Updated: July 29, 2026
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Penn National ranks 21st for full coverage affordability and 28th for minimum liability coverage with average monthly rates of $131 and $68, respectively.
Penn National ranks 16th nationwide for overall customer satisfaction, showing solid performance in agent service quality and positive customer reviews across industry forums.
Penn National earns eighth place for coverage options, offering unique features like accident forgiveness programs and new car replacement coverage for total losses.
Penn National ranks 23rd overall nationally, placing it outside the top tier of car insurance providers. Still, the company excels in coverage options, ranking eighth nationally, and maintains a solid customer experience with a 16th place ranking.
These figures reflect a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violations. Rankings vary based on driver profile and coverage needs.
| Overall Score | 4.12 | 23 |
| Customer Experience | 4.4 | 16 |
| Coverage | 3.83 | 8 |
| Affordability | 4.04 | 27 |
Penn National works best for adult drivers, seniors, those with accidents, and drivers with bad credit seeking affordable coverage. Young drivers and those with DUIs face steep premiums that strain most budgets.
Check out how Penn National stacks up for your unique profile.
| Overall Score | 4.28 | 16 |
Penn National premiums vary based on your profile, ranging from $158 to $1,597 per month. Your actual car insurance prices depend on your age, gender, coverage choice, credit score and driving record. MoneyGeek analyzed national rates across these categories to help you estimate your premium.
| $227 | $2,720 | -18% | 14 |
Penn National is more expensive than average for most driver types, though it's competitive for drivers with bad credit, lower incomes and some seniors. Review how affordable Penn National is for your situation below.
| Adult Drivers | $68 | $132 | 18% | 27 |
| Drivers With A DUI | $171 | $378 | 71% | 32 |
| Drivers With An Accident | $93 | $197 | 21% | 26 |
| Drivers With A Speeding Ticket | $83 | $161 | 19% | 28 |
| Drivers With Bad Credit | $100 | $213 | -9% | 18 |
| Drivers With Low Income | $63 | $133 | -10% | 16 |
| Drivers With Newer Cars | $80 | $157 | 5% | 22 |
| Drivers With Old Cars | $63 | $122 | 23% | 29 |
| Senior Drivers | $72 | $136 | -1% | 20 |
| Young Drivers | $145 | $304 | 18% | 25 |
*All profiles are modified based on a 40-year-old male driver with good credit and no driving violations, driving a 2012 Toyota Camry. Young drivers represent those aged 25 and under, adults aged 26 to 64 and seniors 65 and older. Older vehicles change the vehicle age to 2007, and newer vehicles change it to 2025.
Penn National offers eight car insurance discounts and how much you save depends on your driver profile and eligibility. Check out its offerings:
Multi-Policy/Bundle | Variable | Combining auto with homeowners insurance through Penn National | Available in all operating states |
Multi-Vehicle | Variable | Insuring multiple vehicles with Penn National | Available in all operating states |
Good Student | Variable | Students maintaining B average (3.0+ GPA) or better | Available in all operating states |
Student Away at School | Variable | Student more than 100 miles from home while at school | Available in all operating states |
Driver's Education | Variable | Completion of approved driver's education course | Available in all operating states |
Paid-in-Full | Variable | Paying premium in full rather than monthly installments | Available in all operating states |
Safety Features | Variable | Vehicle equipped with automatic seatbelts, airbags, daytime running lights, or anti-lock brakes | Available in all operating states |
Defensive Driver | Variable | Completion of approved defensive driving course | Available in all operating states |
Penn National ranks 16th in overall customer satisfaction in MoneyGeek's comprehensive customer experience study.
Customer reviews from various forums show Penn National performs well in agent service and digital platform usability, though claims processing draws more complaints than other areas.
Here’s a breakdown of the buying, policy management and claims process based on our research.
Local agents are a consistent strength, pairing competitive pricing with broad coverage options, including accident forgiveness and multiple discount programs.
As a mutual company, Penn National prioritizes policyholders over shareholders and focuses on keeping prices affordable across the Midwest and East Coast.
Penn National's Online Insurance Center (OIC) provides electronic document delivery, online bill pay and mobile app access for policy management. The Customer Contact Center is available at 800-766-2245 during business hours (8 AM to 4:30 PM).
Flexible payment options and secure online services are available, though some customers report difficulty reaching representatives during peak times.
Penn National has held Ward's Superior Rating for Personal Lines Claims Customer Experience for six consecutive years. Adjusters are assigned within 24 hours and many claims settle within a week, with customers consistently citing professional, thorough handling and real-time updates through the claims portal.
Some customers report delays in adjuster communication and frustrations with property inspections that can result in policy cancellations.
Penn National holds strong financial strength ratings across all industry rating agencies, but finishes average or below average in most J.D. Power studies. Industry scores are listed below.
