The Cheapest Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania in 2023

Though Pennsylvania car insurance rates are higher than the national average, drivers (especially those outside the Philadelphia area) have plenty of ways to save money on their premiums. Several insurers offer highly competitive rates, especially for drivers with clean driving records. But even drivers with a few tickets can find a deal.

There are lots of ways to save, and we go over the best options, plus other important details, below. This guide has everything you need to know to save money on car insurance in Pennsylvania.

Key Takeaways:

• Erie, GEICO, and State Farm consistently offer Pennsylvania’s lowest average auto insurance rates for a wide range of coverage options.
• State minimum-coverage limits are low in Pennsylvania, so you should consider purchasing additional coverage.
• Rates are most expensive in the Philadelphia area and less expensive in smaller cities like Carlisle and Mechanicsburg.

Pennsylvania’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies

The average rate for car insurance in Pennsylvania is $142 per month. But there are always ways to save money, starting by getting quotes from the cheapest companies in the state. Let’s take a look at which insurers are offering the cheapest rates in Pennsylvania in 2023.

GEICO is the cheapest Pennsylvania auto insurer, closely followed by Erie. But these rates are broad averages. Other factors — such as coverage options, location, and driving history — can impact your rate substantially. Let’s take a look at how auto rates change under different conditions in Pennsylvania.

The Average Cost of Pennsylvania Car Insurance

It costs $142 per month, on average, for car insurance in Pennsylvania, which makes the state somewhat more expensive than the national average of $129. Let’s look at how it stacks up to its neighbors, as well as the rest of the U.S. as a whole.

Average auto insurance rates are cheaper in Pennsylvania than in most of its surrounding states (except for Ohio and West Virginia). Pennsylvania is less densely populated than Delaware, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. The state also has lower state minimums than these neighbors, which can contribute to lower rates, too.

But there’s more to auto insurance rates than simply what state you live in. Let’s take a look at how other factors affect how much you pay for car insurance.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for State-Minimum Insurance: Erie

The cheapest auto insurance you can get is basic liability coverage. This coverage ensures you’re not financially responsible for other people’s injuries and property damage if you cause an accident, but it won’t cover your own expenses (such as vehicle repair costs). Liability coverage can be purchased in different amounts.

Since state-minimum car insurance is the lowest amount of coverage you can purchase, its rates are also the lowest. Let’s take a look at which companies offer the cheapest state-minimum liability coverage in Pennsylvania.

These companies currently offer the best rates on average for state minimums, but there are many reasons why some insurers offer lower rates than others. Some companies lower the cost of doing business and pass those savings to consumers. Others offer lower rates to attract more policyholders from certain groups, which spreads out the company’s risk.

Overall, Erie leads the pack with the lowest state-minimum liability coverage rates of any company.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates for Full-Coverage Insurance: GEICO

Full-coverage policies meet state-minimum liability requirements and cover your vehicle from both collision and non-collision damage. If you have a car loan or a vehicle worth more than $5,000, you’ll generally need a full-coverage policy (as required by your lender).

But which companies have the cheapest full-coverage policies in Pennsylvania? Let’s take a look.

GEICO offers the cheapest policies, on average, at just $103 per month. That’s $24 and $60 less per year than the next-cheapest options, Travelers and Erie. GEICO uses a direct-to-consumer model, which lowers the company’s overhead costs and customer rates, though other factors may come into play.

Compare Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Rates by Age

Your age has a huge effect on your car insurance rates. Young drivers pay more due to inexperience and a higher risk of car accidents, while middle-age drivers typically get the lowest rates because of their experience and lower risk. But drivers older than 65 may eventually face higher rates due to declining abilities.

Let’s review how age affects rates for Pennsylvania drivers, specifically.

Cheapest car insurance for Pennsylvania teens: Erie

Car insurance for young drivers is expensive because their inexperience and penchant for risk-taking contribute to higher accident rates. Here are the lowest rates for 18-year-olds in Pennsylvania.

Erie offers the cheapest rates for liability coverage, while GEICO has the best rates for full coverage in Pennsylvania. This reflects the general rate patterns for the state overall.

Both insurers offer excellent discounts in addition to keeping operational costs low. These rates may also suggest that the companies have lower risk exposure in Pennsylvania — which means their policyholders file fewer claims than their competitors.

Cheapest car insurance for Pennsylvania seniors: Erie

As drivers approach retirement age, they usually see their auto insurance rates decrease (all else being equal). And, for older drivers who drive less often, rates can be even lower.

Here are the cheapest auto insurance companies on average for 65-year-olds in Pennsylvania.

