Here's what you need to know when driving in Pennsylvania
The average car insurance rate in Pennsylvania is $1,266 per year, which is $263 cheaper than the national average rate. While what you pay for auto insurance depends on many personal factors like your age, location, driving history, credit and more, it can also vary from insurer to insurer.
In our guide to Pennsylvania car insurance, we analyzed average car insurance rates across the state to help you find a budget-friendly policy. Continue reading to find out how much auto insurance costs in Pennsylvania, so you know what a fair rate looks like in your search for cheap car insurance.
If you're ready to see how much you can save by shopping around, submit your ZIP code above to get auto quotes from top insurance companies.
The best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Here are the top three car insurance companies in Pennsylvania, according to third-party ratings from J.D. Power.
USAA received a score of 896 (out of 1,000) in J.D. Powers' 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the mid-Atlantic region and also won top marks in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.
A regional insurance company with limited geographic availability, NJM Insurance was the runner-up, scoring 867 in J.D. Power's 2021 study.
Erie came in third place with a score of 856 in J.D. Power's 2021 customer satisfaction survey and has a generally positive reputation.
- Pennsylvanians pay about 17% less for car insurance on average
- The cheapest major car insurance company in Pennsylvania is Travelers
The cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania
These companies offer the cheapest rates in the following scenarios.
The cheapest rates in Pennsylvania are from Travelers at $982 annually or $82 per month.
If you have a recent DUI or at-fault accident, Travelers could be most affordable.
Nationwide is the cheapest insurance company in Pennsylvania if you have bad credit.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $982 |
| Nationwide | $1,081 |
| State Farm | $1,292 |
| Erie | $1,318 |
| GEICO | $1,545 |
| Allstate | $1,570 |
| USAA | $1,946 |
| Progressive | $2,025 |
Dynamic auto insurance data methodology
Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.
Pennsylvania auto insurance laws
Car insurance is required in almost every state, including Pennsylvania. In order to be road-legal in Pennsylvania, you must carry a certain amount of insurance coverage, along with proof of insurance. Pennsylvania is also a no-fault state; this means that all drivers must use their own insurance to cover their own costs if an accident occurs, regardless of who is at fault.
Choosing the minimum coverage level is cheaper than having full coverage. In Pennsylvania, you can expect to pay $398 every year for the state minimum level of coverage. This rate is less expensive than the nationwide average by 74%.
In Pennsylvania, you can expect to pay $398 every year for the state minimum level of coverage.
State minimum coverage
In order to drive legally in the state of Pennsylvania, you must carry at least the minimum liability limits listed below:
- Bodily injury: $15,000 per person
- Bodily injury: $30,000 per accident
- Property damage: $5,000 per accident
In addition, you'll also need a first-party benefit (FPB, also known as PIP):
- FPB: $5,000 per accident
You also have to select a tort option:
- Limited tort: This restricts your right to sue another driver for non-monetary damage except for extreme circumstances concerning death or permanent disfigurement.
- Full tort: This allows the policyholder to sue for any post-accident-related pain and suffering. This usually comes at a higher premium.
Optional coverage in Pennsylvania (varies by carrier):
- Comprehensive
- Collision
- Gap coverage
- Roadside assistance
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- Income loss benefit
If you want more protection beyond the minimum level, you can choose a full coverage policy with comprehensive and collision. This will protect you against the financial ramifications of car accidents, theft, vandalism or weather incidents.
Full coverage, however, comes at a cost. A comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,093 in Pennsylvania — 175% more than liability-only insurance. If you choose a full coverage policy with a $500 deductible, expect to pay 231% more than you would for basic coverage.
A comprehensive insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible costs $1,093 in Pennsylvania — 175% more than liability-only insurance.
The Zebra's guide to Pennsylvania car insurance laws
Learn more about car insurance requirements in the state of Pennsylvania with our helpful guide.
Compare car insurance rates from the best companies in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania car insurance premiums by rating factor
Personal factors like your age, driving history, credit score and more determine your rate for auto insurance. Every insurer weigh these rating factors differently, making it all the more important to compare quotes from a multitude of options.
See average rates by different rating factors below to get a better understanding of how much you can expect to pay in Pennsylvania.
Cheap auto insurance in Pennsylvania for minimum coverage
Getting the state minimum level of car insurance is a great way to make your premium much cheaper, but it can leave you at risk. In Pennsylvania, the average cost for minimum coverage is $33 per month, or $398 yearly — a savings of $918 compared to full coverage.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $287 |
| Nationwide | $357 |
| State Farm | $360 |
| Erie | $409 |
| GEICO | $435 |
| Allstate | $467 |
| USAA | $525 |
| Progressive | $618 |
Cheap auto insurance in Pennsylvania with bad credit
In almost every state, your credit score is a rating factor. This is because insurance companies use statistics to analyze the chances of you making a claim based on your rating factors. Past data shows a correlation between drivers with poor credit and claims. To an insurance company, this makes them riskier to insure, which is why drivers with poor credit are charged much higher rates.
In Pennsylvania, people with poor credit generally pay an additional $1,308 yearly compared to drivers with excellent credit. Consult sample rates from different insurance companies below and use this information as a jumping-off point in your search for affordable insurance with bad credit.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,463 |
| USAA | $1,946 |
| Travelers | $2,635 |
| Allstate | $2,702 |
| GEICO | $2,787 |
| State Farm | $2,840 |
| Erie | $3,467 |
| Progressive | $3,494 |
Cheap auto insurance in Pennsylvania with an at-fault accident
It's no secret that having citations and accidents on your driving record will make your car insurance more expensive. Like bad credit, a checkered driving history is another risk indicator. In Pennsylvania, a recent at-fault accident can raise your rate by as much as $584 yearly.
