Pennsylvania homeowners insurance: what you need to know
Home insurance in Pennsylvania costs an average of $851 per year (about $71/month). While this is less than the national average rate, it is important that Pennsylvanians view prices from as many insurance companies as possible to ensure they receive the best rate.
Unlike auto insurance, home insurance is not governed by state legislation. Even so, major gaps exist in home insurance costs from state to state. Homeowners insurance rates in a given state differ based on the frequency and value of home policy claims filed in that state, and depend on the price of the belongings and home you're insuring.
Learn average home insurance rates in Pennsylvania by referencing the below tables. Your rates may vary, depending on your coverage details.
Table of contents:
- Rates by company
- Rates by coverage amount
- Rates by deductible amount
- Rates by city
- Bundling savings
- Frequently asked questions
- Natural disaster coverage
The cheapest home insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Home insurance prices in Pennsylvania can vary based on the insurance company you select. Penn National Insurance provides the most affordable home insurance policies in Pennsylvania — only $495 per year. This is less than the state average cost of $851, providing a $356 discount on the typical rates in the state.
Begin the hunt for affordable homeowners coverage by reviewing the most affordable Pennsylvania insurance companies, listed below. You can also check out our list of top-rated home insurance companies highlighting results from The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.
AFFORDABLE HOME INSURERS IN PENNSYLVANIA
| Insurance Company | Average Yearly Rate in Pennsylvania |
| Penn National Insurance | $495 |
| Truck Insurance | $535 |
| Safeco | $685 |
| Encompass | $794 |
| Erie | $855 |
Pennsylvania home insurance prices by coverage levels
Your chosen level of homeowners coverage determines the insurance premiums you pay . Homeowners in Pennsylvania who carry $100,000 of dwelling coverage pay an average of $373 per year, while those with dwelling coverage of $400,000 pay around $1,179 per year.
POPULAR COVERAGE LIMITS IN PENNSYLVANIA
| Coverage Level | Average Annual Cost |
| $100,000 Dwelling | $373 |
| $200,000 Dwelling | $590 |
| $250,000 Dwelling | $760 |
| $400,000 Dwelling | $1,179 |
Homeowners insurance deductibles in Pennsylvania
Among the many choices faced by homeowners when buying an insurance policy is where to set the deductible. The deductible is the total dollar amount that the insured contributes toward a covered loss. Where you set your deductible can be a large factor in how much you pay for insurance.
When picking a deductible, bear in mind that the higher your deductible is, the lower your insurance rates will be. This means that those seeking lower rates will want to seriously consider a higher deductible. Bear in mind that your deductible should not be so high that you would struggle to pay it in the event of a loss.
Below you'll find some typical deductible options offered by most home insurance companies along with corresponding average insurance costs.
HOME INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY DEDUCTIBLE IN PENNSYLVANIA
| Deductible Tier | Average Annual Homeowners Insurance Rate |
| $500 | $835 |
| $1,000 | $760 |
| $1,500 | $710 |
| $2,000 | $655 |
| $5,000 | $552 |
Pennsylvania homeowners insurance costs by city
Not all Pennsylvania cities have the same homeowners insurance rates. Policy pricing depends on local variables such as the number of local claims filed, meaning your ZIP code could have a major impact on how much you pay.
The best home insurance in Pennsylvania is found in Lancaster. The average home insurance policy in Lancaster costs only $685 annually — $167 less than the average homeowners policy in other Pennsylvania cities. The below cities have the most affordable homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania.
CHEAPEST CITIES FOR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE IN PENNSYLVANIA
| City | Average 12-Month Home Insurance Rate |
| Lancaster | $685 |
| York | $709 |
| Harrisburg | $709 |
| Lebanon | $715 |
| Reading | $741 |
Seeking insights on homeowners insurance in a specific city? Check out our analysis of populous Pennsylvania cities:
Home and auto insurance bundling in Pennsylvania
To trim a few dollars from your insurance costs, consider purchasing both your homeowners and auto insurance policies from one company. Bundling auto and homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania can lead to substantial savings on your auto insurance bill. Bundling policies in Pennsylvania leads to average annual savings of $161.
HOME AND AUTO BUNDLING DISCOUNTS IN PENNSYLVANIA
|
Avg. Annual Rate (No Bundle) |
Avg. Annual Rate (w/ Bundle) |
Annual Savings ($) |
Annual Savings (%) |
| $1,365 | $1,204 | $161 | 13% |
Pennsylvania homeowners insurance FAQs
Do you need homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not require homeowners insurance. However, if you have a mortgage, it's likely that your lender will require some sort of homeowners coverage.
Does homeowners insurance cover mold in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, mold is not covered by homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania. However, if mold occurs as a result of a covered peril (like a burst pipe) then it may in fact be covered. Some insurance companies may offer an endorsement that covers mold, so you would need to check with your insurance company.
Does homeowners insurance cover flooding in Pennsylvania?
Flood damage, whether it occurs during a hurricane or a torrential downpour, is excluded from coverage by home insurance companies. In order to insure your home against flood damage, get insurance through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or via a private insurer.
Coverage details from private insurance companies vary. If you purchase flood insurance through NFIP, you'll receive:
- $250, 000 structural coverage
- $100, 000 personal property coverage
If the value of your personal property and home exceeds these limits, consider purchasing a flood insurance policy from our partners at Neptune for additional protection.
Flood insurance is important in Pennsylvania, which paid out $1,562,476 in 2016 flood insurance claims, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.1
Sources:
1Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)