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Best cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania for 2024

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Pennsylvania drivers pay an average of $1,100.84 per year for car insurance according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), that’s about $91.74 per month. Pennsylvania drivers pay about 7% less than the countrywide national average of $1,189.64.

The NAIC takes into account all car insurance policies within the state such as drivers who select only state minimum coverage, as well as policies that include various levels of comprehensive and collision coverage. Because car insurance rates are influenced by personal factors, you could find yourself paying significantly less.

Pennsylvania car insurance quick facts

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Minimum liability requirements

15/30/5

Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC

$1,100.84

Choice no-fault state

In choice no-fault states, drivers can choose no-fault coverage in which each driver pays for their own injury-related expenses.

Pennsylvania state minimum car insurance requirements

Drivers in Pennsylvania are required to carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to legally drive. You may see it written as 15/30/5, but we’ll break down what that means.

    Bodily Injury Liability

    Pennsylvania bodily injury liability

    • $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
    • $30,000 bodily injury per accident

    Pennsylvania requires $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $30,000 of bodily injury per accident. That’s right in line with what most states require for liability coverage, though the per accident limit is slightly higher than the typical $50,000 limit.

    This means $15,000 is the most your insurer will pay for a single person injured by you in an at-fault accident. And $30,000 is the maximum amount your insurer will pay if there is more than one person injured by you in an at-fault accident. Any costs outside of your bodily injury limit are required to come out of your pocket.

    Property damage liability

    Pennsylvania property damage liability

    • $5,000 property damage liability

    Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry $5,000 of property damage liability to legally drive. This coverage requirement is the lowest among the states.

    This means $5,000 is the maximum amount your car insurance company will pay towards damages you cause to another person’s car or property, such as repairs to a car, fence or building. You’ll have to pay out of pocket for any costs beyond your property damage liability limit.

    Personal injury protection or medical payments

    Pennsylvania medical benefits

    • $5,000 medical benefits

    Pennsylvania drivers are required to carry $5,000 worth of medical benefits coverage to legally drive.

    This coverage helps pay your or your passenger’s medical expenses if you’re injured in an accident, regardless of fault.

    Pennsylvania’s state minimum coverage isn’t enough

    These state-mandated requirements are the lowest amount of coverage you need to legally drive in Pennsylvania, but may fall short if you’re in a major accident. To avoid high out-of-pocket costs after an accident, consider raising your liability limits by balancing coverage, your budget and what you can afford to pay out of pocket for certain damage.

    The cost of medical care anywhere in the US is astronomical and can bankrupt an individual for a lifetime if they are not covered. And with the average cost of cars going up, multi-car accidents can also accrue six-digit liability claims. That said, 100/300/100 should provide adequate coverage for most drivers in Pennsylvania.”

    David Straughan, Senior Insurance Reporter at The Detroit Bureau

    In Pennsylvania, drivers choose whether fault or no-fault laws apply

    Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state which means that you choose between traditional tort liability or no-fault laws, according to the legal website Nolo. If you choose tort liability, you can sue other drivers for pain and suffering with no limitations. If you choose no-fault coverage, you’ll file injury claims under your personal injury protection unless you suffer a serious injury.

    However, Pennsylvania’s no-fault laws don’t apply to property damage like car repairs, according to Nolo. Your insurance company and legal authorities will determine who’s at fault for this damage.

    Pennsylvania also considers whether both drivers are partially at fault under a law called modified comparative fault. Under this law, both drivers are assigned a percentage of fault. Drivers with less than 50% of fault can get reimbursed for their car’s damage.

    For instance, if you’re 80% responsible for an accident, your insurance pays 80% of the other driver’s damages. However, the other driver isn’t required to pay for your damages, even though they’re 20% at fault.

    Cheapest rates by age in Pennsylvania

    If you want to pay sub-$200 per month as a young driver under 25, you’ll need to go with Allstate or USAA.

