By Roberto Gomes | Updated October 2026. This guide compares published 2026 rate studies from ValuePenguin and NerdWallet with official information from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) and Insurance Research Council data published by the Insurance Information Institute. Prime Capital Report does not sell insurance and is not a licensed agent. Every price below is an average or median from the source named next to it, so your own quote will be different.
The best car insurance in Pennsylvania for most drivers is Erie Insurance. It had the lowest average in ValuePenguin’s October 13, 2026 study for nearly every driver profile: $134 a month for full coverage and $31 for minimum coverage. It also has the best claims satisfaction score in J.D. Power’s survey. Regional insurers can be even cheaper. In NerdWallet’s October 2026 analysis, Encova had the lowest full coverage median ($126 a month) and Westfield the lowest minimum coverage median ($24). Pennsylvania is also one of the few states where you choose how much of your right to sue you keep. The limited tort option can cut several parts of your premium by about 40%, according to the state Insurance Department.
Key takeaways
- Pennsylvania is close to average: ValuePenguin’s state average is $198 a month for full coverage and $62 for minimum coverage. It says minimum coverage is 18% cheaper than the national average and full coverage is 5% cheaper (Oct. 13, 2026).
- Best overall: Erie, at $134 a month for full coverage (ValuePenguin). It gets 45% fewer complaints than an average company its size, based on NAIC data.
- Cheapest in NerdWallet’s data: Encova for full coverage ($126 a month) and Westfield for minimum coverage ($24), October 2026.
- Legal minimum: 15/30/5 liability plus $5,000 of medical benefits (PID). A $35,000 combined single limit also meets the liability requirement.
- Limited vs. full tort: PID says limited tort can save you 40% on bodily injury, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and first party benefits. If you don’t choose, you get full tort.
- City matters: Philadelphia averages $367 a month for full coverage, compared with $211 in Pittsburgh and $183 in Harrisburg (ValuePenguin).
How much does car insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
| Measure | Pennsylvania | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full coverage, average per month | $198 | ValuePenguin, Oct. 13, 2026 |
| Minimum coverage, average per month | $62 | ValuePenguin, Oct. 13, 2026 |
| Cheapest full coverage median, 35-year-old | $126 a month (Encova) | NerdWallet, Oct. 2026 |
| Cheapest minimum coverage median, 35-year-old | $24 a month (Westfield) | NerdWallet, Oct. 2026 |
| Uninsured drivers (2023 estimate) | 11.0% | Insurance Research Council via Triple-I |
Sources: ValuePenguin, Cheapest Car Insurance in Pennsylvania (Best Rates in 2026) (updated Oct. 13, 2026); NerdWallet, Cheap Car Insurance in Pennsylvania for 2026 (October 2026 analysis); Triple-I, Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists.
ValuePenguin says one reason Pennsylvania rates stay below the national average is the state’s low share of uninsured drivers. The Insurance Research Council’s estimate of 11.0% for 2023 is well below the 15.4% national rate published by Triple-I. Full coverage still costs $136 a month more than minimum liability in ValuePenguin’s data. That is the price of adding collision and comprehensive coverage and higher liability limits.
Best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania
ValuePenguin: average rates for a 30-year-old driver
| Company | Full coverage (monthly) | Minimum coverage (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $134 | $31 |
| Travelers | $173 | $57 |
| State Farm | $184 | $53 |
| GEICO | $201 | n/a |
| Nationwide | n/a | $65 |
| USAA* | $171 | $43 |
| Pennsylvania average | $198 | $62 |
Source: ValuePenguin (Oct. 13, 2026). Sample driver: 30-year-old man, good credit, 2018 Honda Civic EX; full coverage is 50/100/50 liability, 50/100 UM/UIM, $5,000 medical benefits and $500 deductibles. *USAA is only for military members, veterans and their families. “n/a” means not in that top-five list.
NerdWallet: cheapest full coverage by driving record (35-year-old)
| Driver profile | Cheapest company | Median annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving history | Encova | $1,506 |
| After a speeding ticket | Encova | $1,724 |
| After an accident | Encova | $1,942 |
| After a DUI | Donegal | $2,309 |
| Poor credit | Chubb | $2,482 |
Source: NerdWallet (October 2026 analysis; Quadrant Information Services data; 2023 Toyota Camry LE, 100/300/50 liability, $1,000 deductibles).
