Pennsylvania’s four-season weather and proximity to the coast means that homeowners can expect everything from winter storms to coastal weather events, all of which can cause significant damage to homes.
Despite the varying weather-related risks, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,303 per year or $109 a month. This is around 32% lower than the national average of $1,899.
However, the cost isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a home insurance company. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Pennsylvania.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Best homeowners insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Of the companies we looked at, Allstate has the lowest rates, with an average annual policy cost of $771 per year — a little less than half of the state average. Erie has the next lowest average rates at $822 per year.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest Pennsylvania insurers to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022. We then looked at 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of Pennsylvania residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania.
Company | Average yearly cost | J.D. Power Rating |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $1,119 | 835 |
Erie | $822 | -- |
Allstate | $771 | 829 |
Travelers | $4,940 | 800 |
Nationwide | $1,246 | 812 |
There's a reason State Farm is one of the top-rated insurance companies in the U.S. — its customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof, it offers a slew of coverage add-ons for full protection, and makes filing claims through its mobile app a breeze.
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and service line coverage
Get up to $1 million in personal liability coverage
Score discounts for bundling, installing security devices, and choosing a high deductible
File and track claims online, over the phone, in person, or through its mobile app
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers or going a year without a claim
Read our full State Farm home insurance review
Why State Farm tops our best list
State Farm scored an 835 out of 1,000 in customer service and financial ratings from J.D. Power, making it one of the top-rated companies in the industry. Not only does State Farm have excellent rates, but customers can get up to $1 million in personal liability coverage. Customers can easily file and track claims online through its easy-to-use mobile app, or by calling and speaking to a representative.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
With some of the best customer service ratings in the industry, Erie offers comprehensive coverage even with its most basic policy — including guaranteed replacement cost coverage and protection for lost items.
Pros
Score up to a 25% discount when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Guaranteed replacement cost coverage is included in the base policy
Theft coverage includes lost or misplaced items — a rare perk we don't see often
Multiple policy add-ons available, including water backup and service line coverage
Among the best customer service ratings in the industry
Cons
Can't file claims online — must speak to an Erie agent on the phone
Read our full Erie home insurance review here
Why Erie tops our best list
Erie is one of our top picks in Pennsylvania because it has some of the best customer service ratings in the industry, and offers rates $500 below the state average. A unique perk offered through Erie is comprehensive guaranteed replacement cost coverage in a basic policy and theft coverage for lost or misplaced items. By bundling home and auto insurance policies with Erie, customers can decrease their monthly premiums by up to 25%.
How to get a quote
Online through Erie
Allstate
Why Allstate tops our best list
Allstate scored an 829 out of 1,000 in J.D. Power’s 2021 home insurance study, making it one of the top companies in the country. Bundle your home and car insurance policies to earn a 25% discount with Allstate and get personalized coverage options.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius and Allstate
With over 165 years of experience and impeccable financial ratings, Travelers is one of the most trusted home insurance companies in the business. It offers personalized coverage and a slew of policy add-ons to ensure you have exactly the right protection.
Pros
4 customizable policy packages with several available add-ons, like extended replacement cost and water backup coverage
Offers eco-friendly green home coverage and discounts
Protect expensive family heirlooms and appliances with equipment breakdown, guaranteed replacement cost, and personal articles coverage
File claims online — plus, Travelers has special catastrophe centers for claims after a natural disaster
Cons
Below-average customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Read our full Travelers home insurance review here
Why Travelers tops our best list
Travelers have been in the insurance business for 165 years and have a long track record of satisfied customers. Customers can select from four customizable policy packages from Travelers while taking advantage of eco-friendly home coverage and discounts. Plus, with policy add-ons to protect your home and precious heirlooms, homeowners have the assurance of knowing they’re protected if disaster strikes.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius and Travelers
Nationwide offers flexible home insurance policy options for every home type and income level. And we love its slew of discounts for everything from having a newish roof to living in a gated community.
Pros
Offers lots of coverage add-ons, including flood and earthquake insurance
Option to rebuild roof with stronger, safer materials after a covered loss
Score discounts for living in a gated community, making home renovations, having a newer roof, and more
Seamlessly submit claims online or through its mobile app
Above-average claims satisfaction rating
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Water backup coverage is more expensive than with other insurers
Read our full Nationwide home insurance review here
Why Nationwide tops our best list
Nationwide scored well in the 2021 J.D. Power home insurance survey, earning a respectable 812 out of 1,000 score. Customers can earn lower rates by renovating their home, living in a gated community, or having a newer roof. With rates below the state average, Nationwide is a great choice for Pennsylvania homeowners.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Nationwide
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by city in Pennsylvania
Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in Pennsylvania, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in the state are Allstate, Erie, and USAA.
The average Allstate rate in Pittsburgh is $621 per year — over $350 less than homeowners in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, residents in the state capital of Harrisburg enjoy rates of $693 per year with Erie.
City | Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
Allentown | Allstate | $712 |
Altoona | Allstate | $694 |
Bethel Park | Allstate | $540 |
Bethlehem | Erie | $705 |
Chester | Allstate | $888 |
Easton | Allstate | $695 |
Erie | Allstate | $712 |
Harrisburg | Erie | $693 |
Hazleton | Allstate | $675 |
Lancaster | Erie | $632 |
Monroeville | Allstate | $645 |
Norristown | Allstate | $671 |
Philadelphia | Allstate | $995 |
Pittsburgh | Allstate | $621 |
Reading | Allstate | $661 |
Scranton | Allstate | $618 |
State College | Allstate | $544 |
Wilkes-Barre | Allstate | $630 |
Williamsport | Allstate | $575 |
York | Allstate | $589 |
Shopping for homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania
Shopping for home insurance in Pennsylvania may seem like a daunting task, but with help from the experts at Policygenius, the process can be extremely easy. No matter where you live in the state — from the Great Lakes region down to the eastern seaboard — we’ll help you find a policy that suits your home insurance needs.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Pennsylvania for different coverage and deductible levels, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies for dog and pool owners.
