Philadelphia drivers face unique challenges — from crowded urban roads to high-theft neighborhoods — that make car insurance in Philadelphia critical. Here’s what sets Philly apart:
- Neighborhood Theft Risk: Areas like North Philadelphia and Kensington report some of the highest vehicle theft and vandalism rates in the city.
- Severe Weather Damage: Northeast Philly and Eastwick are prone to flooding during summer storms and snowmelt.
- Urban Traffic Hazards: High-density zones such as Center City and South Philadelphia see frequent fender benders, parked car damage, and pedestrian-related incidents.
- Winter Road Conditions: Black ice and snow accumulation can lead to multi-car accidents, especially on major arteries like Roosevelt Boulevard and I76.
The state of Philadelphia sets car insurance requirements that every driver must meet when creating their policies. These requirements include:
- $15,000 per person and $30,000per accident for bodily injury liability
- $5,000 for property damage liability per accident
- Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage
- First Party Benefits to cover medical expenses, regardless of fault
- Choice between Full or Limited Tort, which affects your right to sue for pain and suffering
These minimums are set by the state, but many drivers in Philadelphia choose to increase their limits for better protection if they're determined to be at fault for more serious accidents. It’s often recommended for drivers increase their liability limits to avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses in the event of more serious accidents and the limits are not enough to cover the damages.
To learn more about these coverages and how they work, visit our Pennsylvania car insurance page.
Meeting the legal requirements often means your vehicle’s damage is not covered if you’re at fault. For financial assistance to repair your car, be it from an accident or non-collision incidents, additional coverage is recommended.
Here are some commonly suggested additions:
- Collision Coverage: Covers damage to your own car, even if you're at fault.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Protects against non-collision events like theft, fire, or flood damage.
- Roadside Assistance: Helps cover the cost of towing if your vehicle becomes undrivable.
- Rental Reimbursement: Helps cover the cost of rental while your vehicle is being repaired.
- Rideshare coverage: Only applicable if you use your personal vehicle for a rideshare service and you’re “on the clock.” Might provide more coverage than what is provided by the service, and has options for liability, collision, and medical payments.
- Gap Coverage: Coverage for when your car is deemed a total loss and you are still making payments. Covers the gap between what you owe and what the car is valued at.
This list only represents commonly recommended coverage, but there may be other options for more specialized cases. Goosehead agents work with you to find coverage that fits your specific needs.
Additionally, the descriptions are also general in nature, so they give you an understanding of what they cover.
On average, Philadelphia drivers pay more than the statewide average. Those that have policies that meet the legal minimum pay around $600 a year. However, those that have more specialized coverage pay up to ;$3,600 to $4,000 a year.
Ultimately what you pay for your coverage depends on more than just your coverage selections. Rates are also based on:
- Location: Where you live within Philadelphia may influence your rate. Areas like Kensington or North Philly see more frequent claims.
- Driving Record: Prior accidents or violations are taken into consideration.
- Vehicle Type: Vehicles that cost more to repair or are frequently targeted for theft are more expensive to cover.
- Credit Score: Where allowed, some carriers may look at your credit score to determine a rate.
- Age: Younger, less experienced drivers often face higher premiums.
You can still find affordable auto insurance in Philadelphia by using smart strategies like:
- Bundling auto and renters or homeowners policies for discounts
- Driving safely or taking safe driving courses to avoid accidents and violations
- Asking about discounts for safety features or multi-vehicle policies
- Installing safety features like anti-theft alarms
- Using Goosehead to shop around and compare quotes across top providers, all while keeping one point of contact with your Goosehead agent
Here at Goosehead, we make shopping for auto insurance in Philadelphia simple and transparent. Here’s why drivers trust us:
- State Expertise: Our agents are licensed in Pennsylvania, meaning they know that drivers in Philadelphia face, from local risks to legal requirements.
- Customized Solutions: Every driver is unique. Our agents learn your needs to build a policy that’s made just for you.
- Top Rated Carriers: We partner with a wide range of carriers, doing the comparison work for you.
- Dedicated Support: From a quote to binding a policy, our agents provide high-quality service at every step.