Auto Insurance Coverage in PA—The Basics
Whether you've just arrived in Pennsylvania or have lived in the state all your life, fully understanding your Pennsylvania car insurance options is vital. Read more below or start your Pennsylvania auto insurance quote online, or call us at (800) 947-AUTO (2886).
As a driver in Pennsylvania, your vehicle is required to have at least the minimum amounts of coverage while it is on the road.
If you are caught without auto insurance, you may be fined as much as $300, and your driver's license, registration, and license plate could be suspended for three months.
When registering a vehicle in Pennsylvania, there are a number of forms that are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to have your car registered. Some of these are available only at PennDOT facilities or through tag and title professionals, so don't wait until the last minute.
If you are moving to Pennsylvania, keep in mind all new residents are required to apply for a Pennsylvania title and registration of their vehicle(s) and a Pennsylvania license within a specified amount of days of establishing residency.
Learn More About Pennsylvania Required Auto Coverage
Determining the limits on your auto insurance can be tricky, so you should speak with a licensed insurance representative. The minimum limits for Pennsylvania auto insurance are:
- Bodily injury liability coverage: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
- Property damage liability coverage: $5,000
- Uninsured motorist coverage: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident*
- Underinsured motorist coverage: $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident*
- First party benefits: $5,000
*Note: In Pennsylvania you may request to reject the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages.
Additional Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Coverages
Do I need first party benefits in Pennsylvania?
The state of Pennsylvania requires a type of car insurance coverage called First Party Benefits, which provides a variety of medical benefits. Many options for this coverage are available, and your policy needs to have at least the lowest option of $5,000. If you want more medical coverage, a GEICO representative can help you choose the option that is best for you.
How do Pennsylvania's Tort coverages work?
If you have a car insurance policy in Pennsylvania, you have the option to carry either Full Tort or Limited Tort. Limited Tort limits your ability to sue other drivers for your pain and suffering if you are injured in an accident. If you would like to carry Limited Tort, you will need to sign and return a form to GEICO. It is very important to speak with a GEICO insurance expert to determine the tort option that is best for you.
Pennsylvania Teen Driving Laws
PA teen driving laws allow teens to apply for a learner's permit at age 16, and receive a restricted driver's license after six months of driving. Within that time, the teen must have at least 65 hours of supervised driving time, including 10 hours at night, and 5 hours of driving in inclement weather. The restricted license in PA also allows no more than one passenger under age 18 in the car for the first six months, and no more than three passengers afterwards. The driver also cannot operate a vehicle between 11 pm and 5 am. At age 17, all restrictions are lifted.
Pennsylvania Registration Information
Moved to Pennsylvania?
In order to register your vehicle(s), you will need to bring the following items to a Pennsylvania DMV office:
- A valid title for all of the vehicles you want to register in Pennsylvania, issued in your name, from your previous state.
- Proof of Pennsylvania insurance, such as a valid insurance identification card, declaration page of an insurance policy, a copy of a valid binder or a copy of an application for insurance to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan for all of the vehicles you will be registering. These documents must indicate both effective and expiration dates.
- Form of personal identification.
- Completed Form MV-1. This is a restricted form and is not available on-line. You must obtain from a messenger, tag agency or any Driver and Vehicle Service Center location.
- A tracing of the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the verification of the VIN by an inspection mechanic or notary public at a dealership or issuing agent.
- Appropriate title, lien, registration fees and sales tax (if applicable). Make checks or money orders payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Please do not send cash.
- If you are titling and registering a leased vehicle, the leasing company will also be required to complete Form MV-1L. NOTE: A Power of Attorney may be required from the leasing company.
FAQs
The cheapest car insurance companies in Pennsylvania
- Cheapest company for minimum coverage: Westfield.
- Cheapest company for full coverage: Geico.
- Cheapest company for drivers with prior incidents: Donegal and Auto-Owners.
- Cheapest company for young drivers: Westfield.
Average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania for 2024. Pennsylvania drivers pay an average rate of $2,607 for full coverage and $495 for minimum coverage insurance.
