Pennsylvania Car Insurance Requirements in 2026
Pennsylvania drivers must have 15/30/5 liability coverage limits, plus $5,000 in medical payments coverage.
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Written byJanet Berry-Johnson
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Janet Berry-JohnsonInsurance Writer, CPA
8+ years writing about insurance, taxes, and personal finance
Certified public accountant
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Edited byMacKenzie Korris
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MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
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Reviewed byDavid Marlett
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David MarlettAdvisor
25 years teaching risk management and insurance course
Former commercial lines underwriter
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Pennsylvania car insurance requirements at a glance
Coverage | Minimum Requirement in Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability per person | $15,000 |
| Bodily injury liability per accident | $30,000 |
| Property damage liability | $5,000 |
| Medical benefits | $5,000 |
Some insurance companies in Pennsylvania offer a combined single limit of $35,000 that covers both bodily injury and property damage liability.
Pennsylvania car insurance requirements explained
Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault” state. This means you get to choose between limited tort, which limits your right to sue for pain and suffering after an accident, and full tort, which preserves your right to sue.[1]
Full tort coverage generally costs more than limited tort coverage.
The state adopted the choice no-fault system in 1990.[2] Pennsylvania’s minimum liability limits are lower than those required in many other states, where minimum coverage is often 25/50/25 or higher, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).
Pennsylvania bodily injury liability insurance requirements
Pennsylvania requires drivers to have at least $15,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $30,000 per accident.
If you have state-minimum coverage and cause an accident that injures two people with combined medical bills totaling $40,000, your insurance pays only $30,000. This means you’ll owe the remaining $10,000 out of pocket.
Pennsylvania property damage liability insurance requirements
Pennsylvania requires just $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. That’s well below the average price of a new car, which was $49,220 as of May 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book.
If you’re at fault in an accident and have only $5,000 in property damage liability, you could be responsible for paying the other driver’s vehicle replacement costs out of pocket.
Pennsylvania medical payments (MedPay) insurance requirements
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to carry at least $5,000 in medical payments coverage, also known as first-party benefits. MedPay covers your own medical costs, no matter who caused the crash.
With state-minimum coverage alone, an ER visit from a minor car crash could quickly exhaust your limits.
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Are Pennsylvania’s car insurance requirements sufficient for most drivers?
Pennsylvania’s minimum limits are low compared to most states, and they can leave you paying out of pocket after a serious accident.[3] A single hospital visit or totaled vehicle can easily exceed those limits.
Many insurance and legal experts recommend buying higher limits. They also recommend buying uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, since an estimated 11% of drivers in Pennsylvania don’t have insurance, according to Triple-I.
If you can afford it, adding comprehensive and collision coverage protects your vehicle.
Coverage | PA Minimum Requirement | Recommended Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $15,000/$30,000 | $100,000/$300,000 |
| Property damage liability | $5,000 | $25,000 |
| Medical payments | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Not required | $100,000/$300,000 |
| Comprehensive | Not required | $500 or $1,000 deductible, depending on your car’s value |
| Collision | Not required | $500 or $1,000 deductible, depending on your car’s value |
Other car insurance requirements to be aware of in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania state law requires insurance companies to offer UM/UIM coverage with the same limits as your bodily injury liability. While the coverage offers valuable protection, you can decline it in writing.
If you finance or lease your vehicle, your lender or leasing company will almost certainly require comprehensive and collision coverage, also known as full coverage.
Comprehensive and collision coverage protects the lender or leasing company’s interest in the car, since they technically own it until you pay it off.
Some lenders also require gap insurance, which covers the difference between what you owe on the loan and the car’s actual cash value if you total it in an accident or other covered loss. These requirements end when your loan or lease ends, leaving you free to adjust your coverage.
How Pennsylvania’s car insurance requirements influence rates
In Pennsylvania, full-coverage car insurance costs an average of $161 per month, and liability-only coverage costs an average of $90 per month.
Because Pennsylvania’s minimum limits are low, car insurance rates tend to be cheaper than in states with higher required limits. Those savings shift risks onto you, though.
