Drivers in Pennsylvania are required by law to have auto insurance in order for their vehicles to be legally driven on the road. According to state-mandated minimums, this car insurance must cover $15,000 per person injured in an accident and $30,000 for all persons injured or killed in an accident where the driver is at fault. Vehicle insurance in Pennsylvania can be expensive, especially for drivers who submit claims often.
According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website, auto premiums are determined by many factors including driving record, type of car being insured, length of time the policy is active and other considerations. The department’s Bureau of Consumer Services has tips for finding cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania, information about teen drivers and resources for senior citizens.
Minimum Requirements in PA
The state of Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which covers the cost of injuries and property damage dealt in an accident with your car. Each driver must also have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with a minimum limit of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. Finally, the state requires medical coverage to pay for injuries to passengers in your car or other individuals involved in an accident. You must carry at least $5,000 in this category.
Note that while these are the minimum requirements for insurance, it might be a good idea to have higher limits for uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury and property damage. You’ll also want to have higher limits on medical payment coverage in case you injure someone or they are injured by your uninsured motorist.
How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in PA
As the state of Pennsylvania is considered a no-fault insurance state, it’s important for drivers to know exactly what type of car insurance policy they own. Participating in an at-fault accident will likely make car insurance more expensive, so understanding what you are covered for is important.
Cheap auto insurance in Pennsylvania can be found by increasing your deductible from the state-mandated $500 up to as much as $5,000. This will reduce your premium price significantly.
The next step to finding cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania is to compare shops. This can be done easily on the internet with an online quote tool, which allows you to input your information once and receive quotes from multiple companies who are looking to sell policies. Using this method, it’s likely that you’ll find a policy with coverage options that are more to your liking, at a better price.
Students Driving in PA
Drivers who are dependent on their parents for insurance may be able to drive cars that are not covered under their family’s policy if they only use the car to commute to school. However, Pennsylvania law states that drivers under 21 years old must either have their own insurance policy or be covered under their parent’s plan, so this may not work for everyone.
Senior Drivers in PA
Pennsylvania law states that drivers who are 65 years old or older must renew their license every five years. This process requires an eye test and passing a written exam if the driver has not taken one within the last two years. Once drivers turn 70, they must renew their license every two years and take an eye test every renewal period.
Drivers with DUI Convictions in PA
A DUI conviction will make car insurance more expensive for the next 5-10 years depending on the number of convictions. If you have a first-time DUI conviction, your insurer might place you in a high-risk insurance pool. This is an option for drivers who have had one DUI conviction in the past five years, but later convictions will result in higher premiums no matter where you choose to purchase insurance. All car insurance companies look at your driving record differently when determining rates, so while some might not care about a DUI, others might not be able to insure you.
Drivers With Tickets in PA
A traffic violation will result in increased car insurance rates for three years, after which it will no longer affect your premiums. More points on your license can lead to higher rates as well, however, the increase only lasts for three years from the date of your violation.
Drivers With At-Fault Accidents in PA
If you are involved in an at-fault accident, you can expect car insurance rates to increase dramatically for three years. However, while some insurance companies might not offer coverage after just one minor mistake while driving, others will only raise your premium for one or two years before rates return to normal.
Drivers With Poor Credit in PA
Car insurance companies consider your credit score when deciding what rate to offer you. Insurance is priced based on risk, and car insurance companies believe that people with poor credit scores are more likely to make a claim against their policy than drivers with a high credit score.
Drivers With Good Credit in PA
If you have a good credit score, insurance companies might offer discounts of up to 30% on your premiums. Some companies even use car insurance scores to help determine the rate they offer customers with good credit scores but also use a driver’s history of claims and violations when deciding what rate to give drivers with poor credit.
Pennsylvanian Drivers With No Tickets or Accidents
The best car insurance rates in Pennsylvania are offered to drivers who have absolutely no claims or violations on their driving records. Discounts can be anywhere from 5-20% for this group, which is one of the largest discounts available for drivers who have a clean record.
Comparing Pennsylvania Car Insurance Quotes
Once you know the coverage types that you need, it’s time to start looking for car insurance quotes. An online service is your best bet for getting quick and accurate rates from multiple companies. Once you find a few competitive quotes, look at them closely since you might qualify for further discounts based on your car, location, driver’s history and other factors. Finally, look at the coverage options more closely and choose a plan that meets your needs while still within your budget.
Military Drivers in Pennsylvania
Active duty members of the military are eligible for many different discounts, including on auto insurance rates. However, you might not automatically qualify for these discounts when your license is reinstated after an accident or conviction. You will need to call each company and ask about specials that apply to active service members.
Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvanian car insurance rates are some of the highest in the nation, averaging $1,330 annually. However, if you shop around and compare quotes at least once every six months, you might be able to get a better rate than what you’re currently paying. Drivers who often cause accidents or rack up traffic violations might also see their premiums increase quickly, so it’s important to maintain a clean record and look for ways to lower your premiums.
Conclusion
The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,500. If you need help finding the cheapest rate for your vehicle or insuring a different type of vehicle (SUV, motorcycle), be sure to take our online quiz and get matched with an agent who can find competitive quotes for you. You’ll also receive helpful tips about how to save on expensive auto repairs after getting into accidents that are not covered by your insurance plan. With so much riding on coverage in case something happens while driving around PA, comparing rates before committing to one company for all years ahead pays off!
