Car Insurance

Cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania for 2021

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Justin Curtis/Getty Images
Written by
Lena Borrelli
  • /
  • 5 min read
Edited By
Maggie Kempken
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  • 5 min read
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For the almost 9 million licensed drivers in the state of Pennsylvania who pay an annual average cost of $427 for minimum coverage and $1,476 for full coverage car insurance, finding the best car insurance can also mean finding the cheapest car insurance. Based on Bankrate’s findings, Penn National and Geico offer some of the cheapest average minimum coverage and full coverage car insurance rates.

Our top picks for the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania for 2021 not only provide lower rates on average, but also offer lots of coverage options to protect you and your family when driving.

Bankrate Insight
  • Penn National offers the cheapest average minimum coverage car insurance in PA on our list at $217 per year.
  • Geico offers the cheapest average full coverage car insurance rates in PA on our list at $916 annually.
  • Nationwide, QBE and Auto-Owners also offer competitive prices for both minimum and full coverage car insurance in Pennsylvania.

The cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers many great choices for affordable car insurance coverage, but pricing can vary considerably by provider. In order to help you make your decision, Bankrate evaluated customer reviews, explored numerous companies’ coverage options and compared quoted insurance premiums to determine our picks for the best cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania.

Car insurance company Average annual premium for minimum coverage Average annual premium for full coverage
Penn National $217 $971
Nationwide $240 $1,058
QBE $241 $1,042
Geico $267 $916
Auto-Owners $272 $1,098

Penn National

Penn National is probably a good choice for Pennsylvania drivers looking for convenience. The Auto PennPac plan is a bundled selection of auto insurance coverages, such as pet insurance and death benefits with a seat belt and restraint benefit. When you sign up for collision and comprehensive coverage, Penn National includes extra coverages for towing and labor, travel interruption, locksmith services and airbag replacement, among other benefits.

Replacement cost auto coverage is also available, in addition to identity theft protection and 24/7 roadside assistance to round out coverage. The company’s numerous available discounts include the option to bundle your auto insurance policy with homeowners insurance, renters insurance or condo insurance.

Nationwide

Nationwide might be an excellent choice to consider in Pennsylvania for several reasons. It is known for working with drivers who have poor credit and has local agents nearby to help if you have questions. The company’s coverage options are extensive, including roadside assistance, rental car insurance and gap insurance.

Nationwide also offers Accident Forgiveness® and a Vanishing Deductible® of up to $500 off your policy. The mobile tools are convenient, as well, keeping you plugged in on the go when you need to check your policy or file a claim.

Learn more: Nationwide Insurance Review

QBE

QBE gives you the option to add on coverage for transportation expenses, in addition to towing and labor protection and audio/visual equipment coverage. Drivers in Pennsylvania may also get some of the cheapest car insurance rates from QBE, depending on their situation.

The provider also offers a FlexAuto® program that uses a regular review of your driving habits to give you additional savings on your insurance premium. There are other ways to save with QBE, too, such as discounts for safety devices, good students and an accident-free driving record with its Accident Forgiveness program.

Geico

It is not just one of the largest car insurance companies in the nation; Geico is also one of our picks for cheap auto insurance companies in Pennsylvania. With average annual rates of $267 for minimum coverage and $916 for full coverage, Geico is one of the cheapest in the state on our list.

Geico also offers a wide variety of add-ons and discounts. Finally, drivers who register with Geico have the option of enjoying a digital experience with Geico’s mobile app.

Learn more: Geico Insurance Review

Auto-Owners

Auto-Owners Insurance offers fantastic coverage options that include personal injury protection (PIP), emergency roadside assistance, rental car insurance and gap insurance to help ensure drivers are fully protected.

Plus, drivers benefit from the added convenience of the all-in-one bundle of the Personal Automobile Plus Package, which adds over ten types of additional coverage to an already stacked policy. Additionally, there is no deductible when you are in an accident with another Auto-Owners policyholder.

Learn more: Auto-Owners Insurance Review

Minimum coverage for Pennsylvania drivers

Before you can begin shopping for car insurance, it is important to first understand what you need. Like other states, Pennsylvania has a mandatory requirement that drivers carry a minimum amount of auto insurance.

The state requires that all drivers maintain minimum liability coverage that includes the following:

  • $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person
  • $30,000 for bodily injury liability per accident
  • $5,000 for property damage per accident
  • $5,000 per person for the first-party medical benefit

Although purchasing the minimum amount of required car insurance will allow you to legally drive, you may want to also consider collision and comprehensive coverage to better fully protect your finances in an accident.

How to get cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania

Aside from looking at companies that offer cheaper average rates, there are other ways to potentially lower your car insurance premiums.

  • Shop your options. It is a good idea to shop around and compare quotes for the same coverage types from multiple car insurance companies to find the best rates. There may even be car insurance providers that offer cheaper rates for your personal situation than those on our list. Speak with an agent at companies you are interested in to determine what the right amount of coverage is for you.
  • Do not overlook your regional and local insurers. Do not assume the big-name companies are necessarily the best or the cheapest. Sometimes, smaller companies specific to your area are able to provide lower premiums with higher satisfaction ratings.
  • Consider your credit score. Insurance companies in Pennsylvania are allowed to use your credit score to develop an insurance score, which could affect your initial premium or the company’s decision about whether to offer you insurance. It is important to note that insurance companies can use your insurance score during policy renewal only to decrease your rates. It might be a good idea to check your credit score before shopping for insurance. If you feel it could be higher, speak with a qualified financial professional about things you can do to improve it.
  • If you are buying a car, do a little research. Insurance companies will look at what type of vehicle you own to determine how much it would cost to repair or replace it in the event of a claim. If you are in the market for a car, consider doing a little research to see which cars are more or less expensive to insure. New cars may cost more to insure, but that is not always the case.

If you are trying to find the best cheap car insurance for you, try speaking with a licensed independent insurance agent. They may be able to talk through your options and offer tips about other ways you can find the best prices.

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, Geico and Nationwide typically carry some of the highest satisfaction ratings in the industry in addition to some of the cheapest car insurance rates. It is a good best practice to get quotes from multiple companies to determine who can offer you the best rates.

Is car insurance required in Pennsylvania?

Yes. If you are a driver in the state of Pennsylvania, you must carry a minimum of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, $5,000 in first-party medical benefits, and $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. Underinsured motorist coverage minimums are $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, while uninsured motorist coverage is $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.

What is the average cost of car insurance in the U.S.?

The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $1,674 per year for minimum coverage, which is much more than the average cost of Pennsylvania car insurance, which runs $1,476 per year.

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 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 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.

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

Written by
Lena Borrelli
Insurance Contributor
Lena Muhtadi Borrelli has several years of experience in writing for insurance domains such as allconnect, Healthline and Reviews.com. She previously worked for Morgan Stanley.
Edited by
Maggie Kempken
Insurance Editor

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