Pennsylvania Auto Insurance
Pennsylvania has something for everyone, from the historical significance and charm of Philadelphia’s Old City to a state park where you can see the Northern Lights. But whether your idea of a memorable day is driving from museum to museum or driving into town to cheer on your favorite sports team, affordable auto insurance can help protect you and your vehicle on the way there.
Direct Auto Insurance is proud to offer cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania, the “Keystone State,” and in this guide, we explain which coverages are mandatory, which ones are optional and how Direct Auto can help you find the Pennsylvania car insurance that’s right for you. Get a free quote to see how much money you can save with Direct.
Pennsylvania Car Insurance Laws
Do you have to have car insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to maintain continuous liability insurance for any vehicle they have registered in the state. Pennsylvania auto insurance policies must at least meet the minimum liability coverage limits.
Pennsylvania Minimum Car Insurance Requirements
Wondering what your insurance policy needs to meet coverage requirements in Pennsylvania? Here’s a quick breakdown by coverage type.
|
Coverages |
Is It Required by Law? |
|
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage provides financial protection if you cause an accident that injures another person. It helps pay for their medical expenses and your legal services (if necessary). |
Yes. $15,000 bodily injury per person/$30,000 bodily injury per accident. |
|
Property Damage Liability Coverage helps pay to repair or replace other people’s property that is damaged in an accident you cause. It typically involves damage to another vehicle, but it could help pay to repair a house, fence, mailbox and more. |
Yes. $5,000 property damage per accident. |
|
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UM/UIM) helps pay for your medical bills and related expenses if the other driver has no coverage (UM), insufficient coverage (UIM) or can’t be identified due to hit and run. In some states, UM/UIM can also help pay for property damage. |
Not required. |
|
Medical Benefits Coverage helps pay for your medical and related expenses stemming from an accident, regardless of fault. |
Yes. $5,000 per person. |
|
Collision Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you collide with another car, tree, guardrail or another object, regardless of fault. |
Not required.1 |
|
Comprehensive Coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged by something other than a collision, like fire, floodwaters, falling branches, vandalism or contact with an animal. |
Not required.1 |
IMPORTANT NOTE: While purchasing minimum liability coverage and medical benefits coverage ensures you follow Pennsylvania’s laws, it doesn’t necessarily protect you and your vehicle in every circumstance. You would need to add additional coverage (like comprehensive and collision) to better protect yourself and your vehicle more fully.
1Your lender may require these coverages if you lease or finance your vehicle.
What is a no-fault state?
When people say, “Pennsylvania is a no-fault state,” what do they mean? Well, in a no-fault state, each person injured in a car accident files a claim on the policy of the vehicle they were occupying for their medical expenses. If an injured party does not have their own auto insurance, they would file a claim under the policy insuring the vehicle they were occupying at the time of the accident. Additionally, no fault states generally restrict you from recovering damages from the at-fault party unless they exceed a certain threshold.
How do Pennsylvania's tort coverages work?
Limited Tort coverage offers premium savings. You are still able to recover all out-of-pocket medical and other expenses; however, you are not able to recover certain damages – such as payments for pain and suffering – except under certain statutory exceptions. With full tort, you retain unrestricted rights to bring suit against the negligent party.
Are there additional coverage options?
For added peace of mind, Direct Auto offers add-on services and other insurance products for Pennsylvania drivers:
Pennsylvania Proof of Financial Responsibility and Penalties
What if I don't meet Pennsylvania’s minimum car insurance requirements?
Thinking about getting behind the wheel without auto insurance in Pennsylvania? Before you do, consider the serious consequences. If you’re stopped by a police officer and can’t provide proof of coverage, you could be facing the following penalties:
- Minimum $300 fine for driving uninsured
- Three-month vehicle registration suspension
- Three-month driver's license suspension
- Restoration fees to reinstate your vehicle registration
- Restoration fees to reinstate your driver's license
- Vehicle impoundment
Additionally, your vehicle may not be operated by any driver during the registration suspension.
Meanwhile, a lapse in coverage – meaning a period where a registered vehicle does not have the minimum amount of insurance coverage required by state law – could result in a three-month suspension of your vehicle registration.
You may be able to avoid this if the lapse was 30 days or fewer, and you can prove to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that the vehicle was not operated during that time. If you do not provide the insurance and statement:
- Your license may be suspended for three months.
- You will have to surrender your vehicle's license plate, registration sticker and driver's license.
- You must pay any necessary restoration fees and provide proof of insurance to restore your driving and registration privileges.
However, you have the option to pay a $500 civil penalty in lieu of serving a registration suspension. Paying this penalty, paying a restoration fee and providing proof of insurance will allow you to maintain your vehicle registration without having to serve the three-month registration suspension. You may opt for the civil penalty only one time in a 12-month period.
The best plan is to purchase coverage that meets all of the Keystone State’s requirements, carry proof of coverage at all times and make sure you avoid any lapses.
Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Pennsylvania
It’s against the law to operate a vehicle without a valid driver’s license in Pennsylvania, but the exact penalty for driving without a license or driving with a suspended or revoked license in Pennsylvania can vary. A first-time violation results in a $200 fine and an increased suspension of one year (if already suspended) or two years if it was already revoked. Subsequent offenses result in steeper fines and potential jail time.
High-Risk Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania
Many individuals don’t have a flawless driving record, and after a certain number of violations or a serious enough violation, drivers can be considered a major risk to insure. While some companies try to steer clear of these individuals, other insurance companies offer non-standard insurance (another name for high-risk auto insurance) to provide financial protection for these drivers.
We believe your driving history shouldn't define you forever, and we work hard to find quality, affordable coverage for every driver, regardless of their past.
Where can I find the cheapest car insurance rates in Pennsylvania?
Car insurance costs can vary depending on the following factors:
- The amount and type of coverage you choose
- The year, make and model of the vehicle you drive
- How much you drive, where you drive and where you live
- Your demographics
- Your driving record
- Your credit history
Pennsylvania Regional Auto Insurance
Depending on where you live, you might have specific wishes and “must-haves” in mind for your car insurance policy. After all, someone who lives and drives in downtown Philadelphia might want more coverage than someone who lives in a quiet town in central Pennsylvania. But no matter what city you call home in Pennsylvania, we’re here to help you get covered.
Allentown Auto Insurance
Erie Auto Insurance
Philadelphia Auto Insurance
Pittsburgh Auto Insurance
Reading Auto Insurance
Other Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Resources
Find Cheap Car Insurance in Pennsylvania with Direct Auto!
Looking for affordable car insurance in Pennsylvania? Get a free car insurance quote for a policy that meets your state’s requirements, fits your needs and includes any discounts you’re entitled to receive so your premium is the lowest price possible.
*Emergency Protection Plans (EPP) and Roadside Assistance are not insurance and are administered through Nation Safe Drivers, Boca Raton, FL. Not all benefits available in all states.
** The “Direct Auto Insurance” brand is used by insurers in the National General Group, Winston-Salem, NC to describe their direct-to-consumer auto insurance programs. Direct Auto Insurance branded policies are produced by Direct General Insurance Agency, Inc. dba “Direct Auto Insurance” and by National General Insurance Marketing Inc
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