The average cost of car insurance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $2,062 annually for a full coverage option, and $761 for the state minimum amount. The average cost of car insurance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is $2,062 annually for a full coverage option, and $761 for the state minimum amount.
There is really no such thing as the cheapest car insurance provider—that’s why it’s important to work with a broker, like Jerry, to find a Philadelphia car insurance policy that fits you and your budget.
Philadelphia car insurance quotes: Find your best rate in 5 steps
Finding auto insurance quotes in Philadelphia can seem daunting—but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you need to do to find the ideal insurance company and the best prices:
- Gather your information
- Get auto insurance rates
- Select your coverage options
- Choose a policy start date
- Upload necessary documents
Take a look at how the process will look like when you shop with Jerry:
Step 1: Gather your documents
To get car insurance quotes, you’ll need to have the following information ready:
- Your full name and driver’s license number
- The address where your vehicle will be stored
- Your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Any claims, accidents, or violations on your driving record from the past five years
Step 2: Request quotes
When you use the Jerry app, all you need to do is answer a few simple questions about yourself and your vehicle to get free quotes.
After you complete your driver profile, you’ll see a list of real car insurance quotes from companies in the Philadelphia area insuring drivers with your profile.
Step 3: Choose your coverage level
In the Jerry app, you’ll also see quotes at several different coverage levels, from the minimum coverage with optional uninsured motorists to a robust full coverage policy with add-on coverage.
Because state minimum insurance can leave you underprotected if you get into an accident, consider purchasing insurance in the following amounts:
- $100,000/$300,000 of bodily injury liability coverage
- $50,000 of property damage liability coverage
- $100,000/$300,000 of uninsured motorist coverage
- Comprehensive coverage ($500 deductible)
- Collision coverage ($500 deductible)
The amount of coverage you choose is up to you, but most drivers benefit from a full coverage auto insurance policy with liability limits of at least $50k/$100k/$50k. You can even tailor your coverage options to make sure you have the protection you need.
Step 4: Choose your policy start date
When you’re ready to purchase car insurance coverage, you can get a same-day policy through the Jerry app.
If you’re shopping for a car you don’t own yet, or if your current policy isn’t set to expire for a few weeks, you can schedule your new policy to start up to a month in advance.
Step 5: Upload your documents
You may also need to upload documents, including proof of current insurance or homeownership papers, to give to your new insurer.
After they’re verified, your policy will start and you can access your insurance card and other documents in the app.
Why is car insurance so expensive in Philadelphia
Car insurance rates in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania state are lower than the national average. However, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t susceptible to increases.
There are a few reasons why your car insurance in Philadelphia could be higher than usual:
- Higher rate of fatal accidents: In 2021, there were 1,153 fatal crashes in Pennsylvania, equating to an accident rate of 9.5 per every 100,000 people. 1
- More claims filed: With a population of 1,527,886, Philadelphia is one of the largest cities in the state—meaning there is a higher chance of accidents. Comparing 2022 to 2019, the LexisNexis report notes that property damage claims rose by 35%.2
- Major DUIs: There were 42,409 DUI arrests in Pennsylvania in 2022 alone. While the number has decreased since 2021, it still accounts for 35% of all violations filed.3
- Above-average car values: Between December 2020 and December 2021, used car and truck prices increased by 37.3% in 2021. On the other hand, new vehicle costs rose by 11.8%.4
- Coastal perils: Oceanside car ownership means a higher risk of damage and crashes from severe weather. Insurance companies charge more for full coverage car insurance policies based on that risk.
The average cost of car insurance in Philadelphia
The tables below show the average annual cost of a car insurance policy in 10 Philadelphia ZIP codes.
The 5 most expensive Philadelphia ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
| 19126 | $3,332 |
| 19140 | $3,307 |
| 19138 | $2,928 |
| 19139 | $2,882 |
| 19144 | $2,872 |
The 5 cheapest Philadelphia ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Average annual premium |
|---|---|
| 19106 | $1,522 |
| 19107 | $1,553 |
| 19129 | $1,655 |
| 19130 | $1,722 |
| 19102 | $1,770 |
Is car insurance going up in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has seen an increase in the cost of auto insurance since 2021. According to a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence, Pennsylvania saw a 10.5% rise in premiums in 2023 alone, with these top companies experiencing the biggest increases:
If your insurance company has recently instituted a rate increase, your car insurance premium could go up—even if you don’t have any accidents or claims on your record.
Smart driving tips for Philadelphia drivers
Practicing safe driving and maintaining a clean driving record can help lower rates in Philadelphia and qualify you for car insurance discounts. Make sure to keep the following tips in mind the next time you drive:
- Plan ahead: Account for traffic delays and weather changes so you can give yourself enough time to follow the speed limit.
- Drive slow in rain: Slow down, give yourself space for stopping, and avoid harsh braking in rainy weather. Don’t use cruise control when driving on wet roads, as it will reduce your ability to control your vehicle.
- Know when not to drive: During high peak travel times, like rush hour or holidays, accidents are more likely to occur.
- Stay up to date with maintenance: Checking your tires frequently and keeping a vehicle maintenance schedule can improve your car’s overall performance and safety.
Drive safe with Jerry
Along with car insurance shopping, Jerry also provides tools to help you track your driving habits and remember important car maintenance dates, keeping you safe on Philadelphia roads.