    USAA also brings the lowest rates for other ages. Drivers age 55 and older may want to cross-check with Progressive and Geico to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

    AgeAllstateProgressiveGeicoUSAA
    16-24$199.14$209.02$204.86$158.51
    25-34$170.78$144.01$148.10$137.27
    35-44$160.51$132.90$145.24$116.15
    45-54$134.16$123.59$144.81$106.09
    55-64$143.10$106.95$116.89

    Sample rates in Pennsylvania from major car insurance companies

    USAA brings the lowest rates to the table in Pennsylvania, based on sample quotes from Savvy. However, Progressive offers competitive rates if you don’t qualify for USAA.

    Either company rewards safe drivers with claim-free discounts or through the Progressive Snapshot and USAA Safepilot programs. These programs track your driving and set discounts based on how safe you are on the road.

    CompanyAllstateProgressiveGeicoUSAA
    Rate$159.54$139.02$148.97$132.85

    Best car insurance for Pennsylvania

    In Pennsylvania, you get to shop in a wide car insurance market. Whether you’re looking to balance cost with coverage add-ons, customer service, travel perks or rewards for your safe driving, you can cover those needs with our top company picks.

    We vetted these companies for you by looking at their coverage, discounts and perks like whether they have local agents. We also checked company ratings from J.D. Power, Better Business Bureau, AM Best and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

    Best value for coverage: Progressive

    Progressive

    4.5
    ★★★★★

    Finder score

    Go to site
    on Pretected's secure site
    Read review
    TelematicsSnapshot
    Gap insuranceLoan/lease coverage

    Best customer service: Erie

    Erie

    4.5
    ★★★★★

    Finder score

    Best local company: AAA of Central or Southern Pennsylvania

    AAA

    4.5
    ★★★★★

    Finder score

    Read review
    TelematicsNo
    Gap insuranceYes

    Best for low mileage: Nationwide SmartMiles

    Nationwide

    4.5
    ★★★★★

    Finder score

    Read review
    TelematicsYes
    Gap insuranceYes

    7 factors that affect car insurance rates in Pennsylvania

    Factors are characteristics specific to you that car insurance companies use to set how much you’ll pay for car insurance. The less risky each of your factors is the less you pay, the riskier you are the more you’ll pay. We’ll break down Pennsylvanian’s rating factors to keep in mind.

    FactorHow it affects your rates
    Age

    Age

    How old you are is a top factor in determining your car insurance rates. With each passing year, you earn more experience on the road. More experience can equal cheaper rates. Teen drivers pay the most, but rates begin to level off around your 20’s with drivers over 50 paying the least.
    Gender

    Gender

    Pennsylvania is one of seven states that bans the use of gender in calculating car insurance premiums. Insurers rely on factors such as age, location, driving record and what type of car you drive.
    Location

    Location

    Where you live affects your rates, including where you park your car. High theft rates, high traffic and a high number of uninsured drivers could mean higher rates.

    Pennsylvania vehicle theft rates stand at 121 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the FBI’s most recent report on vehicle theft rates. That’s well below the national average of 246 vehicle thefts per 100,000 inhabitants.

    As for uninsured drivers, 6% of Pennsylvanians on the road are uninsured. This state takes 6th place for the lowest percentage of uninsured drivers in a state according to Insurance Information Institute, with the national average standing at 12.6%.

    Vehicle and mileage

    Vehicle and mileage

    Your car’s make, model and trim directly affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Things like its cost, safety ratings, the likelihood of theft and sportiness all help insurers determine its cost to insure.

    Safer and cheaper vehicles score the lowest rates, with luxury vehicles with higher repair costs resulting in higher premiums.

    And, the more you’re on the road, the more at-risk you are to get in an accident, which means higher premiums. However, according to the Bureau of Transportation, Pennsylvanians drive an average of 32.7 miles per day, that’s below the average across the US of 36.1 miles per day.

    Credit score

    Credit score

    Your credit score is included in your credit-based insurance score which insurers use to help calculate rates. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there is a strong correlation between your insurance score and claims filings. A good credit-based insurance score could mean lower rates.