Who has the absolute cheapest auto insurance? ›
State Farm, American Family, Geico and Progressive are the cheapest car insurance companies for most drivers. USAA has even cheaper rates, but only military members, veterans or their families can qualify. *USAA is only available to military members, veterans and some of their family members.
Who typically has the cheapest insurance? ›
The top 10 cheapest car insurance companies are Nationwide, Geico, State Farm, Travelers, Progressive, AAA, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers and USAA.
Who has the best auto insurance in PA? ›
Best Car Insurance Pennsylvania
According to our research, the best car insurance companies in Pennsylvania are Travelers, Nationwide, Erie Insurance, State Farm and USAA. Each company receives high marks in consumer studies, offers some of the cheapest rates in the state and provides a host of auto coverage options.
Is Geico cheaper than Progressive? ›
Both Geico and Progressive offer cheap car insurance to drivers across the country. Geico's rates are typically lower overall, but Progressive tends to offer better prices to high-risk drivers. High-risk drivers are those with a recent DUI, at-fault accident or speeding ticket on their driving record.
Why is car insurance in PA so expensive? ›
Car insurance in Pennsylvania is expensive because it's a no-fault state with a high population density. In Pennsylvania, you can expect to pay approximately $4,215 per year for full coverage car insurance or $1,187 per year for minimum coverage.
Is $100 a month expensive for car insurance? ›
Car insurance on average is $81 per month in low-cost states, $102 per month in medium-cost states, and $146 per month in high-cost states. Note that it's often cheaper to pay for your policy in full rather than monthly.
Is $100 a lot for car insurance? ›
Our cost estimates show that 35-year-old married drivers with good credit and clean driving records pay an average of $144 per month for car insurance. Paying around $100 per month for quality auto coverage is a good deal.
Which insurance company says surprisingly great rates? ›
Surprisingly Great Rates - State Farm®
| Car Insurance Company | Motor OD Claim Settlement Ratio FY23 | |
|---|
| Liberty Car Insurance | 98.00% | Check Premium |
| IFFCO Tokio Car Insurance | 95.80% | Check Premium |
| Digit Car Insurance | 96.00% | Check Premium |
| Bajaj Allianz Car Insurance | 98.50% | Check Premium |
20 more rowsIs USAA Only for Military? Yes, USAA is only available to active and retired military members and their families. This includes active-duty, former military, cadets, widows, current or un-remarried spouses, and children.
Is Allstate cheaper than Geico? ›
Comparing Allstate vs. Geico, we found that Geico offers cheaper auto insurance on average. We gave Geico 9.1 out of 10.0 points in the cost category in our industry-wide insurance review, while Allstate earned 7.4 points.
What is the best and least expensive auto insurance? ›
Cheapest car insurance companies
- Best for full coverage: Geico.
- Best for minimum coverage: Auto-Owners.
- Best for customer satisfaction: Amica.
- Best for military members and veterans: USAA.
Currently, the largest car insurance company in America is State Farm. Major auto insurance companies offer financial stability and a variety of coverage plans. To find cheap car insurance rates, you'll need to compare quotes from various providers.
Why is car insurance so high in PA? ›
Car insurance in Pennsylvania is expensive because it's a no-fault state with a high population density. In Pennsylvania, you can expect to pay approximately $4,215 per year for full coverage car insurance or $1,187 per year for minimum coverage.
Is Progressive Insurance really cheaper? ›
Progressive insurance is not the cheapest auto insurer and is typically only cheaper than average for those with a DUI or other higher risk factors on their record.
Who would pay the most for auto insurance? ›
In general, car insurance companies charge male drivers more for coverage because they're more likely to get into accidents. But while most states allow insurers to consider gender when setting rates, your age, location, insurance provider and driving record usually make a bigger difference.
Why is erie insurance so cheap? ›
Why Is Erie Insurance So Cheap? Generally speaking, Erie insurance is much cheaper than average due to the limited availability of its policies around the U.S. This allows Erie to focus on regional areas to provide overall better pricing than larger insurance companies.