Erie is the standout. ValuePenguin says it earned the top score in J.D. Power’s claims satisfaction survey. It also earned the second-highest customer satisfaction score among 14 large mid-Atlantic insurers. Its average rates are 20% to 51% below the state average, depending on the driver profile. The trade-off is that you can’t buy an Erie policy online, so you will need to go through a local agent. ValuePenguin also notes add-ons such as auto glass repair coverage.
Regional carriers such as Encova, Donegal, Westfield and Penn National show up often in NerdWallet’s Pennsylvania data, so they are worth a quote even if you don’t know their names. Travelers is a strong national alternative. It was second-cheapest for full coverage in ValuePenguin’s study ($173) and close behind Encova in NerdWallet’s age-based tables. NerdWallet’s USAA medians are $177 a month for full coverage and $31 for minimum coverage.
| Company | J.D. Power 2025 score | AM Best rating |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | 735 | A++ |
| Erie | 703 | A |
| State Farm | 650 | A++ |
| Nationwide | 645 | A |
| Travelers | 613 | A++ |
Source: ValuePenguin (Oct. 13, 2026), citing J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and AM Best.
Car insurance rates by Pennsylvania city
| City | Average full coverage (monthly) | Cheapest company | Cheapest rate (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $367 | Erie | $289 |
| Chester | $282 | Erie | $218 |
| Allentown | $215 | Erie | $130 |
| Pittsburgh | $211 | Erie | $135 |
| Reading | $206 | Erie | $132 |
| Wilkes-Barre | $204 | Erie | $115 |
| Erie | $201 | Erie | $131 |
| Scranton | $198 | Erie | $117 |
| Bethlehem | $196 | Erie | $128 |
| Lancaster | $188 | Erie | $121 |
| Harrisburg | $183 | Erie | $109 |
| York | $180 | Erie | $120 |
Source: ValuePenguin (Oct. 13, 2026), full coverage for a 30-year-old driver with good credit.
Philadelphia is in a league of its own. ValuePenguin says drivers there pay $169 a month more than the state average. Even Erie, the cheapest company in the city, charges $289 a month. Pittsburgh is only about 7% above the state average. The cheapest place in ValuePenguin’s data is Houserville, a small town in central Pennsylvania, at $160 a month. Erie is the cheapest insurer in most of the state, while Travelers is cheapest in a cluster of mostly rural towns in north-central and northwestern Pennsylvania.
Best car insurance in Pennsylvania by driver profile
Drivers with a ticket, accident, DUI or poor credit
| Driver profile | Cheapest | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| One speeding ticket | Erie, $150 | State Farm, $196 | Travelers, $227 |
| One at-fault accident | Erie, $150 | State Farm, $184 | Nationwide, $221 |
| One DUI | Allstate, $228 | Erie, $248 | Travelers, $271 |
| Poor credit | Nationwide, $301 | Erie, $312 | GEICO, $313 |
Source: ValuePenguin (Oct. 13, 2026), monthly full coverage rates for a 30-year-old driver.
ValuePenguin found that one speeding ticket raises full coverage by 21% on average, or about $42 a month. An at-fault accident raises it by 13%, and Erie’s rate goes up just $16 a month after a first crash. A DUI is far more costly: rates rise 72% on average, or about $142 a month. Poor credit nearly doubles the cost of full coverage, because insurers treat it as a sign of future claims. Drivers who can’t find coverage on the regular market can apply to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Automobile Insurance Plan, according to NerdWallet.
Young drivers
| Company | 18-year-old, liability only (monthly) | 18-year-old, full coverage (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Erie | $71 | $304 |
| GEICO | $119 | $388 |
| Travelers | $127 | $367 |
| Progressive | $155 | $435 |
| USAA* | $86 | $392 |
Source: ValuePenguin (Oct. 13, 2026). *Military families only.
Erie’s $71 minimum coverage rate for an 18-year-old is about half the $144 teen average in ValuePenguin’s data. Erie also stays cheapest after a ticket ($86) or an accident ($82). Erie offers a discount for drivers under 21 who live with their family. ValuePenguin estimates that a shared family policy costs 62% less, on average, than two separate policies. For 20-year-olds, NerdWallet found Encova ($218 a month) and Travelers ($223) cheapest for full coverage, and Encova ($48) and Erie ($56) cheapest for minimum coverage.