AM Best Financial Strength | A (Excellent) | A++ to D- | Excellent ability to meet financial obligations (upgraded from A- in October 2023) |
AM Best Long-Term Credit Standing | a | aaa to d | Good credit quality (upgraded from a- in October 2023) |
S&P Global Financial Strength | NR (Not Rated) | AAA to D | No S&P Global rating available for this regional insurer |
Moody's Financial Strength | A2* | Aaa to C | Upper-medium grade financial strength (reported by third-party sources) |
J.D. Power Auto Claims Satisfaction | NR (Not Rated) | 1,000-point scale | Not included in J.D. Power national studies (regional insurer) |
J.D. Power Digital Service Experience | NR (Not Rated) | 1,000-point scale | Not included in J.D. Power national studies (regional insurer) |
J.D. Power Auto Insurance Shopping Study | NR (Not Rated) | 1,000-point scale | Not included in J.D. Power national studies (regional insurer) |
J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction | NR (Not Rated) | 1,000-point scale | Not included in J.D. Power national studies (regional insurer) |
NAIC Auto Complaints | Above Average* | 1.00 is average | averageMore complaints than expected for its size (above industry average) |
Forum feedback about Penn National is mixed. Customers praise affordable rates, but several posts report claim delays and unexpected policy cancellations after filing. State insurance department data puts its complaint ratio above the industry average.
Here's what real customers are saying about their experiences on forums:
General customer sentiment shows initial attraction to Penn National's competitive rates, but long-term value concerns emerge:
"Great rates, solid website, agent is terrific, coverage goes above and beyond with accident forgiveness and deductible waived on many things. Bundled with home and umbrella."
"The company had fair prices and good claims service. However, they cancelled me after a claim. They paid it, but cancelled me."
"I also got a good quote for Penn National from an independent agent. I bought home owners and auto insurance. The price was $395 lower for the whole package compared to Cincinnati Insurance, my previous insurer."
Most customers report mixed experiences with claims handling, ranging from excellent service to major delays and disputes:
"This company is a complete joke. Almost 3 weeks ago I was involved in an accident where a policy holder of Penn National backed into me and damaged my car. It has been almost 3 weeks now and despite multiple calls and emails the adjuster assigned to the case has done absolutely nothing to set up a damage assessment and get my car fixed."
"It was later discovered that Penn National is attempting to fix my vehicle at a cheaper rate, with cheaper parts, and is not following the guidelines of my car's manufacturing company for repairs. It is two months later and I still do not have my vehicle and repairs have not begun because Penn National is refusing to agree with the collision shop's repair plan although their insured is at fault."
"The two Penn National adjusters were very professional. An adjuster was there in two days and the claim was settled with a payment check within the week."
Agent service quality varies, with positive experiences more often tied to independent agents than to corporate representatives. Three customers describe the range:
"I recently had my very first commercial building claim with Penn National, and I couldn't be more impressed with how they handled it. From the very beginning, the process was smooth and professional."
"They have the worst customer service ever it's been over a month since my car was totaled I was dealing with USAA to take care of my car and they took my car from the USAA body shop because they didn't want pay storage fees."
"Getting through to Penn National feels like a full-time job. Different reps tell you different things, nobody returns calls, and when they answer, they act like you're bothering them."
Penn National's online platform receives mixed reviews. Basic functionality earns praise, but customers note limitations when claims issues arise. Two customers describe the experience:
"Penn National's app and website work great for paying bills and checking your policy, but good luck using them when there's a problem with your claim."
"The carrier provides plenty of details for customers. The company offers several modern customer service options, such as 24/7 claims reporting, online bill pay, and find an agent features."
The most concerning pattern involves policy cancellations after claims, creating trust issues among long-term customers:
"My parents had Penn National for 20+ years. They filed a claim about 5 years ago for less than 5k. In summer 2022, they had a hail storm that left some roof damage. Penn National paid a claim for $3500. They received a letter at the end of January 2023 stating their insurance would be terminated at the end of February 2023. Reason? The damaged roof and gutters, ALL which were repaired with the issued check."
"Penn National is one of the worst! Don't use them! They issued us a policy on our home but required a walk-through/appraisal type inspection of the home. They came back and said they needed safety listings for the wood stove that we have. They claim that the wood stove isn't installed to required clearances. It is absolutely installed in compliance with state building codes and manufacturer specifications."
"Penn National fights you on everything. It'll change its tune real quick when the state insurance department gets involved, which tells you everything you need to know."
Customers generally appreciate the breadth of coverage options available, though understanding policy details can be challenging:
"Great rates, extra coverage offered that a lot of other companies don't have, flexible and courteous customer service and an outstanding agent!"
"Penn National offers all the bells and whistles you'd want in coverage options, but what's the point if it'll find every excuse not to pay when you need it?"
Negative reviews dominate forums and don't reflect overall service quality. For a complete picture, combine user reviews with industry resources like J.D. Power, independent agents, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the Insurance Information Institute.
