Philadelphia, PA Car Insurance
How much does car insurance cost in Philadelphia?
Auto insurance in Philadelphia costs $1,658 for a six-month policy or $276 per month — almost twice as much as the Pennsylvania state average and the most expensive city in the state for car insurance. Our data show that Travelers is the cheapest car insurance company in Philadelphia, costing about $142 per month or $850 every six months.
Philly drivers also pay more than twice the national average. In fact, 39% of our customers in Philadelphia admit they're paying too much for their car insurance. If you agree or just need help with your car insurance, read on to learn more about what a fair rate looks like in Philly based on common factors like age, coverage level and more.
| Car Insurance in Philadelphia vs. Pennsylvania | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Average | $1,658 |
| Pennsylvania Average | $878 |
The cheapest car insurance companies in Philadelphia
Travelers is the cheapest at $142 per month or $850 for a six-month policy.
Costing $1,149 every six months, Nationwide comes in second place.
State Farm is the third cheapest company in Philly and costs an average of $1,177 for a six-month policy.
The Zebra's key takeaways about car insurance in Philadelphia:
- The average cost of a car insurance policy in Philly is $1,658 per six-month policy — or $276 per month.
- The cheapest company in Philadelphia is Travelers ($850 every six months).
- Philadelphia ranks as the most expensive city for car insurance in Pennsylvania.
- 39% of Zebra customers in Philly stated they used our product because they were paying too much for car insurance with their current provider.
Are you paying too much for auto insurance?
Philadelphia car insurance rates by company
According to our data, the most affordable car insurance company for full coverage in Philly is Travelers. On average, this company costs $142 per month or $850 per six-month policy. The second cheapest is Nationwide at $191 per month.
Learn more about top-rated car insurance companies based on The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Cheapest car insurance companies in Philadelphia, PA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $850 |
| Nationwide | $1,149 |
| State Farm | $1,177 |
| GEICO | $1,308 |
| Allstate | $1,407 |
| Progressive | $1,530 |
| USAA | $1,612 |
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Shop around for the best rates
The only way to know which company is the cheapest coverage for you is to compare. Our comparison will do the leg work for you. Enter your ZIP code to see rates from Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual and Nationwide (+ other top companies) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Philadelphia.
Average car insurance in Philadelphia by rating factor
Insurance companies use a variety of rating factors into consideration when setting rates for their customers. These include things like the driver's age and driving history, credit tier, make and model of the car, the location where the car is driven and the amount of coverage purchased.
Due to these personal factors, the cost of auto insurance in Philadelphia can vary depending on the company and the driver. But because every company weighs these factors differently, the best way to find the best deal on car insurance is by shopping around and comparing rates.
Q: I didn't have an accident — Why is my insurance going up?
A: End-of-year earnings (revenue of premiums versus the cost of paying insureds’ claims) is also a major rating factor for how much you will pay for car insurance. Even if you’ve had no claims with your insurance company, you could still be paying more with a particular insurance company because the price of doing business has increased in Philly.
Auto insurance premiums by age in Philadelphia
Age is one of the most important rating factors when it comes to determining what you pay. Out of all age groups, young drivers — especially teens — have a higher accident rate. Car insurance can be extremely expensive for young drivers due to the increased risk. In Philadelphia, teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 pay over twice as much as drivers in their 20s — the largest such difference between any two age groups.
The best way for younger drivers to save money is by being insured on a parent's policy. While this will increase the overall rate, it's typically still much cheaper than having a separate policy.
Cheapest car insurance companies for teen drivers in Philadelphia, PA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $2,005 |
| GEICO | $3,202 |
| Nationwide | $3,627 |
| State Farm | $3,889 |
| USAA | $4,031 |
| Progressive | $4,450 |
| Allstate | $13,750 |
Zebra Tip:Â The cheapest company for Philly drivers across all age groups is Travelers
Our data show drivers in between the ages of 20-29 make up the bulk of drivers in Philadelphia. On average, this group pays $2,190 every six months but could potentially save over 50% by going with Travelers.
Auto insurance premiums for minimum coverage in Philadelphia
How much coverage you have also plays a role in your premium. A driver with full coverage will pay more than one with minimum coverage. Our data show that 40% of Philly drivers have basic coverage. However, this can still leave you at risk of being underinsured, especially if you're involved in a bad accident with injuries and property damage.
Adding collision coverage or comprehensive coverage (commonly known as full coverage when purchased together) will increase your premium but it could be worth it for peace of mind. These coverages typically require a deductible — and the higher your deductible, the cheaper your rates will be.
Policy add-ons like roadside assistance or uninsured motorist coverage will also protect you against drivers who don't carry coverage. While this will drive up the cost, we still recommend carrying such coverage options because they can go a long way in protecting both you and your vehicle.
Q: Can I lower my car insurance coverage?
A: Possibly — if your vehicle is paid off.
According to The Zebra's data, 49% of drivers in Philly have owned vehicles. If you are not leasing or financing your vehicle, you should consider if dropping comprehensive or collision coverage is right for you. We recommend getting the actual cash value of your vehicle via Kelley Blue Book or another reputable source. The general rule of thumb is if your vehicle is worth less than $4,000, you probably don't need collision coverage. Bear in mind, however, that dropping these coverages means that you will have to pay for any repairs out of your own pocket.