Seniors
Pennsylvania law requires a premium reduction of at least 5% for each vehicle on a policy when every named policyholder is 55 or older and has completed a PennDOT-approved driver improvement course (PID). ValuePenguin puts the typical savings at nearly $120 a year on full coverage. For 70-year-olds, NerdWallet’s lowest full coverage medians were Encova ($112 a month) and Travelers ($113). For minimum coverage, the lowest were Westfield ($24) and Erie ($25).
Pennsylvania car insurance requirements
| Required coverage | Minimum limit |
|---|---|
| Medical benefits (first party benefits) | $5,000 |
| Bodily injury liability | $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $5,000 |
| Alternative | $35,000 combined single limit, offered by some companies |
Source: Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Auto & Motorcycle Insurance (accessed October 2026).
Every Pennsylvania policy must include first party medical benefits. That coverage pays medical bills for you and others covered by your policy, regardless of fault. ValuePenguin notes that first party benefits can also cover lost wages, funeral costs and accidental death. You can buy medical benefits up to $100,000, plus “extraordinary medical benefits” up to $1.1 million. The legal minimum is low: a $5,000 property damage limit will not replace most cars. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage are optional, so consider adding both.
Penalties: PID warns that a lapse in coverage can lead to suspension of your registration. Driving uninsured can bring a fine, a license suspension and forfeiture of your plate and registration sticker. ValuePenguin lists a $300 fine, a three-month suspension and a $119 registration reinstatement fee. For a first offense, you may be able to avoid the suspension by paying $500. NerdWallet notes that a $35,000 cash deposit with the state is a legal alternative to buying insurance, though it’s rarely practical.
Limited tort vs. full tort in Pennsylvania
This is the most important choice on a Pennsylvania policy, and it affects your price. With limited tort, you can still recover out-of-pocket medical and certain other expenses after a crash. However, you can’t recover damages such as pain and suffering unless your injuries fall under an exception in the law. With full tort, you keep unrestricted rights to sue. PID’s auto guide adds a key rule: if you fail to specially elect limited tort, you will be deemed to have elected full tort (PID Auto Insurance Guide).
| Limited tort | Full tort | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower. PID says it can save 40% on bodily injury, UM, UIM and first party benefits coverage | Higher |
| Sue for medical bills and economic losses | Yes | Yes |
| Sue for pain and suffering | Only if an exception applies (for example, a serious injury or a drunk or uninsured at-fault driver) | Yes, for any injury |
| Default if you don’t choose | No | Yes |
Sources: PID press release, Feb. 15, 2024; PID Auto Insurance Guide; exceptions summarized from ValuePenguin (Oct. 13, 2026).
ValuePenguin lists the main exceptions that let a limited tort policyholder sue for pain and suffering. They include being hurt as a passenger in a bus, train, taxi or other non-private vehicle, and a crash caused by a vehicle defect or faulty repair work. They also include an at-fault driver who was uninsured, drunk, driving a car registered in another state, or trying to cause harm. Once you buy a policy, you can’t change the tort option until renewal. Limited tort is a reasonable way to save money if you have good health insurance and modest assets. Full tort gives you more legal protection after a serious crash.
Are Pennsylvania car insurance rates going up in 2026?
| Company | 2026 rate change | 5-year rate change |
|---|---|---|
| Farmers | -4.7% | +65.4% |
| AAA | -3.1% | +30.3% |
| Progressive | -2.8% | +45.8% |
| State Farm | -2.6% | +29.8% |
| Erie | +0.4% | +69.9% |
| Allstate | +1.7% | +29.2% |
| GEICO | +2.5% | +40.9% |
| American Family | +5.3% | +52.1% |
Source: ValuePenguin (Oct. 13, 2026), using Pennsylvania Insurance Department filings compiled through S&P Global RateWatch; filing data current as of Oct. 6, 2026.
Most big insurers held or cut rates in 2026, but five-year increases are still large. Erie’s 69.9% five-year rise is one of the biggest in the state, even though it remains the cheapest company for most drivers. ValuePenguin says the most expensive company charges twice as much as the cheapest for full coverage, a gap worth more than $1,600 a year. PID says it blocked $64.3 million of proposed personal auto increases in 2023 through its rate review process (PID).
Car insurance discounts in Pennsylvania
- Mature driver course: a discount of at least 5% per vehicle when all named insureds are 55 or older and complete a PennDOT-approved course (required by state law, per PID).
- Young drivers living at home: Erie offers a discount for drivers under 21 who live with their family (ValuePenguin).
- New car: Travelers offers a discount on a car that’s less than 3 years old (ValuePenguin).
