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Last updated: May 13, 2024

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

How much do drivers pay on average for car insurance in the Keystone State?

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If you own one of the 12 million cars registered in Pennsylvania, you’ll pay 7 percent less than the national average for auto insurance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s 2020 data. We’ll break down how much you could pay on average as a Pennsylvania resident and give you details on how to lower your premium.

Average Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

For the close to 9 million Pennsylvania drivers, the average cost of car insurance across all demographics is $969 per year for full coverage auto insurance. Let’s take a closer look at how much car insurance would cost, on average, for a variety of demographics.

By City

Like in all states, Pennsylvania auto insurance rates can vary depending on where you live. Insurance companies consider population density, the cost of living and medical care, theft and vandalism rates, and the likelihood and severity of auto accidents within your zip code, to rate policies. Here’s the average annual cost for full coverage for six of the largest cities in Pennsylvania.

City Average Annual Rate of Car Insurance
Allentown $1,950
Erie $1,924
Norristown $2,207
Pittsburgh $1,988
Philadelphia $2,276
Scranton $2,042

By Age

Many states, including Pennsylvania, allow age to be a contributing factor in car insurance premiums. That means young drivers under 20 generally pay the highest premiums due to their inexperience as drivers.

Age Average annual premium
16 $4,684
17 $3,962
18 $6,114
19 $2,579
20s $3,543
30s $2,138
40s $2,040
50s $1,228
60s $1,183
70s $1,242

By Gender

Pennsylvania also has banned insurance companies from considering gender when setting auto insurance rates, which means the average premiums for males and females are closer than other states.

Gender Average annual premium
Male $1,399
Female $1,413

By Marital Status

Many times, tying the knot can net you more than wedding gifts; you can enjoy a lower premium on your car insurance as well. In Pennsylvania, married people save on average $52 per year on auto insurance policies over single, divorced, or widowed drivers.

Marital status Average annual premium
Single $1,399
Married $1,347
Divorced $1,403
Widowed $1,373

By Coverage Level

The more coverage you purchase, the more you’ll pay for auto insurance. In Pennsylvania, minimum coverage must include medical payments coverage.1

Coverage Level Average annual premium
Full coverage $1,145
Minimum coverage $963

By Violation

One of the best ways to lower your insurance premium, and keep it low, is to maintain a clean driving record. Having tickets, DUI convictions, or at-fault accidents on your record could catapult you into a high-risk driver category and increase your premium significantly.

Driving history Average annual premium
Clean driving record $1,527
Accident $2,138
DUI $2,746
Speeding ticket $1,767

By Company

You won’t be shocked to learn the cost of auto insurance varies depending on the insurance company. At $580, Nationwide has the lowest average annual premium in the Keystone State.

Company Average annual premium
Allstate $859
Erie $685
GEICO $1,410
Nationwide $580
Progressive $1,481
State Farm $731
Travelers $631
USAA $1,416

By Car

Did you know insurance companies consider the type of car you drive when rating your policy? The rates for different makes and models vary so much because each type of vehicle has unique safety features, repair costs, and crash statistics. This chart shows the average annual premium for some popular vehicles.

Vehicle Average annual premium
BMW 330i $2,581
Ford F-150 $1,662
Honda Odyssey $1,654
Toyota Camry $2,040
Toyota Prius $2,164

By Credit Score

Pennsylvania allows auto insurance companies to take into account your credit score when calculating your premium. The better your credit score is, the less you’ll pay for car insurance.

Credit score Average annual premium
Poor $2,915
Fair $2,155
Good $2,040
Excellent $1,856

Cheapest Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

Everyone wants to pay as little as possible for car insurance. Whether you have a clean driving record or prefer to purchase only the minimum coverage, Pennsylvania drivers will discover the lowest average annual premium with these insurance companies.

Demographic Cheapest insurance company Annual premium
Married State Farm $948
Single State Farm $1,182
Veteran USAA $1,416
Minimum coverage Erie, State Farm $312
Full coverage State Farm $948
Excellent credit Nationwide $580
Poor credit Nationwide $2,076
16 years old Travelers $3,392
17 years old Travelers $2,929
18 years old Erie $2,760
20s Travelers $1,581
30s Travelers $1,061
40s Travelers $984
50s Travelers $957
60s Travelers $887
70s Travelers $985

TIP:

Get quotes from more than one insurance company to be sure you’re getting the cheapest rate.

