7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Amber Benka is a licensed insurance agent specializing in auto, home, commercial, life, and health insurance. She has owned the R.A.L Insurance Agency for four years.
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It’s illegal to drive without car insurance in Philadelphia.[1] But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find the best car insurance policy for your needs.
The best car insurance in Philadelphia offers a combination of affordable price points, robust coverage options, top-notch customer service, and more. As the driver, you should decide what factors are most important to you while shopping around.
Philadelphia drivers can use the city’s average auto insurance cost of $288 a month as a reference point when comparing quotes.
Quick Facts
State Farm has the cheapest car insurance in Philadelphia, according to Insurify’s proprietary data.
The top auto insurance companies in the city balance a high Insurify Quality (IQ) Score with lower-than-average premiums.
Drivers should also consider an insurer’s customer satisfaction ratings and coverage options when shopping for car insurance.
Best car insurance companies in Philadelphia
The best car insurance in Philadelphia varies based on your individual situation and needs. The breakdown below can help you in your search.
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Insurance Company
Best For
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Insurify Quality Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-five scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Best car insurance overall: Erie
Erie earned a 4.4/5 IQ Score and the highest marks for overall customer satisfaction in the mid-Atlantic segment of the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.[2] When combined with relatively low rates, Erie Insurance snagged the top spot on this list.
The longstanding company has built a positive reputation among customers. But you won’t find astronomical rates paired with this positive experience. On average, Erie provides average quotes of $153 per month for liability-only insurance coverage.
Pros
Above-average score in 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]
A+ A.M. Best rating
Rate Lock program provides stable rates
Cons
Must finalize car insurance coverage through an agent
Can’t file a claim entirely online
No pay-per-mile insurance option
Best cheap car insurance in Philadelphia: Travelers
Travelers offers Philadelphia drivers a balance between lower-than-average price points and top-notch customer service. The company earned a 4.3 IQ Score and second place in the mid-Atlantic segment of the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.[2]
The average cost of a Travelers liability-only policy is unavailable, but its average monthly cost of a full-coverage policy is $184 per month, which is still less than the average car insurance cost for the city.
Pros
A++ A.M. Best rating
Many discounts available
Above-average score in 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]
Cons
Low customer reviews on BBB
Rideshare coverage not available in Pennsylvania
Lower-than-average scores in J.D. Power’s insurance shopping and claims study[3]
Most affordable car insurance in Philadelphia: State Farm
On average, State Farm offers the cheapest monthly quotes for car insurance in Philadelphia. The average monthly rate is $132 for a liability-only policy.
You won’t just find cheap coverage — the insurer also boasts an above-average score in the mid-Atlantic segment of the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and a 4.4 IQ Score.[2]
Pros
Above-average score in 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]
A++ A.M. Best rating
Large network of local agents
Cons
Low customer reviews on BBB
Limited number of discounts
Must call agent to buy quote in some regions
Best car insurance for commuters in Philadelphia: Liberty Mutual
As a commuter, you likely spend a lot of time on the road. Even if you’re a safety-focused driver, accidents can happen. With Liberty Mutual, you have the option to build accident forgiveness into your policy. This protection means you won’t see your premium increase after one accident.
However, Liberty Mutual has higher average rates for insurance than its competitors, at $314 a month for full coverage and $206 a month for liability only.
Pros
Offers accident forgiveness
Multiple discounts options
A.M. Best rating of A
Cons
Below-average score in 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]
Negative customer reviews on BBB
Lower-than-average rating in J.D. Power’s claim satisfaction study[3]
Best car insurance for families in Philadelphia: Progressive
As one of the largest insurance companies in the nation, Progressive offers various coverage options. Most families will find the level of coverage they’re looking for. Families with multiple cars might be especially impressed by the multi-car discount, which leads to an average savings of 12%.
Progressive’s average liability-only insurance rates are much higher than its competitors but still below the city’s average, at $206 a month. You may still find agreeable rates, depending on your family’s driving history and coverage options.
Pros
A+ A.M. Best rating
Multi-car discount option
Many other discounts available
Cons
Low customer reviews on BBB
Below-average score in 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]
No anti-theft device discounts
Best car insurance for college students in Philadelphia: GEICO
GEICO offers a mix of affordable rates and attractive discounts for college students. The company has earned a 4.3 IQ Score. On average, Philadelphia drivers pay $205 per month for a liability-only policy through GEICO.
As a college student at many of the universities in Philadelphia, you have an opportunity to save up to 15% on your car insurance costs with GEICO if you maintain average grades of B or better. Furthermore, you may get an additional discount if you’re a member of a sorority, fraternity, or honor society.