- Bundling: PID suggests combining auto with a home, condo or renters policy for a multi-policy credit.
- Telematics: PID notes that usage-based programs can lower your rate. Many of them can also surcharge drivers they rate as unsafe.
- Loyalty: ValuePenguin says long-term customers should ask their agent whether a loyalty discount has actually been applied.
How to save on car insurance in Pennsylvania
- Quote Erie first, then two or three regional carriers such as Encova, Westfield or Donegal, plus Travelers. Our step-by-step guide on how to compare car insurance quotes shows how to keep the limits identical across quotes.
- Decide on limited or full tort before you shop, and use the same choice in every quote. Otherwise the prices aren’t comparable.
- Raise your property damage limit. The $5,000 minimum is cheap but leaves you exposed. Pricing a higher limit costs little to check.
- Raise deductibles and review optional coverage, as PID suggests, while keeping enough insurance for your situation.
- Take the 55+ driver improvement course if it applies to your household.
Related guides
- How to compare car insurance quotes in 2026 (step-by-step)
- Best car insurance in Louisiana (2026)
- Cheapest car insurance in Texas for 2026
- Best car insurance in Chicago (2026)
Frequently asked questions
What is the best car insurance company in Pennsylvania?
Erie is the best choice for most Pennsylvania drivers. ValuePenguin’s October 2026 data shows the lowest average full coverage rate ($134 a month) and the top J.D. Power claims satisfaction score. Regional insurers such as Encova can be cheaper; NerdWallet found an Encova median of $126 a month for full coverage.
How much is car insurance in Pennsylvania per month?
ValuePenguin’s average is $198 a month for full coverage and $62 a month for minimum coverage. That is slightly below the national average: 5% cheaper for full coverage and 18% cheaper for minimum coverage.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department requires $5,000 of medical benefits, bodily injury liability of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 of property damage liability. Some companies offer a $35,000 combined single limit that meets both liability requirements.
What is the difference between limited tort and full tort in Pennsylvania?
Limited tort costs less but bars you from suing for pain and suffering unless an exception in the law applies. Full tort keeps your right to sue for any injury. PID says limited tort can save 40% on bodily injury, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, and first party benefits. If you don’t choose, you are deemed to have full tort.
How much is car insurance in Philadelphia?
ValuePenguin’s full coverage average for Philadelphia is $367 a month, the highest in the state and $169 more than the Pennsylvania average. Erie was the cheapest company there, at $289 a month.
Who has the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania after a DUI?
Allstate, at $228 a month for full coverage in ValuePenguin’s October 2026 data, followed by Erie at $248. In NerdWallet’s data, Donegal had the lowest median after a DUI, at $2,309 a year.
Is there a senior discount on car insurance in Pennsylvania?
Yes. State law requires insurers to give at least a 5% discount per vehicle when every named policyholder is 55 or older and has completed a PennDOT-approved driver improvement course.
Sources
- ValuePenguin, “Cheapest Car Insurance in Pennsylvania (Best Rates in 2026),” updated Oct. 13, 2026: https://www.valuepenguin.com/best-cheap-car-insurance-pennsylvania
- NerdWallet, “Cheap Car Insurance in Pennsylvania for 2026,” October 2026 analysis: https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/auto/cheap-car-insurance-pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department, “Auto & Motorcycle Insurance”: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/insurance/consumer-help-center/learn-about-insurance/auto-insurance
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department, “Auto Insurance Guide” (PDF): https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/insurance/documents/consumer-help-center/learn-about-insurance/auto-insurance-guide.pdf
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department, “Shapiro Administration Blocked Over $64 Million of Personal Auto Premium Increases From Being Implemented in Pennsylvania in 2023,” Feb. 15, 2024: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/insurance/newsroom/shapiro-administration-blocked-over-64-million-of-personal-auto-premium-increases-from-being-implemented-in-pennsylvania-in-2023
- Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), “Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists” (Insurance Research Council data for 2023): https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-uninsured-motorists
- NAIC, Consumer Insurance Search (complaint data): https://content.naic.org/cis_consumer_information.htm
This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Prime Capital Report is not an insurer, agent or broker, and the author, Roberto Gomes, is not a licensed insurance agent. Confirm coverage and prices with a licensed provider in Pennsylvania.
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Roberto Gomes, Founder and Editor
Roberto researches insurance and personal finance in the United States and Canada from insurers' policy documents, regulator data and public rate filings. He is not a licensed agent or adviser. How we research.