Best car insurance in Philadelphia, PA (2024)

Headshot of Rachael Brennan

By

Lena BorrelliInsurance ExpertLena Borrelli is a freelance contributor at Policygenius. With a diverse professional background, Lena spent time in finance, web marketing, and hospitality before settling into full-time life as a freelance writer.&Rachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Edited by

Anna SwartzAnna SwartzSenior Managing EditorAnna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.
|

Reviewed by

Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Ian Bloom, CFP®, RLP®Certified Financial PlannerIan Bloom, CFP®, RLP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, he was a financial advisor at MetLife and MassMutual.

Updated|3 min read

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

Policygenius content follows strict guidelines for editorial accuracy and integrity. Learn about our editorial standards and how we make money.

The average cost of car insurance in Philadelphia is $3,096 per year, which is $1,424 more expensive than the cost of insurance in Pennsylvania. That said, the cost of car insurance can vary dramatically from one provider to another, so it is always important to compare rates before picking a policy.

Ready to shop car insurance?

Policygenius makes it easy to compare rates from multiple companies, so you can find the coverage that works best for you.

Key takeaways

  • State Farm has the cheapest car insurance rates in Philadelphia at an average of $1,752 per year.

  • The average cost of car insurance in the ZIP code 19118 is $2,466 per year, which makes it the cheapest area in the city to get covered

  • Philadelphia drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of car insurance, including bodily injury liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident with $5,000 of property damage liability coverage.

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

Policygenius has analyzed car insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services for every ZIP code in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. For full coverage policies, the following coverage limits were used:

  • Bodily injury liability: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability: $50,000

  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist: $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident

  • Comprehensive: $500 deductible

  • Collision: $500 deductible

In some cases, additional coverages were added where required by state or insurer.

Rates for overall average rate, rates by ZIP code, and cheapest companies determined using averages for single drivers ages 30, 35, and 45. Our sample vehicle was a 2017 Toyota Camry LE driven 10,000 miles/year.

Rates for driving violations and “Poor” credit determined using average rates for a single male 30-year-old driver with a credit score under 578.

Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.

Cheapest car insurance companies in Philadelphia, PA

Your car insurance premium is calculated based on a series of unique, individual factors. Insurance providers consider the type of driver you are, the kind of car you have, and your credit score. The amount you drive each year also helps determine risk, with high-mileage drivers incurring much more risk, and therefore higher rates, than the occasional driver.  

Company

Average cost

JD Power Rating

State Farm

$1,752

882

The Hartford

$1,790

869

Erie

$2,225

893

Nationwide

$2,239

868

GEICO

$2,371

874

Cheapest car insurance rates by ZIP code in Philadelphia, PA

Where you live also impacts the cost of your car insurance policy. Weather-related factors are a major concern for insurance providers. In Philadelphia specifically, fierce winters can bring ice and flood damage, while the summers can be fraught with hurricanes and extreme storms.

Crime is another consideration, with some neighborhoods more susceptible to losses than others. Vandalism, theft, and other crimes can significantly increase your chances of a loss, whether it is a broken window or theft of your entire vehicle.

ZIP code

Average cost

19118

$2,466

19128

$2,545

19113

$2,565

19127

$2,614

19154

$2,755

19114

$2,821

19116

$2,839

19103

$2,848

19115

$2,856

19102

$2,871

Collapse table

Choosing the right car insurance company in Philadelphia, PA

The average cost of car insurance in Philadelphia is $3,096 per year, significantly more expensive than the average cost of Pennsylvania car insurance, which is $1,672 per year.

A major reason for this is the high amount of crime in this busy metropolitan area — which makes it all the more important for Philadelphia drivers to shop around and compare quotes before picking a policy.

Car insurance rates for drivers with driving violations in Philadelphia, PA

When calculating the cost of your auto insurance, car insurance providers will analyze your record to see what kind of a driver you are. If you have a serious offense on your record, such as racing or reckless driving, you are likely to pay much higher car insurance rates than someone with a clean driving record. 

