The Keystone State is known for its role in history (and for Hershey’s chocolate factories). But whether you live in Erie or Philadelphia, you can expect to pay higher-than-average rates for car insurance.
The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,747, compared to the national average of $1,582. But how much you’ll pay for coverage depends on factors such as where you live, your age, credit history, and driving habits.
- Key takeaways
- How much does car insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
- Average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania by provider
- How does credit score affect car insurance rates in Pennsylvania?
- Average car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in Pennsylvania
- How does age affect car insurance rates in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania car insurance rates by city
- PA’s minimum car insurance requirements
- How to save money on car insurance in Pennsylvania
- Methodology
- FAQs about car insurance costs in PA
Key takeaways
- The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,747 per year for full coverage and $691 per year for state-minimum insurance.
- Young drivers pay an average of $4,236 per year for car insurance.
- Seniors pay an average of $1,552 per year for full coverage.
How much does car insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
On average, full coverage policies that include collision, comprehensive, and liability insurance cost $1,747 per year in Pennsylvania. Insurance policies meeting the state’s minimum liability requirements cost $691 annually.
Insurance is slightly less expensive for seniors in Pennsylvania, but teens will pay substantially more for coverage. The average cost of car insurance for teens is $4,236.
Avg. cost for full coverage | Avg. cost for minimum coverage | Cheapest insurance provider |
$1,747/year | $691/year | Metromile |
Avg. for young drivers | Avg. cost for seniors | Avg. for high-risk drivers |
$4,236/year | $1,552/year | $2,357/year |
Average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania by provider
Several major insurers issue policies in Pennsylvania, including Allstate, Geico, and State Farm. But there are also some regional companies, such as Erie Insurance, that only issue policies in select states and offer affordable rates.
State Farm and Erie had the lowest average premiums for full coverage and state minimum policies in Pennsylvania.
Provider | Full coverage | Minimum liability coverage |
Allstate | $1,778/year | $801/year |
GEICO | $1,474/year | $499/year |
Progressive | $2,084/year | $908/year |
State Farm | $1,171/year | $482/year |
Nationwide | $1,386/year | $705/year |
Erie | $1,180/year | $441/year |
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Check RatesHow does credit score affect car insurance rates in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania’s laws allow insurers to use drivers’ credit histories as a factor to determine car insurance premiums. Generally, the better your credit, the less you’ll pay for coverage, so spending time improving your credit can pay off over time.
We found that those with excellent credit — meaning credit scores of 750 or higher — paid hundreds less than those with poor credit.
Credit health | Avg. annual premium |
Poor (550-649) | $2,686/year |
Average (650-699) | $2,111/year |
Good (700-749) | $1,811/year |
Excellent (750+) | $1,575/year |
Average car insurance rates for high-risk drivers in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania drivers should be aware that driving recklessly or under the influence can cause your premiums to skyrocket. On average, a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction can cause your premiums to go up by about $586 per year, and one at-fault accident can increase your yearly premiums by $490.
Violation | Avg. annual premium before violation* | Avg. annual premium after violation | Avg. cost increase |
At-fault accident | $1,747/year | $2,237/year | $490 |
DUI | $1,747/year | $2,333/year | $586 |
Speeding ticket | $1,747/year | $1,817/year | $70 |
*Assumes clean driving record with good credit
How does age affect car insurance rates in Pennsylvania?
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Pennsylvania’s median age is 40.9, which is higher than the national median. With an older population in the state, it’s not surprising that car insurance premiums tend to decrease as you age.
Drivers who are 18 will pay an average of $4,648 per year for insurance, while those in their 40s will pay just $1,785 per year for the same coverage.
Age | Avg. annual premium |
18 | $4,648/year |
25 | $1,962/year |
30 | $1,744/year |
40 | $1,785/year |
60 | $1,542/year |
Pennsylvania car insurance rates by city
If you live in a densely populated area, you’re more likely to be involved in an accident or be impacted by crime. That’s why drivers who live in cities tend to pay much more for car insurance than those who live in suburban or rural areas.
In Pennsylvania, drivers that live in Philadelphia pay the highest average rates at $2,702 per year. The sky-high premiums are because of Philadelphia’s crime rate; NeighborhoodScout gave Philadelphia a crime rating index of eight, meaning 92% of cities in the U.S. are safer than Philadelphia.
City | Avg. annual full-coverage premium |
Philadelphia | $2,702/year |
Pittsburgh | $1,605/year |
Allentown | $1,642/year |
Erie | $1,692/year |
Scranton | $1,691/year |
Lancaster | $1,500/year |
PA’s minimum car insurance requirements
Pennsylvania requires all drivers to have liability insurance, but its requirements are lower than the minimums of many other states. In Pennsylvania, drivers must meet the following insurance requirements:
- $15,000 in bodily injury protection for one person
- $30,000 in bodily injury protection for two or more people
- $5,000 in property damage protection
These coverages are relatively low, so many drivers may want to increase the coverage limits and add collision or comprehensive protection.
How to save money on car insurance in Pennsylvania
To lower your premiums for car insurance in Pennsylvania, use these tips:
- Change your deductible: Increasing your deductible — for example, changing it from $500 to $1,000 — will cause your premiums to go down. However, choose a deductible amount you can comfortably afford so you’re not struggling to cover the bill after an accident.
- Ask for discounts: Reach out to your insurance agent to find out if you’re eligible for any discounts, such as anti-theft device discounts or good student discounts.
- Consider usage-based insurance: Usage-based insurance, also known as pay-per-mile insurance, can help safe drivers save money on their car insurance. In Pennsylvania, several companies offer usage-based insurance, including MetroMile, Erie Insurance, and State Farm.
- Shop for a new insurer: As we mentioned above, car insurance rates vary by company, so you may be able to save money by switching insurers. You can start by checking out our picks for the best car insurance companies.
Methodology
Our analysis was conducted using six different auto insurance marketplaces to determine the average cost of auto insurance in each state. The data we analyzed included coverage premiums from up to 10 different insurance providers. We looked at rates by city, driver profile, and credit score, as well as factored in the impact of driving violations. This data is for comparative purposes only. Your actual quote may be different.
FAQs about car insurance costs in PA
Is car insurance expensive in PA?
Pennsylvania's car insurance is relatively expensive compared to other states. On average, drivers in Pennsylvania pay $1,747, compared to the national average of $1,582.
How much is car insurance per year in PA?
The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,747 per year for full coverage policies. The average yearly premium for state-minimum coverage is $691.