Penn National provides standard coverages like other top insurers, including liability, comprehensive and collision protection. The company also offers these additional add-ons:
Auto PennPac® | Comprehensive package including pet coverage, death benefit, seat belt and restraint benefit | Affordable bundle for extra peace-of-mind protection |
Towing and Labor | Pays for towing when disabled and labor performed at the disablement site up to the limit | Generally inexpensive; included with Collision/Comprehensive in PennPac |
Travel Interruption | Covers additional expenses when vehicle is disabled during travel | Included with Collision/Comprehensive coverage in PennPac |
Locksmith Services | Covers locksmith costs when locked out of vehicle | Included with Collision/Comprehensive coverage in PennPac |
Airbag Replacement | Covers the cost of airbag replacement after deployment | Included with Collision/Comprehensive coverage in PennPac |
Personal Effects Coverage | Covers personal belongings damaged or stolen from your vehicle | Included with Collision/Comprehensive coverage in PennPac |
Non-Owned Trailer Coverage | Extends coverage to trailers you don't own but are using | Included with Collision/Comprehensive coverage in PennPac |
Sound Equipment Coverage | Covers aftermarket sound equipment and electronics in your vehicle | Included with Collision/Comprehensive coverage in PennPac |
Deductible Waivers | Waives deductible in certain covered situations | Includes windshield repair waiver; included in PennPac |
Auto Loan/Lease Coverage (GAP) | Covers difference between what you owe and what insurance pays if car is totaled | Essential protection for financed or leased vehicles |
Replacement Cost Auto Coverage | Pays for damage without depreciation for vehicles purchased within last 30 days | New vehicle protection; only pay deductible for covered losses |
Rental Reimbursement | Pays for rental car expenses while your vehicle is being repaired | Can be eliminated to lower premiums if you have other vehicles |
Here are other insurance types you can bundle with auto coverage or buy separately:
Who Offers It? | Insurance Products |
|---|---|
Penn National (Directly Offered) | Auto (personal and commercial), homeowners, condominium, business (business owner's policy, commercial property, general liability, workers' compensation, umbrella), personal umbrella |
Third-Party Partner | Partners Mutual Insurance Company (affiliated since 2012) provides personal auto, homeowners, commercial auto and workers' compensation insurance in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin |
Penn National excels in affordability, customer experience and coverage, earning the 20th spot for full coverage and 24th for minimum coverage overall.
It’s always a good idea to compare policy rates, do your own research, and decide on coverage needs before buying.
Below are MoneyGeek's expert answers to frequently asked questions about Penn National car insurance:
Yes, Penn National is a legitimate car insurance company that secured 23rd place in our comprehensive car insurance provider rankings. The insurer particularly excels in coverage options, where it earned an impressive 8th place ranking among all providers we evaluated.
In states where it operates, Penn National isn't the best overall option, but it's consistently in the top 10.
Penn National's average annual premium is $800 for minimum coverage and $1,539 for full coverage. Rates range from $561 to $6,614 per year for minimum coverage and $1,155 to $15,964 per year for full coverage.
Customers have shared criticism for claim denials, with policyholders reporting rejected claims for legitimate damages and long processing delays. Still, comprehensive data on these practices is limited and comes mostly from individual forum reviews.
Note: This represents limited information based primarily on forum reviews.
It isn't a good option for drivers with a DUI, ranking 32nd overall for affordability with high monthly premiums.
Yes, Penn National raises rates over time due to inflation impacting repair and medical expenses, plus increased claims from distracted driving and severe weather events. Rate adjustments also reflect updated risk assessments, regulatory changes, and individual factors like credit score modifications.
No, Penn National isn't the best choice, ranking 25th for overall affordability with monthly premiums averaging $304.
MoneyGeek pulled auto insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services and compared prices from 79 insurers in every U.S. ZIP code.
Standard Driver Profile Used for Analysis
Our baseline is a 40-year-old male driving a 2012 Toyota Camry LE with a clean record, good credit, 12,000 miles a year, a valid license and no prior claims. We adjusted age, driving record, credit score and military status to identify the best rates for different driver categories.
Minimum coverage rates meet state-required minimums. Full coverage uses $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 liability limits with comprehensive and collision coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
Specific variables, including age, driving record, credit score and military status, were then modified to determine which insurers offer the best rates for different driver categories. Minimum coverage rates represent policies meeting state-required minimums. Full coverage includes 100/300/100 liability limits plus comprehensive and collision coverage with $1,000 deductibles.
Company Rating System
MoneyGeek's evaluation process weights three factors: cost (60%), customer satisfaction (30%) and coverage variety (10%). Cost is measured through quote comparisons across multiple driver profiles per city against local competitors. Customer satisfaction draws on Google reviews, J.D. Power ratings, AM Best scores and Reddit forums to assess service quality and claims experience. Coverage variety reflects the breadth of available policies and any features not commonly offered by competitors.
Mark Fitzpatrick, a licensed Property and Casualty (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident expert in insurance and economics. He has spent nearly a decade covering the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he analyzes hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
His work has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR. He draws on independent cost and consumer experience data, and no insurance company partnerships affect his recommendations.
Mark studied at Boston College before earning a master's in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University. Before MoneyGeek, he worked in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.
