Based on Bankrate’s extensive research, Penn National offers the cheapest minimum coverage premium in Pennsylvania, with an average annual rate of $217 per year. While minimum coverage is often the cheapest option, it also provides very little financial protection. If you’re looking for more robust coverage, Geico has the lowest full coverage premium, offering coverage for $916 per year, on average.
Comparatively, the average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $427 annually for minimum coverage and $1,476 annually for full coverage. To help you find the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania, Bankrate analyzed premiums from various car insurance companies in the state. Our research could help you find solid coverage with affordable rates.
The cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania
Bankrated utilized average quoted premium data obtained from Quadrant Information Services to determine the cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania. These carriers offer some of the cheapest rates in the Keystone State, but we also reviewed each provider’s coverage offerings, discounts, policy features and third-party customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings. These features, combined with low average rates, may help you avoid skimping on coverage while you shop for cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania.
The cheapest companies for minimum coverage in Pennsylvania
If you are shopping for the cheapest auto insurance in Pennsylvania, you might be considering purchasing state minimum coverage. While minimum coverage can help you secure the lowest rates, it can also leave you vulnerable to higher out-of-pocket costs if you cause an accident. Most insurance agents recommend that you purchase higher limits for more financial protection.
If you are shopping for minimum coverage, these companies have some of the cheapest auto insurance in Pennsylvania:
| Car insurance company | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average monthly minimum coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Penn National | $217 | $18 |
| Nationwide | $240 | $20 |
| QBE | $241 | $20 |
| Geico | $267 | $22 |
| Auto-Owners | $272 | $23 |
The cheapest companies for full coverage in Pennsylvania
Shopping for cheap car insurance companies doesn’t mean you have to buy minimum coverage. You can find full coverage options at affordable prices as well. A full coverage policy gives you protection for damage to your vehicle as well as the damage you cause to others.
| Car insurance company | Average annual full coverage premium | Average monthly full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Geico | $916 | $76 |
| Penn National | $971 | $81 |
| QBE | $1,042 | $87 |
| Nationwide | $1,058 | $88 |
| Erie | $1,079 | $90 |
Events that can impact your cheap rates in Pennsylvania
If you’ve recently experienced a life event, you might have seen an increase in your premium. Shopping around for coverage after the following life events might help you secure a lower rate:
- Added a teen driver: Teen drivers generally cost more to insure than adults due to their lack of experience and higher-than-average rates of accidents. You might be able to lower the insurance cost for your teen by taking advantage of discounts. Rates will generally decrease as a young driver gains experience.
- Received a speeding ticket: Speeding can increase the risk of accidents and make accidents more serious. Getting a speeding citation will generally increase your rates for three to five years. Insurance companies increase the cost for coverage to compensate for the increased risk of insuring you.
- Involved in an at-fault accident: Causing an accident means that insurance companies may view you as more likely to cause another. Just like with tickets, this generally results in a premium increase for three to five years. After the accident is old enough, you might see your rates go back down.
- Deemed a high-risk driver: If you have a few accidents, tickets, a DUI conviction or a combination of incidents on your record, you might be considered a high-risk driver. Not all insurance companies will write coverage for high-risk drivers, so you may need to shop around for a new policy. Your rates will likely be higher than if you had a clean driving record, but you might still be able to find affordable coverage.
Cheapest cities in Pennsylvania for minimum coverage
The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania varies by city and even ZIP code. Different areas of Pennsylvania have different costs of living, different healthcare and medical costs and different crash statistics, all of which can affect the price of car insurance. Below are the four cheapest cities for minimum coverage, based on our research.
| City | Average annual minimum coverage premium | Average monthly minimum coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Beech Creek | $305 | $25 |
| Julian | $306 | $26 |
| Loganton | $306 | $26 |
| Mill Hall | $306 | $26 |
Cheapest cities in Pennsylvania for full coverage
Your city and ZIP code can affect how much you pay for full coverage, too. In addition to the cost of medical care and accident rate statistics, the price of parts and labor in your area may be higher or lower than average, which could affect the cost of your comprehensive coverage and collision coverage. The following cities have some of the cheapest full coverage premiums in Pennsylvania.
| City | Average annual full coverage premium | Average monthly full coverage premium |
|---|---|---|
| Houserville | $1,126 | $94 |
| Pine Grove Mills | $1,126 | $94 |
| State College | $1,128 | $94 |
| Park Forest Village | $1,129 | $94 |
Minimum coverage requirements for Pennsylvania drivers
Like other states, Pennsylvania has insurance laws that require drivers to carry at least minimum levels of certain car insurance coverage types.
The state requires that all drivers maintain at least the following minimum liability coverage:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
- $5,000 personal injury protection (called “First-Party Benefits” or “FPB” in Pennsylvania)
Pennsylvania also requires car insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to all drivers, although these options can be declined in writing.
Although purchasing the minimum amount of required car insurance will allow you to legally drive, you may want to purchase higher liability limits to better protect your finances if you cause an accident. You could also consider collision and comprehensive coverage to provide coverage for damage to your own vehicle. This is called “full coverage” and is generally a requirement if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle.
Here is how to find (and keep) cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania
Shopping for cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania doesn’t have to be complicated. You can employ a few strategies to find the most affordable rates for types and levels of coverage that you need. Once you have cheap car insurance, you can take steps to help keep your rates low.
- Shop around: Different insurance providers use different rating algorithms to determine your premium, which means that the cost for the same coverage can vary. Getting quotes from a few different companies might help you find the lowest rates for your situation.
- Avoid accidents and tickets: Drivers with clean driving records generally pay less than drivers with a history of accidents or tickets. These incidents can be indications of risky driving habits and they generally result in a premium surcharge. Keeping a clean driving record can help you avoid those increases.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance in Pennsylvania?
The best Pennsylvania car insurance depends on what kind of coverage you need for your specific vehicle and what your preferences are for a company regarding customer satisfaction and financial strength. For example, you might be seeking a company with a specific optional coverage type, while another driver might be looking for a company with high customer satisfaction scores. Making a list of what you need and what from a company and getting several quotes might help you find the right fit.
Is car insurance required in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania requires that drivers carry at least the state minimum coverage, although most insurance agents advise that you purchase higher limits or even full coverage. Driving without insurance in Pennsylvania is illegal and could result in fines and license suspension. If you cause an accident without insurance, you’ll be responsible for the damages you cause out of pocket.
Does my credit score affect my car insurance?
Yes, Pennsylvania does allow the use of credit as a rating factor for car insurance. Drivers with low credit scores tend to pay more for coverage due to a greater statistical likelihood of filing a claim. If you are able to increase your credit score, you might see a reduction in your car insurance rates.
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 2019 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.
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