)
A.M. Steinbach is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content marketing strategist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. He's an expert in breaking down a diverse range of insurance topics into crisp, readable content.
A.M. has worked with major brands in insurance, tech, finance, and healthcare. He also contributes to The Average Joe, a personal finance newsletter that reaches more than 250,000 daily readers, and other notable publications.
)
)
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.
Updated
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Table of contents
Philadelphia drivers pay an average car insurance rate of $229 per month, according to Compare.com data. But no matter what you pay now, you can still find a great deal — as low as $94 per month — with the right company.
State Farm is just one of the car insurance companies offering affordable rates in the City of Brotherly Love. In this guide, we’ll explore the cheapest car insurance companies in Philadelphia for different types of drivers and discuss best practices for lowering rates.
State Farm is Philadelphia’s cheapest auto insurer, at $94 per month, on average.
The average Philadelphia driver pays around $168 per month for liability insurance, and $290 for full coverage.
Pennsylvania requires 15/30/5/5 in minimum-liability coverage.
How Much Is Car Insurance in Philadelphia?
Location ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Liability Insurance ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: Full Coverage ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium: All Policies ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Philadelphia | $168 | $290 | $229 |
Pennsylvania | $95 | $169 | $132 |
National average | $107 | $197 | $152 |
On average, Philadelphia drivers pay $229 per month for auto insurance, but this average should only be considered at the surface level. Rates will vary based on your unique driving profile, including your age, driving record, ZIP code, and more.
For example, the coverage levels and types you choose play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance. In Philly, if you want cheap, basic liability coverage, you can expect to pay around $168 per month, based on citywide averages. But a more robust “full-coverage” policy averages a lot more — around $290 per month, according to our research.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the cheapest insurers in Philadelphia.
Philly’s Cheapest Car Insurance Companies
Drivers in Philadelphia pay some of the highest average rates in the country — but drivers still have ways to save. Comparing quotes from a wide range of car insurers can help you find a policy that works for your needs and budget.
The following table lists the cheapest car insurance companies in Philadelphia and their average monthly premiums.
Company ▲▼ | Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|
State Farm | $94 |
Mile Auto | $97 |
Erie | $109 |
Plymouth Rock | $111 |
Auto-Owners | $118 |
National General | $121 |
Travelers | $142 |
GEICO | $146 |
Progressive | $147 |
Root | $149 |
Foremost | $156 |
Allstate | $165 |
Direct Auto | $168 |
The General | $168 |
Safeco | $170 |
Nationwide | $187 |
USAA | $193 |
Bristol West | $220 |
Chubb | $222 |
Dairyland | $226 |
CSAA | $246 |
Liberty Mutual | $305 |
State Farm’s rates are the lowest in Philadelphia, at $94 per month, according to Compare.com data. Remember, these are just averages — and your specific driver profile will affect your rates.
In the next few sections, we’ll highlight the best auto insurers in Philadelphia for different types of drivers.
The Best Auto Insurance Companies for Philly Drivers
Different factors affect car insurance rates, including your driving history, choice of vehicle, age, marital status, the local crime rate, and more. So no single car insurance company is the “best” — what works best for you depends on your specific profile.
We picked the following companies based on a combination of average rates, available discounts, customer reviews, and coverage selections.
Best overall value: State Farm
Average premium: $148 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.90 out of 5
Among the cheapest rates in Philadelphia
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
Doesn’t offer gap insurance
May lack the personalized attention of smaller insurers
State Farm is the largest car insurance company in the country by market share — and Philadelphia drivers who choose the insurer pay some of the lowest rates in the city. The company also has some of the lowest average across age groups and among drivers with mixed driving records. You can save even more when you take advantage of State Farm’s many discounts or enroll in Drive Safe & Save, the company’s telematics program.
Best for full coverage: Safeco
Average premium: $206 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.59 out of 5
Discounts for safe driving
Highly rated mobile app
Not the cheapest option available
Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
Safeco offers some of the cheapest full-coverage auto insurance rates in Philadelphia, according to our research. Full coverage can be a good idea if you drive a newer or high-value car and want some added protection on the road.
Aside from its main insurance products, Safeco offers several additional coverages, including new vehicle replacement and rental car reimbursement. Unfortunately, Safeco has one of the lowest J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores of any midsize insurer.
