When looking for the best car insurance in Pennsylvania, Reviews.com considered more than a dozen different carriers. We analyzed factors such as each company’s average premiums, customer satisfaction, coverage options, discounts, financial strength and more. Drivers in the state have plenty of good options available to them, and the best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania offer exceptional service at an affordable price.
The 4 Best Car Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
To find the best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania, Reviews.com analyzed average premiums, coverage options, discounts, financial strength, policy features, customer satisfaction, and more. We found that the following four companies sell some of the best car insurance in the Keystone State:
- USAA: Best for Military-Centric Options
- Erie: Best for Steady Rates
- Geico: Best for Low Rates
- State Farm: Best for Customer Satisfaction
Compare the Best Car Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
The carriers we chose to feature here are based on our unique methodology process. We used 2021 data from Bankrate.com for the average premium of each company, as well as AM Best financial strength rating and J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores. Because companies are
| Average Annual Minimum Coverage Premium* | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* | AM Best Financial Strength Rating AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin USAA | $290 | $1,126 | A++ | 896** | |
| Pin Erie | $293 | $1,079 | A+ | 856 | |
| Pin Geico | $267 | $916 | A++ | 835 | |
| Pin State Farm | $294 | $1,143 | A++ | 851 |
Information accurate as of January 2022
* Premium data provided by Bankrate.com
**J.D. Power 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study rating for the Mid-Atlantic region. Based on a 1,000-point scale. USAA not officially rated due to eligibility restrictions.
USAA
Best for Military-Centric Options
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Coverages and discounts are uniquely tailored to military families
- Excellent customer satisfaction
- Superior financial strength
Cons
- Only available to military members and some family members
- Few physical locations
- Fewer discounts than other carriers
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Homeowners
- Antique auto
- Boat
- Aviation
- Life
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Family discount
- Length of membership
- Military installation
- Good student
- New vehicle
Erie
Best for Steady Rates
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Erie Rate Lock
- High customer satisfaction score from J.D. Power
- Numerous perks offered in standard coverage
Cons
- Lack of digital tools
- Lower financial strength than some other carriers
- Higher-than-average overall NAIC complaint index
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Motorcycle
- Recreational vehicle
- Homeowners
- Mobile home
- Flood
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Reduced usage
- Young drivers
- Annual payment plan
- Safe driving
- Car safety equipment
Geico
Best for Low Rates
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Lower-than-average premiums
- Numerous discounts
- Superior financial strength
Cons
- Few local agents available
- Fewer endorsements than other carriers
- Higher-than-average overall NAIC complaint index
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Homeowners
- Renters
- Motorcycle/ATV
- Boat
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Emergency deployment
- Membership & employee
- Military
- New vehicle
- Defensive driving
State Farm
Best for Customer Satisfaction
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Superior financial strength according to AM Best
- Local agents available
- High J.D. Power customer satisfaction
Cons
- Higher average rates than the other companies listed
- Fewer endorsements than competitors
- No annual policy option for auto coverage
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Condo
- Farm and ranch
- Life
- Off-road vehicles
- Motorhome
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Drive Safe & Safe
- Steer Clear
- Driver improvement course
- Good student
- Student away at school
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
**J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study rating for the Mid-Atlantic region. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
The Average Cost of Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
According to 2021 data from Bankrate.com, Pennsylvania drivers pay an average of $427 per year for minimum coverage. For full coverage, the annual average is $1,476. Compared to the national averages of $565 and $1,674 respectively, Pennsylvania drivers usually pay less for coverage than drivers in the nation as a whole.
Your car insurance rates can vary based on many factors. The state in which you live makes a big difference — drivers in some states pay much higher rates than others. This is often a result of the crime rate or the chances of extreme weather. Other factors, such as your driving record, age, vehicle, and credit score, may also play a role, depending on the state.
Top 3 Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Geico | $916 |
| Penn National | $971 |
| QBE | $1,042 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Most Expensive Car Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania
| Company | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| AmTrust Financial | $3,268 |
| Motorists | $3,069 |
| American Independent | $2,157 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Cheapest Cities for Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Houserville | $1,126 |
| Pine Grove Mills | $1,126 |
| State College | $1,128 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Top 3 Most Expensive Cities for Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
| City | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Philadelphia | $2,787 |
| Lansdowne | $2,092 |
| Yeadon | $2,092 |
* Data provided by Bankrate.com.
Key Things to Know About Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, which affects the type of coverage you’re required to have and also how claims are settled. In many no-fault states, you lose or limit your right to sue for injuries after an accident. Pennsylvania allows drivers to choose a “tort level,” which means you can choose how much of your right to sue you want to maintain. Additionally, Pennsylvania bans the use of gender as a car insurance rating factor.
Pennsylvania Car Insurance Requirements
Pennsylvania requires all drivers to carry at least minimum levels of liability insurance and personal injury protection coverage. Failure to do so can result in a fine, license suspension, or vehicle registration suspension.
Pennsylvania’s state minimum car insurance limits are:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
- $5,000 personal injury protection (PIP)
PIP is sometimes called “First-Party Benefits” or FSB in Pennsylvania. Most insurance experts recommend that you buy higher limits for more financial protection. Additionally, financed or leased vehicles likely will need full coverage car insurance, which would include collision and comprehensive coverage.
Car Insurance Coverage Options
In addition to the required coverages and maybe full coverage, there are some endorsements you might want to consider for more protection:
- Vanishing deductibles: This optional coverage offered by a few carriers reduces your comprehensive and/or collision deductible each year that you don’t have a claim.
- Accident forgiveness: While your insurance rates typically increase after an accident, this coverage could help keep your rates from going up after your first covered accident.
- Rideshare coverage: Rideshare drivers may need additional coverage to ensure they’re properly protected financially. A few providers offer rideshare coverage.
- Roadside assistance: Most providers offer this optional coverage, which could cover the cost of emergency roadside services such as towing, flat tire change, and battery jump.
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
Reviews.com reviews products, services and companies based on five criteria to help readers understand how companies compare based on similar metrics. For the best car insurance companies, our editorial team compared affordability, customer support, coverage options, customer satisfaction scores and online resources from each company to determine top providers.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s data of car insurance in Pennsylvania, based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
About the Authors
Cate Deventer is a writer and licensed insurance agent. She has a Bachelor’s degree in theatre and is currently pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in professional and technical writing from Indiana University East. Her work has been featured on Reviews.com and Bankrate.com, and she’s passionate about helping people take charge of their finances. In her free time, she likes to read thrillers and sci-fi novels, garden, and toss tennis balls for her dog.