Safe driver discounts
In addition to having a cheaper premium, some companies offer a safe driving discount. While the amount varies based on your company, it can range between 5 and 10%.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,350 |
| State Farm | $1,638 |
| Erie | $1,704 |
| Nationwide | $1,802 |
| Allstate | $2,030 |
| GEICO | $2,446 |
| USAA | $2,713 |
| Progressive | $3,252 |
Cheap auto insurance for young drivers in Pennsylvania
Teens and young adult drivers in their 20s pay the highest premiums for car insurance compared to older age groups. Due to younger drivers' relative inexperience on the road compared to older drivers, teen drivers pay more than three times the national average rate because of the risks they pose. In Pennsylvania, teens pay $4,923 per year, which is $3,394 more than the national average and 289% more than a 30-year-old Pennsylvania driver.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $2,195 |
| Erie | $3,400 |
| Nationwide | $3,600 |
| GEICO | $3,828 |
| State Farm | $4,462 |
| USAA | $4,791 |
| Progressive | $5,965 |
| Allstate | $13,107 |
Pennsylvania auto insurance rate by violation
Receiving a ticket or getting in an accident will make your premium go up — sometimes to unaffordable levels depending on the seriousness of the violation. Because every insurer's pricing standards are different, it's difficult to say how much exactly you can expect your rate to increase. Using data, however, we can provide general estimates.
See below for average auto insurance rates after common citations in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania DUI laws
A DUI violation can increase your annual car insurance rate by 83% or over $1,400 in Pennsylvania. It can be a struggle to find affordable auto insurance with a recent DUI on your driving record.
Low-cost car insurance after a DUI in Pennsylvania
To find low-cost auto insurance after a DUI, it’s important to assess each of your insurance choices carefully when comparing quotes. Car insurance premiums following a DUI can vary substantially by insurance company. For example, the least expensive car insurance company with a DUI in Pennsylvania, Travelers, advertises annual rates 56% less than the statewide average insurance rate with a DUI. The second-cheapest insurer for auto insurance after a DUI in Pennsylvania is Allstate, while the most expensive is GEICO, with prices 2% above average.
| Company | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,419 |
| Allstate | $1,570 |
| State Farm | $1,917 |
| Erie | $2,020 |
| Progressive | $2,393 |
| USAA | $2,596 |
| Nationwide | $2,784 |
| GEICO | $3,306 |
There is no company in particular that offers a cheap insurance rate after a DUI that's comparable to a rate without a DUI. The recommended way to save after a DUI citation is to shop around with as many companies as possible.
Pennsylvania SR-22 insurance
Pennsylvania, unlike most states, does not require an SR-22. An SR-22 is a routine legal requirement triggered by a violation such as a DUI conviction, a ticket for driving without insurance, an at-fault collision, driving with a suspended license or accumulating too many points on your license. It is not a type of insurance policy, but a form issued by your insurance company to ensure that you remain insured.
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Rates by city
Car insurance companies calculate your rate based on many factors, and an important one is the location of the vehicle. The cheapest car insurance is found in Houserville, Pennsylvania, and the most expensive in Philadelphia.
Have a look at the table below to see average car insurance costs in some of Pennsylvania's biggest cities.
| City | Avg. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Erie | $1,790 |
| Scranton | $1,864 |
| Pittsburgh | $1,867 |
| Allentown | $1,874 |
| Philadelphia | $3,315 |
Car insurance price trends in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, average annual auto insurance costs decreased by $72 in the past year. A typical Pennsylvania driver pays an average of $1,266 per year.
In the past three years, Pennsylvania's pricing average rate has steadily decreased while prior to 2019, it had increased year after year. The steepest decrease occurred from 2012 to 2013, while the highest uptick took place from 2016 to 2017.
| Year | Avg. Annual Premium — Pennsylvania | Yearly Change — Pennsylvania | Avg. Annual Premium — US | Yearly Change — US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $1,266 | -$72 | $1,529 | $46 |
| 2020 | $1,338 | -$140 | $1,483 | -$61 |
| 2019 | $1,478 | -$2 | $1,544 | $23 |
| 2018 | $1,480 | $88 | $1,521 | $84 |
| 2017 | $1,392 | $209 | $1,437 | $69 |
| 2016 | $1,183 | $88 | $1,368 | $88 |
| 2015 | $1,095 | $34 | $1,280 | $51 |
| 2014 | $1,061 | $47 | $1,229 | $34 |
| 2013 | $1,014 | -$208 | $1,195 | -$80 |
| 2012 | $1,222 | $200 | $1,276 | $82 |
If your rates are rising faster than the average in your state, compare quotes and find a better deal. The Zebra's car insurance comparison engine furnishes quotes based on your specific profile — enter your ZIP below to get started.
Pennsylvania car insurance FAQs
Below you'll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding Pennsylvania auto insurance.
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Related content
- Car Insurance with a DUI in Pennsylvania
- Car Insurance in Philadelphia, PA
- Car Insurance in Pittsburgh, PA
- Average Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Car Insurance Laws
- Allentown, PA Car Insurance
- Temporary Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
- Erie, PA Car Insurance
- Full Tort vs. Limited Tort Car Insurance
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.