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By Ross Martin Info icon
Updated January 22, 2025
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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

Ross h…

Credentials
  • 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
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Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry
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Comparing auto insurance in Pennsylvania and California

If you're in the process of relocating from Pennsylvania to California, chances are you're focused on the big-picture concerns and major expenses: contracting a dependable moving company, finding an abode in your new state, and arranging your interstate move.

With all these moving parts, it can be easy to forget the details. Auto insurance coverage is among the many details, but it's crucial. To stay on the right side of the law, you’ll need to update your insurance policy — or purchase a new policy — when you move between states.

Read our guide to car insurance in Pennsylvania versus California and ensure your move is pain-free. We'll cover the following topics:

 

  1. Insurance cost comparison
  2. Rates by coverage level
  3. Cheap companies by state
  4. Rates by city
  5. Additional resources

 

Pennsylvania vs. California car insurance — average rates

Expect to pay more for auto coverage in your new home. The average annual auto insurance rate in California is $279 pricier than the cost in Pennsylvania. The exact cost will depend on your coverage level, driving and insurance history, and your auto insurance company.

 

CAR INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND CALIFORNIA
State Average Annual Rate
Pennsylvania $1,428
California $1,707

 

Average car insurance prices by coverage level

The amount you pay for an auto policy depends on your vehicle, your personal driving profile, and what degree of protection you want your insurer to provide.

If you opt for your state’s minimum liability auto insurance coverage, you will carry bodily injury, medical payment, and property damage liability coverages, plus uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection in some states.

 

AUTO INSURANCE RATES — BASIC LIABILITY COVERAGE IN PENNSYLVANIA vs. CALIFORNIA
State Period Premium
Pennsylvania Annual $500
California Annual $573
Pennsylvania 6-Month $250
California 6-Month $286
Pennsylvania Monthly $42
California Monthly $48

 

Choosing full-coverage car insurance incurs additional costs, but you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with collision and comprehensive coverages, plus rental reimbursement and roadside assistance. The most notable benefit of full coverage auto insurance is that it insures your vehicle and you more comprehensively than does basic car insurance coverage. If you want to go the extra mile to protect your investment in your vehicle, full coverage could be the way to go.

 

AUTO INSURANCE RATES FOR FULL COVERAGE IN PENNSYLVANIA vs. CALIFORNIA
Location Time Period Cost
Pennsylvania Annual $1,372
California Annual $1,626
Pennsylvania 6-Month $686
California 6-Month $813
Pennsylvania Monthly $114
California Monthly $135

 

Cheap car insurance companies in Pennsylvania and California

A primary determinant of your auto insurance costs is the auto insurance company you choose. Auto insurance companies set premiums in a number of ways, resulting in major price variations. Location also matters: some regional underwriters only sell policies in a few states, while major insurers’ rates may vary by state.

When moving to a new state, it’s important to find the best cheap auto insurance company offering policies in your new location. Get your research started below by viewing the five most affordable car insurance companies in Pennsylvania and California.

 

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN PENNSYLVANIA
Car Insurance Company Average Annual Rate
General Casualty $733
Travelers $795
USAA $801
Erie $808
Penn National $824

 

See other cheap auto insurance companies in Pennsylvania.

 

AFFORDABLE CAR INSURANCE COMPANIES IN CALIFORNIA
Car Insurance Company Average Annual Rate
USAA $1,132
Wawanesa $1,169
Century National $1,202
CSAA $1,210
Nationwide $1,238

 

See more cheap auto insurance companies in California.

 

Car insurance rates by city in Pennsylvania and California

Though car insurance is legislated at the state level, insurance companies price rates by ZIP code to adjust for unique factors like density and frequency of car crashes. The location to which you move will play a big part in deciding your auto insurance rates.

See below auto insurance rates in major cities in California and Pennsylvania.

 

CAR INSURANCE RATES BY CITY IN PENNSYLVANIA
City Average Annual Rate
Philadelphia $2,017
Pittsburgh $1,074
Allentown $1,119
Erie $1,093
Reading $1,088

 

See a longer list of car insurance rates in Pennsylvania cities.

 

AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY CITY IN CALIFORNIA
City Average Annual Premium
Los Angeles $2,125
San Diego $1,354
San Jose $1,409
San Francisco $1,728
Fresno $1,487

 

Seeking data on another city? View other California cities.

 

More resources: moving from Pennsylvania to California

When you move from Pennsylvania to California, you will face unfamiliar driving laws, different SR-22 or FR-44 requirements, and more. Make sure your interstate move goes smoothly with our collection of information on your new state:

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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 editorial 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.