    Pennsylvanians have protections under state laws that regulate the use of your credit history when issuing car insurance policies. Credit score can be used to set your initial rates and to lower your rates at renewal. However, they can’t be used to increase your rates at renewal.

    Coverage

    Coverage

    The more coverage you get and the higher limits you choose, the more protection you’ll have and the more you’ll pay in monthly premiums. And, if you opt for full coverage car insurance that includes comprehensive and collision, the amount of your deductible weighs into your costs too, higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums.
    Driving Record

    Driving Record

    The better your driving record, the lower your premium. If you’re in an at-fault accident you could see rates increases from 20% to 50%. And DUI’s in Pennsylvania can increase your rate by around 25%. These types of violations typically stay on your record for about three years.

    Can I get SR-22 insurance in Pennsylvania?

    No, Pennsylvania is one of a few states that doesn’t require SR-22 insurance to reinstate your license after a serious driving conviction. An SR-22 isn’t actually a type of insurance, but rather an attachment you file with the state government showing that your car insurance policy meets or exceeds the state minimums for coverage. You will need to maintain your current SR-22 if you’re moving to Pennsylvania from another state, however.

    Coverage to consider in Pennsylvania

    Pennslyvania has a lower theft rate on average, and a low percentage of uninsured drivers – which is all great for you! However, having some extra coverage is worth considering.

    Pennsylvanians should consider a higher property damage liability

    Of all the states, Pennslyvania has the lowest state minimum for property damage liability, sitting at $5,000. This is very low. Considering that replacing an electric vehicle’s battery has an average cost of $5,500, according to TrueCar, Pennslyvania’s minimum isn’t enough coverage for that simple repair. We recommend considering a higher property damage liability so that you can avoid paying for excessive property damage repairs in the event of an accident.

    Consider higher medical benefits too

    Pennslyvania requires that you carry only $5,000 in medical benefits to legally drive. If you’re injured in an accident, regardless if you’re at fault, the $5,000 would be used to cover you or your passenger’s medical expenses. Medical expenses can stack up quickly, and if your health insurance isn’t the greatest, this can mean lots of out-of-pocket costs. Be sure to talk with an insurance agent and discuss all your options to find the best coverage for your situation.

    Consider higher medical benefits if . . .

    • You don’t have health insurance.
    • Your health insurance has high upfront costs.

    Comprehensive coverage for peace of mind

    If you have a loan on your vehicle, your lender is likely to require comprehensive coverage – and for good reason. This coverage steps in to help with uncontrollable and unpredictable events, including an animal strike, fire, flood, theft, hail and storm damage, and more.

    Consider comprehensive coverage if . . .

    • Your lender requires it.
    • You live in a rural area.
    • You drive regularly.
    • You can’t pay for vehicle repairs out of pocket.
    • You live in an area with harsh weather.

    Top 10 auto insurance companies in USA that serve Pennsylvania

    We’ve pulled the top 10 companies by market share that offer coverage in Pennsylvania according to S&P Global. Compare top companies by three major rating agencies along with our overall score.

    • Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating measures how a business interacts with its customers, with the highest rating being A++.
    • J.D. Power determines customers’ overall satisfaction with their car insurer’s price, billing, claims and customer support. The higher the J.D. Power score out of 1,000, the better.
    • NAIC complaint index shows how a company’s number of complaints compares to similar companies of its size. Scores lower than 1.00 show the company receives less than the average number of complaints, and scores above 1.00 show more complaints than average.
    • Finder’s score shows you an overall look at the company by taking into account scores from each of these agencies as well as the coverage and discounts each company offers.
    ProviderBBB RatingJD Power RatingNAIC complaint ratioNational market share %Finder scoreGo to site
    State Farm
    A+847/10001.9316.2

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Read review

    Geico
    A+832/10001.4213.6

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Read review

    Progressive
    A+830/10001.0513.3

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Get Quotes
    Allstate
    A+827/10002.7110.4

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Read review

    USAA
    A+884/10001.96.3

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Farmers
    A-820/10001.644.9

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Read review

    Liberty Mutual
    A+827/10002.24.7

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Get Quotes
    Nationwide
    A+814/10002.082.3

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Read review

    Travelers
    A+820/10003.282

    ★★★★★ 4/5

    Read review

    Kemper
    A+784/10006.421.5

    ★★★★★ 3/5

    Read review

    Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania?