Pros
A++ A.M. Best rating
Extensive discounts available
Discount available specifically to college students
Cons
Below-average score in 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]
Must maintain good grades to lock in discount
Doesn’t offer gap coverage
Best car insurance for high-risk drivers in Philadelphia: Allstate
Drivers with mistakes on their driving record may find reprieve through Allstate. Even drivers with a speeding ticket or at-fault accident will find rates below the city’s average cost. However, drivers with a DUI may pay more than $400 per month on average for car insurance through Allstate.
The company’s IQ Score of 4.1 and willingness to provide reasonable rates to high-risk drivers might make it the right fit for your situation.
Pros
A+ A.M. Best rating
Many discount options
Relatively low rates for high-risk drivers
Cons
Below-average score in 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]
Negative customer experiences reported on Trustpilot
Low customer reviews on BBB
Best car insurance for luxury car owners in Philadelphia: Farmers
Farmers earned a relatively low rank in the mid-Atlantic segment of the J.D Power 2022 U.S. Auto Insurance Study.[2] But a long list of discounts and a highly rated mobile app make it an easy option for your luxury car insurance needs. Plus, its guaranteed value coverage will pay out an agreed-upon price if Farmers declares your car a total loss, and its new car-replacement coverage will replace your vehicle in the first two years if it has fewer than 24,000 miles on it.
In addition, Farmers earned an above-average score in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.[3] If you need to file a claim on your luxury vehicle, you want to work with a company known for delivering on its promises.
Pros
Above-average score in the 2022 J.D. Power U.S Auto Claims Satisfaction Study
A.M. Best rating of A
Many coverage options for classic and collector cars
Cons
Below-average score in 2022 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study[2]
Low customer satisfaction score on Trustpilot
No gap insurance available
How Insurify rates car insurance companies
Data scientists at Insurify analyzed more than 40 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partner providers across the United States to compile the car insurance quotes, statistics, and data visualizations displayed on this page.
The car insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, and demographic information. Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
With these insights, Insurify is able to offer drivers insight into how companies price their car insurance premiums. The data included on this page represent averages across driver ages, genders, credit scores, and driver profiles for Pennsylvania drivers.
How to shop for the best car insurance in Philadelphia
As a driver in Philadelphia, you have access to various reputable insurance companies. But the right car insurance choice will vary based on your unique needs.
When looking around, focus on what considerations matter most to you. A few things to keep in mind include:
Company’s reputation
Policy and coverage options
Average premiums
Customer ratings
Financial stability
As you shop, see how a potential insurer stacks up on your list.
How to get the cheapest car insurance in Philadelphia
Cheap car insurance may be a priority for many drivers. If you’re looking for affordable car insurance, consider the following tips:
Shop around. Every insurance company has a slightly different method of determining rates, and shopping around can help you find the most affordable rate. Take a few minutes to get multiple quotes before choosing a policy.
Control what you can. While some factors insurers consider are out of your control — like your age and gender — you can control others. Take time to improve your credit score, make sure you drive safely, and even revisit your coverage options and policy limits to reduce rates where you can.
Ask for a discount. Many insurers offer discounts to customers. For example, you might get a discount for being a safe driver or a good student. Don’t hesitate to ask about any discounts you might qualify for.
Liability-only vs. full-coverage insurance in Philadelphia
It’s illegal to drive without a minimum amount of liability coverage anywhere in Pennsylvania.[1] As a driver, minimum liability auto insurance helps pay for damages and injuries you cause to another driver during an accident.
The limits for liability car insurance in Pennsylvania are as follows:
$15,000 per person for bodily injury liability
$30,000 per accident for bodily injury liability
$5,000 per accident for property damage liability
Since a liability-only policy won’t pay for you to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident, this kind of policy isn’t right for everyone.[4] Drivers who can comfortably afford to repair or replace their vehicle might opt for liability-only insurance.
However, you may want a higher level of protection, which a full-coverage insurance policy provides. A full-coverage policy includes both collision and comprehensive coverage. After an accident or other incident, collision and comprehensive coverage will help you pay to repair or replace your vehicle.[4]
Here’s a look at the cheapest auto insurance in Philadelphia by policy type. Some companies have significantly higher average auto insurance rates. For example, the average monthly cost of car insurance for a liability-only policy is $132, but the same type of policy costs an average of $445 with CSAA.
Insurance Company
Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only
Average Monthly Quote:
Full Coverage
State Farm
$132
$115
Erie
$153
$133
Auto-Owners
$165
$143
GEICO
$205
$179
Travelers
N/A
$184
Allstate
$231
$202
USAA
$269
$235
State Auto
N/A
$255
Midvale Home & Auto
$177
$273
Esurance
$315
$274
Safeco
$195
$274
Clearcover
$174
$280
Dairyland
$123
$305
Liberty Mutual
$206
$314
SafeAuto
$141
$335
Plymouth Rock
$235
$348
Bristol West
$266
$421
The General
$318
$492
CSAA
$445
$607
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Philadelphia car insurance rates by driving and accident history
Insurance companies tend to reward drivers with clean drivers with lower rates. After all, a clean driving record might indicate a lower chance of a future accident, which means potentially fewer costs for the insurance company.