Once again, Erie and GEICO are your cheapest options for liability and full-coverage policies, respectively. But State Farm isn’t far behind and offers cheaper full-coverage insurance than Erie.

All three are great options for drivers older than age 65, as they offer defensive driving discounts— plus an array of coverage options and reputable customer service.

Compare Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record

Your driving history is probably the most important factor in determining your car insurance rate. After all, how you’ve driven in the past can say a lot about how you’ll drive in the future.

People who’ve caused an accident or been caught speeding or driving under the influence pay more for car insurance than drivers with clean records.

Let’s see how auto rates in Pennsylvania change based on your driving history.

Cheapest car insurance for good drivers in Pennsylvania: Erie

You don’t only get a lower insurance rate if you have a clean driving record. You also get access to additional benefits like safe driver discounts and accident forgiveness.

Below are the cheapest companies in Pennsylvania for drivers with clean records.

Erie tends to offer the greatest savings for liability coverage, and GEICO once again offers the lowest rates for full coverage. They offer savings of around $48 and $60 per year, respectively, when compared to the next-cheapest option.

Auto insurers consider drivers with clean records to represent the lowest-risk group of drivers to insure, and many position themselves to attract these drivers with low rates and plentiful discounts. Still, rates will vary, and you may find a cheaper option with another insurer on (or off) this list.

Cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania after a ticket: Erie

Speeding tickets raise rates by about 30% for liability policies and around 27% for full coverage. Tickets can stay also on your record indefinitely in Pennsylvania — though most insurers only look back three years into your record.

Below are the lowest rates for Pennsylvania drivers with one speeding ticket.

Once again, Erie offers the cheapest liability option, but State Farm comes in with the lowest full-coverage premiums in Pennsylvania. Both insurers (and others on the list) provide plenty of discount programs that drivers with speeding tickets can take advantage of — especially telematics programs.

Cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania after an accident: Cumberland Mutual

The average driver sees their rates increase by 45% for liability coverage and 27% for full-coverage insurance after an accident, according to Compare.com data. But some drivers still find cheap rates.

Let’s take a look at the cheapest Pennsylvania insurers for drivers with one at-fault accident on their record.

Despite offering relatively few discount programs, Cumberland Mutual has the lowest average rates in Pennsylvania for both liability and full-coverage policies for drivers with accidents on their records. State Farm isn’t far behind, with Erie, Allstate, and Travelers all offering relatively cheap coverage, too.

Cumberland may be so advantageous for drivers with car accidents because the company allows for higher deductibles, which can lower your monthly rates.

Cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania after a DUI: State Farm

DUIs can double your car insurance rates for both liability and full-coverage policies, according to Compare.com data. Increases are (luckily) less severe in Pennsylvania, and the consequences for a first DUI offense are relatively light compared to other states (six months of probation and a $300 fine).

But rates are still higher on average for this group of drivers, so here are the cheapest companies for Pennsylvania drivers with one DUI.

State Farm offers the cheapest rates for both liability and full-coverage policies for drivers with a recent DUI conviction, with the largest potential savings on full-coverage premiums.

But, again, these are just average rates across the state. Your location (and many other factors) influence the rates you’ll see when you compare quotes.

The Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

Your location also has a large effect on your premiums. Local car insurance claim rates, traffic patterns, weather patterns, and crime rates can all affect your costs since each can indicate different levels of risk to an insurer.

Let’s take a look at how rates compare from city to city across Pennsylvania.

The cheapest cities for car insurance in Pennsylvania are State College, Canonsburg, Freeland, Carlisle, and Johnstown. This could be largely tied to smaller populations in each of the aforementioned cities.

Of the 10 most-populous cities, Philadelphia is by far the most expensive. The rest — including Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Reading — are at or near the state average.

Philadelphia has a population five times larger than the next-largest city in the state (Pittsburgh), so this doesn’t come as a surprise.

5 Ways to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

There are plenty of ways to save money on car insurance. Here are five ways we think will have the greatest impact on your rate.

1. Demonstrate low risk: Obeying traffic rules, driving defensively, paying insurance premiums on time, and maintaining continuous insurance all demonstrate low risk — no matter your age or location.
2. Use discounts: Most insurance companies offer discount opportunities, with some offering more favorable terms depending on what you qualify for. You can combine discounts for even greater benefits, so be sure to review your eligible discounts each time your policy renews.
3. Adjust your policy terms: Review your policy and consider if your coverage types and limits fit your needs. You can raise deductibles or eliminate unnecessary gap insurance (and don’t be afraid to reach out to an agent for guidance).
4. Downsize your vehicle: People who drive older, less expensive vehicles tend to pay less because they can often opt for a liability-only policy. And even when comprehensive and collision coverage is necessary, those premiums are lower because the car costs less to repair or replace.
5. Make time to compare rates: Rates change constantly, and the cheapest option today may not be the cheapest option tomorrow. It’s a good idea to get quotes and compare rates every six months or so before your policy renewal. Using a price comparison site can make this task quick and easy.