For example, say you cause a crash on Interstate 76 that injures two people with $50,000 in combined medical bills. If you have minimum limits, your $30,000 per-accident limit leaves a $20,000 shortfall you have to cover yourself.
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Cheapest state-minimum required car insurance in Pennsylvania
The below rates in Pennsylvania are estimated rates current as of: Thursday, July 9 at 5:00 PM PDT.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote |
|---|---|
| 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.
Pennsylvania car insurance laws and related programs
Pennsylvania offers a mandatory discount for older drivers. Under state law, insurance companies must reduce premiums by at least 5% for customers 55 and older who complete a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) approved Mature Driver Improvement Course.
If you can’t find coverage in the standard market because you have a spotty driving record or a lapse in coverage, you can apply through the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan. This program guarantees access to a policy.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Pennsylvania
Getting caught driving without proof of insurance in Pennsylvania comes with escalating consequences, especially if it happens twice within a 12-month period.
$300 minimum fine: This is the base penalty for a first offense. Fines for subsequent offenses climb higher.
Three-month suspension of your vehicle registration: You must surrender your registration plate and card to PennDOT, and nobody can legally drive the vehicle during the suspension period.
Three-month suspension of your driver’s license: You must pay a $94 restoration fee to reinstate your license; you’ll pay $202 if you have a commercial driver’s license.[4]
$500 civil penalty option: Instead of serving the registration suspension, first-time offenders can pay a one-time $500 penalty. This option is available only once every 12 months.
Other car insurance coverages worth considering in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s required minimums aren’t enough to protect many drivers. Here are a few optional coverages to consider:
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): An estimated 11% of Pennsylvania drivers don’t have car insurance, and those with minimum limits might not have enough insurance to cover a serious accident. UM/UIM coverage helps pay for your medical expenses if an underinsured driver causes an accident that injures you.
Comprehensive coverage: Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the U.S. for animal collisions, according to State Farm’s annual analysis.[5] Comprehensive coverage insures your vehicle against animal strikes, hail, vandalism, theft, and other non-collision events.
Collision insurance: With its icy winters, single-vehicle accidents are common in the Keystone State. Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle, regardless of fault.
Gap insurance: If you finance or lease your vehicle, gap insurance covers the difference between your loan balance and your car’s value after a total loss.
Roadside assistance: Between the state’s harsh winter weather and its pothole-heavy roads, roadside assistance can come in handy if you need a tow, a flat-tire change, or fuel delivery.
Pennsylvania car insurance requirements FAQs
Below are answers to some additional questions you might have about Pennsylvania’s insurance requirements.
Is 50/100/50 liability enough?
It depends. It’s better than the state minimum but could still fall short after a serious crash with major medical bills or vehicle damage. Many insurance agents recommend 100/300/100 for better financial protection.
Are you legally required to have car insurance in Pennsylvania?
Yes. All registered vehicles must have at least 15/30/5 liability coverage and $5,000 in medical payments coverage. If you get caught driving without insurance, you’ll face fines and possibly suspension of your license and registration.
Is Pennsylvania a no-fault state?
Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault” state. This means drivers can select either full tort or limited tort coverage. Limited tort coverage is usually more affordable, but it limits your right to sue another driver for pain and suffering.
What happens if the other driver doesn’t have liability insurance?
Another driver’s lack of coverage may mean you have to pay for your damages out of pocket. If you have UM coverage, your policy can help pay for your medical expenses up to your policy limits.
What are the minimum car insurance coverage requirements in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires 15/30/5 liability limits. That’s $15,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 in property damage liability coverage. State law also requires $5,000 in medical expenses coverage.
Sources
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department. "Automobile Insurance Guide."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on: No-fault auto insurance."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists."
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. "Insurance Law Overview and Frequently Asked Questions."
- State Farm. "New State Farm® data reveals fewer animal collisions, but autumn months remain most dangerous."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Janet Berry-JohnsonInsurance Writer, CPA
8+ years writing about insurance, taxes, and personal finance
Certified public accountant
Featured in
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
David MarlettAdvisor
25 years teaching risk management and insurance course
Former commercial lines underwriter