Cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania 2023

Illustration of a license plate with the shape of the state of Pennsylvania in the center, with text in the style of a license plate number that reads "SAV MOR"Image: Illustration of a license plate with the shape of the state of Pennsylvania in the center, with text in the style of a license plate number that reads "SAV MOR"

In a Nutshell

The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania varies based on individual factors like credit scores, driving history, vehicle, age and driving behavior. We’ve crunched the data for several types of drivers and coverage options and found some of the lowest-cost insurers for those in the Keystone State.
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Note from our editor: Maybe you’re searching for car insurance for the first time or want to do some insurance shopping to help lower your monthly premium? This article can serve as a starting point for your car insurance research. There are a lot of factors when it comes to the cost of car insurance, so while you may not see the exact premiums we’ve researched, they can give you an idea of some of the insurers offering the cheapest rates in your state.


Pennsylvanians have a lot to explore around their home state, but whether you’re rolling through Lancaster County’s Amish country or taking a drive to check out the Liberty Bell, you’ll need car insurance.

We looked at estimated car insurance rates across Pennsylvania to find the cheapest estimated premiums for several driver needs and profiles.

Several factors can affect the cost of car insurance, like your age, vehicle type, mileage, coverage options and lender requirements. Our calculations are based on a relatively neutral driver profile to help you evenly compare rates and get a broad understanding of the average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania (see our full methodology).

Unless otherwise noted, our standard driver profile has a credit score between 680 and 719, is between 36 and 45 years old, has no tickets or gaps in coverage, and drives a car valued between $20,000 and $30,000. Your rates may be different depending on your car and driving history. Read on to see what we’ve learned about the cost of car insurance for drivers with different credit scores, ages and driving records.



Cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania

Average monthly premiums for minimal car insurance coverage in Pennsylvania range from just over $37 to about $61, depending on the type of coverage and driver profile.

Average monthly auto insurance premiums in Pennsylvania

Driver or coverageAvg. monthly cost
State-minimum car insurance in Pennsylvania$37.34
Drivers with poor credit in Pennsylvania$61.36
Drivers with multiple claims in Pennsylvania$46.74
Young drivers in Pennsylvania$59.72
Based on our standard driver profile and minimum coverage unless otherwise noted

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania

Nationwide offers the cheapest car insurance for most of the Pennsylvania driver profiles we analyzed. To get a deeper look at the average cost of basic car insurance in Pennsylvania, we calculated the rates from several different insurers based on a specific Pennsylvania driver (see our full methodology for more information).

1. Nationwide

Nationwide has been providing insurance services to members since 1925. A Pennsylvania driver who fits our standard profile can get car insurance from Nationwide for as little as $13.96 per month. Nationwide also offers a wide range of coverage options, plus add-ons like roadside assistance and gap coverage. It also offers potential discounts including its SmartRide usage-based insurance program and SmartMiles, which allows drivers to pay a flexible monthly fee based on how many miles they drive.

Check out our full review of Nationwide.

2. American National P&C

Auto insurance through American National can be as little as $20.17 a month for those who fit our standard driver profile. American sells car insurance policies through its network of agents and offers several standard coverage options with a few bonuses. For example, comprehensive or collision insurance customers receive free rental insurance and up to $2,000 of reimbursement for customized equipment on their vehicle.

3. Auto-Owners Insurance

Auto-Owners Insurance also sells policies through independent agents, and our Pennsylvania driver profile could get cheap car insurance for as little as $21.56 per month. In addition to the standard full coverage car insurance options, Auto-Owners offers additional expense coverage, diminished value coverage, road trouble service and the Personal Automobile Plus Package, which includes coverage for things like identity theft protection, cellphone replacement and other expenses.

4. Atlantic States Insurance

Atlantic States Insurance, a subsidiary of Donegal Group, offers car insurance for people who fit our Pennsylvania driver profile for as low as $25.38 per month. In addition to the standard bodily injury and property damage liability coverages, Atlantic States also offers collision, comprehensive, towing and labor and rental reimbursement coverage, as well as a handful of discount options. You might think of Atlantic States as a hometown option for insurance: Donegal group was founded in 1889 in Marietta, Pennsylvania.

5. Westfield

Westfield offers car insurance for as little as $25.79 per month for those fitting our Pennsylvania driver profile. Standard coverage options are available at Westfield, as well as some extras, including roadside assistance and motorcycle, RV and camper insurance.

Cheapest state-minimum car insurance in Pennsylvania

If you want just enough coverage to hit Pennsylvania’s roads legally, state-minimum auto insurance might be the way to go. The good news is that, in general, state-minimum coverage is often the cheapest type of auto insurance. In Pennsylvania, state-minimum coverage includes $5,000 of medical benefits coverage, $5,000 of property damage liability and bodily injury liability of $15,000 for one person and $30,000 for one accident.

