If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania, shopping around is key. Prices for the exact same policy can swing dramatically from one insurer to the next, so it pays to compare as many quotes as possible.
To make things easier, NerdWallet has done the comparing for you. We researched average prices from the state’s nine largest insurers and found the three cheapest car insurance options for the following motorist types:
- Good drivers
- Young drivers
- Families with a teen driver
- Drivers with poor credit
- Drivers with one at-fault accident
- Retired drivers
Cheapest for good drivers
For drivers with no at-fault accidents, DUIs or moving violations; range of average prices: $740 to $2,359
price
- $740/year
price
- $796/year
price
- $923/year
Pennsylvania is one of the cheaper states for car insurance nationwide. Among the three most affordable insurers for safe drivers, the average quote was $820 per year. USAA notched the lowest estimate; however only retired or active military and their family members qualify. For non-military shoppers, Erie was only about $4 a month higher. Geico, although more expensive, has a much larger service area than the regional Erie, and could be the best fit for drivers who tend to move around.
Cheapest for young drivers
For drivers in their early 20s; range of average prices: $291 to $1,575
price
- $291/year
price
- $373/year
price
- $477/year
Drivers in their early 20s, given their often reduced coverage needs compared with older motorists, can get remarkably cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania. For those who qualify, the military-affiliated USAA offered the best rates in our test. Ultimately, it’s hard for young drivers to go wrong with any of three cheapest companies; each scored average quotes under $40 a month.
Cheapest for families with a teen driver
For middle-aged couples with one teen driver; range of average prices: $940 to $9,444
price
- $940/year
price
- $1,240/year
price
- $2,280/year
Teens’ inexperience behind the wheel makes them a high accident risk, which explains why insurers tend to raise premiums when first-time drivers are added. That said, Pennsylvania families with a teen motorist can actually still find relatively affordable rates. USAA and Erie scored similar average quotes: between $80 and $100 a month, roughly. Prices increased significantly with Liberty Mutual, however, and with quotes nearing $10,000 a year on the high end of our study, shopping around remains crucial.
Cheapest for drivers with poor credit
For drivers placed in the lowest credit tier as determined by the industry; range of average prices: $740 to $2,506
price
- $740/year
price
- $944/year
price
- $1,363/year
Insurers might use your credit rating to help determine your premium when you buy a policy. Fortunately, Pennsylvania drivers with poor credit still have decent options available. USAA had the lowest average quote at $740 a year — identical to its estimate for good drivers with no credit issues. For motorists who don’t qualify for the military-affiliated USAA, Nationwide had the next most competitive estimate at $944 a year.
Cheapest for drivers with one at-fault accident
Range of average prices: $906 to $3,522
price
- $906/year
price
- $1,076/year
price
- $1,107/year
Our research found similar average quotes among the three cheapest insurers for this category — only about $15 a month difference from low to high. Yet shopping around is still important. Estimates topped out at around $3,500, meaning drivers with a blemish on their record can get burned with sky-high rates if they’re not careful.
Cheapest for retired drivers
For drivers in their mid- to late 60s who no longer use their car for commuting; range of average prices: $624 to $2,158
price
- $624/year
price
- $637/year
price
- $800/year
Given their reduced annual mileage, retired drivers can find very cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania. USAA and Erie had nearly identical average quotes, only about $1 a month difference between them. State Farm was a bit more but has a larger service area, meaning customers could likely stick with the company even if they move states.
Minimum car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania
Drivers in the Keystone State are required to at least carry liability insurance and medical payments coverage in the following amounts:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
- $5,000 medical payments coverage
While this will be enough to drive legally, experts suggest getting more than the bare minimum. You may also want added protection from supplementary options such as collision, comprehensive and uninsured motorist coverage.
Check out NerdWallet’s guide to state car insurance requirements for more information on coverages you might want on your Pennsylvania auto policy.
Alternative car insurance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanians with checkered driving histories, extremely poor credit or other factors preventing them from buying traditional car insurance may qualify for coverage through the Pennsylvania Assigned Auto Insurance Risk Program.
Or, instead of buying auto insurance at all, residents have the option to pay a cash deposit of $35,000 to the state. Because going this route would leave drivers vulnerable to future car accidents and crash-related lawsuits, most will find it simpler and less costly to purchase car insurance.
NerdWallet can help make it easy to secure coverage at the most competitive price. Use our car insurance comparison tool to view estimates from top Pennsylvania insurers and possibly save hundreds.
METHODOLOGY
For most categories, NerdWallet averaged rates from the largest insurers for 30-year-old men and women in 10 ZIP codes and with 100/300/50 liability insurance limits, 100/300 uninsured motorist coverage limits and $5,000 medical payments coverage. We used a 2012 Toyota Camry in all cases.
To test rates for families with teen drivers, we requested quotes for a 46-year-old female and 47-year-old male with a 16-year-old son. Our sample retired driver was 67 and drove 50% fewer annual miles than other groups. Our sample young driver was 22 and carried the minimum required coverage. These are sample rates — your own rates will differ.
Alex Glenn is a staff writer for NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: aglenn@nerdwallet.com.
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