Cheapest car insurance companies for minimum coverage in Philadelphia, PA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $248 |
| Allstate | $328 |
| State Farm | $426 |
| Nationwide | $443 |
| GEICO | $458 |
| Progressive | $468 |
| USAA | $488 |
Most of our customers in Philly opt for basic level of coverage, but this may not be the best option for everyone. While we understand this is a budget-friendly solution, it does leave you at risk for damages that exceed your liability limits. Pennsylvania's 15/30/5 liability limits provide coverage for damage you cause up to $15,000 per person in bodily injury, $30,000 per accident in bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage. While this may be sufficient for most standard car accidents, it might not be for bodily injury claims or multi-vehicle accidents.
Learn more about insurance laws in Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia car insurance rates by credit score
In most states, including Pennsylvania, credit score is a rating factor in determining premiums. There are a few reasons why credit score is a rating factor for auto insurance. Historical data analysis suggests that drivers with lower credit scores are more likely to file claims, have lapses in coverage and engage in risky driving behavior. Since bad credit is associated with higher risk, the poorer your credit, the more you'll pay.
In fact, Philadelphia drivers with poor credit (300-579) pay 94% more than drivers with excellent credit (800-850). Our data tells us most drivers in Philly (31%) have an average (580-679) credit score.
In 2023, Nationwide is the cheapest option for Philadelphia drivers who have bad credit.
Cheapest car insurance companies for bad credit in Philadelphia, PA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | $1,562 |
| USAA | $1,612 |
| GEICO | $2,385 |
| Travelers | $2,399 |
| Allstate | $2,497 |
| State Farm | $2,556 |
| Progressive | $2,684 |
Auto insurance rates with an at-fault accident
It's no secret that at-fault and collision-type accidents and other insurance claims will raise your premium. In our analysis, we found that the cheapest insurance company in Philadelphia after an at-fault accident is Travelers.
How much your rates increase will depend on various factors, like the severity of the accident. A serious accident can trigger a rate increase by as much as hundreds or thousands per year. Typically, at-fault accidents and speeding tickets will be on your record for three to five years whereas DUIs or DWIs can follow you for longer.
Cheapest car insurance companies after an at-fault accident in Philadelphia, PA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $1,192 |
| State Farm | $1,514 |
| Nationwide | $1,844 |
| Allstate | $1,845 |
| GEICO | $2,066 |
| USAA | $2,266 |
| Progressive | $2,461 |
Philadelphia car insurance rates by violation
Below you can see how much different violations and claims will increase your rate in Philadelphia.
Car insurance rate increases after violations and citations in Philadelphia, PA
Why is car insurance in Philadelphia so expensive?
Philly is the most expensive city in Pennsylvania for auto insurance, but it's a necessary expense for any car owner. Below you'll find a rundown of why car insurance is so expensive in Philadelphia — regardless of your driving profile.
- Number of drivers: Philadelphia has a high population density with plenty of commuters that drive to and from the suburbs daily. This translates to increased chances for accidents and other claims, so insurance companies upcharge drivers to make up for the likelihood that they'll file a claim — whether that's sooner or later.
- Uninsured drivers:Â According to our data, 68% of Philly drivers are currently insured, meaning there's a decent chance drivers will get in an incident with an uninsured driver.
- Location:Â Car insurance rates are priced down to your ZIP code. So if you live in an area with higher-than-average levels of crime, your premium can be higher.
- Weather risk:Â While Pennsylvania doesn't face the most severe weather in the nation, the state isn't immune to weather events like storms and cyclones. These increase the likelihood of property damage.
Rates by ZIP code
Expensive Philly ZIP codes:Â 19140, 19121, 19132, 19133, 19139
Cheap Philly ZIP codes:Â 19113, 19118, 19128, 19127, 19154
Zebra Tip: Comprehensive coverage and uninsured motorist coverage are good to have in Pennsylvania
Damage caused by weather, animals and vandalism is covered under comprehensive coverage. If you have a new or nice vehicle, we definitely recommend considering comprehensive coverage as part of your Philadelphia car insurance policy.
Additionally, in cities or ZIP codes with high rates of uninsured drivers, we recommend carrying uninsured motorist coverage (also called UMPD). This coverage will provide assistance to you if you or your vehicle are damaged by an underinsured or uninsured driver. This coverage typically has a lower deductible and is cheaper than collision. Plus, the rate increase after a UMPD claim can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than a collision claim.
Bundling insurance policies in Philadelphia
Finding ways to save is becoming more and more important as rates continue to climb. If you're a homeowner or renter, bundling your home or renters policy with your auto insurance is one of the most impactful discounts — you may be able to save as much as 10% or more on your combined premiums. Learn more about bundling home and car insurance.
Cheapest car insurance companies for bundling home and auto insurance in Philadelphia, PA
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| Travelers | $765 |
| State Farm | $943 |
| Nationwide | $997 |
| Allstate | $1,157 |
| GEICO | $1,260 |
| Progressive | $1,314 |
| USAA | $1,458 |
While some things may be out of your control, drivers can work to make their profiles more appealing to insurers. The best advice we offer is to shop around and compare auto insurance quotes with as many companies as possible to ensure you're getting the most affordable rate that doesn't compromise coverage and service — especially if any personal factors have changed (like moving, celebrating a birthday and improving your credit). Try as you might, some companies are just more expensive than others; don't be afraid to switch.
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Frequently asked questions
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.