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The average cost of basic liability car insurance in Pennsylvania is $2,147 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania will leave you with an average cost of $2,433 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
The average cost of basic liability car insurance in Pennsylvania is $2,147 per year. Opting for full-coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania will leave you with an average cost of $2,433 per year. In comparison, the national average is $1,627 per year to buy basic liability car insurance and $2,297 per year to buy full-coverage car insurance.
Compare best car insurance quotes in Pennsylvania
Everything from your credit score and marital status to your driving history, coverage levels, and vehicle type can impact the cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania.
Here's what real drivers paid when they used Jerry.
| Quote Date | Car | Before Jerry | After Jerry | City | Name | Age | Insurance Company |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2023 | Dodge Ram 1500 | $120/mo. | $118/mo. | Palmerton | Jeremy P. | 37 | Bristol West |
| March 16, 2023 | Buick Century Limited | $276/mo. | $145/mo. | Philadelphia | Mitchell W. | 24 | Bristol West |
| March 15, 2023 | Hyundai Sonata GLS | $180/mo. | $132/mo. | Philadelphia | Chester G. | 31 | Dairyland |
| March 2, 2023 | Kia Sportage SX | $292/mo. | $290/mo. | Philadelphia | Bess D. | 25 | Progressive |
| March 2, 2023 | Dodge Ram 1500 | $188/mo. | $163/mo. | Philadelphia | Maria H. | 27 | AAA |
Best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Finding cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania can be a struggle—but not if you know where to look.
No, there isn’t a single company that offers the lowest rates for every Pennsylvania driver. That’s impossible since every insurance provider uses a different methodology to set car insurance premiums. Companies like GEICO, State Farm, and USAA tend to have the lowest average rates, but not every driver will be eligible for them. For others, the best rate is from Progressive, Nationwide, Allstate, Erie Insurance, or even a smaller local auto insurance company.
| Insurance Company | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kemper | $2,828 | $1,281 | |
| Dairyland | $2,956 | $1,126 | |
| National General | $2,750 | $1,062 | |
| Clearcover | $2,853 | $1,005 | |
| Progressive | $2,716 | $904 | |
| Allstate | $2,971 | $882 | |
| Safeco | $2,707 | $823 | |
| Nationwide | $2,379 | $802 | |
| State Auto | $2,513 | $757 | |
| Travelers | $2,398 | $654 | |
| Compare Prices | |||
Pennsylvania car insurance FAQs
Is $200 a month a lot for insurance?
If you’re paying $200 a month for your auto insurance, you’re paying more than the state average for Pennsylvanians. Most drivers in the Keystone State pay closer to $179 a month for minimum liability insurance.
Is having full coverage worth it?
Short answer: usually, yes—unless you own an older car with high mileage and a low resale value. If the cost to replace the entire vehicle is less than your insurance premium, it’s all right to go without full coverage. In most other cases, the added premium is worth the robust coverage you get from collision and comprehensive insurance.
How much is car insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is in the top 10 US states for car insurance costs. A few key factors make the Keystone State an expensive place to buy coverage:
First, Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, which means high minimum insurance requirements. Because Pennsylvania drivers have to buy more coverage than drivers in other states, the average cost of car insurance is higher. On top of that, high population density and severe winter weather both increase the state average by causing a rise in claims.
Ready to start shopping? Here’s a rundown of what you need to know about car insurance in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania car insurance requirements
Every state except New Hampshire and Virginia sets certain minimum coverage limits that all drivers must meet in order to legally drive. In Pennsylvania, those minimums include $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, $5,000 per accident in property damage liability, and at least $5,000 of personal injury protection (PIP).
How much insurance do I need in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, drivers need $5,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) and $5,000 in property damage liability per accident. Additionally, Pennsylvania drivers are required to hold bodily injury liability insurance at $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
What do you need if you’re pulled over?
If you get pulled over, you are required to show your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and registration. Proof of insurance, sales tax payment, a valid ID and your car title or lease agreement is also required to register your vehicle
Is Pennsylvania a no-fault state?
Yes, Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. No one is considered “at-fault” in an accident. Instead, drivers are required to carry $5,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) per person as a way to cover themselves in an accident.
A no-fault state still uses fault to sort out responsibility in an accident—but under the no-fault or “limited tort” system, your own insurance company will always cover your medical expenses. But unlike most no-fault states, Pennsylvania allows drivers to opt out of the no-fault system with something called “full tort” insurance. Under that system, you can choose to sue the other driver for expenses including hospital bills.
Collision coverage and comprehensive coverage aren’t required by state law, but they may be a requirement from your lender if your vehicle is financed. Even if you’re not required to buy comprehensive or collision insurance, it’s often a good idea to add that coverage. If you stick to state minimum coverage, you’ll pay less, but you won’t have any way to file a claim for damage to your vehicle; that’s covered by collision and comprehensive.
