Minimum car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania laws require drivers to carry minimum car insurance coverage of 15/30/5. It is important for all Pennsylvania drivers to have at least the minimum coverage to comply with state law and drive legally. Skip to article

Written by: Shivani Gite Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.

Reviewed by: Laura Longero Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Car insurance is required in almost every state, but the minimum amount drivers must purchase varies.

In Pennsylvania, drivers must carry a minimum of 15/30/5 of auto insurance to legally drive a vehicle.

State minimum car insurance is the minimum liability coverage your state requires. It covers the accidental bodily injury and property damage you cause to others. It doesn’t, however, cover damage to your car or your injuries.

“Liability coverages will help protect you in the event you cause injury or damage to another person or other property,” says Rick Kautzer, director of product management at insurer Dairyland Insurance.

While meeting the minimum requirements in Pennsylvania is a legal obligation, it is worth considering getting more than just bare-bones coverage. The state minimum is rarely enough to protect your finances in case of a costly accident. Paying for additional coverage can offer better protection and can help safeguard your finances.

Written by: Shivani Gite Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.

Reviewed by: Laura Longero Executive Editor

Laura is an award-winning editor with experience in content and communications covering auto insurance and personal finance. She has written for several media outlets, including the USA Today Network. She most recently worked in the public sector for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

What is the minimum amount of car insurance required in Pennsylvania?

See the minimum liability insurance requirements for Pennsylvania in the table below:

Insurance coverage required Coverage limits
Bodily injury liability$15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident
Property damage liability$5000 per accident
First party benefits (FPB)$5,000

This is the minimum coverage that drivers must purchase in Pennsylvania to meet the state’s financial responsibility laws.

However, this is rarely sufficient protection in case of an accident, which is why Pennsylvania drivers should consider getting more coverage than the state-mandated coverage limits.

CarInsurance.com editors recommend liability limits of 100/300/100 with full coverage for most drivers. These limits mean you’re protected within the following amounts:

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How much does the state minimum car insurance cost in Pennsylvania?

A driver with a good driving record pays an average of $31 a month for state minimum liability car insurance in Pennsylvania for the coverage limits of 15/30/5.

The three key aspects of liability coverage encompass bodily injury per individual, bodily injury per accident and property damage. The insurer covers up to $15 for bodily injuries inflicted on a single individual in a car crash. In case an accident results in injuries to multiple individuals, the insurance will cover a total amount up to $30. Furthermore, any property damage caused by an accident will be covered up to a limit of $5.

Car insurance rates can vary based on several factors, including your location, driving history, age and the insurance company you choose. Remember, this is liability insurance only – it won’t cover any damage to your vehicle or injury to your passengers in the case of an at-fault accident.

Cheapest car insurance companies for minimum liability coverage in Pennsylvania

Drivers must find an insurer that offers competitive rates while still providing the necessary coverage to comply with Pennsylvania’s legal requirements.

According to a CarInsurance.com analysis, Travelers offers the cheapest state minimum car insurance in Pennsylvania at an average of $20 a month, or $243 a year. Other than Travelers, Erie Insurance and Donegal also provide cheap car insurance to Pennsylvania drivers for the coverage limit 15/30/5.

Below are the cheapest car insurance companies for minimum coverage in Pennsylvania.

Company State Minimum Annual Rates State Minimum Monthly Rates
Travelers$243 $20
Erie Insurance$264 $22
Donegal$266 $22
Westfield Insurance$279 $23
USAA$305 $25
Nationwide$350 $29
Geico$359 $30
State Farm$465 $39
Progressive$572 $48
Allstate$716 $60

Penalty for driving without minimum insurance in Pennsylvania

Driving without minimum car insurance in Pennsylvania can result in hefty fines. The state of Pennsylvania requires every driver to have minimum car insurance coverage to ensure that in case of an accident, everyone involved will have the necessary protection.

Here’s what can happen if you drive without minimum insurance in Pennsylvania:

Fine Amount$300
Jail TimeNone
Registration SuspensionYes
License SuspensionYes

State minimum car insurance required for legal driving in the U.S.

