Average Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania for 2024

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

• 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

How 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.  
  

FAQs about car insurance costs in PA