Cheap Car Insurance for Low-Income Drivers in Pennsylvania

What is low-income car insurance in Pennsylvania?

Low-income car insurance isn’t a special type of policy. Pennsylvania doesn’t offer any programs that help reduce car insurance rates for low-income drivers. But you may qualify for discounts based on factors such as your driving record, your vehicle, and the type of coverage you choose.

A minimum-coverage policy, which includes only Pennsylvania’s required liability insurance and medical benefits, is the cheapest insurance you can buy. Full-coverage insurance adds comprehensive and collision coverage.

These optional coverages protect your vehicle against theft and damage from accidents, severe weather, and vandalism.

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Cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania

State Farm offers the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania, with liability-only rates averaging $49 per month. In contrast, the average cost of a liability-only auto policy statewide is $90 per month, so shopping around can make a real difference in what you pay.

Several factors shape Pennsylvania car insurance rates. The state’s minimum liability limits are among the lower thresholds in the U.S., according to the Insurance Information Institute, which helps keep minimum-coverage prices down.

But certain risk factors, such as vehicle theft rates, push prices in the opposite direction. For example, at an average of $279 per month, Philadelphia drivers pay roughly 73% more for full coverage than the statewide average, based on data from Insurify.

Philadelphia County accounted for more than two-thirds of the Keystone State’s auto thefts in 2025, according to the Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority.

Meanwhile, drivers in smaller cities like Hanover and Pottsville typically pay less for insurance. Fewer vehicles on the road means less risk for insurers, contributing to cheaper premiums.

The table below shows average monthly quotes for liability-only insurance in Pennsylvania, based on Insurify data.

The below rates in Pennsylvania are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Quote: Liability Only
State Farm	$49
National General	$55
Erie	$57
First Acceptance	$59
Auto-Owners	$61
The General	$67
Progressive	$68
Travelers	$74
GEICO	$77
Safeco	$80
Direct Auto	$82
Allstate	$87
Bristol West	$89
Root	$101
USAA	$101
Dairyland	$107
Chubb	$117
Liberty Mutual	$124
GAINSCO	$125
State Auto	$136
CSAA	$163

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Pennsylvania car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Pennsylvania may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with poor credit in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania allows insurance companies to consider your credit history when setting car insurance rates. But they can’t use your credit profile to raise your rate when your policy renews.

Pennsylvania House Bill 657, which was introduced in 2025, seeks to prohibit insurers from using credit history to deny or cancel coverage.

Research shows that drivers with poor credit are statistically more likely to file a claim. For this reason, insurers typically charge them higher rates — even with a clean driving record.^[1]

Not every state permits this practice, though. Several states, including California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon, and Utah, explicitly bar insurers from using credit in auto rating.

Here’s a look at average liability quotes for Pennsylvania drivers with poor credit, according to Insurify data.

The below rates in Pennsylvania are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Liability Quote: Poor Credit
National General	$68
State Farm	$71
First Acceptance	$74
The General	$83
Erie	$84
Progressive	$85
Auto-Owners	$91
Travelers	$91
GEICO	$95
Safeco	$99
Direct Auto	$101
Allstate	$108
Bristol West	$110
USAA	$124
Root	$125
Dairyland	$132
Liberty Mutual	$148
GAINSCO	$155
State Auto	$169
Chubb	$186
CSAA	$202

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time Pennsylvania car insurance quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual car insurance quotes in Pennsylvania may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Car insurance options for low-income drivers in Pennsylvania

Comparing quotes from several insurers is the most reliable way to find affordable car insurance in Pennsylvania. Even for the same coverage, two companies can charge very different rates.

Sticking with minimum coverage keeps costs low. Be sure to ask your insurer about discounts for safe driving, paying in full, owning a car with safety features, or taking a defensive driving course. Many insurers also offer a good student discount and a multi-policy discount.

If you finance or lease your car and need to carry full coverage, raising your deductibles will also reduce your premium.

If insurers turn you down because of your driving record, look to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan (PA ARP). This program matches hard-to-insure drivers, such as those with multiple speeding tickets, accidents, or driving under the influence (DUI) convictions, with an insurance company.

To access coverage, apply through a certified insurance agent. You’ll need to certify that you couldn’t find coverage within the past 60 days.

Non-standard insurers are another option. CURE sets rates based mainly on driving record and doesn’t use credit history or occupation.

Dairyland and The General also specialize in working with high-risk drivers. But their rates tend to be higher than those of non-standard companies.

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Minimum car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law requires every driver to carry the following minimum car insurance coverage:

• Bodily injury (BI) liability: $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. BI coverage pays for injuries you cause to other people in a car accident.

• Property damage (PD) liability: $5,000 per accident. PD liability pays for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles or property, but only up to your policy limits.

• Medical benefits: $5,000 per person. This coverage helps pay for your medical bills and those of others covered by your policy, no matter who caused the accident.

Some companies may offer a combined single limit of $35,000 for both bodily injury and property damage liability coverage, which satisfies both limits.

You’ll also choose between limited-tort and full-tort coverage. Your choice affects your right to sue after a car accident. While limited-tort coverage costs less, it restricts lawsuits for pain and suffering.^[2]

Although choosing a policy with minimum coverage keeps car insurance costs down, it can also leave you exposed.

An estimated 10% of Pennsylvania drivers are uninsured, according to data from the Insurance Research Council. If a driver without insurance causes an accident, your minimum-coverage policy won’t cover your expenses beyond your basic medical benefits.

Coverage	Minimum Requirement	What It Covers
Bodily injury liability	$15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident	Injuries you cause to others
Property damage liability	$5,000 per accident	Damage you cause to others’ vehicles or property
Medical benefits	$5,000 per person	Your medical bills and those of others covered by your policy, regardless of fault

What affects car insurance rates in Pennsylvania?

Several risks specific to Pennsylvania affect car insurance costs across the state:

• Traffic density: Pennsylvania’s roads saw about 300 crashes per day in 2025, injuring 64,988 people and killing 1,047.^[3] Crash-heavy corridors in Allegheny, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties mean more claims, and insurers pass those costs on through higher rates in those ZIP codes.

• Winter weather: Snow, sleet, or freezing rain was a factor in 9,141 Pennsylvania crashes in 2025, and icy roads contributed to 3,520 crashes, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

• Theft rates: More than 24,000 vehicles were stolen in 2025, with 68% of those thefts in Philadelphia County, according to the Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Authority. Cities with higher vehicle theft rates have higher insurance premiums.

• Uninsured drivers: An estimated 10% of Pennsylvania motorists drive without insurance. When uninsured drivers cause too many accidents, insurance rates increase to help cover some of the costs.

Low-income car insurance FAQs