Insurance in Pennsylvania: A Guide to Auto & Home Coverage
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Pennsylvania residents will need to purchase insurance at some point. You might need car insurance to register a new vehicle or home insurance for a new house.
Each type of insurance coverage will have its own features, benefits, and availability in Pennsylvania. Our guide to insurance in Pennsylvania will cover some of the primary types of coverage and some considerations you should make when searching for a policy. Then, you can use the EverQuote quote comparison tool to find car insurance in Pennsylvania.
Types of Insurance Coverage Available in Pennsylvania
There are multiple types of insurance options available in Pennsylvania, including car and home. Take a look at some of the PA insurance details below to learn about the coverage types you need.
Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania
To register a vehicle in Pennsylvania, you must meet specific car insurance requirements. The state requires bodily injury and property damage liability with minimum limits.
You must also have at least $5,000 of medical benefits, known as first-party coverage. This is similar to personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which pays for your medical bills after an accident. However, medical benefits may be limited in which expenses it will cover and when.
Pennsylvania car insurance policies allow you to choose between full tort and limited tort. Full tort coverage allows you to retain full rights to sue after an accident. Limited tort will cost less, but you may be restricted on when you can sue and for how much. For example, you might not be able to sue for minor injuries or pain and suffering.
Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state, which means your car insurance company is responsible for covering your expenses after an accident. Full tort coverage, as well as collision or comprehensive coverage, can help cut down on your out-of-pocket expenses after an accident.
Some optional car insurance coverage types in Pennsylvania include:
- Collision coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle after a collision, regardless of who is at fault.
- Comprehensive coverage: Covers damage to your vehicle after a non-collision incident (such as theft, vandalism, fire, or hitting an animal).
- Gap coverage: Helps to cover your loan if your vehicle is a total loss.
While these coverage types are not required by the state, lenders may require them if you have a car loan.
Home Insurance in Pennsylvania
While Pennsylvania law does not require home insurance, lenders typically require it when they extend mortgages. A typical homeowner’s insurance policy includes coverage for your home, personal liability, and damages from wind, hail, or hurricanes.
Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters in Pennsylvania, but standard homeowners insurance does not cover damages from floods. While flooding is common across many parts of Pennsylvania, the southeastern part of the state is at a particularly high risk. You may also consider purchasing flood insurance if you live close to rivers or lakes.
Pennsylvania homeowners may be particularly at risk for damages from snowstorms or heavy rain, so check with your insurance company to ensure you’re covered for these instances.
Average Cost of Insurance in Pennsylvania
The average cost of Pennsylvania auto insurance is $530 per year for minimum coverage. For full coverage, you could pay $2,353 per year. However, insurance premiums for full tort coverage are likely to be more expensive than limited tort policies. Pennsylvania car insurance might be slightly more expensive than car insurance in other states.
Rates for insurance in Pennsylvania may vary based on weather risks. The state has a higher risk of tornados, flooding, drought, and heat, which might increase rates for auto and home insurance in particular.
Factors Affecting Insurance Rates in Pennsylvania
Insurance rates will depend on various factors. Auto and home insurance will be largely affected by your specific location, especially because of weather risks, such as snowstorms and floods. You’ll pay more if you live in high-risk weather areas. You may need to pay for a whole separate policy if you live in a high-risk flood area.
Car insurance can also be affected by factors like age and gender, credit history, driving record, vehicle information, claims history, and plan options. Similarly, home insurance rates will depend on your demographics, as well as the value of your home.
Useful Pennsylvania Insurance Resources
Before buying any insurance policy, research and learn about your coverage options. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department provides resources for consumers to learn about different types of insurance. You can learn about everything from choosing a company to filing claims.
Insurance rates can vary by ZIP code. If you’re looking for cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania, take the time to compare rates from multiple car insurance providers. EverQuote’s free online quote comparison tool lets you compare policies and rates quickly and easily.