    Of Pennsylvania’s largest cities, Lancaster has the cheapest rates and Philadelphia has the most expensive car insurance rates. Philadelphia drivers could face rates 7 times more than Lancaster drivers.

    Car insurance quotes in Greensburg

    CompanyAnnual car insurance rate
    Allstate$1876
    Metromile$793
    SafeAuto$2457
    Progressive$1808

    Car insurance quotes in Lancaster

    CompanyAnnual car insurance rate
    Allstate$1774
    Metromile$718
    SafeAuto$2478
    Progressive$1628

    Car insurance quotes in Lansdale

    CompanyAnnual car insurance rate
    Allstate$2147
    Metromile$915
    SafeAuto$2832
    Progressive$1953

    Car insurance quotes in Philadelphia

    CompanyAnnual car insurance rate
    Allstate$3959
    Metromile$1572
    SafeAuto$5230
    Progressive$2862

    Car insurance quotes in Bensalem

    CompanyAnnual car insurance rate
    Allstate$3124
    Metromile$1043
    SafeAuto$3763
    Progressive$2354

    Compare car insurance providers in Pennsylvania

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    Case study: Gabrielle’s experience

    profile pic

    Gabrielle Pastorek

    Writer

    My family and I have had Erie auto insurance for years. If you can take advantage of bundling and other perks, Erie’s insurance rates in Pennsylvania are very competitive. For example, I bundle my home and auto policy, have two vehicles on my auto policy and pay yearly rather than monthly to maximize my discounts. I do carry full coverage on both vehicles, which can come in handy whether you live in a bigger city or a rural area.

    In bigger cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, accidents and fender benders are going to be more common, while deer are a big problem for most rural and suburban Pennsylvania drivers in the fall and winter. Keep in mind that you’ll most likely need to carry comprehensive coverage for accidents involving deer.

    Pennsylvania car insurance and driving laws

    Each state can have its own unique driving laws. As a driver in Pennsylvania, here are insurance and driving laws to know:

    • Pennsylvania requires car insurance. To be on the road, you’re required to carry 15/30/5 in liability auto insurance.
    • Texting and driving. Pennsylvania prohibits texting and driving. No sending, writing or reading messages while driving. This law went into effect March 2012.
    • Pennsylvania emissions test. Some counties require an emissions test. If you’re required to have an emissions test done for your vehicle, you’ll be notified.
    • Pennsylvania safety inspections. Pennsylvania requires an annual vehicle inspection to make sure your car is safe.
    • Teen driving laws. Teen drives are prohibited from driving between 11 p.m, and 5 a.m., except for work, school, or volunteer activities – but they must have documentation.
    • Pennsylvania requires seatbelts. All drivers and passengers over 18 must wear a seatbelt in the front seats. All passengers and drivers under 18 must wear a seatbelt in front and back seats.
    • Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan. If you’re struggling to find coverage, look into the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan. All providers in the state are required to participate in this program, and you’re assigned to whichever one is best for your situation.

    Bottom line

    Car insurance can protect you, your vehicle and others on the road after any kind of accident. And in the great state of Pennsylvania, it’s required by law if you want to get behind the wheel.

    To learn more car insurance laws and regulations and how you can find the best rates and policy options, read compare your car insurance options.

    Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
    Editor, Loans & Insurance

    Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance editor at Finder where she helps people navigate the financial world of loans. Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics. Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company. See full bio

    Megan B.'s expertise
    Megan B. has written 37 Finder guides across topics including:
    • Personal loans, business loans and home loans
    • Underwriting guidelines
    • Life, disability, car, health, accident, critical illness, dental and vision insurance
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