Best Auto Insurance Rates in Pennsylvania

On average, your neighbors pay $73 a month.

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Compare Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania

Friday, August 3 2018 By Steve Bowen

Drivers in the Keystone State should know the rules of the road and the insurance they need. Read on and you’ll find everything you need from average cost of insurance to state auto laws.

Average Pennsylvania Car Insurance Rates

How much is car insurance in Pennsylvania? If you’re a driver in the state of Pennsylvania, you know how much at insurance can cost. But did you know that Pennsylvania car insurance premiums are the same as the national average. The average cost of auto insurance in Pennsylvania is $878.18 per year. The national annual average cost is $889.01.

Your own rate will depend on your coverage, driving history, and other factors.

Pennsylvania Average Annual Car Insurance Rates
Coverage Rates
Liability $499.06
Collision $327.24
Comprehensive $144.21
Total Cost Per Year $878.18
Price Per Month $73.18

The graph below shows the change in average Pennsylvania insurance rates from 2011 to 2015, the most recent year the data is available. According to the III, Pennsylvania car insurance rates increased from $812 in 2011 to $878 in 2015, a jump of $65, or 8.05 percent.

Pennsylvania average car insurance rates

If you’re like most Pennsylvania drivers, you think it's important to have the right kinds of car insurance coverage, not to mention the right amounts. That doesn’t mean you should go with the first policy that comes your way.

You want car insurance that’s reliable and fits your needs while also being affordable. To get that, you have to compare auto insurance quotes.

That can take some time if you do it yourself. With QuoteWizard, you can do it in seconds. Fill out our form and we’ll connect you to multiple top car insurance companies so you can compare rates and get the best coverage.

Last year, 98,196 people used QuoteWizard to compare auto insurance quotes in Pennsylvania from top companies, and find the cheapest rates.

Best Car Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania

Out of over 98,000 PA drivers that used QuoteWizard to find quotes last year, 9,688 didn’t have insurance. These are the main insurers Pennsylvania-based QuoteWizard users had last year:

  1. Allstate
  2. State Farm
  3. Progressive
  4. GEICO
  5. Nationwide
  6. Liberty Mutual
  7. Farmers
  8. Esurance
  9. AIG
  10. 21st Century
Get a quote from some of these top rated insurers! Request Quote Get a Quote From Top Insurers

Top 10 Vehicles in Pennsylvania

This is a list of the most commonly owned cars of Pennsylvania drivers using QuoteWizard this year:

  1. Ford F150
  2. Chevrolet Cavalier
  3. Chevrolet Blazer
  4. Honda Accord EX/LX
  5. Ford Taurus SE
  6. Ford Escape XLT
  7. Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
  8. Ford Focus SE
  9. Honda Civic EX
  10. Ford Explorer
Get a quote for your vehicle. Request Quote Get a Quote For Your Vehicle

Best High-Risk Insurance Companies 

If you have a poor driving record or insurance history, insurers may consider you high-risk. It’s pricey for insurance companies to cover high-risk drivers. Some refuse a high-risk policy altogether. However, the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan can help you find basic coverage.

These other companies offer high-risk policies in Pennsylvania:

Best Teen Driver Insurance Companies

Insurers see teens as high-risk drivers due to lack of experience. They're more likely to cause a car accident or get a speeding ticket, for example. As such, teens pay more for auto insurance. 

Our data shows that teens pay an average of $438 a month for car insurance for an individual policy. This amount drops to $278 if they’re on a parent's plan. Compared to other age groups, this is still pricey. But there are many companies that give discounts for teens with good grades.  

These insurance companies offer good coverage for Pennsylvania teens: 

Pennsylvania Car Insurance Rate Factors 

By the most current III data, only 7.6 percent of Pennsylvania's drivers are uninsured. That's great news for PA drivers. A low rate of uninsured drivers helps keep car insurance rates down for all drivers.

Pennsylvania Car Insurance Laws 

Car Insurance Minimum Coverage 

Every Pennsylvania driver needs minimum 15/30/5 coverage. This means that every driver must carry: 

  • $15,000 for bodily injury liability per person
  • $30,000 for bodily injury liability per incident 
  • $5,000 for injury or destruction of property of others in a single accident

In addition, all PA auto insurance policies must have $5,000 medical benefit coverage.

Recommended Coverage Levels 

Minimum coverage is cheaper short term, but not after an accident. Minimum coverage doesn’t include collision or comprehensive coverage. A minimum coverage policy pays for damages to others and their property. However, it won’t cover you, your injuries, or your property. If you only have minimum coverage and you cause an accident, you're responsible for all your expenses.

Collision coverage takes care of damages after accidents. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages that only involve your car. This includes events like disasters, theft, and vandalism.  

Given that, if you can afford it, we recommend the following coverage: 

  • Individual Body Injury Liability: $100,000 
  • Total Bodily Injury Liability: $300,000 
  • Property Damage Liability: $100,000 

Better coverage means peace of mind. And even though it comes with a higher monthly rate, it can save you money in the long run. If your finances permit, get comprehensive and collision coverage. Also get a deductible that works with your budget. To protect against drivers with low or no insurance, consider uninsured/uninsured coverage. Also, look at medical payment coverage and personal injury protection. They cover medical costs after an accident. 

