Pennsylvania Car Insurance

Whether you’re new to the state and binding an auto insurance policy for the first time or a seasoned resident looking for cheap Pennsylvania car insurance, there are a few things you’ll need to know while you search for the best policy for your needs.

Firstly, you’ll want to determine what you value most in a car insurance policy: cost or coverage. If you value coverage over cost, you’ll want to focus your search on the insurer with the widest variety of additional coverages to add to your policy. If you value cost over coverage, you’ll want to focus on the insurer that offers the lowest base rates with the most opportunities for discounts on your premiums.

Cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania isn’t too hard to come by, considering the average full coverage policy in the state costs about $1,660 annually. Since the national average cost of a full coverage policy is $1,670 annually, Pennsylvanians typically don’t pay higher-than-average premiums.

If an annual premium of $1,660 gives you sticker shock, don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to find a policy at a less-than-average cost. For example, many drivers carry the minimum required auto insurance to keep their premiums low. While having minimum coverage may reduce your rates by up to 50%, it may not be the wisest way to lower your premiums. Here at Clovered, we always recommend carrying a full coverage policy because we feel it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Another great way to lower your premiums is by finding an insurer that offers many discounts. Many insurers offer telematics programs in which drivers can enroll for a discount if they practice safe driving habits or for driving less than the average 12,000 miles annually. These programs track and collect your driving data and use it to determine your premiums. However, some insurers may use telematics programs to raise your premiums if you make risky decisions behind the wheel.

If you don’t want to enroll in a telematics program, many insurers offer standard discounts for those who meet a set of criteria. For example, if you bundle multiple policies with your insurer or insure multiple cars on the same policy, many insurers will offer a bundling discount.

If you insure a student who does well in school, they may be eligible for a good student discount. If you’re a veteran, your insurer may offer a military discount. Many insurers also offer discounts for those with safety features on their vehicle.

Some of the cheapest Pennsylvania auto insurance companies are State Farm and Travelers, with full coverage policies costing, on average, about $970 and $1,150 annually, respectively. Each of these insurance companies offers base rates far below average, with the possibility of several discounts to be added to your policy. These companies have some of the best rates in the state and offer excellent optional coverage options to add to your full coverage policy.

The best Pennsylvania car insurance will vary from person to person because an auto insurance policy is subjective to the policyholder’s needs. Considering your individual needs is essential when it comes to finding the best auto insurance policy for you. 

Determining whether you value coverage or cost more is crucial to narrow your search for the best policy. While some things you can’t change may cause your premiums to be higher, such as your age, gender, ZIP code, or some other factors, others may qualify you for discounts with some insurers but not others.

Insurers often offer different optional coverage options, so it’s essential to do some digging on the insurers in your area to see if they have the coverages that best protect your vehicle.

While many car insurance companies in Pennsylvania offer great rates and coverage options, some stand out from the rest. State Farm, Travelers, Geico, Nationwide, and Progressive are some of the best insurers in the state.

When searching for your auto insurance policy, getting and comparing quotes from these insurers is a good idea. Each offers low base rates with plenty of opportunities for discounts and a wide variety of additional coverage options. 

We certainly have our favorite insurers in the Keystone State, but you must do your own research because only you know what’s best for you and your vehicle. 

Pennsylvania insurance requirements require all drivers with cars registered in the state to have a minimum amount of auto insurance. The laws in the Keystone State mandate drivers must have a minimum amount of liability coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) on their policies. Drivers must also select a full or limited tort option on their policies.

The tort option on policies in the Keystone State is unique and lets drivers opt in or out of the state’s no-fault system. Drivers who select a full tort option opt out of the no-fault system and rely on liability coverage from other drivers on the road to cover their medical expenses if they’re a victim in an accident. Drivers who select a limited tort option opt into the no-fault system and default to their first-party medical benefits (FPMB) if injured in an accident, regardless of who’s at fault.

Failure to carry adequate coverage may result in fines, license suspension, or even registration suspension.

The auto insurance requirements in Pennsylvania mandate all drivers with cars registered in the state have liability coverage and PIP. All drivers must have at least $15,000 of bodily injury liability per person, $30,000 of bodily injury liability per accident, $5,000 of property damage liability per accident, and $5,000 of PIP coverage (15/30/5). Drivers must also select either a full or limited tort option on their policies.

If you lease or finance your vehicle, your lender or leaser may require you to have comprehensive coverage and collision coverage on your policy.