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Alabama Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Alaska Min. Coverage: 50/100/25 Arizona Min. Coverage: 25/50/15 Arkansas Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 California Min. Coverage: 15/30/5 Colorado Min. Coverage: 25/50/15 Connecticut Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Delaware Min. Coverage: 25/50/10 Florida Min. Coverage: 10/20/10 Georgia Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Hawaii Min. Coverage: 20/40/10 Idaho Min. Coverage: 25/50/15 Illinois Min. Coverage: 25/50/20 Indiana Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Iowa Min. Coverage: 20/40/15 Kansas Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Kentucky Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Louisiana Min. Coverage: 15/30/25 Maine Min. Coverage: 50/100/25 Maryland Min. Coverage: 30/60/15 Massachusetts Min. Coverage: 20/40/5 Michigan Min. Coverage: 50/100/10 Minnesota Min. Coverage: 30/60/10 Mississippi Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Missouri Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Montana Min. Coverage: 25/50/20 Nebraska Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Nevada Min. Coverage: 25/50/20 New Hampshire Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 New Jersey Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 New Mexico Min. Coverage: 25/50/10 New York Min. Coverage: 25/50/10 North Carolina Min. Coverage: 30/60/25 North Dakota Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Ohio Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Oklahoma Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Oregon Min. Coverage: 25/50/20 Rhode Island Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 South Carolina Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 South Dakota Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Tennessee Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Texas Min. Coverage: 30/60/25 Utah Min. Coverage: 25/65/15 Vermont Min. Coverage: 25/50/10 Virginia Min. Coverage: 30/60/20 Washington Min. Coverage: 25/50/10 Washington, D.C. Min. Coverage: 25/50/10 West Virginia Min. Coverage: 25/50/25 Wisconsin Min. Coverage: 25/50/10 Wyoming Min. Coverage: 25/50/20

Is the state minimum enough car insurance in Pennsylvania?

State minimum car insurance is the minimum level of coverage required by Pennsylvania law. While it may be sufficient to meet Pennsylvania’s legal requirements, it won’t necessarily provide adequate protection if you are involved in an accident.

Pennsylvania minimum car insurance includes liability coverage, which helps cover damages caused to others in an accident for which you are at fault – up to the policy’s limits.

However, it does not cover damages to your own vehicle or injuries you sustain in an accident.

“You should carefully review the amount of coverage you’re being quoted and determine whether it offers the protection you need,” Kautzer says.

What other car insurance coverage is available in Pennsylvania?

Make sure you consider the value of your vehicle, your driving habits and your financial situation before you decide on a policy.

In addition to liability coverage, there are other types of car insurance coverage available in Pennsylvania, including:

Optional Car Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive coverage in Pennsylvania reimburses you for damage to your car caused by events such as theft, vandalism, animal strikes or weather events.

Collision insurance

Collision coverage pays for damage to your car caused by a collision with another car or object.

Uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage

Insurance companies in Pennsylvania are required to offer UM/UIM coverage to drivers as an option. It pays for damages and injuries caused by a driver who does not have enough insurance to cover the costs of an accident.

Roadside assistance coverage

Car insurance companies in Pennsylvania offer roadside assistance coverage as an option if your car breaks down or you need a tow.

Rental reimbursement coverage

In Pennsylvania, rental reimbursement coverage pays for a rental car while your car is being repaired after an accident.

Why must drivers purchase Pennsylvania’s car insurance minimums?

Pennsylvania drivers are required to purchase minimum liability car insurance of 15/30/5. Failing to meet these minimum requirements can result in fines, license suspension or other legal consequences.

Minimum liability car insurance provides some financial protection to drivers and others who drive the policyholder’s vehicle, but only up to the policy’s limits. This type of insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing someone else’s vehicle, as well as covering the cost of their medical expenses up to the policy’s limits. It even covers legal fees that may arise from accidents.

However, it’s minimum coverage. Pennsylvania drivers will face significant out-of-pocket expenses after an at-fault accident if their limits are low and damages exceed them.

Resources and Methodology

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute. “Automobile Financial Responsibility Laws By State.” Accessed January 2024.
  2. Virginia DMV. “Insurance Requirements.” Accessed January 2024.
  3. New Hampshire Insurance Department. “2022 Automobile Insurance Consumer Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed January 2024.

Methodology

CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Institute to get state minimum car insurance rates from a 2023 data set. The rates are based on the sample profile of a 40-year-old male who drives a Honda Accord LX and has a clean driving record.

After an in-depth analysis, we have curated a list of companies that provide the cheapest state minimum car insurance rates. USAA is included in this list but it offers services only to current and former military members and their families.

Our dedicated team of insurance experts analyzed 53,409,632 insurance quotes from 75 insurance companies across 34,588 ZIP codes.

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Guide to car insurance (with rates) in cities of Pennsylvania

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Contributing Writer

Shivani Gite is a personal finance and insurance writer with a degree in journalism and mass communication. She is passionate about making insurance topics easy to understand for people and helping them make better financial decisions. When not writing, you can find her reading a book or watching anime.

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Advertised example rates are returned based on the driver's self-reported data and the driver meeting certain criteria. Also, safe driver and other discounts may have been applied to achieve the advertised rate, which may not be available to the average consumer. Your actual quoted rate may vary greatly and may be subject to adjustment based on verification of your self-reported data.