Find the Best Car Insurance Quotes & Options in Pennsylvania
The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania per year is $1,304, which is close to the current national average of $1,311. Pennsylvania ranks in the middle of the pack for nationwide car insurance rates, at the 23rd most expensive. Still, drivers in the state will want to consider assembling a car insurance policy that provides more than just the minimum coverage required to protect them against all kinds of potential threats.
A Pennsylvania independent insurance agent can assist you with finding the right kind of car insurance for you. Having the best blend of coverage and cost is possible thanks to these agents. But for starters, here's a deep dive into car insurance in Pennsylvania.
Best Car Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
There's no use wasting time by browsing car insurance options that don't meet your needs. Instead, check out some of only the best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania. We've put together a list for you to get started and broken it down by category and type, including the best Pennsylvania car insurance companies for minimum liability coverage, full coverage, young drivers, drivers with accident histories, and the best overall. Here are some of our top picks for car insurance carriers in Pennsylvania.
- Best Pennsylvania car insurance company overall: Travelers
- Best Pennsylvania car insurance company for minimum liability: Erie
- Best Pennsylvania car insurance company for full coverage: Nationwide
- Best Pennsylvania car insurance company for young drivers: Allstate
- Best Pennsylvania car insurance company for accident history: Travelers
A Pennsylvania independent insurance agent can help you choose the right car insurance company for your needs.
Best Pennsylvania Car Insurance Company Overall: Travelers
The winner for the best Pennsylvania car insurance company overall goes to Travelers. Travelers combines many policy options, great rates, and overall excellent reviews with outstanding customer service, making them a winner right away. A full-coverage auto insurance policy from Travelers starts at about $1,330 per year in Pennsylvania.
Originally founded in 1853, Travelers is one of the longest-standing insurance companies in the nation. Travelers offers insurance primarily through a network of independent insurance agents. The insurance carrier's independent agent network is about 13,500 agents strong and extends across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Travelers' longstanding history and extensive reach led to its reputation as a reliable company. AM Best, the leading global credit rating agency monitoring the insurance industry, gives Travelers the highest possible rating of "A++," indicating that it's one of the top insurance companies around today.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Policy |
| $111 | $1,330 |
Best Pennsylvania Car Insurance Company for Minimum Liability: Erie
The winner for the best Pennsylvania car insurance company for minimum liability coverage only is Erie Insurance. Erie allows drivers to just get the coverage they need by law for extremely affordable rates. A liability-only policy from Erie starts at about $22 per month in Pennsylvania.
Originally founded in 1925, Erie has nearly a century’s worth of experience in the insurance industry today. The carrier has more than five million insurance policies in force today. Coverage is available in 12 states and DC.
Erie has recently claimed the titles of the 12th largest auto insurer in the US, the 11th largest home insurer in the US, and the 12th largest business insurer in the US. Erie is also a Fortune 500 Company and has been recognized on the list since 2003. AM Best also gives Erie an “A+” or "excellent" rating in financial strength.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability-Only | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Minimum Liability-Only |
| $22 | $269 |
Best Pennsylvania Car Insurance Company for Full Coverage: Nationwide
The winner for the best Pennsylvania car insurance company for full coverage is Nationwide. Nationwide allows drivers to build a more comprehensive car insurance policy that includes more than minimum liability coverage at an affordable rate. A "full coverage" auto insurance policy from Nationwide starts at about $89 per month in Pennsylvania.
Originally founded in 1925, Nationwide has been around for nearly a century. The carrier has grown massively from a small car insurance carrier to one of the largest insurance and financial services companies across the world.
AM Best places Nationwide in the $2 billion or greater financial size category. The company also gives Nationwide an "A+" or superior rating overall for financial strength. Further, Nationwide got a score 829 out of 1,000 points on J.D. Power's Customer Satisfaction Survey recently.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Policy | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Full Coverage Policy |
| $89 | $1,073 |
Best Pennsylvania Car Insurance Company for Young Drivers: Allstate
The winner for the best Pennsylvania car insurance company for teens and young drivers is Allstate. Allstate helps provide car insurance for families with teens and young drivers on their policies at reasonable rates, especially compared to other carriers in the area. A full coverage auto insurance policy for those with teen drivers on their policies starts at about $2,110 per year from Allstate.
