The Best Cheap Pennsylvania Car Insurance for 2024

All Pennsylvania drivers need car insurance, according to state law. It can easily cost thousands of dollars per year, but smart drivers can cut this expense by focusing their search on the best car insurance in Pennsylvania. Here's a look at some of the top insurers to consider as well as some key laws and statistics drivers in the state need to know about.

• Cheapest for typical drivers: Nationwide
• Cheapest for drivers with a prior accident: State Farm
• Cheapest for drivers with a prior speeding ticket: USAA
• Cheapest for senior drivers: Nationwide
• Cheapest for drivers looking for minimum coverage: USAA

Cheapest for typical drivers

If you've ever wondered, "How much is car insurance in Pennsylvania?" the answer is different for every driver. For example, Nationwide drivers only pay about $1,173 on average. This is based on the profiles of a 35-year-old male driver and 35-year-old female driver with a clean driving record.

Other companies that offer affordable car insurance in Pennsylvania to most drivers include:

• USAA, which has an average annual premium of $1,415 for males and females
• State Farm, which has an average premium of $1,497 per year for our two profiles

Cheapest for drivers with a prior accident

State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania for drivers who have a single accident on their driving record. Its average annual premium is $1,727 per year, far below the state average of $2,927 per year.

Other states with competitive car insurance quotes in Pennsylvania for these drivers are:

• Nationwide, which has an average annual premium of $1,931
• American Select, which has an average premium of $2,031 per year for drivers with one accident

Cheapest for drivers with prior speeding tickets

USAA stood out for drivers with a single speeding ticket on their record. Those who are eligible for USAA coverage (military members and their families) with a speeding ticket only pay $1,581 per year for Pennsylvania auto insurance.

Close behind were the following two companies:

• State Farm has an average annual premium of $1,599 for drivers with one speeding ticket
• Atlantic States offers an average annual premium of $1,664 for these drivers

Cheapest for senior drivers

At $952, senior drivers can score a great rate on Pennsylvania auto insurance with Nationwide.

Older drivers looking for low-cost car insurance may also want to check out the following companies:

• Atlantic States, which has an average annual premium of $1,232 per year for 65-year-old drivers
• USAA, which charges 65-year-old drivers around $1,284 on average

Cheapest for drivers looking for minimum coverage

Pennsylvania minimum car insurance with USAA carries an average annual premium of $361.

Other companies that offer the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania include:

• Atlantic States, which has an average cost of $377 per year
• Nationwide, which charges drivers about $400 per year for minimum coverage

Average car insurance cost in Pennsylvania compared to the national average

Pennsylvania auto insurance rates average $2,816, almost exactly in line with the national average of $2,875. But actual car insurance rates vary widely depending on the driver, vehicle, and location within the state. Try some of the tips below to score the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania auto insurance laws

Here are some Pennsylvania car insurance laws drivers should be aware of.

Pennsylvania is a no-fault state

In no-fault auto insurance states, each driver carries personal injury protection (PIP). They use this to cover their own medical expenses following an accident, regardless of which driver caused the accident. This is different from at-fault states, where the driver who caused the accident pays for all related medical bills.

Pennsylvania is one of only three choice no-fault states, which means drivers can opt out of the no-fault coverage. This removes any restrictions on their ability to sue the other driver for medical expenses. But it makes insurance more expensive. If they don't opt out, drivers can only sue if the other driver caused serious impairment, disability, or death.

Consequences for driving without insurance

Pennsylvania drivers who operate a motor vehicle without insurance could face the following penalties:

• A fine of at least $300
• A three-month suspension of their driver's license and vehicle registration
• Vehicle impoundment

Pennsylvania minimum coverage requirements

Even the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania must include the following coverage:

Bodily injury liability

This pays for another person's medical expenses if the policyholder is found liable for injuring them with their vehicle. Drivers must have at least:

• $15,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per person
• $30,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident

Property damage liability

This pays for any damages the policyholder causes to property if they're liable for the accident. Drivers must have at least $5,000 of this type of car insurance coverage.

Medical benefits

Medical benefits, also known as personal injury protection (PIP), pay for the policyholder's medical bills following an accident. All drivers must have at least $5,000 of this coverage.

How to get cheap auto insurance in Pennsylvania

Whether you're trying to score cheap liability car insurance in Pennsylvania or find the best all-around coverage, these tips can help drivers from all backgrounds get a great rate.

• Compare quotes: Get quotes from several of the best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania to see what each can offer. All insurers weigh each application differently, so getting multiple car insurance quotes is the only way to know which can offer the best deal.
• Take advantage of discounts: Each Pennsylvania auto insurance provider has its own slate of discounts on car insurance to help drivers save. Some are automatically applied while others require the driver to opt in. For example, some companies give drivers a discount if they're willing to install a monitoring device in their cars.
• Raise your auto insurance deductible: Raising your insurance deductible brings higher out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim, but it can also lead to lower premiums.

Other things to consider when looking for car insurance in Pennsylvania

Here are a few things drivers should consider when shopping for Pennsylvania auto insurance.

Pennsylvania's minimum coverage is fairly low

Pennsylvania's minimum coverage, listed above, is lower than what many other states require. It may be enough to cover expenses in a minor accident, but it probably won't be sufficient in an accident involving a major injury or extensive property damage.

It's usually wise to purchase more than the minimum coverage whenever possible. It will bring higher monthly costs, but it can also help you avoid a financial disaster should you be found liable for a serious accident.

Deer-vehicle collisions are common in Pennsylvania

Approximately 1 in 51 drivers had a run-in with a deer in Pennsylvania in 2020, according to the Insurance Information Institute. That's the third-most in the nation. You may think your regular Pennsylvania auto insurance would protect you in this scenario, but that's not true.

Drivers need to add comprehensive coverage to their policies if they want their insurer to cover animal-vehicle collisions. Lenders often require this coverage, along with collision coverage, for drivers who have leases or loans on their vehicles.