You have surely seen all the catchy commercials from companies like Nationwide, Progressive, and GEICO promising big savings, so drivers should just choose the one with the most memorable commercial, right?
Unfortunately, it’s just not that easy, as there are a lot of unknowns like where you live in Philadelphia, what coverage limits you want, if you own your own home, and if you want full coverage included, that all influence how much you pay for auto insurance. We will try to teach you about the things that cause high insurance rates and will hopefully give you a good start in finding the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania.
One of the many criteria that determine auto insurance rates is where your residence is in Philadelphia. Areas with more people or even just a higher incidence of claims will most likely have higher rates, whereas areas that tend to be more rural benefit from lower prices.
The information below ranks the priciest cities in Pennsylvania for homeowners to purchase car insurance in. Philadelphia is ranked at #1 with an annual cost of $1,997 for the average insurance policy, which is around $166 per month.
| Rank | City | Premium Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $1,997 |
| 2 | Drexel Hill | $1,549 |
| 3 | Chester | $1,435 |
| 4 | Levittown | $1,407 |
| 5 | Norristown | $1,320 |
| 6 | Erie | $1,115 |
| 7 | Allentown | $1,108 |
| 8 | Municipality of Monr | $1,091 |
| 9 | Bethlehem | $1,077 |
| 10 | Easton | $1,069 |
| 11 | Reading | $1,066 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh | $1,063 |
| 13 | Wilkes-Barre | $1,047 |
| 14 | Plum | $1,047 |
| 15 | Hazleton | $1,046 |
| 16 | New Castle | $1,046 |
| 17 | Scranton | $1,039 |
| 18 | Altoona | $1,032 |
| 19 | Harrisburg | $1,015 |
| 20 | Bethel Park | $1,009 |
| 21 | Williamsport | $996 |
| 22 | Lancaster | $975 |
| 23 | Lebanon | $932 |
| 24 | York | $926 |
| 25 | State College | $878 |
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Rates are comparative as specific location information can modify prices noticeably.
The make and model of vehicle you are trying to insure is one of the largest factors when consumers are trying to find cheaper insurance for homeowners. Vehicles with average performance, modern passenger safety features, or a low likelihood of liability claims will cost less to insure than higher performance models.
The data below showcases auto insurance rates for some of the cheapest vehicles to insure.
| Make and Model | Estimated Cost for Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Elantra GLS Touring Station Wagon | $3,762 |
| Ford Escape XLT 2WD | $3,772 |
| Honda CR-V LX 2WD | $3,762 |
| Toyota Prius | $4,168 |
| Ford Explorer XLT 4WD | $4,207 |
| Ford Edge Limited 2WD | $4,365 |
| Chevrolet Impala LS | $4,374 |
| Volkswagen Jetta S 2.5 Station Wagon | $4,474 |
| Dodge Grand Caravan Crew | $4,531 |
| Ford Focus SES 4-Dr Sedan | $4,605 |
| Hyundai Sonata GLS 4-Dr Sedan | $4,771 |
| GMC Sierra SLE Extended Cab 4WD | $4,776 |
| Honda Odyssey EX | $4,775 |
| Toyota Tacoma 2WD | $4,782 |
| Toyota RAV4 Sport 2WD | $4,872 |
| Chevrolet Equinox LS 2WD | $4,879 |
| Nissan Altima 2.5 S 2-Dr Coupe | $5,094 |
| Chevrolet Silverado LS Crew Cab 2WD | $5,100 |
| Toyota Camry XLE | $5,138 |
| Toyota Corolla XLE | $5,145 |
| Dodge Ram 3500 Mega Cab SLT 2WD | $5,182 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ Crew Cab Diesel 2WD | $5,189 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LTZ | $5,234 |
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Table data represents single male driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1,000 deductibles, and Pennsylvania minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-vehicle, claim-free, safe-driver, homeowner, and multi-policy. Price estimates do not factor in vehicle location which can decrease or increase auto insurance rates considerably.
Based on these rates, vehicles like the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Toyota Prius, and Ford Explorer will definitely be some of the cheaper vehicles to insure for people who own their homes.
Comparing rates for budget car insurance is tough enough, and finding out which companies offer the lowest-priced auto insurance rates for homeowners will take even more diligence. Each insurer has a different formula to set policy rates, so let’s begin by examining the auto insurance companies with the overall cheapest rates in Pennsylvania.
We do need to point out that Philadelphia auto insurance rates are calculated based on many things which can substantially decrease or increase the price you have to pay. This price variation is why it is so important to compare many different companies to find the lowest auto insurance quotes for homeowners. Prices can be determined by many factors and change substantially, so the best option the last time you checked may now be quite expensive.