John Espenschied, owner of Insurance Brokers Group, also recommends bundling home and auto, paying your car insurance premium in full, and checking your credit report.

“Insurance providers often factor in credit scores when determining premium rates,” Espenschied says. “If you have a poor credit score, you might end up paying higher premiums. Make sure your credit score is accurate and up to date, and work to improve it if necessary.”

Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Requirements

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, drivers are required to carry liability coverage of at least:

• $15,000 of bodily injury protection per person
• $30,000 of bodily injury protection per incident
• $5,000 of property damage liability protection
• $5,000 in medical benefits coverage

These minimums are fairly low compared to other states, so you might want to consider (and at least get a quote for) higher liability limits.

You can also opt into $5,000 of first-party benefit coverage (or more, depending on the insurer) — the state’s version of no-fault insurance. There are currently no requirements for uninsured and underinsured motorist protection, though it’s recommended by the state (and our staff experts).

No-fault insurance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is a “hybrid no-fault” state, which means it gives drivers the option to choose between no-fault insurance and at-fault coverage (known as “full-tort” in the industry).

No-fault car insurance systems limit the ability to sue for damages after an accident, as your insurance company covers your medical costs no matter who is at fault. On the other hand, full-tort insurance allows you to sue at-fault parties for compensation without restrictions.

Looking specifically at price, no-fault policies are generally cheaper than full-tort.

Penalties for driving without auto insurance in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has less severe penalties for driving without insurance relative to nearby states. Drivers will need to pay a civil penalty of $300 or face a three-month registration suspension, as well as registration restoration fees. In some cases, your license could be suspended and you could be forced to pay an additional fine to reinstate it.

If you’re caught driving without insurance more than once in a 12-month period, you’ll have to serve a three-month registration suspension.

SR-22 auto insurance in Pennsylvania

An SR-22 form isn’t a type of car insurance but a document that serves as proof of financial responsibility (aka proof of insurance). It’s required by some states for drivers convicted of certain moving violations. Though common (38 states have SR-22 laws or similar on the books), Pennsylvania is one of 12 states that doesn’t require SR-22s.

Even so, drivers with DUIs, reckless driving, and other tickets that typically require SR-22 insurance can pay double (or more) for car insurance.

Pennsylvania Auto Insurance FAQs

You may still have some questions about Pennsylvania’s unique insurance rules and coverage costs. Here are the questions most commonly asked by drivers like you about PA car insurance.

Who is the cheapest auto insurance company in Pennsylvania?

The cheapest state-minimum car insurance company in Pennsylvania is Erie, at $37 per month. And the cheapest full-coverage car insurance is from GEICO, which averages $103 per month, according to our research.

How much is car insurance in Pennsylvania?

Car insurance in Pennsylvania is $142 per month, on average — putting rates in the state slightly above the national average. But rates vary by location, with many areas seeing lower average rates than others. Additionally, Pennsylvania drivers can use discounts and shop around to find lower rates.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania?

The cheapest city for auto insurance in Pennsylvania is State College, which has an average liability premium of $39 per month. Canonsburg, Freeland, Carlisle, and several other cities have average liability rates under $50 per month (see the rates-by-city section for more detail).

How much car insurance is required in Pennsylvania?

To meet state-minimum car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania, you’ll need at least $15,000/$30,000 of bodily injury liability, $5,000 of property damage liability coverage, and $5,000 in medical benefits coverage. Pennsylvania also strongly encourages drivers to carry similar amounts of uninsured and underinsured motorist protection, though you’re allowed to decline it.

What happens if you get caught driving without insurance in Pennsylvania?

If you’re caught driving without car insurance in Pennsylvania, you’ll most likely have to choose between paying a $300 fine or accepting a three-month suspension of your vehicle registration. You’ll also have to pay restoration fees (and provide proof of insurance) in order to regain your registration.

Methodology

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance rates from more than 75 partner insurance providers in order to compile the quotes and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information. All of the quotes listed in this article have been gathered from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide drivers with insight into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources

1. Census.gov, “City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022,” Accessed July 14, 2023.
2. PennDOT, “Insurance Law Overview and Frequently Asked Questions,” Accessed July 16, 2023.
3. PennDOT, “Insurance Overview,” Accessed July 16, 2023.