Cheap Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania (2023)

Pennsylvania is the 23rd most-expensive state for car insurance, with an average cost of $217 per month, according to our data. The state average is lower than the national average of $233 per month and is slightly higher than the average rate of $214 per month in both Arkansas and Kansas. If you’re in the market for a cheap policy in the Keystone State, it’s a good idea to shop around and compare quotes to find cheap car insurance. Pennsylvania is the birthplace of both the Jeep and the superhighway.^[1]

Best cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania: Travelers

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Travelers

Best Cheap Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

A variety of car insurance companies offer cheap auto insurance in Pennsylvania. The cheapest average monthly quote of $96 comes from Mile Auto, and Kemper Preferred provides an average rate of $104 per month. Other providers with great deals on car insurance include Travelers and Nationwide, with average monthly quotes of $115 and $126 respectively. Here’s a look at the best cheap car insurance options in the state.

Insurify Composite Score (ICS)

To calculate the Insurify Composite Score, a proprietary rating, Insurify data scientists weigh multiple factors that reflect the quality, reliability, and health of an insurance company.

Inputs to the score include J.D. Power ratings, Consumer Reports customer satisfaction surveys and customer complaints, mobile app reviews, user-generated company reviews, and financial strength ratings from A.M. Best, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch.

Minimum car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania

All motor vehicles operated or parked on Pennsylvania roadways are required to be insured. Proof of insurance must be carried in your car at all times and must be available when:

• Requested by law enforcement

• Renewing vehicle registration

• The vehicle is involved in a car accident

The minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in Pennsylvania^[2] are:

• $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury: As a major part of your liability insurance, bodily injury coverage covers medical bills for people other than the policyholder who are injured during an accident. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, meaning both parties’ insurance providers will pay for expenses, regardless of which party caused the accident.

• $5,000 per accident for property damage: If it’s determined that an insured driver is at fault for an accident, this coverage pays for repairs to the property of the other involved parties. Additionally, property damage coverage can cover legal costs if the insured driver is involved in a lawsuit following the accident.

• $5,000 per accident for medical benefits: Medical benefits, similar to PIP coverage, will cover the policyholder for medical payments they incur in the event of an accident. Depending on your plan, you may also receive non-medical benefits, compensating you for lost wages, household expenses, and even funeral costs.

Pennsylvania DMV information

Pennsylvania’s Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT) can help you get a driver’s license or renew the one you currently have. It’s also the place to renew your title and registration. You can complete many services online or stop into a PennDOT Driver License Center in your area. It’s a good idea to schedule an appointment before you visit any center in person.^[3]

Public transportation in Pennsylvania

You can find public transportation options in every county in Pennsylvania. Fixed-route transit services are available in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, 21 small urban areas, and 22 rural areas. Plus, there are 44 systems with shared-ride services and 13 intercity bus routes.^[4] In addition, Pennsylvania offers Keystone Corridor Amtrak service, which runs from Harrisburg to New York.

Tips for getting cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania

If you’re searching for cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania, using an online car insurance comparison tool can help you compare quotes from multiple insurers at once. You’ll be able to cater your search for a policy that’s ideal for your budget and needs. 

Here are some other tips that could help you pay less for coverage: 

• Bundle your homeowners or renters insurance with your car insurance.

• Seek discounts, such as good driver or good student discounts.

• Increase your deductible.

• Maintain a good credit score.

Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Pennsylvania

If you live in Pennsylvania, you can opt to carry liability-only auto insurance, which pays for expenses related to injuries and damage to the other party’s car if you cause an accident. Each state sets its own minimums for how much liability insurance it requires drivers to carry. Liability-only insurance can make sense if:

• You have a low-value vehicle.

• You can afford to repair or replace your car out of your own pocket.

• Getting the cheapest insurance possible is your top priority.

For a higher level of protection, you can choose full-coverage insurance, which includes basic liability plus collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damages to your car, even if you’re at fault for an accident. Comprehensive pays for damages caused by events out of your control, like vandalism, weather, and animals. Auto lenders and leasing companies typically require drivers to carry full coverage on a car they’ve financed.

You may also opt for full coverage if:

• You have a high-value vehicle.

• You wouldn’t be able to afford to repair or replace your car out of pocket.

• Your car’s actual cash value (the payout you’d likely get if your car is totaled) exceeds your annual premium to carry full coverage.

Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Pennsylvania by policy type.

How your driving history affects Pennsylvania car insurance rates

Your driving history is the factor that most influences your car insurance costs. Good drivers — whose records are free of serious traffic violations like speeding tickets or reckless driving — tend to get the best car insurance rates in Pennsylvania. But infractions like driving under the influence or at-fault accidents can significantly increase insurance costs.

Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania based on driving and accident history.

SR-22 insurance in Pennsylvania

An SR-22 is a form that shows you meet the minimum car insurance requirements in your state. While some states require SR-22 after serious traffic violations like reckless driving and DUIs, Pennsylvania does not. Even though you won’t need an SR-22, you must invest in liability insurance in order to drive legally. Be prepared to pay a higher premium when you do so.

How credit scores affect Pennsylvania car insurance quotes

Pennsylvania is one of the many states that use credit scores when determining car insurance rates. Generally, people with excellent or good credit scores can qualify for lower car insurance premiums than people with average or poor credit scores.

How your city affects Pennsylvania insurance quotes

The city you live in may influence what you pay for auto insurance in Pennsylvania. If you’re a resident of a larger, urban city like Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, you can expect higher premiums than drivers in rural cities. The table below shows the average car insurance rates for the most populous cities in Pennsylvania.

How your age affects Pennsylvania car insurance rates

Because insurers generally equate age with experience level, your age will significantly affect how much you pay for car insurance. New drivers, who tend to be teens or people in their early 20s, typically pay more for insurance than drivers 25 and older.

The following table gives a high-level view of how age can affect insurance rates.

Quotes for younger drivers

Multiple other factors influence how much drivers in each age group will pay for car insurance. Some will increase rates for one age group more than another, while others will impact all age groups evenly.

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers younger than 30. Teenagers and drivers under 25 tend to pay the highest car insurance rates by age group in the state, but companies like Travelers, Mile Auto, and State Auto offer affordable premiums.

Quotes for middle-aged drivers

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers between 30 and 59. Middle-aged drivers in Pennsylvania pay average monthly rates ranging between $152 and $199, with drivers in their 50s generally paying the least. The cheapest options for full-coverage insurance come from Mile Auto, Kemper Preferred, and Travelers.

Quotes for senior drivers

The following table compares how different insurance factors affect average monthly rates for drivers 59 and older. Senior drivers with a DUI on their record should look to Mile Auto, Travelers, and National General for the lowest monthly premiums. Generally, Pennsylvania drivers in this age range pay the lowest rates by age group in the state with average monthly rates between $132 and $147.