Best for young drivers: Erie
Average premium: $171 per month
Compare.com Rating: 4.75 out of 5
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
Many discounts for young drivers
Not the cheapest option in Philadelphia
Only available in 12 states
Philadelphia teens pay an average of $380 per month for car insurance, so they’re definitely looking for any chance to save. Luckily, Erie offers discounts for drivers away at college and those who take a driver training course. Drivers who go a year or more without an accident or traffic violation can also get a discount.
Parents can add their young adults to their policies to save. Luckily, Erie’s Rate Lock feature means your rates won’t go up when you add a new driver to your policy. Plus, Erie policyholders can earn a discount when they insure multiple cars.
Cheapest Liability Insurance Companies
The coverage levels you choose influence your insurance rates — and more coverage means higher rates.
On average, Philadelphia drivers who choose liability-only insurance pay $168 per month. Liability-only coverage at the state minimum is the cheapest type of policy you can buy, but the coverage is minimal. If you cause an accident, your policy covers only the other driver’s medical bills and vehicle damage.
The chart below highlights the cheapest car insurance companies in Philadelphia for liability-only insurance.
Average Liability Rates by Company
While these companies offer the cheapest basic policies in the area, most Philly drivers should consider adding additional coverages that protect their own vehicles.
With that in mind, let’s explore the cheapest full-coverage insurance policies in Philadelphia.
Cheapest Companies for Full-Coverage Insurance
Full coverage is more expensive but the most robust coverage option. On average, drivers in Philadelphia who choose full coverage pay $290 per month.
Along with liability insurance, full coverage includes collision insurance and comprehensive coverage. These coverages kick in to cover your own vehicle repairs after a collision or non-collision event (e.g., severe weather or vandalism).
The chart below lists the cheapest companies in Philadelphia for full coverage.
Average Full-Coverage Rates by Company
The five companies in the chart above are great starting places if you’re looking for affordable full-coverage insurance in Philly, but keep in mind that your personal rates could be wildly different depending on personal factors like your age and driving record.
Because of this, we’ve broken down average rates even further in the sections below.
Compare Philadelphia Auto Insurance Rates by Driving Record
Your driving record can also influence your auto insurance rates. Drivers with at-fault accidents and traffic violations on their records tend to pay higher insurance premiums than people with a clean driving history. When you get these types of infractions, insurers view you as a higher risk and increase your rates to make up for the added risk of insuring you.
The following table shows how much drivers in Philadelphia pay for car insurance based on driving record, as well as the cheapest insurance company for each group of drivers.
Driving Record ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Clean record | $229 | State Farm | $94 |
Speeding ticket | $277 | State Farm | $112 |
At-fault accident | $295 | State Farm | $119 |
DUI | $341 | State Farm | $147 |
Now let’s dive deeper and highlight the cheapest car insurance company in Philadelphia for each infraction.
Your car insurance rates will go up after a speeding ticket. Car insurance rates increase by an average of 27% after one ticket, according to Compare.com data.
State Farm is the cheapest car insurance company in Philadelphia for drivers who get a ticket, with an average rate of $112 per month.Your car insurance rates will also increase after an at-fault accident. On average, drivers see their rates go up by 34% after one at-fault car accident, according to Compare.com data.
State Farm is once again the cheapest car insurance option, with an average monthly rate of $119 for Philadelphia drivers with an at-fault accident.Getting a DUI is one of the most serious traffic infractions — and leads to a 50% increase in car insurance rates on average, according to Compare.com data.
State Farm’s average rate of $147 per month for drivers with a DUI on their record is the cheapest in Philadelphia.
Compare Philadelphia Auto Insurance Rates by Age
Your age is a major rating factor when it comes to car insurance. Generally, younger drivers pay the highest car insurance rates on average — but these rates decrease as you age and gain more experience on the road, with rates slightly increasing as you reach your 70s.
Here are the average car insurance rates in Philadelphia by age, along with the cheapest insurers for each age group.
Age Group ▲▼ | Citywide Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer ▲▼ | Cheapest Insurer’s Average Monthly Premium ▲▼ |
---|---|---|---|
Teens | $380 | State Farm | $163 |
40s | $234 | State Farm | $91 |
60s | $184 | State Farm | $72 |
In the next two sections, we’ll explore the cheapest coverage options for teen drivers and senior drivers in Philadelphia.
Teens pay the highest rates in Philadelphia by far, with an average rate of $380 per month. Teens are considered high-risk due to their higher rates of accidents — so car insurance companies charge them higher car insurance rates to offset the risk of physical damage or medical expenses.