Cheap Insurance Rates for Homeowners
| Rank | Company | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Casualty | $748 |
| 2 | Travelers | $803 |
| 3 | Penn National | $808 |
| 4 | USAA | $809 |
| 5 | Erie | $824 |
| 6 | Amica | $982 |
| 7 | Auto-Owners | $993 |
| 8 | Atlantic States | $1,005 |
| 9 | Donegal Mutual | $1,102 |
| 10 | Allied | $1,144 |
| 11 | GEICO | $1,157 |
| 12 | State Farm | $1,174 |
| 13 | California Casualty | $1,222 |
| 14 | State Auto | $1,267 |
| 15 | Encompass | $1,398 |
| 16 | Nationwide | $1,433 |
| 17 | Harleysville | $1,452 |
| 18 | Mutual Benefit Group | $1,454 |
| 19 | Progressive | $1,472 |
| 20 | Chubb | $1,583 |
| Find Cheaper Rates Go | ||
General Casualty may offer some of the lowest car insurance rates in Philadelphia at around $748 a year. This is $909 less than the average rate paid by Pennsylvania drivers of $1,657. Travelers, Penn National, USAA, and Erie also make the cut as some of the more affordable Philadelphia, PA insurance companies.
As the rates illustrate above, if you currently have a policy with Penn National and switched to General Casualty, you could realize a yearly price reduction of in the neighborhood of $60. Pennsylvania drivers with USAA could save as much as $61 a year, and Erie insureds might lower prices by $76 a year.
Remember that these rates are averages for all types of drivers and the different vehicles they drive and do not take into consideration a specific zip code for homeowners. So the car insurance company that is best for you may not even be in the top 30 companies in the list above. That underscores the importance of why you need to get auto insurance quotes using your own specific driver and vehicle information.
Discount Philadelphia car insurance
Insurance companies that offer coverage for homeowners may also offer special discounts that could reduce prices by 35% or more if you meet eligibility requirements. Larger auto insurance companies and a selection of discounts are:
- GEICO policyholders can earn discounts including air bags, multi-vehicle, military active duty, good student, and defensive driver.
- Travelers offers premium reductions for continuous insurance, student away at school, payment discounts, driver training, multi-car, good student, and early quote.
- Nationwide may include discounts for accident-free, defensive driving, good student, multi-policy, and business or organization.
- Farmers Insurance has savings for good student, distant student, bundle discounts, alternative fuel, youthful driver, business and professional, and mature driver.
- Esurance may have discounts that include paid-in-full, safety device, renters, good driver, defensive driver, online quote, and homeowner.
- State Farm may offer discounts for defensive driving training, passive restraint, student away at school, multiple autos, anti-theft, safe vehicle, and driver’s education.
- Progressive discounts include online signing, multi-vehicle, online quote discount, multi-policy, and continuous coverage.
- Mercury Insurance offers discounts for age of vehicle, annual mileage, type of vehicle, low natural disaster claims, good driver, anti-theft, and location of vehicle.
The chart below shows the comparison of car insurance costs with and without some available policy discounts. The premium estimates are based on a male driver, no tickets, no at-fault accidents, Pennsylvania state minimum liability limits, full coverage, and $100 deductibles. The first bar for each age group shows insurance cost with no discounts. The second bar shows the rates with claim-free, marriage, multiple policy, safe-driver, vehicle safety, and homeowner discounts applied. When taking advantage of discounts, the average amount saved each year on auto insurance for homeowners is 28% or $522.
How accidents and tickets impact rates
The common sense way to earn the cheapest auto insurance rates in Philadelphia for people who own their homes is to pay attention while driving and avoid traffic citations and accidents. The illustration below highlights how speeding tickets and fender-benders can affect auto insurance rates for different age groups. The prices are based on a married male driver, full coverage, $1,000 deductibles, and no discounts are applied to the premium.
In the prior example, the average cost of car insurance in Philadelphia per year with a clean driving record and no accidents is $1,588. Receive two speeding tickets and the average cost hikes up to $2,181, an increase of $593 each year. Then add two accidents along with the two speeding tickets and the annual cost of auto insurance for homeowners goes up to an average of $4,645. That’s an increase of $3,057, or $255 per month, just for a couple of infractions!
Ideas for finding low-cost car insurance for homeowners
Below you’ll find some thrifty suggestions that can help drivers get low-cost car insurance.
- Save money by insuring older vehicles for liability only
- Lower rates by purchasing a safer vehicle
- Avoid speeding and other traffic citations and pay less
- Save money by bundling your home and auto policies
- Don’t have frequent claims
- Being accident-free can lower rates significantly
- Look for cheaper rates once a year by shopping around
The last suggestion is remarkably necessary, as we pointed out in this piece. Coverage rates fluctuate considerably, so don’t be hesitant to buy from a different company if you can find a cheaper rate.
Brand loyalty is great, but we do not recommend it if that stubbornness costs you major coinage every year. Take a couple minutes and compare prices and find cheaper car insurance for homeowners in Philadelphia.
The insurance agencies below are a good start to help you make a decision which auto insurance policy would work best for you, since many consumers aren’t sure which coverage to buy and prefer to have the advice of a professional agent when comparing insurance rates for people who own their homes. It can be hard to find the best coverage yourself, so getting professional guidance from a licensed agent can add peace of mind knowing your coverage gives you enough coverage if you have a claim.
To find a Philadelphia insurance agent using an interactive map, click the link at the bottom.
- Nationwide Insurance: Ferullo Insurance Agencies LLC
1636 S Front St – Philadelphia, PA 19148 – (215) 468-4116 - Torri Insurance Agency
214 Fairmount Ave – Philadelphia, PA 19123 – (800) 701-5909 - Martin Insurance
5700 Delancey St – Philadelphia, PA 19143 – (215) 471-6860