How to Save on Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

  1. Sign up for telematics programs. Check to see if your insurance company offers a telematics program so you can earn discounts for driving safely. These programs — either through an app or device installed in your vehicle — track your speed, braking, acceleration, distractedness, and other factors.
  2. Stack your discounts. Most auto insurance companies let you combine discounts to maximize savings. There are discounts for enrolling paperless billing, having multiple vehicles, being a student who is away from home, and bundling homeowners insurance with auto insurance.
  3. Drive less. Insurance companies can base your premium on how many miles you drive each year. If you drive less than 12,000 miles annually, you may save. If you work from home, you might be able to switch to a pay-per-mile insurance policy to lower your premium.
  4. Maintain an excellent credit score. Pennsylvania auto insurers may consider your credit score when writing a policy. You can improve your credit score by paying your bills on time and catching up on past-due payments.
  5. Raise your deductible. Your deductible is what you pay out of pocket before your insurance company pays for collision or comprehensive claims. Having a higher deductible will lower your premium, but keep in mind that you will pay more out of pocket whenever you file a claim.
  6. Reduce your coverage. Consider purchasing only the required minimum amount of coverage, rather than purchasing higher limits or a full coverage policy.
  7. Take a mature driver course. Pennsylvania law states drivers 55 and older may receive a 5 percent discount on car insurance by completing the Basic Mature Driver Improvement Course.2 Three organizations approved by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles offer these courses.
  8. Choose limited-tort coverage. With limited-tort car insurance coverage, you forfeit the right to sue for pain and suffering after an auto accident, which will usually lower your premium. However, even with this type of coverage, you likely would still be able to sue the at-fault motorist if you experience “severe issues” after an auto accident, which Pennsylvania law defines as “bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.”3

FYI:

If you’re unsure about what discounts might be available to you, ask your auto insurance company to go over all the ways you can save on your premium.

Minimum Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law mandates all residents who own a motor vehicle must have current vehicle liability insurance to cover property damage or injuries to others in a car crash as well as medical payments coverage for injuries to you and your passengers:

  • Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
  • Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident
  • Medical payments coverage: $5,000 per person and per accident

Pennsylvania is one of three states that gives drivers a choice between limited- or full-tort coverage. If you pick limited-tort coverage, your premium will be lower, but you will not be able to sue for pain and suffering after a car accident unless the injuries fall within the “serious injury” definition, which is defined by Pennsylvania law.4 If you opt for full-tort coverage, you will pay more but retain the right to sue for pain and suffering, even if there’s no serious bodily injury after a car accident.

The state also has modified comparative negligence laws, which means you would receive money only if your percentage of fault is less than the defendant’s. For instance, if you’re found 30 percent responsible for an accident and the other person involved is 70 percent responsible, your damages would be tied to your degree of fault.5

SR-22s

While some states mandate drivers with a DUI must obtain an SR-22 to prove minimum insurance coverage, Pennsylvania does not require this form.

Recap

It’s wise to purchase more than the minimum amount of auto insurance to provide better protection for you and your vehicles. Taking advantage of discounts and maintaining an excellent credit score will ensure you save on your premium. If you need assistance in finding the right insurance provider for your needs, contact AutoInsurance.com.

Methodology

AutoInsurance.com’s more than two decades of experience in matching drivers with top car insurers means we have proprietary data about the auto insurance industry, its providers, and its customers at our fingertips. We analyze this data and state-specific information related to minimum coverage and fault systems to give you a snapshot of how much you might pay for car insurance in any given state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a car need insurance to be inspected in Pennsylvania?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), vehicle owners must present proof of insurance prior to having their vehicle inspected at a vehicle inspection station. If an owner does not provide proof, the inspection official will not issue a certificate of inspection and also may report the lack of insurance to PennDOT.

Does insurance follow the car or the driver in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, auto insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver. This means if you let someone else drive your vehicle and they are in an accident, your insurance company probably would be responsible for paying any claims, depending on your coverage.

How long can you go without car insurance before being penalized in Pennsylvania?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles, state law provides a grace period of 31 days for someone without car insurance. You must submit an affidavit stating your vehicle was not operated during that coverage lapse to avoid having your vehicle registration suspended for three months.

Can you go to jail for not having car insurance in Pennsylvania?

No, you will not face jail time or be arrested for driving uninsured as a Pennsylvania resident. Those who drive without car insurance do face the following repercussions:

  • A minimum fine of $300
  • A three-month suspension of your vehicle registration
  • A restoration fee to renew your vehicle registration
  • A $94 fee to restore your driver’s license
  • A $202 fee to restore your commercial driver’s license
  • The inability to have your vehicle driven by you or anyone else during the registration suspension

Citations

  1. Automobile Insurance Guide. Pennsylvania Insurance Department. (2023).
    https://www.insurance.pa.gov/Documents/auto_guide.pdf

  2. Older Driver. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. (2023).
    https://www.penndot.pa.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/TrafficSafetyAndDriverTopics/Pages/Older-Driver.aspx

  3. Title 18. Pennsylvania General Assembly. (2023).
    https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=23

  4. Title 75. Pennsylvania General Assembly. (2023).
    https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm

  5. 7102. Comparative negligence. Pennsylvania Legislature. (2023).
    https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/