Pennsylvania drivers pay approximately $1,407 yearly for full coverage and $568 for minimum coverage, assuming a 40-year-old driver with solid credit and no violations. Pennsylvania positions at 29th for full coverage and 20th for minimum coverage nationwide, with premiums 4% below and 17% below typical rates respectively.
Average Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
Updated: November 5, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Pennsylvania car insurance costs range from $568 to $3,625 per year on average depending on your chosen coverage, driving profile and location.
Car insurance costs in Pennsylvania are typical for the U.S., with the state placing 20th for minimum coverage and 29th for full coverage affordability.
Find the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania by deciding on coverage beforehand, researching costs and companies, and comparing multiple quotes.
Average Car Insurance Cost In Pennsylvania
| Full Coverage | $117 | $1,407 |
| Minimum Coverage | $47 | $568 |
Adding comprehensive and collision to your liability policy increases costs by $839 annually, roughly $70 per month. Actual rates depend on your specific circumstances, driving history and policy selections.
Average Pennsylvania Car Insurance Cost By Category
Older vehicle owners secure Pennsylvania's best rates at just $83 monthly for full coverage, taking advantage of lower comprehensive and collision payouts on depreciated cars. Your individual characteristics play a major role in determining car insurance costs.
The biggest rate jump comes with age and inexperience - young drivers pay $268 monthly for full coverage compared to adults at $117. Credit-challenged drivers fall in between at $217 monthly, showing Pennsylvania's balanced approach to risk-based pricing.
| Young Drivers | $113 | $268 |
| Adult Drivers | $48 | $117 |
| Senior Drivers | $62 | $141 |
| Drivers With An Accident | $58 | $145 |
| Drivers With A DUI | $97 | $237 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | $56 | $143 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $103 | $217 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $64 | $133 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $48 | $123 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $34 | $83 |
Pennsylvania's regulatory environment creates reasonable rate spreads, with vehicle age providing the most significant savings opportunity for budget-conscious drivers.
FIND THE BEST CHEAP PROVIDER FOR YOUR PROFILE
Check out our comprehensive roundup guides to identify the best cheap provider for your profile.
Average Pennsylvania Car Insurance Cost by Company
Travelers has the lowest rates in Pennsylvania at $70 monthly for full coverage, while Westfield Insurance costs $93 monthly. In the state, full coverage premiums range from $70 to $93 monthly among popular providers.
| Westfield Insurance | $19 | $93 |
| Erie Insurance | $29 | $82 |
| Travelers | $30 | $70 |
| Nationwide | $33 | $78 |
| Donegal Insurance | $40 | $83 |
Average Pennsylvania Car Insurance Cost By City
Philadelphia drivers have $237 monthly premiums for full coverage compared to just $93 in rural Lemont. This shows how rates change depending on whether you are in a city or rural area.
Pennsylvania's major cities have higher crime, traffic congestion and claim frequencies.
Data filtered by:
Aaronsburg
| Full Coverage | $98 | $1,176 |
| Minimum Coverage | $40 | $479 |
Is Pennsylvania Car Insurance Expensive?
Pennsylvania ranks 29th for full coverage and 20th for minimum coverage affordability, placing it in the middle range for car insurance costs. Your actual costs may vary based on your specific city.
Why Is Car Insurance More Expensive In Pennsylvania?
Choice No-Fault Insurance System
Pennsylvania operates a unique "choice no-fault" insurance system, allowing drivers to choose between "limited tort" and "full tort" coverage options. Under limited tort coverage, drivers give up most rights to sue for pain and suffering damages in exchange for lower premiums. Full tort coverage preserves all legal rights to seek compensation, including non-economic damages, but comes with higher premiums. This choice directly impacts pricing as insurers must account for different claim scenarios and legal exposures based on the coverage option selected.
Low Uninsured Motorist Rates
Pennsylvania has one of the lower uninsured motorist rates in the nation, though urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have higher concentrations of uninsured drivers. While the state overall performs well compared to national averages, many drivers carry only minimum coverage, which is often insufficient to cover serious injuries. Pennsylvania requires insurers to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, though drivers can reject it in writing.
Moderate Vehicle Theft Rates
Pennsylvania experiences moderate car theft rates compared to national averages, with State College ranking among the cities with the lowest motor car theft rates in the state. However, urban areas higher theft risks, and Pennsylvania operates the Auto Theft Prevention Authority to combat car theft statewide.
Above-Average Insurance Costs
Pennsylvania drivers pay higher rates for full coverage and minimum coverage insurance compared to many other states, with monthly averages reflecting the state's unique insurance requirements. These rates reflect the state's unique insurance requirements, including mandatory medical benefits coverage and the choice no-fault system. Urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh see higher rates due to increased traffic density, higher crime rates and more frequent claims.
Credit Score Impact Restrictions
Pennsylvania doesn't allow insurance companies to use gender as an auto insurance rating factor, which distinguishes it from many other states. However, credit scores still impact rates, with drivers with poor credit paying substantially more than those with excellent credit. This regulatory approach means demographics have less impact on pricing compared to driving history and credit factors.