Pennsylvania home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Dwelling coverage is the part of your home insurance policy that pays to repair or replace your home after a covered loss. Your dwelling coverage amount should be equal to your home’s replacement cost, which is the amount it would cost to rebuild your home from the ground up.
With average Pennsylvania home prices in the mid-$250,000 range, homes with dwelling coverage limits of $200,000 to $300,000 can expect to pay $81 to $109 each month for home insurance.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $650 |
$200,000 | $975 |
$300,000 | $1,303 |
$400,000 | $1,646 |
$500,000 | $2,065 |
Personal liability coverage is the portion of your home insurance policy that pays for medical, legal, or repair bills in the event you’re legally responsible for someone’s injury or property damage.
As the table below highlights, a home insurance policy with $500,000 in personal liability coverage costs about $117 per month, while one with $200,000 in personal liability coverage is $83 a month.
Liability coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $1,300 |
$200,000 | $991 |
$300,000 | $1,303 |
$400,000 | $983 |
$500,000 | $1,407 |
Pennsylvania home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying your insurance company before they reimburse you for a claim. A higher deductible means lower monthly payments, but larger out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim.
As you can see in the table below, Pennsylvania residents can save around $140 on home insurance by choosing a $1,000 deductible over the $500 option.
Deductible amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$500 | $1,445 |
$1,000 | $1,303 |
$2,000 | $1,370 |
Home insurance discounts in Pennsylvania
Many insurance providers offer discounts to homeowners if their homes have certain features like deadbolt locks, smoke detectors, and home security systems. Although there isn’t a large discount for homeowners in Pennsylvania for these features, having them added to your home can help protect you and your family.
Discount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Dead bolt | $1,302 |
Smoke alarm | $1,300 |
Burglar alarm | $1,270 |
Home insurance companies in Pennsylvania for dog owners
Pet ownership provides many opportunities for bonding and spending quality time together. But when it’s time to get outside, most areas in Pennsylvania require your best friend to be on a leash.
If you have a dog considered to be a “dangerous breed,” you may pay more for your home insurance. Some insurers charge higher rates for certain breeds and could even deny you coverage altogether if you own one.
With an average rate of $771 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in Pennsylvania for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while Travelers average yearly rate is almost $5,000.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Allstate | $771 |
Erie | $822 |
State Farm | $1,119 |
Nationwide | $1,246 |
Travelers | $4,940 |
Home insurance companies in Pennsylvania for poor credit
Late or missed payments on credit cards, cars, and monthly rent can lead to higher insurance rates. Insurance companies consider a poor credit score to be an indicator of risky behavior and an increased risk of filing an insurance claim, so many charge higher rates as a result.
With an average rate of $1,246 per year, Nationwide has the cheapest home insurance rates in Pennsylvania for a homeowner with poor credit. Meanwhile, Travelers rates are the highest of the providers we analyzed, with a $12,297 yearly rate.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Nationwide | $1,246 |
State Farm | $2,047 |
Erie | $2,185 |
Allstate | $3,045 |
Travelers | $12,297 |
Home insurance companies in Pennsylvania for pool owners
Home insurance rates are higher for those with a swimming pool. Some insurance companies consider swimming pools as a risk, meaning there’s a higher likelihood of liability claims.
With an average rate of $771 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates for Pennsylvania homes that have a swimming pool, while Travelers has the most expensive rates at $5,434 per year.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Allstate | $771 |
Erie | $929 |
State Farm | $1,119 |
Nationwide | $1,246 |
Travelers | $5,434 |
How to buy homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania
Homeowners in Pennsylvania have many options when it comes to home insurance. But how do you know which company to choose? We’ve rounded up our top five favorite tips in the list below to help you find the best solution that works for your home insurance needs.
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of insurance experts will guide you to affordable quotes from top companies — at no cost or obligation to you.
Ask if you should purchase flood or hurricane coverage. With four-season weather, homeowners in Pennsylvania should talk to a Policygenius agent about adding additional coverage for floods, winter storms, and even hurricanes, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. You can learn more about flood insurance in Pennsylvania with our guide.
Figure out how high of a deductible you can afford.A higher deductible means you’ll pay less upfront for your insurance, but a larger chunk when it's time to file a claim. A Policygenius agent can help you pick out a deductible that works within your budget.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent.Once you’ve identified your coverage needs, limits, and deductibles, a Policygenius agent will send over quotes from top companies.
Sign the policy, and pay your first premium. After you’ve settled on the company that works best for you, Policygenius will do all of the paperwork for you. All you need to do is sign on the dotted line and pay your first premium. It’s that easy!
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home insurance cost in Pennsylvania?
The average home insurance rate in Pennsylvania is about $109 a month for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. That’s about $50 less per month than the national average.
Is it mandatory to have home insurance in Pennsylvania?
While not legally required to have home insurance in Pennsylvania, many mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance before extending a home loan. Lenders have a financial interest in the property until you pay off the loan, so they want to ensure it’s fully protected against any loss.
How can I lower the cost of my home insurance in Pennsylvania?
The quickest way to lower the cost of your home insurance is by comparing quotes. Once you’ve reviewed your options, ask about any discounts available to you, and pick the policy that works best for you.
Why do some insurance companies charge higher rates to customers with a dangerous dog breed?
Insurance companies consider certain dog breeds as aggressive and more likely to cause injury to someone, resulting in more insurance claims. Resultantly, an increased risk means higher home insurance rates for those with certain breeds.
