The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $427 per year for minimum liability and $1,476 for full coverage that includes liability, collision and comprehensive insurance. If you lease a car or plan on financing it, your lender will likely require you to buy more expensive full coverage. Luckily, there are ways to save on your vehicle insurance to beat the average annual premiums.
How much does car insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
Bankrate’s findings of cost of car insurance nationwide place Pennsylvania’s $427/$1,476 at below the national average of $565 for basic and $1,674 for full coverage. A state’s insurance requirements are one reason car insurance may be affordable (or not). There are other factors such as carrier, ZIP code, age and driving record that could affect your premiums. Take a look at Bankrate’s in-depth findings on the other factors.
Pennsylvania car insurance rates by company
To find the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania, get online quotes from the best insurance carriers to compare. Bankrate’s findings, based on annual premiums for minimum and full coverage, are:
| Car insurance company | Average annual premium for minimum coverage | Average annual premium for full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $531 | $1,338 |
| American Independent | $1,080 | $3,268 |
| AmTrust Financial | $657 | $2,157 |
| Auto-Owners | $272 | $1,098 |
| Donegal | $290 | $1,279 |
| Erie | $293 | $1,079 |
| Geico | $267 | $916 |
| MetLife | $796 | $2,413 |
| Motorists | $664 | $3,069 |
| Nationwide | $240 | $1,058 |
| Penn National | $217 | $971 |
| Progressive | $433 | $1,278 |
| QBE | $241 | $1,042 |
| State Auto Insurance | $370 | $1,604 |
| State Farm | $294 | $1,143 |
| USAA | $290 | $1,126 |
Pennsylvania car insurance rates by city
Refer to the list of top 20 cities by population for an overview of why the city you choose to live in matters. Philadelphia residents pay double (or more) for car insurance of what residents of Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Altuna and State College pay.
| City | Average annual premium for full coverage | % difference from state average annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $2,787 | 89% |
| Pittsburgh | $1,504 | 2% |
| Erie | $1,461 | -1% |
| Lancaster | $1,276 | -14% |
| Allentown | $1,497 | 1% |
| Reading | $1,439 | -3% |
| York | $1,264 | -14% |
| Bethlehem | $1,438 | -3% |
| West Chester | $1,577 | 7% |
| Harrisburg | $1,258 | -15% |
| Scranton | $1,538 | 4% |
| Mechanicsburg | $1,169 | -21% |
| Norristown | $1,709 | 16% |
| Easton | $1,435 | -3% |
| Levittown | $1,778 | 20% |
| Altoona | $1,328 | -10% |
| Wilkes-Barre | $1,416 | -4% |
| Greensburg | $1,415 | -4% |
| State College | $1,128 | -24% |
| Bensalem | $1,877 | 27% |
Cost of living in Pennsylvania and car insurance
When shopping for the best car insurance rates in Pennsylvania, it’s important to factor in your other expenses so that you’re looking at your total living costs. The graph below shows the average annual cost of living in Pennsylvania, including the average cost of car insurance. Use this graph as a guide to help determine your overall expenses so that you can decide what insurance rates fit in your budget.
Pennsylvania car insurance rates by age
One of the most expensive factors affecting car insurance is age. A teen driver pays as much as $2,372 per year, compared to $1,771 for a thirty-year-old adult.
| Age | Average annual premium in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Age 16 | $2,372 |
| Age 17 | $2,206 |
| Age 20 | $3,813 |
| Age 22 | $2,700 |
| Age 25 | $1,961 |
| Age 30 | $1,771 |
| Age 35 | $1,741 |
| Age 40 | $1,476 |
| Age 60 | $,1474 |
*16-year-old and 17-year-old calculated on parent’s policy disclosure
Pennsylvania car insurance rates by driving record
Safe drivers without traffic violations or accident claims can save hundreds of dollars every year. The cost of a DUI, which is typically around $25,000, is already bad enough. In addition, the conviction will remain on your record for 10 years, practically guaranteeing your premiums will be double the average for as long as it is on your driving record.
| Driving incident | Average annual premium in Pennsylvania | % increase in average annual premium |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding ticket | $1,663 | 12.7% |
| Accident | $2,226 | 50.8% |
| DUI | $3,092 | 109.5% |
How to save on car insurance in Pennsylvania
It is no secret that safe drivers get the best car insurance rates. Some of the best ways to save on vehicle insurance in Pennsylvania are often related to avoiding accidents and tickets:
- Accident forgiveness: Some insurance companies might give you the chance to erase one accident off your record, saving you from an increase in premiums.
- Telematics: Some carriers allow you to enroll in a safe-driving program. You will need to enroll and download a smartphone app that tracks your driving habits. Drive safely and you will might discounts on your car insurance.
- Defensive driving courses: Many carriers have a list of approved online defensive driving courses you could take over a weekend. The courses will improve your driving skills and generally lower your premiums if you pass.
- Safe driver: The longer you go without an accident or moving violation, the higher the car insurance discount you may be able to earn.
Pennsylvania car insurance requirements
Pennsylvania’s state laws require all vehicle owners to carry car insurance or face a $300 fine and/or suspension of their license and registration. The state requires liability coverage of:
- $15,000 in bodily injury per person and $30,000 per accident to pay for injuries and damages you cause to others
- $5,000 in property damage per accident
- $5,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) for your medical expenses, regardless of who was at fault
The state’s minimums may not be enough coverage. For example, if you cause $12,000 in damage during an accident and only have $5,000 in property damage coverage, you’ll need to pay the difference of $7,000 out of pocket. In addition, if your car is wrecked, liability insurance does not provide any money to have it repaired, leaving you to pay the full repair bill and other related expenses on your own.
Frequently asked questions
How much is car insurance in Pennsylvania?
The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $427 per year for basic insurance and $1,476 for full coverage.
How much car insurance do I need in Pennsylvania?
To drive legally in Pennsylvania you’ll need 15/30/5 liability coverage and $5,000 PIP insurance. However, the state’s minimums may not be enough, especially if you drive a vehicle you can’t afford to lose. Therefore, full car insurance which includes coverage for your car (in addition to third-party liability insurance) may a prudent choice.
When do I need full car insurance?
If you’re planning on financing or leasing your car or have a newer, higher-value model, full car insurance is the best option. Minimum liability coverage does not provide any reimbursement related to your vehicle. Full coverage adds comprehensive and collision insurance for damages or losses due to theft, fires, storms, collisions and more.
What are the cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania?
Bankrate found that the cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania are Geico, Nationwide, Penn National and Auto Owners. However, many factors could affect your premiums. Get quotes from several carriers to find the best rates.
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2021 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a male and female driver with a good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverages that meet each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
Driving record rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), at-fault accident, single speeding ticket, single DUI conviction and lapse in coverage.
Age rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied.
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