Complex Legal Framework
Pennsylvania's insurance system creates unique legal complexities that affect pricing. The state operates under both no-fault and fault-based systems simultaneously, with medical benefits paid regardless of fault while property damage follows traditional fault-based rules. Pennsylvania law states that insurance rates can't increase if you file a claim under uninsured motorist coverage when you're not at fault, providing additional consumer protection.
While Pennsylvania doesn't mandate comprehensive coverage, the state's varied geography and weather conditions make it valuable protection. The state experiences winter weather, hailstorms and other natural events that can damage cars. Pennsylvania's Division of Motor Cars emphasizes the importance of adequate coverage given the state's insurance requirements and legal framework. The choice no-fault system also means drivers need to consider how different coverage options affect their ability to recover damages.
Mandatory Medical Benefits Coverage
Pennsylvania requires all drivers to carry at least $5,000 in medical benefits coverage, which pays for medical expenses regardless of fault. This no-fault medical coverage ensures immediate payment for medical bills without determining fault first. The state has been a no-fault state since 1990, making this coverage mandatory for all drivers. This requirement adds to the base cost of insurance but provides immediate medical protection for policyholders and their passengers.
How To Lower Car Insurance Costs In Pennsylvania
Want to cut your car insurance costs? Here's how to lower your rates:
- 1Decide on coverage needs beforehand
Decide on your coverage needs before shopping so you aren't oversold on coverage you don't need. Consider your budget, driving habits, car value, and risk tolerance.
- 2Research costs and discounts
Know the average costs for your profile and coverage level to spot good deals. Research car insurance discounts you qualify for and check home and auto insurance bundles for additional savings.
- 3Look into company reputations and coverage options
Cost isn't everything. Consider add-on coverage options and customer experiences with different providers to narrow down which companies to compare. Use industry studies, review forums, and public forums like Reddit for research.
- 4Compare quotes through multiple means
Compare quotes from multiple companies side by side to find the best deal. Use different methods like online comparison sites and independent agents since pricing varies by method.
Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania: Bottom Line
Pennsylvania car insurance costs fall in the middle range compared to other states. Decide on your coverage needs first, research companies thoroughly, and compare quotes from multiple insurers to get the best rates.
Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania: FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania car insurance costs:
How much is Pennsylvania car insurance per month?
Pennsylvania car insurance costs $47 monthly for minimum coverage and $117 for full coverage. Rates range from $34 to $268 monthly depending on your driver profile and coverage choice.
What factors affect Pennsylvania car insurance costs?
Your driving record, age, and location affect your rates, with accidents, violations, and younger drivers facing higher costs. Urban areas cost more than rural ones. Your car type, coverage amounts, credit score, and annual mileage also impact premiums.
How expensive is Pennsylvania car insurance?
Auto insurance costs in Pennsylvania fall into the moderate range nationally, with the state placing 20th for minimum coverage and 29th for full coverage affordability, putting it squarely in the middle tier of U.S. states.
Pennsylvania operates a unique choice no-fault system allowing drivers to select limited or full tort coverage options. The state requires $5,000 medical benefits coverage and has low uninsured driver rates but has moderate car theft.
How We Determined Pennsylvania Car Insurance Costs
Pennsylvania drivers face complex insurance requirements with the state's unique choice between full tort and limited tort options, making it critical to understand what coverage actually costs before you choose your policy structure. We built this analysis to show you what you'll pay based on your location, coverage choices, and driving profile across Pennsylvania's diverse insurance markets.
We collected rate data across all available ZIP codes and cities in Pennsylvania, ensuring our analysis reflects the significant pricing differences between urban Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and rural counties where accident frequency and repair costs vary dramatically.
We used a 40-year-old driver with a clean driving record and good credit operating a 2012 Toyota Camry LE. From there, we adjusted variables to show how age, driving history, credit score, and vehicle type affect premiums across Pennsylvania's diverse communities.
We analyzed two coverage scenarios:
- Minimum Coverage: Pennsylvania's required liability limits that satisfy legal requirements but provide minimal financial protection
- Full Coverage: 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision with $1,000 deductibles, which protects both your financial liability and your vehicle itself
Why this methodology works: Pennsylvania's tort system choice affects your premiums significantly, with limited tort policies costing less but restricting your ability to sue for pain and suffering after accidents. Our analysis shows you baseline costs for standard coverage, helping you understand what you'll pay before making the tort election decision that impacts both your premiums and your legal rights after a crash.
This approach prioritizes real-world accuracy for Pennsylvania drivers navigating one of the country's more complex auto insurance systems, where ZIP code location and coverage structure choices create substantial rate variations even for identical drivers.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- Insurance Information Institute. "Background on No-Fault Auto Insurance." Accessed November 17, 2025.
- Nolo. "Pennsylvania No-Fault Car Insurance." Accessed November 17, 2025.