Here are the companies with the lowest estimated rates for drivers interested in state-minimum coverage only.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania for state-minimum coverage

1Nationwide$13.96/month
2American National P&C$20.17/month
3Auto-Owners Insurance$21.56/month
4Atlantic States Insurance$25.38/month
5Westfield$25.79/month
 Based on our standard driver profile seeking minimum coverage in Pennsylvania

Cheapest car insurance for good credit in Pennsylvania

Have good credit? Congrats — you might find better rates! That’s because credit is one factor that can affect how much you pay for car insurance.

If you’re a driver with good credit, the following companies may have the lowest estimated rates for you.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania for those with good credit

1Nationwide$11.28/month
2American National P&C$17.03/month
3Auto-Owners Insurance$19.74/month
4Westfield$21.24/month
5State Farm$21.96/month
Based on our standard driver profile, adjusted to display rates for a Pennsylvania driver with a credit score of 720 or above

Cheapest car insurance for poor credit in Pennsylvania

Your credit score is just one of many factors that insurers look at to determine your premium, along with your driving history and how many claims you’ve made. If you have a safe driving record, you may be eligible for cheap car insurance, even with less-than-stellar credit.

These five companies have the lowest estimated rates for drivers considered to have poor credit.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania for those with poor credit

1Nationwide$18.42/month
2Atlantic States Insurance$30.94/month
3American National P&C$31.17/month
4Auto-Owners Insurance$35.38/month
5USAA$37.12/month
Based on our standard driver profile, adjusted to display rates for a Pennsylvania driver with a credit score below 580

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with multiple claims in Pennsylvania

If you have made several auto insurance claims within the last few years, you may have a higher monthly premium than other drivers who haven’t. But there are still cheap car insurance options for Pennsylvania drivers with multiple claims.

We found the five cheapest car insurance companies in the Keystone State for drivers with multiple claims.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania for multiple claims

1Nationwide$13.96/month
2American National P&C$20.17/month
3Cumberland Insurance Group$28.17/month
4Erie$29.63/month
5Donegal Mutual Insurance$29.83/month
Based on our standard driver profile, adjusted to display rates for a Pennsylvania driver with two claims instead of zero claims

Cheapest car insurance for young drivers in Pennsylvania

Younger, less experienced drivers may also have to pay slightly more for their car insurance, as many companies view them as riskier to insure. But once you build up a safe driving record, you should see your premium shrink over time.

These companies have the lowest estimated rates for younger drivers between the ages of 18 and 21.

5 cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania for young drivers

1Auto-Owners Insurance$33.21/month
2American National P&C$36.00/month
3Nationwide$36.75/month
4Cumberland Insurance Group$39.08/month
5Westfield$40.04/month
Based on our standard driver profile, adjusted to display rates for Pennsylvania drivers ages 18–21 instead of 36–45

Pennsylvania auto insurance requirements

Drivers in Pennsylvania must carry the following minimum coverages: $5,000 of medical benefits coverage, $5,000 of property damage liability, and bodily injury liability of $15,000 for one person and $30,000 for one accident. A single limit of $35,000, which covers the bodily injury liability and property damage liability requirements, is also accepted.

If you have a car loan, your lender likely requires additional coverage.

Is usage-based insurance available in Pennsylvania?

Usage-based insurance is vehicle insurance that allows customers to pay premiums based on their driving behavior. Drivers in Pennsylvania can take advantage of usage-based insurance to possibly lower how much they pay a month for insurance.

FAQs about the cheapest car insurance rates in Pennsylvania

How much is car insurance per month in Pennsylvania?

The average monthly premiums for car insurance (liability only) in Pennsylvania range from about $35 to about $65, but your cost will depend on your driver profile and the type of coverage you seek. Factors like age, driving history and vehicle can also affect your monthly car insurance cost.

What is the state minimum car insurance in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania drivers must carry a minimum of $5,000 of medical benefits coverage, $5,000 of property damage, and bodily injury liability of $15,000 for one person and $30,000 for one accident.

Is Pennsylvania a no-fault state?

Pennsylvania has what’s called an “optional” or “choice” no-fault law when it comes to auto insurance. Drivers may select either a no-fault auto insurance policy or a tort liability policy.

Methodology

This article’s estimated rates are the lowest based on the profile of a driver age 36 to 45 living in Pennsylvania as of August 2022. The rates displayed assume a single driver on the insurance policy with no tickets on their driving record and no claims or coverage lapses. The vehicle used in this estimate is valued between $20,000 and $30,000 and has annual mileage of 12,000 to 15,000.

Note that the rates are provided every six months by Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant Information Services doesn’t include all insurance companies in its rate data. These are estimated rates meant only to provide a frame of reference and comparison. Your rates may vary depending on a range of factors, such as your age, vehicle driving habits and history.

The average monthly premium for state-minimum car insurance includes Pennsylvania-mandated 15/30/5 insurance policy.

Estimated rates for insurance for good credit apply to scores of 720 and above. Estimated rates for insurance for poor credit apply to scores from 350 to 579. Estimated rates for young drivers include those aged 18 to 21. Estimated rates for those with multiple claims are calculated based on two claims.


About the author: Sarah Sidlow is a freelance writer and editor based near Detroit. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Georgetown University. Sarah’s work has appeared in Luxembourg’s national newspaper, Washington City Paper… Read more.