record clean.
Erie Homeowners Insurance
Mortgage lenders require you carry homeowners insurance to cover costs related to damage like fire, hail, theft, and falling snow or ice, among other things. Deciding how much coverage and what type of insurance to get can be tricky.
On average, a basic HO-3 policy will cost about $643 a year in Pennsylvania, far below the national average of $804. However, if you live in a flood plain it's important to add flood insurance, which is sold separately because it is regulated by the government. With a higher than average number of flood plains in the state, this is something to consider.
Pennsylvania is also home to many beautiful historic homes. If you live in an older home, the traditional HO-3 policy might not be for you. An HO-8 policy is a better option. Designed specifically for older homes, it provides a cash payment instead of replacement cost coverage, since this property value is typically higher than the market average.
Saving on Erie Insurance Quotes
In addition to looking for discounts and increasing deductibles, another great way to save on your insurance is to shop around and compare quotes. This is easy with netquote.com. Here, you can quickly find multiple Erie insurance quotes for free, then compare them so you know you're getting the best coverage at the best price.
