Average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania in 2023

The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $2,002 per year for full coverage, which is 13 percent more than the national average of $1,771, according to Bankrate’s 2022 study of average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services. At $441 per year, the average cost of minimum coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania is cheaper than the national average, which is $545 per year. To help you understand what affects your car insurance rates in Pennsylvania, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team analyzed various situations and car insurance carriers in order to offer information on what to expect when shopping for car insurance in the Keystone state.

How much does car insurance cost in Pennsylvania?

Full coverage costs an average of $2,002 per year in Pennsylvania, which is slightly more expensive than the national average cost of car insurance, while minimum coverage is less than the national average at $441 per year. This is according to our analysis of 2022 average car insurance rates sourced from Quadrant Information Services. However, your rates will vary based on several factors. Your city and ZIP code, the company you choose, age, marital status, credit-based insurance score, any tickets and accidents on your motor vehicle record (MVR), claims history, and the type of vehicle you are insuring will all impact how much you pay for car insurance in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania car insurance rates by city

No matter what state you live in, car insurance rates vary by city. Larger cities typically have a greater likelihood of crashes due to increased traffic and higher rates of theft and vandalism. Most metropolitan areas also tend to have a higher cost of living, which means the costs for parts and labor are more expensive, as is medical care.

Because of this, it’s not surprising that car insurance rates in cities may be higher than the state average. For example, full coverage car insurance in Philadelphia costs $3,300 per year, which is 65 percent higher than Pennsylvania’s state average. Minimum coverage in Philadelphia is $752 per year, which is 71 percent higher than the state average.

Pennsylvania car insurance rates by insurance company

Different auto insurance companies have distinct underwriting rating criteria, so premiums vary, often widely, even in the same state. The best car insurance company in Pennsylvania will be the carrier that most closely aligns with your needs. Most insurance experts recommend that you get at least three quotes from different insurance providers to compare price, coverage offerings, discounts and policy features before making your choice. Pennsylvania drivers have a variety of car insurance choices from national and regional companies.

Pennsylvania car insurance rates by age

Understanding auto insurance rates by age could help you prepare for both your current premium and how your premium might change over time. Teens tend to pay the highest premiums due to their inexperience and high crash rates, and can add between 50 percent and 100 percent to the cost of a family’s auto insurance coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Typically, rates drop as you get older, as long as you maintain a clean driving record. As you reach your 70s, you might start to see your premium increase a bit again due to higher risks of accidents for senior drivers. The tables below show rates for drivers of all ages with a clean driving record, as well as for drivers both on and off their parent’s policy.

Average cost of car insurance for drivers on their parent’s policy

Young drivers pay some of the most expensive car insurance premiums compared to all other age groups, but staying on a parent’s car insurance policy may help. Young drivers can also earn special teen driving discounts, like good student and student away from home discounts. A student away from home discount typically applies if a young driver attends college far from home, lives on campus and does not take a vehicle with them.

Average cost of car insurance for drivers on their own policy

Once drivers live outside of their family home and own their own car, insurance companies usually require them to have a separate policy. In Pennsylvania, 18-year-old drivers on their own policy pay an average of 52 percent more for car insurance compared to 18-year-olds that stay on their parent’s policy. However, as drivers gain more experience over time, many may see their premiums decrease.

Pennsylvania car insurance rates by driving record

Having a clean driving record is typically one of the best ways to keep your insurance costs down. Tickets, accidents and DUI convictions are all indications that you could be a high-risk driver, which can significantly raise car insurance premiums. Both speeding tickets and at-fault accidents can raise your premiums. DUIs are arguably the most serious offense on a driving record. A DUI can cost thousands of dollars a year in higher insurance premiums and fees, and the offense can stay on your driving record for life in Pennsylvania unless it is expunged.

Pennsylvania car insurance rates by vehicle type

Finally, the make and model of your vehicle plays a significant role in how much you’ll pay for car insurance in Pennsylvania. Rates vary by make and model because each type of car has different safety features, crash statistics and repair costs. The table below outlines the average annual cost of full coverage premiums for a variety of vehicles to give an idea of how much car insurance might cost.

How to save on car insurance in Pennsylvania

Car insurance might be mandatory if you own a car, but that doesn’t mean you need to break your budget for it. Here’s a few tips that could help you save money on car insurance in Pennsylvania:

• Take advantage of telematics programs. Some car insurance companies offer telematics programs as a way for drivers to earn discounts on their car insurance or other rewards for safe driving habits. Tracked behavior can include maintaining a safe speed, braking and accelerating smoothly, hard cornering and more.
• Maximize your discounts. There could be even more opportunities to save, depending on what your carrier offers. Ask if your insurance company offers discounts for specific occupations or for being a member of certain professional organizations.
• Provide your odometer reading annually. You may be asked by your car insurance company to provide an odometer reading each year, as annual mileage is part of the car insurance rating process. Ensuring this information is accurate and up to date with your insurer will help to ensure your car insurance premium is rated properly, especially if you have recently changed jobs or now work remotely and are driving less.
• Improve your credit score. Car insurance companies in Pennsylvania are allowed to use a driver’s credit score when determining rates. Improving your score might take time and may not be immediately reflected in your car insurance policy, but it could still be useful in the long-term to help you save money and improve your financial opportunities.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, 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 coverage that meets each state's requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2020 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.

These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.

Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 18-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. For teens, rates were determined by adding a 16- or 17-year-old teen to a 40-year-old married couple’s policy. The rates displayed reflect the added cost to the parents’ policy. Based on quoted annual premiums, it does not appear Hawaii uses age as a contributing factor.

Incident: 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.

Model: To determine cost by vehicle type, we evaluated our base profile with the following vehicles applied: BMW 330i, Toyota Camry (base), Ford F-150 and Honda Odyssey.