Violation

State Farm

The Hartford

Erie

Nationwide

GEICO

At-fault accident

$2,083

$2,595

$3,345

$3,738

$4,136

DUI

$1,921

$2,741

$4,012

$5,660

$4,092

Suspended license

$1,921

$2,389

$4,012

$5,660

$4,118

Open container

$1,921

$2,309

$2,676

$3,323

$4,092

Expired registration

$1,921

$2,309

$2,676

$3,323

$3,488

Driving without lights

$1,921

$2,741

$2,676

$3,323

$3,603

Running a red light

$1,921

$2,309

$2,676

$3,323

$3,603

Following too closely

$1,921

$2,309

$2,676

$3,323

$3,603

Hit and run

$1,921

$2,389

$4,012

$5,660

$3,924

Not-at-fault accident

$1,791

$1,849

$2,375

$2,328

$2,918

Passing a school bus

$1,921

$2,389

$2,676

$3,323

$3,603

Reckless driving

$1,921

$2,741

$2,676

$5,660

$3,924

Speeding

$1,921

$2,389

$2,676

$3,323

$3,924

Collapse table

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a DUI in Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia drivers pay higher rates for car insurance if they get a DUI or DWI. The average annual cost for car insurance in Philadelphia is $3,096 per year, significantly higher than the Pennsylvania average.

Drivers with a DUI on their record in Pennsylvania pay an average rate of $3,163 per year, but Philadelphia residents could pay anywhere between $1,921 and $5,660 for the cheapest DUI coverage, which is 83% higher than the rates for drivers with a clean driving history.

We found that State Farm, The Hartford, and Erie have the lowest rates for Philadelphia drivers with a DUI on their record.

Company

Rates for drivers with DUIs

State Farm

$1,921

The Hartford

$2,741

Erie

$4,012

GEICO

$4,092

Nationwide

$5,660

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with a speeding ticket in Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia drivers will also pay more for car insurance if they get a speeding ticket. The average cost of insurance for a driver with a speeding ticket in Pennsylvania is $2,169 per year, but drivers in Philly could pay significantly more than that, with rates as high as $3,924 for some of the cheapest available coverage.

We found that State Farm, The Hartford, and Erie offer the lowest rates in Philadelphia for drivers with a speeding ticket on their record.

Company

Rates for drivers with speeding tickets

State Farm

$1,921

The Hartford

$2,389

Erie

$2,676

Nationwide

$3,323

GEICO

$3,924

Cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Philadelphia, PA

Insurance companies also look at your credit score when calculating auto insurance premiums. Drivers with lower scores pay more for car insurance than drivers with good credit.

Company

Rates for drivers with bad credit

USAA

$2,517

Nationwide

$3,153

State Farm

$3,926

Atlantic States Insurance

$4,482

GEICO

$4,549

Ready to shop car insurance?

Buying car insurance in Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania law requires all Philadelphia motorists to maintain a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage. This includes:

  • Bodily injury liability coverage: $15,000 per person

  • Bodily injury liability coverage: $30,000 per accident

  • Property damage liability coverage: $5,000

Drivers may request to reject certain types of required coverage, including the following:

  • Uninsured motorist coverage of $15,000 per person

  • Uninsured motorist coverage of $30,000 per accident

  • Underinsured motorist coverage of $15,000 per person

  • Underinsured motorist coverage of $30,000 per accident

  • First party benefits of $5,000

Despite the required car insurance, it is always important to consider full coverage for your vehicle. If you experience a total loss in the future, you could be held financially liable should your losses exceed your auto insurance coverage. It is not worth risking financial devastation by carrying inadequate auto insurance when there are many other ways to lower the cost of your car insurance without sacrificing coverage.  

How to get cheap car insurance in Philadelphia, PA

Even when you buy insurance from the cheapest car insurance companies, there are still ways to lower the cost of your auto insurance. 

  • Bundle discounts: You can save big when you buy multiple insurance policies from the same provider.

  • Safe driving: There are many discounts available when you maintain a clean driving record, successfully complete a defensive driving course, or 

  • Vehicle savings: Earn discounts when you drive a car with safety features, reduce your annual mileage, or enroll in a telematics-based program.

Always be sure to shop and compare quotes from multiple providers so you can find the cheapest car insurance for you at the best price.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania?

The average cost of car insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,672 per year. However, the price you pay may differ, depending on which company you choose.

How much is car insurance in Philadelphia?

The average cost of Philadelphia car insurance is $3,096 per year. Your car insurance premium will be calculated based on several factors, including where you live in the city and your driving record.

What is the cheapest car insurance in Philadelphia?

The cheapest car insurance company in Philadelphia is State Farm, averaging $1,752 per year. However, always be sure to shop and compare car insurance quotes to find the best price for your needs.

Authors

Lena Borrelli is a freelance contributor at Policygenius. With a diverse professional background, Lena spent time in finance, web marketing, and hospitality before settling into full-time life as a freelance writer.

Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.

Editor

Anna Swartz is a senior managing editor who specializes in home, auto, renters, and disability insurance at Policygenius. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at Mic and a writer at The Dodo. Her work has also appeared in Salon, HuffPost, MSN, AOL, and Heeb.

Questions about this page? Email us at .