Founded in 1931, Allstate is a Fortune 500 company with over $119 billion in assets. The carrier has an "A+" or excellent rating for financial strength from AM Best. Allstate is one of the oldest and most established insurance carriers in the nation today.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Families with Teen Drivers | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Families with Teen Drivers |
| $175.83 | $2,110 |
Best Pennsylvania Car Insurance Company for Accident History: Travelers
The winner for the best Pennsylvania car insurance company for drivers with accident history is Travelers. Travelers provides accident forgiveness for drivers with accident histories, which can waive a premium increase after the first incident. A full coverage auto insurance policy for drivers with accident history from Travelers starts at about $2,181 per year in Pennsylvania.
| Average Monthly Insurance Cost: Drivers with Poor Records | Average Annual Insurance Cost: Drivers with Poor Records |
| $182 | $2,181 |
Pennsylvania Car Insurance Requirements
Pennsylvania requires all drivers to at least be equipped with state minimum coverages. Failure to purchase car insurance can result in fines or worse penalties. The state's law dictates that drivers must carry the following:
- Bodily injury liability: In Pennsylvania, this coverage is required in the amounts of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. Coverage pays the costs of medical treatment to another driver and their passengers after an accident you're at fault for.
- Property damage liability: In Pennsylvania, this coverage is required in the amount of $5,000 per accident. Coverage pays the costs of repairs to a third party's personal property, like a vehicle, fences, etc., if you damage it with your car.
- Medical payments: In Pennsylvania, this coverage is required in the amount of $5,000. Coverage can reimburse you for the treatment of your own injuries or for those of your passengers after an accident you're at fault for.
Optional car insurance in Pennsylvania:
- Comprehensive: Coverage can reimburse you for expenses after incidents other than collision, including incidents with large animals, windshield breaks, and more.
- Collision: Coverage pays for damage to your car from a collision with another driver, regardless of fault.
- Personal injury protection: Coverage can reimburse you for your own medical expenses after an accident you're at fault for.
- Uninsured motorist coverage: Coverage can reimburse you for damage to your vehicle or medical treatments if another driver causes a collision and doesn't have any or enough insurance of their own.
- Roadside assistance: Coverage can reimburse you the cost of towing services if you break down on the side of the road.
- Gap coverage: Coverage can reimburse you for the difference between what your vehicle is worth and what you owe on your remaining vehicle loan after a collision.
- Rental car reimbursement: Coverage can reimburse you for the cost of a rental car after a covered accident.
A Pennsylvania independent insurance agent can help ensure you get set up with all the car insurance you need.
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Average Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
The cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania per year averages $1,304. Pennsylvania drivers save just a little bit on their premiums compared to the national average rate of $1,311 per year. However, your car insurance premiums vary based on many different factors, including the value of your car, how much coverage you need, where you live, your credit score, your driving history, and more. A full coverage auto policy in Pennsylvania starts at about $89 per month from affordable carriers like Nationwide.
Average Pennsylvania Car Insurance Costs by City
The cost of auto insurance in Pennsylvania also varies by city. A specific town's crime rates, traffic rates, car values, storm risk, and other factors all influence the cost of car insurance there. In Pennsylvania, drivers in the town of Indiana pay only about $1,033 per year for car insurance, which is the lowest average in the state. However, drivers in the city of Philadelphia pay about $1,699 per year for car insurance, which is the highest average in the state by far.
Finding Car Insurance Discounts in Pennsylvania
You can reduce the rate of your auto insurance no matter where you live in Pennsylvania. There are many common car insurance discounts offered by most carriers, though keep in mind that discount options still vary by carrier. Your Pennsylvania car insurance premiums can be reduced by any of these discounts that you qualify for:
- Paperless billing: Awarded to drivers who sign up for paperless billing statements.
- Student driver discounts: Awarded to drivers with households that have a student driver.
- Safe driver discounts: Awarded to drivers with a clean track record with no accidents or traffic violations over the past few years.
- Military discounts: Awarded to drivers who are active or retired military members.
- Anti-theft devices: Awarded to drivers whose vehicles are equipped with anti-theft devices that add to their security, such as an alarm.
- Other discounts: Awarded to drivers belonging to the government, or to an organization like a union, group, or who are teachers.
