Insurance
Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated October 1, 2026
Advertiser disclosure: AssistQuote may be paid when you visit or do business with a partner through our links. The provider sets your price. How we make money
The short answer
Pennsylvania's minimum car insurance is 15/30/5 in liability, plus $5,000 in medical benefits. Those are among the lowest minimums in the country.
The biggest choice on a Pennsylvania policy is limited tort or full tort. Limited tort costs less, but it gives up your right to sue for pain and suffering after most crashes. Make that choice on purpose, not by accident.
- No phone number neededSee costs and options before you share any contact details.
- Real price ranges, with sourcesWe name where every number comes from and when it was published.
- You choose who to contactWe show options. You decide if, when and who to reach out to.
We never ask for a Social Security number, date of birth or documents.
What Pennsylvania requires
- Bodily injury liability of 15/30: up to $15,000 per injured person and $30,000 per crash.
- Property damage liability of $5,000.
- Medical benefits of $5,000. This pays medical bills for you and others covered by your policy, no matter who caused the crash.
$5,000 in property damage won't cover much. Many cars cost more than that to repair after a minor crash. If you cause more damage than your limits, you could owe the rest.
Limited tort vs. full tort
Pennsylvania makes you choose one:
Full tort keeps your full right to sue the at-fault driver, including for pain and suffering.
Limited tort costs less. You can still recover your medical bills and lost wages. But you give up the right to sue for pain and suffering, which the law calls noneconomic loss, unless your injury is serious.
What counts as a serious injury? Death, serious impairment of a body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. A soft-tissue injury that heals in a few months may not qualify. Courts decide close cases.
Which should you pick? Limited tort can make sense if money is tight and you understand the trade. Full tort costs more, but it keeps your options open after a crash that hurts you but isn't "serious" under the law. Ask for a quote both ways.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
Pennsylvania insurers must offer both. Buying them is optional.
- Uninsured motorist (UM) pays for your injuries if the at-fault driver has no insurance.
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) pays when the at-fault driver's limits are too low.
To turn them down, you have to sign a rejection form. Read it before you sign. With a 15/30 minimum in the state, a lot of drivers carry low limits.
What happens if you drive without insurance
If you drive or let your car be driven without insurance, PennDOT can suspend your registration and your license for 3 months. You may be able to pay a $500 civil penalty plus a restoration fee instead of serving the registration suspension.
There's a narrow exception if your coverage lapsed for less than 31 days and the car wasn't driven during that time.
What changes your price in Pennsylvania
- Tort choice. Limited tort costs less than full tort.
- Where you live. City driving usually costs more than rural driving.
- Your driving record and your car.
- Your limits, deductibles, UM/UIM choice, and medical benefit level.
Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the insurance company.
Car insurance in Philadelphia
Philadelphia drivers follow the same state rules and tort choice. City traffic can mean higher prices than in small towns. Compare several quotes with the same tort option, limits, and deductibles, or you won't be comparing the same thing.
What to ask before you choose
- "Is this quote limited tort or full tort? What's the difference in price?"
- "How much would higher liability limits cost?" 15/30/5 is very low.
- "Did I keep UM and UIM coverage? At what limits?"
- "How much medical benefit coverage do I have?"
- "Do I have collision and comprehensive, and what are the deductibles?"
The catch: the cheapest Pennsylvania quotes often combine limited tort, minimum limits, and rejected UM and UIM. Each choice saves a little. Together, they can leave you with very little protection after a crash that wasn't your fault.
Explore by state
Texas · Florida · California · Ohio · Georgia · Michigan · Arizona · North Carolina · Illinois · Massachusetts · New Jersey · Indiana · Colorado · Alabama · Louisiana · South Carolina · Virginia · Maryland · Oklahoma · Washington · Nevada · Tennessee · New York · Wisconsin · Utah · Maine · Minnesota · Arkansas · Delaware · Idaho · Kentucky · Mississippi · Iowa · Vermont · New Hampshire · Nebraska · New Mexico · Rhode Island · Houston
Keep reading
Own a home in Pennsylvania? See Pennsylvania homeowners insurance. Want more liability protection? See umbrella insurance.
More car insurance guides: Car insurance cost · SR-22 insurance · High-risk car insurance · Liability-only car insurance · Car insurance for teens · How to lower car insurance · What affects your auto insurance price · What comprehensive covers · Car insurance without a car · Umbrella insurance · All car insurance
Car insurance by city: Houston · Dallas · Chicago · Atlanta · Miami · Philadelphia · Phoenix · Charlotte · San Antonio · Austin · Fort Worth · Seattle · Las Vegas · San Diego · Denver · Memphis
More Pennsylvania guides: Pennsylvania homeowners insurance · Philadelphia car insurance
Why AssistQuote is different
On some websites
They ask who you are first
Some forms want your name and phone number before they show you anything useful. You may not know which companies will get it, or how many will call.
Here, you choose
Answer a few questions without giving your name, email or phone number. See prices, what to ask, and providers to explore. You choose who to contact and what to share with them.
- 1
Check local costs
See typical price ranges for your area and what moves the price up or down.
- 2
Tell us what you need
Answer a few questions about the work, not about who you are.
- 3
You decide what's next
Save or email your options, or visit a provider when you're ready.
Cost information is not a live rate, quote or offer. A provider shown here is not an endorsement. Each provider sets its own prices, privacy and contact rules.
Questions people ask
Ready to see auto insurance options in Pennsylvania?
Start with your ZIP code. You will see typical local costs and options to explore. No phone number, email or name needed to look.
You choose if, when and who to contact.
Related services
Life Insurance
Compare life insurance options to help protect the people who depend on you.
Final Expense Insurance
Compare small whole life options intended to cover funeral and end of life costs.
Umbrella Insurance
Explore additional liability coverage above your existing policies.
Homeowners Insurance
Compare homeowners coverage options for your house and belongings.