That’s why you’ll often hear people refer to an auto insurance policy with comprehensive and collision as a “full coverage car insurance policy.” Check out the table below to see how much a full coverage policy could add to your costs.
Cheapest car insurance with a DUI or speeding ticket in Pennsylvania
Your driving record gives insurance companies a picture of the risk level you’re bringing to your policy. A single ticket might not have a huge impact on your rate, but if you have a pattern of repeated violations or just one big one—think DUI or reckless driving—your insurance provider will likely label you a “high-risk driver.”
Pennsylvania’s traffic laws are particularly strict, and it’s not hard to lose your driver’s license if you rack up too many points. Even worse, your insurance premiums will stay high as long as those points remain on your license.
Here's what drivers with less-than-perfect records paid when they used Jerry.
| Driving Violation | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Record | $2,331 | $769 |
| Speeding over 15 | $2,603 | $978 |
| Speeding under 15 | $2,618 | $968 |
| Passing School Bus | $2,368 | $961 |
| Suspension | $2,570 | $938 |
| DUI | $2,630 | $921 |
| Wrong Way/Wrong Lane | $2,749 | $913 |
| Cell Phone | $4,255 | $908 |
| Careless Driving | $2,580 | $877 |
| Driving on Sus. License | $2,347 | $866 |
Insurance Cost With a DUI in Pennsylvania
If you get a DUI in Pennsylvania, you can expect your car insurance to increase to an average of $373 per month.
Read Pennsylvania DUI Information:
Insurance Cost With a Reckless Driving Citation in Pennsylvania
If you have a reckless driving citation, you should expect your insurance to increase to an average of $211.36 per month.
Read Pennsylvania Reckless Driving Information:
Pennsylvania car insurance rates by age
Teen drivers and other drivers under age 25 pay some of the highest rates for auto insurance in Pennsylvania. Statistics show that young drivers are more likely to commit violations and get in car accidents—so even if you’re a good driver, your premium will reflect the statistics and the fears of your insurance company.
You can improve your chances of getting a good rate by shopping around, building good credit, and maintaining a clean driving record for discounts on insurance.
Compare average premiums for auto insurance coverage by age group in the table below.
How can young drivers save money on car insurance in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania has a three-step graduated licensing program that helps reduce the risk while new drivers under the age of 18 develop and improve their driving skills
- Taking a defensive driving course can reinforce safe driving behaviors and secure lower insurance premiums
- Maintaining a good average can qualify student drivers for a good student discount
- Pennsylvania has a three-step graduated licensing program that helps reduce the risk while new drivers under the age of 18 develop and improve their driving skills
- Taking a defensive driving course can reinforce safe driving behaviors and secure lower insurance premiums
- Maintaining a good average can qualify student drivers for a good student discount
Average cost of auto insurance in Pennsylvania by city
It’s probably no surprise that Philadelphia car insurance costs are just about the highest in the state. After all, the City of Brotherly Love is also the city of 1.5 million residents, 3,500 cab and rideshare drivers, and roughly 10,000 car accidents per year. The more drivers in close quarters, the higher the rate of insurance claims.
Other urban centers, like Pittsburgh and Allentown, see above-average rates. But if you live in a small town or rural area, you’ll likely pay well below the state average. Ford City insurance costs, for example, are over $1,000 less per year than in Philadelphia!
Want to see how your area’s insurance rates compare to the rest of the state? Check out the table below.
| City | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $2,105 | $794 |
| Bethlehem | $2,075 | $752 |
| Erie | $1,959 | $746 |
| Harrisburg | $2,085 | $814 |
| Lancaster | $2,010 | $808 |
| Philadelphia | $2,364 | $809 |
| Pittsburgh | $2,038 | $766 |
| Reading | $2,142 | $847 |
| Scranton | $2,045 | $776 |
| York | $2,089 | $841 |
Least Expensive Cities in Pennsylvania
State College is the cheapest city for car insurance in Pennsylvania. Drivers in State College can expect an average premium of $537 per year.
City With Highest Rates of Accidents in Pennsylvania
Erie has the highest accident rates in Pennsylvania, as 13.38% of drivers in Erie already have a prior at-fault accident on their record. Erie’s rate of drivers with an at-fault accident on their record is 1.37x higher than the state average. This is one factor that can influence car insurance rates.
Read Pennsylvania Accident Information:
Cities With the Longest Commute Times in Pennsylvania
At an average of 65.6 minutes, Saw Creek has the highest amount of time of commuting in Pennsylvania. Long commutes equate to more miles on your vehicle and an increased risk of accidents—both of which can raise your rates.
Read Commuting Insurance Information:
Cost to insure your car in Pennsylvania
The type of vehicle you drive also determines your premium. In general, expensive vehicles have higher insurance premiums—but so can rare vehicles, older vehicles, or any vehicle with a reputation for risky driving.
