While Pennsylvania renters aren't required by law to have renters insurance, landlords typically require it. A standard renters insurance policy covers your personal property and liability coverage, as well as extra costs if you have to temporarily relocate while damage to your rental home is repaired.
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Cost of renters insurance in Pennsylvania by city
Renters insurance rates in Pennsylvania vary from city to city. Philadelphia, the biggest city in the Keystone State, has an average rate of $295 a year.
| City | Average monthly rate | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $25 | $295 |
| Pittsburgh | $19 | $223 |
| Erie | $16 | $189 |
| Scranton | $15 | $185 |
| Lancaster | $14 | $171 |
| Harrisburg | $14 | $173 |
| Altoona | $15 | $176 |
| Norristown | $16 | $197 |
| Hazleton | $16 | $192 |
| Easton | $18 | $219 |
| Note: Average rates are based on online quotes. Your rates may vary. | ||
Get cheap renters insurance in Pennsylvania
Renters insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Renters insurance policies are similar across the board, meaning price and customer satisfaction are two of the most effective comparison points to choose the best, cheapest renters insurance company.
Looking at resources that track insurers' customer satisfaction trends can help you make a decision. J.D. Power publishes an annual report that ranks the overall satisfaction policyholders have with their insurance providers. This report is based on factors including policy offerings, cost and claim resolution. Insurers are ranked on a scale of one to 1,000, with an average score of 841. The higher the score, the better.
The NAIC Complaint Index ranks renters insurance companies based on the number of complaints they receive relative to their size. The National Complaint Index is 1.0. The lower the index score, the better.
The table below shows the overall satisfaction scores and Complaint Index ratings of major renters insurance providers in Pennsylvania.
| Company | 2022 J.D. Power overall satisfaction (out of 1,000) | NAIC Complaint Index 2023(lower is better) |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 837 | 0.5 |
| Amica | Not rated | 0.1 |
| Farmers | 831 | 0.4 |
| State Farm | 836 | 0.08 |
| Travelers | 801 | Not rated |
What does renters insurance cover?
Standard renters insurance covers your possessions against damage and destruction, liability costs that arise from injuries or property damage you cause, and extra costs if you need to relocate temporarily while your rental home is repaired.
Personal property
The personal property section of renters insurance covers your belongings if they're damaged or destroyed by a covered peril. This includes:
- Clothing
- Electronics
- Furniture
Some valuables, such as art and jewelry, can usually be covered under a renters insurance policy, but they may have lower limits than the policy's personal property limit. When comparing quotes from different renters insurance companies, make sure you're aware of any separate limits that may be required.
An efficient way to make sure you have an accurate amount of personal property coverage is to make a home inventory list. When compiling the list, include a description of your belongings, as well as any serial numbers when available and the purchase cost. Photos of the personal property you want to cover help as well. Not only can this help avoid over- or under-insuring your belongings, it may help expedite the claim process.
Liability
If you are responsible for injury or property damage to someone else, the personal liability section of a renters insurance policy covers legal fees and settlement costs. Most renters insurance policies have a default personal liability limit of $100,000, but you can often increase this.
A hundred thousand dollars may seem significant, but a long hospital stay can eat through it quickly. You're responsible for any costs beyond your policy limit. To avoid this, we recommend you increase your liability coverage to $300,000, if possible. The premium increase for higher coverage is generally affordable.
Medical payments
This section of a renters insurance policy covers medical expenses if you're responsible for another's injuries. Medical payments coverage often ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.
Additional living expenses
Additional living expenses (ALE), also known as loss of use (LOU), covers extra costs that may arise if you need to move out while repairs to your rental unit are completed. ALE covers additional costs such as:
- Rent
- Meals
- Transportation
- Storage
- Furniture rental
- Laundry
The ALE coverage section of a renters insurance policy usually has a default limit of $3,000. While this may seem low, keep in mind that it only covers extra expenses beyond your standard cost of living. For example, if you usually spend $80 a month on gas to commute to work, and your relocation causes your monthly gas bill to rise to $100, ALE would cover the $20 difference.
How do I get a renters insurance policy in Pennsylvania?
Your landlord will probably require you to show proof of renters insurance as part of your rental agreement. Compare quotes, policy options and customer satisfaction scores of multiple companies. Looking at many quotes side by side gives you the best overview of cost and coverage options.
When you make your choice, go to the insurer's website. Have your personal information and desired coverage limits ready. If you have any questions, contact the provider and speak to an agent. They can also help you set up your policy and the starting date of coverage.
Methodology
Quotes pulled use the following coverage limits:
- $30,000 personal property
- $100,000 personal liability
- $1,000 medical payments
- Loss of use: 30% of personal property
- $500 deductible
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