A DUI on your record will raise your rates by an average of 100% in Philadelphia, while an at-fault accident or speeding ticket will increase your costs by 43% and 33%, respectively. Here’s a look at average monthly quotes for the cheapest car insurance in Philadelphia based on driving and accident history.
Insurance Company
Clean Record
At-Fault Accident
With a DUI
Speeding Ticket
State Farm
$115
$164
$229
$154
Erie Insurance
$133
$191
$265
$179
Auto-Owners Insurance Co
$143
$205
$285
$192
GEICO
$179
$255
$355
$239
Travelers
$184
$263
$366
$247
Allstate
$202
$288
$401
$270
USAA
$235
$336
$467
$314
State Auto
$255
$365
$507
$342
Midvale Home & Auto
$273
$390
$543
$366
Esurance
$274
$392
$545
$367
Safeco
$274
$392
$545
$367
Clearcover
$280
$400
$556
$375
Dairyland
$305
$435
$606
$408
Liberty Mutual
$314
$448
$624
$420
SafeAuto
$335
$479
$667
$449
Plymouth Rock
$348
$498
$693
$466
Bristol West
$421
$602
$838
$564
The General
$492
$703
$978
$659
CSAA
$607
$867
$1,207
$813
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Philadelphia car insurance rates by credit tier
Insurance companies can use your credit history when determining insurance premiums. The practice is allowed in the state of Pennsylvania.[7]
With age comes more experience in the driver’s seat. Insurance companies tend to view teens and drivers younger than 25 as higher risk than older drivers. However, rates can drop as you age, if you keep a clean driving record.[5]
In Philadelphia, young drivers find higher insurance rates than older drivers. Teenage drivers in the city pay an average of $504 per month for car insurance. In contrast, drivers in their 70s enjoy the lowest rates at an average of $191 per month.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of average rates by age group.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Is car insurance more expensive in Philadelphia?
Drivers in Pennsylvania tend to experience the most expensive car insurance in Philadelphia. Other cities, like Scranton and Lancaster, come with 40% lower car insurance rates than Philadelphia.
Within the state, Philadelphia drivers might find higher rates due to the cost of living in a metropolitan area. For example, a larger number of commuters on the road and higher crime rates than smaller cities may be part of the reason for higher rates in Philly.[5]
“Rates within Philadelphia are impacted by the ZIP code where the vehicle is parked overnight,” says Jesse Cunningham, licensed insurance agent and owner of insurance platform Bauple. “This ties into accident and traffic data for the area, as well as crime rates for the specific area of the city. Insurance companies will consider how many cars are stolen or vandalized in an area. Lots of this data comes from claims filed by policyholders in the area.”
When compared to other major cities around the country, Philadelphia drivers face relatively average rates. For example, drivers in Chicago tend to pay around 35% less than Philadelphia drivers, while drivers in Tampa tend to pay 100% more for premiums.
More cities in Pennsylvania
City
Average Monthly Quote
Compared to Philadelphia
Bethlehem
$139
-52%
Lancaster
$149
-48%
Erie
$161
-44%
York
$164
-43%
Harrisburg
$163
-43%
Pittsburgh
$176
-39%
Reading
$188
-35%
Allentown
$189
-34%
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Find Philadelphia Car Insurance
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Find local Philadelphia agents
Wilson Insurance & Financial Planning
1732 W Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19126
Ferullo Insurance Agencies LLC
1636 S. Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Freedom Insurance Group Inc
Grant Academy Shopping Center, Philadelphia, PA 19114
Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Philadelphia?
State Farm, Erie, and Auto-Owners each offer some of the cheapest car insurance policies to drivers in Philadelphia, according to Insurify data. However, every driver has a unique situation. If possible, compare multiple quotes to lock in the cheapest car insurance rate.
In general, you’ll find the lowest rates with a liability-only policy. But getting multiple quotes is the only way to find your exact rates.
What are the best car insurance companies in Philadelphia?
The best car insurance company for you might look different based on your unique situation.
However, Erie Insurance has a strong case for being the best auto insurance company for drivers in Philadelphia. A high IQ Score, above-average score in the J.D. Power U.S. Auto Insurance Study, and high A.M. Best rating make Erie Insurance a worthwhile option for many drivers. On average, the cost for liability-only coverage is $153 per month.
Other contenders include Travelers and State Farm.
Is Pennsylvania a no-fault state?
Yes. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, which means that your own insurance policy will cover your medical and repair expenses after an accident.[8]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
Pennsylvania General Assembly. "Title 75." Accessed April 17, 2023
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
Amber Benka is a licensed insurance agent specializing in auto, home, commercial, life, and health insurance. She has owned the R.A.L Insurance Agency for four years.
