Best Cheap Auto Insurance in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (2023)

When shopping for cheap car insurance in Wilkes-Barre, you’ll likely find the lowest prices with State Farm, Mile Auto, and Erie — all of which have an average cost of less than $90 per month. The average driver in Wilkes-Barre pays $196 per month for car insurance. Full-coverage insurance costs $260 per month, on average, while liability coverage is $129 per month.

Your rates will vary based on numerous factors. Here’s what you need to know to save money on your auto policy in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

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Cheapest car insurance companies in Wilkes-Barre

Finding the cheapest car insurance will depend on your specific needs. While some companies offer overall lower rates than others, you may find a different company better meets your coverage needs. Taking time to look at your options can help you make an educated decision that helps you save money and get the best coverage possible.

Here are a few of the cheapest policies available for drivers in Wilkes-Barre based on different situations.

Cheapest insurer in Wilkes-Barre: State Farm

Best for drivers with an accident: Foremost

Best for teen drivers: Travelers

Cheapest liability-only car insurance in Wilkes-Barre

Liability insurance is often the cheapest coverage option for drivers. If you have a loan on your vehicle, your lender may require you to purchase full coverage. Liability insurance provides coverage for the other driver and their property if you cause injury or damage in an at-fault accident. It doesn’t cover you, your passengers, or your vehicle in an accident.^[1]

Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in Wilkes-Barre

Full-coverage insurance provides the most coverage for your vehicle and passengers in an accident. This coverage includes collision insurance and covers both personal costs and costs to other parties. A full-coverage policy with comprehensive coverage also provides additional protections against damages from storms, debris, theft, or vandalism.

If you lease or finance your car, your lender may require you to maintain a full-coverage policy until you pay off your vehicle. You also may want to consider a full-coverage policy to protect against costs associated with an accident if you don’t have the cash on hand to replace your vehicle.

Car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania

Like most states, Pennsylvania requires drivers to maintain a minimum amount of liability coverage for their vehicle. If you’re pulled over without insurance, you’ll have to pay a fee of at least $300 and could face a license suspension. In addition to bodily damage and property damage liability, Pennsylvania drivers must pay for medical benefits coverage.

Medical benefits coverage pays for medical expenses for you and anyone else covered under your policy after an accident, regardless of fault.^[2]

Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, which means drivers can decide whether they want to purchase tort coverage to help them get additional payouts from a driver responsible for an accident.

Optional coverages typically available in Pennsylvania include:

• 

  Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)

  This provides coverage to you and your passengers if you face injury from an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. UM/UIM stacking allows you to purchase uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for multiple vehicles on one policy.

• 

  Income loss

  This pays a portion of lost wages due to injuries from an auto accident preventing you from working.

• 

  Collision

  This coverage pays for repairs to your vehicle following an auto accident or collision with another object.

• 

  Comprehensive

  This covers costs associated with non-collision incidents, including damage from fire, vandalism, natural disaster, and more.^[3]

• 

  Extraordinary medical benefits

  This offers coverage for medical and rehabilitation costs that exceed $100,000.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident

Drivers with incidents on their record could pay a higher rate than drivers with a clean record. Insurers view drivers with a history of claims and incidents — like at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and other moving violations — as higher risk. Other events, like accidents you didn’t cause or parking tickets, don’t have much of an effect.

The type of incident on your record can affect how much your rate increases. For example, a driver with a clean record will pay $63 per month, on average, for liability-only auto insurance from Travelers. A driver with a speeding ticket will pay $84 per month for the same coverage, and someone with a DUI pays an average of $125 per month.

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Cheapest car insurance for drivers with speeding tickets

Drivers with a speeding ticket may pay slightly higher rates than drivers with a clean record. A history of speeding tickets could indicate to insurance companies that you’re a higher risk to insure.

The liability rates below are slightly higher than what a driver with a clean record would pay for the same policy. Wilkes-Barre drivers with a ticket pay between $84 and $119 per month for auto coverage.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an at-fault accident

Insurance companies view drivers with an accident on their record as a higher-risk driver more likely to file future claims. If you have an accident, you’ll likely receive points on your driving record and see increased rates compared to drivers with clean records. Travelers has the cheapest auto coverage for drivers in Wilkes-Barre with an accident, at $90 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI

You’ll pay a significantly higher rate for insurance if you have a DUI In Pennsylvania, and you’ll also likely face license suspension or temporary revocation.

Though Pennsylvania doesn’t require SR-22 policies for drivers with a DUI conviction, the state does have strict laws that include fines, license suspension, probation, and mandatory alcohol-treatment programs.^[4] Average auto quotes for drivers in Wilkes-Barre with a DUI range from $125 to $177 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for seniors

Insurance companies consider your age when determining your auto premium. Costs generally decrease for drivers with age. In particular, you tend to benefit from low rates at age 35 and beyond until you reach 75. Senior drivers have higher crash death rates per mile driven, as well as potential physical barriers.^[5]

Though senior drivers face slightly increased rates, you can still find affordable auto coverage. Quotes for seniors in Wilkes-Barre start at just $39 per month.

Cheapest car insurance for teens

Insurance rates for teen drivers are much higher than premiums for older drivers, since younger drivers are statistically more likely to have a serious car accident.

Teens may qualify for lower rates by staying on their parents’ insurance (including when they head off to college). Additionally, teens can save money by opting for a safer vehicle and getting good grades in school. Average auto quotes for teens in Wilkes-Barre range between $92 and $131 per month.

How to get the cheapest car insurance in Wilkes-Barre

When you’re looking for cheap car insurance, you should consider a few different ways you can save money. Beginning the shopping process with some knowledge can help you get the best deal for the coverage you need.

Insurers consider several factors when determining insurance rates, including your driving record, age, location, vehicle type, and average mileage. For example, drivers in urban areas may pay elevated rates because accidents occur more frequently in heavy traffic.

If you want to save money on car insurance, try the following tactics:

• Compare rates from multiple companies. Look at different rates and coverage types from at least three companies. Comparing rates helps ensure you get the best coverage for your needs.

• Look for discounts through work or school. Check with your employer to see if it partners with specific companies for discounted policies. If you’re a student with good grades, you may also qualify for lower rates.

• Bundle your home and auto policies. You can often combine your homeowners or renters insurance with your auto policy for a discount.

• Improve your credit score. Insurance companies may use your credit history when determining your rates. You can improve your credit score by paying off debt, reducing your debt-to-income ratio, and paying your bills on time.

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Wilkes-Barre car insurance quotes by credit tier

Pennsylvania allows insurance companies to use your insurance and credit score when initially determining your premium. Insurers can also use your credit score when you renew your policy, but only if doing so reduces your rates.^[6]

Your credit score can affect your insurance rates because insurance companies may view your credit history as an indicator of your likelihood of filing claims. Drivers with excellent or good credit typically earn lower rates than people with poor credit.

The chart below shows the average rates drivers in Wilkes-Barre pay for full-coverage auto policies based on credit score. The rates may vary depending on where you live and what insurance company you receive coverage from.

Is car insurance more expensive in Wilkes-Barre?

The average driver in Wilkes-Barre spends $196 per month, or $2,352 per year, on auto insurance. On average, drivers in Wilkes-Barre pay $129 per month for liability insurance and $260 for full-coverage insurance. The national average rate for auto coverage, for comparison, is $212 per month ($253 for full coverage and $170 for liability).

Auto rates within Pennsylvania may also vary based on where you live. For example, drivers in Wilkes-Barre pay less than drivers in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, and Allentown, on average. Wilkes-Barre may have lower auto rates than other areas of the state since the community has a population of just under 45,000.

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