All drivers in the Keystone State are required to have, at minimum, 15/30/5 liability coverage. Drivers may carry this minimum liability coverage limit and be considered adequately insured under the law. However, many drivers may feel this liability coverage limit is insufficient.

Liability coverage is used to help cover the medical expenses accrued by the accident victim if the policyholder caused the accident. Once the policyholder’s liability limit is reached, they must pay the remaining owed medical expenses from their own pocket. 

If you’ve ever been to a hospital in America, you know expenses may easily exceed $15,000 or even $30,000. Here at Clovered, we highly recommend raising your liability limit above what’s legally required by state law. It’s crucial to do what’s best for you and your finances, but the short-term expense of a higher premium for a higher liability limit is often a good investment.

All drivers are required to carry at least $5,000 of PIP coverage in Pennsylvania. PIP coverage is a first-party medical benefit (FPMB), meaning it directly covers the policyholder’s medical expenses. PIP covers a vast array of medical expenses related to injuries from a car accident, including:

While PIP is often referred to as no-fault coverage, all drivers must carry the minimum required amount of this coverage regardless of whether they opt in or out of the state’s no-fault system. Those who select a limited tort option, or opt into the no-fault system, can select a PIP limit of up to $100,000. 

The required PIP limit in the state is comparatively low, especially considering the cost of hospital visits in America. Here at Clovered, we highly recommend carrying a higher PIP limit than the law requires. PIP is an incredibly expansive coverage that protects you directly, so it may be in your best interest to carry more than the minimum amount on your policy.

In Pennsylvania, the minimum car insurance coverage required by law is 15/30/5 liability coverage and $5,000 of PIP coverage. Drivers must also select between a limited or full tort option on their policies, which opts policyholders into or out of the state’s no-fault system and restricts the policyholder’s ability to sue other drivers for non-monetary losses. 

Pennsylvania’s car insurance laws are minimal compared to other states. Carrying the minimum amount of car insurance required in the state will protect you legally but only offer minimal financial protection. Here at Clovered, we highly recommend drivers carry a full-coverage policy over a policy with minimal coverage. Full coverage policies offer a vast array of options to protect yourself based on your individual needs.

In Pennsylvania, a full coverage policy is any policy with a higher liability limit than 15/30/5, more than $5,000 in PIP, and any additional coverages added on. Many drivers with full coverage policies will opt to carry about 50/100/50 liability coverage, about $50,000 of PIP coverage, and several additional coverages.

Some of the most popular additional coverages drivers carry on their full coverage policies are collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, medical payments coverage (MedPay), and uninsured motorist coverage (UM).

In Pennsylvania, uninsured motorist coverage (UM) isn’t legally required, but it is recommended. While the Keystone State has a low population of uninsured drivers (only about 6%), it’s one of the most populous states in the nation, which makes your chances of getting into an accident with an uninsured driver higher than in other states. 

UM coverage acts similarly to liability coverage, meaning it offers bodily injury and property damage coverage. However, instead of extending to the other party involved in the accident as with liability coverage, it covers the policyholder’s medical expenses and repairs. This means carrying UM coverage is in your best interest as the policyholder. 

In Pennsylvania, underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) acts the same as uninsured motorist coverage (UM). If a driver is legally underinsured, meaning they have some insurance but lack sufficient insurance in the eyes of the law, they’re considered uninsured. In Pennsylvania and many other states, UIM is lumped in with UM coverage and will often appear on your policy as UM/UIM coverage.

Before binding a Pennsylvania auto insurance plan, you must determine what you value more: cost or coverage. Determining what you value in an insurance policy will help guide your search for the best insurer in the state that offers what you need from a policy.

Once you determine what you value in a policy, it’s time to hunt for the most suitable insurer. If you value coverage, you’ll want to narrow your search to companies offering a wide variety of coverage types you can add to your policy to tailor it to your needs. If you value cost, you’ll want to narrow your search to the insurer with the cheapest base rates in the state and various opportunities to add discounts to your policy.

Lastly, once you know what you value in a car insurance policy and have a few insurers in mind, it’s time to get and compare quotes.

Getting and comparing quotes from insurers in Pennsylvania is the best way to determine what policy is the best fit for your needs. Look no further; you’ve come to the best place to get quotes.

Here at Clovered, we offer a free quoting tool you can use to get and compare quotes from the best insurers in the state in minutes. If you have any questions about your quote, you can call us at 833-255-4117 or email us at [email protected], and one of our agents will be happy to help you.