What Pennsylvania requires you to carry

Pennsylvania is a no-fault insurance state, which means your own insurance pays for your medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of who caused it. The state requires you to carry three types of coverage: bodily injury liability (at least $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident), property damage liability (at least $5,000), and uninsured motorist coverage (at least $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident). You also must carry personal injury protection, which covers your medical expenses and lost income.

These are the legal minimums. Many drivers carry higher limits because a serious accident can cost far more than these thresholds. If you cause an accident and your liability coverage runs out, you become personally responsible for the rest—which can mean wage garnishment or a lawsuit that follows you for years.

Pennsylvania also allows you to choose between two types of coverage for medical expenses: full tort or limited tort. Full tort lets you sue for pain and suffering after an accident. Limited tort is cheaper but restricts your right to sue unless your injuries are severe. Most people choose limited tort to lower their premiums, but understand what you're trading away before you pick it.

Key Takeaways

  • Pennsylvania law requires bodily injury liability of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, property damage liability of $5,000, and uninsured motorist coverage at the same limits.
  • You must also carry personal injury protection, which covers your own medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of fault.
  • Choosing limited tort instead of full tort lowers your premium but removes your right to sue for pain and suffering unless your injuries meet a legal threshold.
  • Your actual cost depends on your age, driving record, the car you drive, where you live in Pennsylvania, and how much coverage you choose above the legal minimum.

How your driving record and age affect your rate

Insurance companies in Pennsylvania use your driving history to calculate your premium. A clean record—no accidents, no tickets—gets you the lowest rates. One at-fault accident typically raises your premium by 10 to 40 percent, depending on the insurer and the severity. A DUI or reckless driving conviction can double your rate or cause an insurer to drop you entirely.

Age matters significantly. Drivers under 25 and over 65 pay higher premiums because they're statistically involved in more accidents. A 19-year-old and a 45-year-old driving the same car will see very different quotes. Young drivers can sometimes lower their rates by taking a defensive driving course, which some insurers discount by 5 to 10 percent.

Pennsylvania also uses something called an insurance score, which is based on your credit history, payment history with insurers, and other financial factors. This is separate from your credit score but influences your rate. Paying bills on time and maintaining continuous coverage helps keep this score healthy.

Where you live in Pennsylvania changes what you pay

Your ZIP code affects your premium because some areas have higher accident rates, more theft, or more uninsured drivers. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh residents typically pay more than drivers in rural areas. Urban areas also have higher comprehensive and collision claims (theft, vandalism, weather damage), which raises those portions of your premium.

If you move within Pennsylvania or move out of state, your rate will change. Some insurers also offer discounts if you park in a garage overnight or have a short commute, because less driving means lower accident risk.

What type of vehicle you drive affects your premium

Insurance companies charge more to insure expensive cars, high-performance vehicles, and cars with expensive parts. A Honda Civic costs less to insure than a BMW 3 Series, even if both drivers are the same age. Repair costs matter: if a car is cheap to fix, insurance is cheaper. If parts are expensive or hard to find, your premium goes up.

Safety features lower your rate. Cars with automatic emergency braking, stability control, and good crash test ratings get discounts from many insurers. Older cars with lower market value cost less to insure for collision and comprehensive coverage, but you still need liability coverage no matter how old the car is.

If you're financing or leasing a car, your lender will require you to carry collision and comprehensive coverage. If you own the car outright, you can legally drop these, though that's risky if you can't afford to replace the car if it's damaged or totaled.

Discounts that actually lower your bill

Most Pennsylvania insurers offer discounts for bundling home and auto policies (typically 10 to 25 percent off). Discounts for good driving records, defensive driving courses, and safety features are standard. Some insurers offer usage-based discounts if you install an app that monitors your driving habits—you get a discount if you drive safely, though some people find the monitoring invasive.

Paying your premium in full rather than monthly sometimes saves you a small amount. Setting up automatic payments can also may have access to you for a discount. Ask your insurer specifically which discounts you're already getting and which ones you're missing; many people don't realize they're may be able to access.

Student discounts exist if you maintain a certain GPA (usually 3.0 or higher). Military and government employee discounts are common. Some insurers offer discounts for completing a telematics program or for being a long-term customer. The discounts vary by insurer, so comparing quotes from multiple companies is the only way to know which one offers the most savings for your situation.

What happens if you get into an accident

After an accident in Pennsylvania, contact your insurer as soon as possible. Provide the police report number if one was filed, photos of the damage, and the other driver's insurance information. Your insurer will assign a claims adjuster who inspects the damage and determines whether the claim is covered under your policy.

If you're at fault, your liability coverage pays for the other person's medical bills and vehicle damage. Your collision coverage (if you have it) pays to repair or replace your own car, minus your deductible. If the other driver is at fault and their insurance pays, you typically won't pay your deductible—their insurer covers it.

In Pennsylvania's no-fault system, your own personal injury protection covers your medical bills regardless of who caused the accident. This means you don't have to wait for the other insurer to accept fault before you get treatment. Keep receipts and medical records; your insurer will need them to process the claim.

Comparing quotes and choosing a company

Pennsylvania has dozens of insurers, and rates vary significantly between them. Getting quotes from at least three companies takes about 30 minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars per year. You'll need your driver's license, vehicle identification number (VIN), and driving history. Most insurers let you get a quote online without talking to an agent.

When comparing quotes, make sure you're looking at the same coverage limits and deductibles across all of them. A quote that looks cheap might have a $1,000 deductible instead of $500, or lower liability limits than you actually need. Write down the exact coverage for each quote so you're comparing apples to apples.

Read reviews about how each company handles claims, not just their rates. A cheap insurer that takes months to pay claims or denies legitimate ones will cost you more in the long run. Check the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) complaint database to see how often each company gets complaints relative to its size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get insurance if I have a suspended license in Pennsylvania?

Most insurers will not write a policy for someone with a suspended license, because you're not legally allowed to drive. Once your suspension is lifted and your license is reinstated, you can get insurance again. Some high-risk insurers may work with you, but expect higher rates.

What's the difference between full tort and limited tort?

Full tort lets you sue for pain and suffering after an accident. Limited tort restricts that right unless your injuries are serious (defined by law as permanent disfigurement, fracture, or significant scarring). Limited tort costs less but removes your ability to recover for pain and suffering in minor accidents. Choose based on your comfort with that trade-off.

Do I need uninsured motorist coverage if I have collision coverage?

Yes, they cover different things. Collision pays to fix your car after an accident. Uninsured motorist covers your medical bills and lost wages if an uninsured driver hits you. Pennsylvania requires both, and they protect you in different situations. You need both.

How long does an accident stay on my record in Pennsylvania?

Most insurers look back three to five years when calculating your rate. An accident from six years ago typically won't affect your premium anymore. However, some insurers use longer lookback periods, so ask your company specifically how far back they look.

What should I do if my insurer denies my claim?

Request a written explanation of why the claim was denied. Review your policy to see if the denial is correct. If you disagree, contact the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's consumer services line to file a complaint. You can also hire an attorney to review the denial, though that costs money upfront.