Required Proof of Car Insurance 

All Pennsylvania drivers need to show proof of insurance upon request. Proof of insurance is also required to register or renew registration with the DMV. 

The following are considered acceptable proof of insurance in PA:

  • Name of insurance company
  • Name of the driver
  • Policy number
  • Effective date of the policy
  • Expiration date of the policy
  • Description of the car's year, make, or model

If you cannot provide proof of insurance, you face a three-month suspension. There's also a $300 fine, plus $176 in fees to get your license and registration back.

SR-22 Requirements 

Pennsylvania is one of the few states that doesn't require drivers to file an SR-22 to prove that they have the legal minimum car insurance.

Totaled Cars with Rebuilt or Salvage Titles  

If your car is damaged and the cost to repair it is greater than the car’s actual value, your insurer will deem it a total loss. A total loss vehicle comes with a salvage title. Once it's repaired, it gets a rebuilt title.  

In Pennsylvania, total loss is calculated by a total loss formula. Add the repair costs to the car's salvage value. If that number is greater than the car's actual cash value, your insurer will consider it a total loss.

Buying insurance for a rebuilt or salvage vehicle in Pennsylvania is hard. Some insurance companies won't cover such vehicles. Expect to pay higher rates if your car has a rebuilt or salvage title - if you can get coverage.

Pennsylvania drivers saved up to $383 on their car insurance policies by comparing rates through our simple form.
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State of Pennsylvania Traffic Safety Laws

Distracted Driving Laws 

Pennsylvania has laws in place to cut down on distracted driving accidents. The state prohibits all drivers from texting while driving.  

Pennsylvania does not prohibit the use of cellphones while driving. But if the police see you driving while texting, you can receive a $50 fine.

DWI Law and Penalties 

PA has a three-tiered system for enforcing driving under the influence (DUI) laws. The three tiers are:

  • General Impairment (0.08 percent to 0.99 percent BAC)
  • High BAC (0.10 percent to 0.159 percent BAC)
  • Highest BAC (0.16 percent and above)

Depending on the tier you fall into, fines range from $300 to $10,000 and jail time from six months to five years. Conviction also includes misdemeanors on your record, license suspension, and mandatory treatment.

In any case, a DUI will affect your premiums. Our research shows that drivers with DUIs pay an extra $830 per year for car insurance.

Senior Drivers in Pennsylvania 

Car insurance rates start to increase when a driver turns 65. As you get older, these rates increase further. In Pennsylvania all drivers must renew their license every four years. Otherwise there are no provisions just for senior citizens.

Vehicles Registered in Another State 

When driving a vehicle registered to another state in PA, you need the insurance required by that state. You also need proof of insurance.

Car Insurance Risk in Pennsylvania 

Best and Worst Drivers in Pennsylvania 

Our study on the best and worst driving states shows that Pennsylvania is the 33rd worst driving state. According to our city study, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Philadelphia rank respectively as the 49th, 61st, and 63rd worst drivers in the country. This ranking is based on accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs, and citations. 

Traffic Fatalities 

In 2017, there were 1,137 traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania, 51 less than the 1,188 fatalities reported in 2016. Living in an area with a high rate of car fatalities can boost insurance rates.

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in Pennsylvania 

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, nearly 17,000 vehicles were stolen in PA last year. If your car is a theft risk in PA, it can affect your policy rates. Expect to pay higher rates if you drive one of these cars:

Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau-Hot Wheels Report 2016

  1. 1997 Honda Accord
  2. 2000 Honda Civic
  3. 2004 Ford Pickup (Full Size)
  4. 2015 Nissan Altima
  5. 2016 Toyota Camry
  6. 2008 Chevrolet Impala
  7. 2016 Toyota Corolla
  8. 2001 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
  9. 2004 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
  10. 2002 Ford Explorer

Save Money with Discounts

  1. If you bundle your car insurance with your home or renters insurance, you can cut up to 15 percent off your total bill 
  2. If you’re a safe driver with a clean record, that can add up to lower rates
  3. Have more than one car? Look into a multiple car discount
  4. There are discount rates for active and retired members of the Military, National Guard, or Reserves. 
  5. Take a certified defensive driving course 
  6. Drive less. Living close to work or taking the bus sometimes could help you get the low mileage discount 
  7. If you’re 55 or over, see if a senior citizens discount is available 
  8. Make sure your car as up-to-date safety features and anti-theft devices
  9. Get a new car to qualify for the new car discount. If the car has safety features like anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control, you might be entitled to additional discounts 
  10. If you live in a safe neighborhood, you could save money

Pennsylvania Insurance Department

http://www.insurance.pa.gov/

Insurance Commissioner:
Jessica Altman
Insurance Hotline:
1-877-881-6388
Monday – Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
File a Consumer Complaint
Complaint Page

Sources:

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