State Farm is the cheapest option in Philadelphia for teen drivers, with an average rate of $163 per month, according to our analysis.
Senior drivers are on the other end of the spectrum, with the most affordable car insurance rates in Philadelphia. As you enter retirement, you generally drive less. This lower mileage means you’re at a lower risk for accidents — leading to lower rates on average.
State Farm is the cheapest insurer in Philadelphia for senior drivers, with an average rate of $72 per month, based on our data.
Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Requirements
Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to have car insurance. If a cop pulls you over and you don’t have insurance, you may face a fine of $300, restoration fees, and three-month suspensions of your license and registration.
Drivers in Pennsylvania must purchase the following amounts of car insurance at a minimum:
$15,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per person
$30,000 in bodily injury liability insurance per accident
$5,000 in property damage liability insurance
$5,000 in medical payments coverage (MedPay)
Pennsylvania is a fault state, so uninsured motorist coverage is optional. You can choose between “limited tort” and “full tort” insurance. If you get in an accident where you aren’t at fault, “full tort” gives you unlimited rights to recover financial damages.
For more on Pennsylvania’s car insurance requirements, read the Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Guide.
How to Get Cheaper Car Insurance in Philadelphia
You don’t need a master’s degree in economics to see Philadelphians pay a lot for car insurance. Philadelphia drivers can save on car insurance with the following strategies:
Take advantage of discounts: Ask your insurance agent or visit your insurer’s website to see if you qualify for any discounts.
Choose a safe car: Vehicles with strong safety records and advanced safety features are usually cheaper to insure.
Raise your deductible: When you raise your deductible, your monthly premiums will decrease. Just make sure you can afford the extra expense if you need to file a claim.
Bundle policies: Consider bundling your car insurance with home insurance or life insurance to save.
Improve your credit score: Insurance companies offer better rates to drivers with high credit scores — so having good credit can lead to savings.
Practice safe driving: Drivers with a clean driving record have an easier time finding cheap car insurance.
Compare quotes: You’ll find plenty of different rates while shopping for insurance. Comparing car insurance quotes from at least five insurers is the best way to find the cheapest insurance coverage.
Philadelphia Auto Insurance FAQs
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about car insurance in Philadelphia.
State Farm offers the lowest rates in Philadelphia, at $94 per month, according to Compare.com data. Keep in mind that the best car insurance companies aren’t always the cheapest option for everyone.
Philadelphia drivers pay an average of $229 per month for car insurance, according to Compare.com data. That breaks down to $168 per month for basic liability coverage and $290 for more robust full-coverage policies.
Pennsylvania requires drivers to purchase $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, $5,000 in property damage liability insurance, and $5,000 in medical payments coverage.
If an officer catches you driving without car insurance, it can have a lasting effect on your driving record. The Pennsylvania DMV will suspend your driver’s license and registration for three months, issue you a fine of $300, impound your vehicle, and charge you fees to restore your license and registration.
The cheapest full-coverage car insurer in Pennsylvania is Mile Auto, which offers an average rate of $78 per month, according to our data.
Sources
Pennsylvania Insurance Department, “Automobile Insurance Guide,” accessed December 12, 2024.
J.D. Power, “2024 U.S. Auto Insurance Study,” accessed December 12, 2024.
Insurance Information Institute, “What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?,” accessed December 12, 2024.
U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “Risk Factors for Teen Drivers,” accessed December 12, 2024.
Methodology
Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.
All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.
Compare.com's #1 goal is to save you money. We publish resources that are based on hard-hitting data and years of industry experience to help you make more informed decisions with your wallet.
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)
A.M. Steinbach is a Brooklyn-based writer, editor, and content marketing strategist who has been writing for Compare.com since 2023. He's an expert in breaking down a diverse range of insurance topics into crisp, readable content.
A.M. has worked with major brands in insurance, tech, finance, and healthcare. He also contributes to The Average Joe, a personal finance newsletter that reaches more than 250,000 daily readers, and other notable publications.
)
)
Lequita Westbrooks is an insurance editor at Compare.com. Her writing and editing experiences span several industries, including insurance, personal finance, higher education, and more. She excels at explaining complex topics like auto insurance in simple, easy-to-understand language and is passionate about helping readers save money. Lequita graduated from the University of South Florida, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English.