Insurance companies aren’t just looking at your car’s price tag when they set your rate. The two questions they’re trying to answer are "how expensive will it be to repair this car?" and "how likely is this car to generate insurance claims?" An affordable sedan like the Subaru Impreza will have low insurance costs because repairs are cheap, but it’s less sturdy than an SUV like the Subaru Forester, which has lower insurance costs despite costing over $5,000 more than the Impreza!
By that logic, you can imagine that sports cars will have higher premiums than pickup trucks and a car with a five-star safety rating will likely have a lower premium than one with just four. To see how your vehicle measures up, check out the links below!
| Car | Average Cost | Annual Savings with Jerry |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fusion SE | $2,254 | $813 |
| Nissan Altima 2.5 | $2,278 | $801 |
| Honda Civic LX | $1,991 | $764 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LT | $2,180 | $759 |
| Hyundai Sonata SE | $2,190 | $727 |
Most Popular Car in Pennsylvania
The most popular vehicle in Pennsylvania is the Honda CR-V. On average, CR-V drivers can expect to pay $1,100 a year for car insurance. CR-V owners can use Jerry to save money on their car insurance expenses.
Do you need more than minimum coverage in Pennsylvania?
Liability insurance and personal injury protection (PIP) are required for every Pennsylvania driver, and you must carry proof of insurance that meets state minimums to avoid a charge for driving without insurance.
But liability coverage and PIP aren’t the only types of coverage you may need. If you stick to those coverage limits, you’ll have medical benefits through your PIP, and you won’t be financially and legally liable for damage you cause in an at-fault accident. But you’ll also be exposed to some pretty significant financial risks.
For instance, if you’re struck by a driver who doesn’t carry car insurance (about 6% of Pennsylvania’s population), you won’t be able to submit a claim with their insurance company or yours for damage to your vehicle. You’ll also have fewer resources to help cover any medical expenses. Uninsured motorist coverage (UIM) can help to get those hospital bills paid for, while collision and comprehensive coverage will pay for damage to your vehicle—something that minimum liability can’t do.
Not sure how much additional auto insurance to buy? Take a look at the features below for ideas.
Pennsylvania has a large number of accidents each year and a relatively high population, so roadways are often busy. All of those factors will raise insurance rates in the state.
Read more about Pennsylvania Traffic:
15,474 Pennsylvania vehicles were stolen in 2020. The only way to cover a stolen vehicle is with comprehensive coverage insurance.
In Pennsylvania, 6% of drivers are uninsured. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage will help you to stay covered if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver.
Read information about uninsured drivers:
Pennsylvania drivers rank their roads a 5.61/10. With poor road quality and bad maintenance, it’s a good idea to get roadside assistance in case any bad road conditions leave you stranded.
How to save money on auto insurance in Pennsylvania
No matter who you are, what you drive, or where you live in Pennsylvania, you can still save on car insurance. Here’s how.
Shop around for quotes
You've heard it before: comparing multiple quotes is the best way to find car insurance savings.
But car insurance shopping doesn't have to be a one-and-done—in fact, insurance experts agree that it's a good idea to shop for better rates and better coverage every six months or so.
Look for discounts
Most insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders, but they won’t always advertise them. That means you could be eligible for insurance discounts you don’t even know about. Check out the features below for some common discounts to look out for.
Clean Driving Record Discounts
Clean Driving Record Discounts
People with clean driving records, who don’t make claims as often and are less likely to be in an accident receive a state mandated discount. Because of this, insurance companies will give drivers with clean driving records discounted rates.
Bundling Discounts
Bundling Discounts
The state of Pennsylvania requires customers who bundle multiple kinds of insurance, such as car, home, and renters, to be eligible for bundling discounts.
Marital Discount
Marital Discount
Married drivers are statistically less likely to be in an accident. If you’re a married driver, you could get discounted insurance rates.
Increase your deductible
If your policy includes collision or comprehensive insurance, you have a deductible that you agree to pay before your coverage kicks in on a claim. In most cases, that deductible will be either $500 or $1,000, but you can raise it and lower your month-to-month costs.
But there’s a risk to doing this. If you’re not able to pay your deductible, your insurance company won’t cover your claim. In other words, choosing a higher deductible could leave you underinsured if you’re not certain that you’ll be able to pay it—so choose wisely!
By R.E. Fulton
Updated on Mar 21, 2023
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear, Director of Content.
Compare best car insurance quotes in Pennsylvania
Best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania car insurance FAQs
How much is car insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania car insurance requirements
Cheapest car insurance with a DUI or speeding ticket in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania car insurance rates by age
Average cost of auto insurance in Pennsylvania by city
Cost to insure your car in Pennsylvania
Do you need more than minimum coverage in Pennsylvania?
How to save money on auto insurance in Pennsylvania
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