A Pennsylvania independent insurance agent can help you save money on your car insurance premiums by applying any of these discounts to your policy if you qualify for them.
How to Find the Best Car Insurance Quote in Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania independent insurance agent can easily provide you with the best car insurance quote in Pennsylvania. Local agents work hard to shop and compare quotes from tons of different carriers in the area. Afterward, they bring you only the best results that combine coverage and cost in the right way. Pennsylvania independent insurance agents save you not only money, but time when it comes to shopping for car insurance.
How to File a Car Insurance Claim in Pennsylvania
Filing a car insurance claim in Pennsylvania doesn't have to be tricky or confusing. Keep these simple steps in mind if you ever have to file a claim through your Pennsylvania car insurance:
- Report accidents ASAP: Car accidents must be reported to the police right away, typically from the scene.
- Get medical attention ASAP: All injured folks also deserve to get medical attention right away.
- Call your Pennsylvania agent: Your Pennsylvania independent insurance agent can call your carrier for you and file your car insurance claim if you like.
- Schedule rental vehicles: Whether or not your car insurance includes this, you may need to arrange to get a rental vehicle from your carrier if your car needs repairs.
- Schedule adjuster visits: Last, schedule a visit from an insurance adjuster to evaluate your vehicle's damage and get you a quote for reimbursement through your coverage.
A Pennsylvania independent insurance agent can handle the entire claims process for you, or you can keep these easy steps in mind just in case.
How does your city measure up to the national average?
National average time spent commuting 26.9 Min
National average car thefts per 1,000 2.3 Year
National average car insurance cost $1,311 Year
| City | Commute time (min) | Auto thefts / 1,000 | Annual insurance cost |
| Allentown | 23 | 1.99 | $1,413 |
| Bloomsburg | 16.3 | 0.42 | $1,068 |
| Erie | 17.9 | 1 | $1,216 |
| Greensburg | 20.7 | 0.28 | $1,207 |
| Hanover | 27 | 0.32 | $1,335 |
| Harrisburg | 19.6 | 2.28 | $1,435 |
| Hermitage | 20 | 0.9 | $1,158 |
| Indiana | 15.9 | 0.08 | $1,033 |
| Monroeville | 28.8 | 0.94 | $1,408 |
| Norristown | 26.6 | 1.8 | $1,415 |
| Philadelphia | 33.6 | 3.58 | $1,699 |
| Pittsburgh | 24.3 | 2.41 | $1,476 |
| Scranton | 20.1 | 1.06 | $1,312 |
| Williamsport | 15.7 | 0.67 | $1,130 |
| York | 21.6 | 5.21 | $1,635 |
Popular Questions about Pennsylvania Car Insurance
The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,304 per year, or about $108.67 per month.
Yes, Pennsylvania does require drivers to have the following types and amounts of car insurance by state law:
- $15,000 of bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 of bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 of property damage liability
- $5,000 of medical payments coverage
What your Pennsylvania car insurance policy covers depends on the types of coverage you choose to go into it. You'll need at least bodily injury liability and property damage liability, along with medical payments coverage. But you may also choose to add coverages like collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, and others. Your Pennsylvania independent insurance agent can advise you on this.
Only a reported 7.6% of Pennsylvania drivers are currently uninsured, which is slightly over half of the current national average of 13% of all drivers across the US.
Our research found that Travelers, Erie, Nationwide, and Allstate are the best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania this year. These carriers were chosen based on financial strength, policy rates, and options, customer reviews, and more.
Actually, yes, if someone else drives your car in Pennsylvania, they would be covered under your policy, since coverage follows the car in this state. Though it's otherwise illegal to drive without insurance in the state, the exception is borrowing a vehicle from someone else who has their own coverage.
Yes. Pennsylvania is what is known as a "no-fault" state for car insurance. Only a few states in the country fall into this category. This means that all parties involved in auto accidents are responsible for getting compensation through their own insurance policy, regardless of fault.
Drivers who fail to provide proof of auto insurance in Pennsylvania can be charged a $300 fine and might get their registration and driver's license suspended for three months. The driver's vehicle is also subject to possible impounding. Reinstatement fees for vehicle registration are $94, and for a driver's license, it's typically around $100.
Yes, Pennsylvania is one of the few states that allows drivers to self-insure their cars.