High-Risk Car Insurance in Pennsylvania

High-risk drivers in Pennsylvania will find Travelers offers the most affordable full coverage rates across multiple violation categories. The company provides competitive pricing regardless of violation type.

For nationwide coverage options, explore our guide to affordable high-risk car insurance in the U.S.

Pennsylvania drivers with a DUI pay rates ranging from $95 per month with Travelers for full coverage to as high as $650 from other insurers. A DUI ranks among the most serious violations and stays on your record for 10 years, though most insurers consider it for rate calculations for three to five years.

For reducing your premiums, check our car insurance after a DUI guide.

Pennsylvania drivers with speeding tickets find rates ranging from $82 per month through Travelers to as high as $317 from other insurers for full coverage. Your actual rate increase depends on how much you exceeded the speed limit and whether it's a first offense or a repeat violation. Speeding tickets remain on your driving record for three years in the state.

Pennsylvania drivers with at-fault accidents find full coverage rates ranging from $76 per month through Nationwide to as high as $384 from other insurers. Companies increase premiums because at-fault accidents signal you're more likely to file future claims, with steeper increases when the accident involved injuries or significant property damage. These accidents remain on your driving record for three to five years.

Pennsylvania drivers with a distracted driving violation can find affordable full coverage through Travelers at $68 per month, while other insurers charge up to $317. The state prohibits handheld cellphone use while driving, with violations resulting in fines starting at $50. Though distracted driving is less serious than DUI or reckless driving offenses, it still raises your insurance premiums.

Pennsylvania drivers with violations pay much higher premiums than those with clean records. At-fault accidents increase full coverage rates by 22% ($27 more per month). A DUI raises costs by 104% ($126 per month), making it the most expensive violation. The following table shows how each violation affects your rates compared to clean driving records, and you can use the filter to switch between full coverage and minimum liability costs.

For clean-record rates, see our average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania guide.

High-risk drivers pay more, but rates vary enough between insurers that comparing quotes makes a real difference. This page covers what triggers a high-risk classification, which providers are cheapest and what to do if you're denied.

Our guide to getting cheap car insurance after a bad driving record covers additional strategies.

Insurers classify you as high risk for DUI or DWI convictions, moving violations or at-fault accidents, a suspended or revoked license, limited driving experience, poor credit or coverage lapses, high-performance vehicles or racing history, multiple claims or reckless or aggressive driving citations.

Drivers over 65 may also pay higher premiums.

Pennsylvania insurers can reject high-risk applications. Drivers who can't get voluntary market coverage, or who can't find rates below the assigned risk rate, can get coverage through the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan (PA ARP). You must certify your inability to find coverage within the past 60 days.

*Apply through a licensed Pennsylvania insurance agent certified by PA ARP rather than contacting AIPSO directly.

Pennsylvania doesn't offer a low-cost auto insurance program for income-eligible drivers. High-risk drivers who've been rejected by voluntary market insurers can access coverage through the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan (PA ARP), which provides state-required minimum liability coverage at regulated rates 50% to 100% higher than voluntary market policies.

Pennsylvania has no dedicated low-cost program for income-eligible residents. Drivers qualify for PA ARP if they certify they've failed to find coverage in the voluntary market or can't find rates lower than PA ARP rates within the past 60 days.

Pennsylvania doesn't require SR-22 insurance. The state uses a financial responsibility system verified through premium payments.

The Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan serves high-risk drivers unable to obtain coverage in the voluntary market. Established under Subchapter D of Chapter 17, Title 75 of Pennsylvania's Vehicle Code, PA ARP assigns drivers proportionally to participating insurers based on each company's market share. All licensed Pennsylvania auto insurers must participate.

PA ARP is administered by AIPSO and governed by a plan of operation approved by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner. Good Driver provisions apply, potentially reducing rates for qualifying drivers.

After certifying inability to find voluntary market coverage within the past 60 days, drivers apply through licensed Pennsylvania insurance agents certified by PA ARP. Applications go into a residual pool, and drivers are randomly assigned to insurers based on quota shares reflecting each company's Pennsylvania market presence. The assigned insurer must provide coverage for at least three years.

PA ARP rates run 50% to 100% higher than comparable voluntary market policies. A driver paying $95 monthly for state minimum liability coverage in the voluntary market might pay $145 to $190 monthly through PA ARP. Good Driver provisions can reduce rates for drivers with clean records meeting specific criteria.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department regulates PA ARP rates and operations.

For Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan (PA ARP):

1. Try to get coverage in the voluntary market and document your inability to find coverage or competitive rates within the past 60 days.
2. Contact a licensed Pennsylvania agent certified by PA ARP.
3. Submit your application through the certified agent with your driver's license and vehicle details.
4. Once processed, you'll be assigned to a participating insurer based on market share.
5. Your assigned insurer must cover you for at least three years.

Travelers is the most affordable high-risk insurer in Pennsylvania. Full coverage is $68 a month for distracted driving violations and $95 for DUIs. Drivers rejected by multiple standard insurers can get coverage through PA ARP.

When your record improves, cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania covers standard-market options for your updated profile.

We calculated average rates using full coverage policies featuring 100/300/100 liability insurance plus comprehensive and collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible. State minimum rates were based on Pennsylvania's required 15/30/5 liability coverage.

Our standard profile is a 35-year-old male with good credit, 12,000 miles driven annually and one violation, like a DUI, speeding ticket, at-fault accident or distracted driving. We analyzed rates from major carriers by violation type to identify the most affordable options for high-risk drivers. Full coverage and minimum coverage filters are available for comparison.