Pennsylvania car insurance quick facts
Minimum liability requirements
15/30/5
Average annual car insurance cost according to the NAIC
$1,100.84
At-fault state
In at fault states, the driver who caused the accident pays for damages.
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Get the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania
Best cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania for 2021
The average annual cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,100.84. Narrow down car insurers offering coverage in Pennsylvania by roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and more to get a quote.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Finder tip: Pennsylvania 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.
Most popular Pennsylvania auto insurance companies list
| Company | Direct premiums written (billions) | Market share |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,766,674 | 19.4% |
| Erie | $1,205,359 | 13.2% |
| Allstate | $1,031,027 | 11.3% |
| Progressive | $992,187 | 10.9% |
| Geico | $785,490 | 8.6% |
| Nationwide | $734,472 | 8.0% |
| Liberty Mutual | $428,928 | 4.7% |
| Travelers | $339,612 | 3.7% |
| USAA | $319,602 | 3.5% |
| Farmers | $216,193 | 2.4% |
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
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1876 |
| Metromile | $793 |
| SafeAuto | $2457 |
| Progressive | $1808 |
Car insurance quotes in Lancaster
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $1774 |
| Metromile | $718 |
| SafeAuto | $2478 |
| Progressive | $1628 |
Car insurance quotes in Lansdale
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $2147 |
| Metromile | $915 |
| SafeAuto | $2832 |
| Progressive | $1953 |
Car insurance quotes in Philadelphia
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $3959 |
| Metromile | $1572 |
| SafeAuto | $5230 |
| Progressive | $2862 |
Car insurance quotes in Bensalem
| Company | Annual car insurance rate |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $3124 |
| Metromile | $1043 |
| SafeAuto | $3763 |
| Progressive | $2354 |
Can I get SR-22 insurance in Pennsylvania?
No, Pennsylvania is one of a few states that doesn’t require SR-22 insurance if you’re convicted of a DUI, accumulate too many violation points on your driving record or if are caught driving without car insurance. 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.
Case study: Gabrielle’s experience
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania car insurance
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