Savings 101: How to lower the cost of coverage in Philadelphia
It can be difficult finding cheap car insurance in Philadelphia—but it’s not impossible. Here are five of the top solutions for lowering your rates:
- Look for discounts: Several of the best car insurance companies offer car insurance discounts. You can earn savings by bundling your homeowners and auto insurance policies, or opting for paperless billing.
- Buy a used car: Opting for a used vehicle instead of a new car can lower your car insurance costs by 3.4% per model year.
- Enroll in telematics: Many auto insurance companies allow policyholders to enroll in telematics programs to reduce their monthly premium. Safe drivers who use telematics generally pay some of the lowest rates in Philadelphia.
- Build your credit: Drivers with a good credit score experience cheaper premiums than those with a poor credit score. Keep your utilization under 30% and pay it in full when possible to improve your rating.
- Always shop: Your premium costs can increase at renewal, so consistently shopping for car insurance can help you maintain an affordable rate. Use the automatic reshopping feature in the Jerry app to get notified of potential savings opportunities.
‘70% of people haven’t re-shopped their car insurance policy, and that means they may be leaving money on the table. If you aren’t pleased with your current rate, shop around.”
Other factors that determine your Philadelphia auto insurance rates
Not every insurer will provide you with the same quote—each company uses different calculations to determine your rates based on combined risk factors.
Age
Most providers use age to measure your overall risk. Those who are over the age of 25 typically see the lowest rates.
- Teen drivers have some of the highest premiums
- Drivers over 25 will see a drop in their costs for liability coverage
- Senior drivers in their 50s and 60s pay the least amount for car insurance
In addition to your age, certain life changes, such as getting married or purchasing your first home, can also change your rates.
Driving history
Your Philadelphia driving record will have one of the biggest impacts on your average rate as it measures your responsibility as a driver. At-fault accidents and violations, whether it’s a speeding ticket or a DUI, can raise your coverage exponentially and make it difficult to find insurance.
- Average rate increase after an at-fault accident: 48%
- Average rate increase after a speeding ticket: 28%
- Average rate increase after a DUI: 47%
Track your driving with Jerry to improve your safe driving instincts and qualify for potential insurance discounts.
Credit score
The state of Pennsylvania allows insurance companies to use your credit score as a determining factor when calculating your premiums. Keep in mind that this can be used to estimate your rate, but not increase them in PA.
Here’s how major insurance providers in Philadelphia use your credit information to decide your rates:
| Insurance company | % increase from excellent to fair credit | % increase from fair to poor credit | % increase from excellent to poor credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | 42% | 33% | 89% |
| Auto-Owners | 68% | 67% | 181% |
| GEICO | 40% | 36% | 91% |
| Farmers | 45% | 44% | 109% |
| Nationwide | 35% | 16% | 57% |
| Progressive | 64% | 51% | 148% |
| State Farm | 79% | 82% | 225% |
| Travelers | 65% | 56% | 157% |
| USAA | 31% | 47% | 92% |
Insurance history
If you have several claims with a previous provider, or your current insurer, this could also lead to higher rates. So will any lapse in your coverage.
When you search for auto insurance quotes or renew your policy, your car insurance provider will check your motor vehicle report (MVR) for any claims made in the last seven years. These will be taken into account when calculating your premiums.
To keep your rates low, make sure to have continuous coverage and choose when to file—and not file—a claim.
FAQ
-
What is the minimum car insurance in Philadelphia?
-
At what age is car insurance cheapest?
-
Who typically has the cheapest car insurance?
-
How much does it cost to insure a car in Philadelphia?
-
Why is Philadelphia car insurance so expensive?
-
What is the cheapest time to insure a car?
-
Is it illegal to drive without insurance in Philadelphia?
Sources
- https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state ↩︎
- https://risk.lexisnexis.com/insights-resources/white-paper/auto-insurance-trends-report?trmid=INSATO23.ATR.ATREmail23.PHGO-917610&gclid=CjwKCAiA0syqBhBxEiwAeNx9N_32fI6KnvnAL-_hBLoyUG9FEpEyV2Us3T3IDq5nWx1GnIM2UApSCBoC68EQAvD_BwE ↩︎
- https://www.penndot.pa.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/TrafficSafetyAndDriverTopics/Pages/Impaired-Driving.aspx#:~:text=Statewide%20police%20statistics%20show,filed%20under%20the%20DUI%20law ↩︎
- https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2022/consumer-price-index-2021-in-review.htm ↩︎
Kianna Walpole is an insurance writer and editor with a comprehensive background in consumer behavior and online publishing. With experience in car insurance, maintenance, and repair, she is dedicated to building informative content that helps customers reduce costs while achieving the best service. Prior to joining the Jerry editorial team, Kianna worked as a junior editor in the content marketing industry, using consumer data and key insights to create and edit content for an array of large-scale clients in the real estate, cybersecurity, and healthcare industries.
As Vice President of Insurance Operations at Jerry, Josh Damico leads teams across product development, operations and carrier relations, integrating Jerry’s smart and fast car insurance customer experience with that of traditional carriers to help customers find savings and coverage. Josh’s nearly 20 years of insurance-industry experience and knowledge generate partnerships with more than 55 name-brand and specialty insurance partners that enable Jerry to serve customers with all types of vehicle and policy needs.
Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities. In his most recent role as director of sales, servicing, and underwriting, Josh developed and executed profit and growth strategy for the New England states and New Jersey.
Josh holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.
