Cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Pennsylvania

Which company has the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania for a bad driving record?

Drivers with a poor record in Pennsylvania will find the lowest rates from Travelers, Erie Insurance and Nationwide. Among these, Travelers provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $1,462 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, you'll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
Travelers	$952	$1,462
Erie Insurance	$1,550	$2,315
Nationwide	$1,196	$2,357
Progressive	$2,193	$3,188
GEICO	$2,308	$3,711
State Farm	$2,473	$3,948
Allstate	$2,503	$4,177
USAA	$1,806	$2,152

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How much is high-risk car insurance in Pennsylvania?

A problematic driving record or poor credit score may mean higher insurance rates, but affordable options exist. In Pennsylvania, high-risk car insurance costs $3,036 per year. However, you can get rates as low as $1,462 annually from Travelers.

Many things can make you a high-risk driver, but some affect your rates more than others. For example, having multiple speeding tickets or a ticket for speeding in a school zone will increase your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Read on as we explain high-risk car insurance factors and rates below.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Pennsylvania, PA is $3,205

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Company	Annual premium for clean record	Annual premium after violation
Travelers	$952	$1,250
Nationwide	$1,196	$1,961
Erie Insurance	$1,550	$2,115
USAA	$1,806	$2,662
State Farm	$2,473	$2,865
Progressive	$2,193	$3,379
Allstate	$2,503	$3,513
GEICO	$2,308	$3,708

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Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered a high-risk driver in Pennsylvania?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

What company offers the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania after a DUI?

Although many insurance companies provide coverage after a DUI, Travelers offers the most affordable rate at $1,347 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious traffic violation that damages your driving record. It can raise auto insurance premiums for nearly 10 years, on top of fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs drive rates even higher, but consistent safe driving over time can gradually lead to lower premiums.

The table below compares average car insurance premiums in Pennsylvania for drivers with a clean record versus those with a DUI.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for a DUI
Travelers	$952	$1,347
Erie Insurance	$1,550	$2,498
Progressive	$2,193	$2,645
State Farm	$2,473	$2,646
Nationwide	$1,196	$3,010
GEICO	$2,308	$3,852
USAA	$1,806	$2,425

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What is the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania with multiple tickets?

Travelers is the cheapest car insurance company for drivers with multiple traffic tickets, with an average rate of $1,160 a year or $97 a month.

While one traffic ticket can affect car insurance rates, multiple tickets can significantly increase those rates. Failure to obey speed limits and traffic laws leads insurers to believe they will eventually have to pay claims due to risky driving.

This table shows Pennsylvania drivers how much multiple tickets increase premiums.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium with a speeding ticket
Travelers	$952	$1,160
Erie Insurance	$1,550	$1,733
Nationwide	$1,196	$2,160
State Farm	$2,473	$2,646
GEICO	$2,308	$3,541
USAA	$1,806	$2,022

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Key insight

Two minor tickets can sometimes cost you more on insurance in the end than one major violation.

Which company offers the cheapest insurance for reckless driving in Pennsylvania?

Travelers offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $1,347 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with a reckless driving conviction.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for reckless driving
Travelers	$952	$1,347
Erie Insurance	$1,550	$2,498
State Farm	$2,473	$2,646
Nationwide	$1,196	$3,010
Progressive	$2,193	$3,132
GEICO	$2,308	$3,596
USAA	$1,806	$2,271

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Key insight

A reckless driving conviction can limit your car insurance options and significantly raise rates, so shopping around is critical.

Company has the cheapest car insurance for drivers with bad credit in Pennsylvania?

The cheapest Pennsylvania insurer for bad credit is Nationwide, with rates averaging $1,642 annually or $137 monthly. Fortunately, drivers with bad credit can still find affordable auto insurance.

Although unrelated to your performance behind the wheel, your credit score also impacts car insurance rates and can put you in the high-risk category. To an insurance company, high-risk means more likely to file a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistically, drivers with a low credit score fit that description.

Check out the table below to see how your credit score affects Pennsylvania car insurance.

Company	Annual premium for good credit	Annual premium for bad credit
Nationwide	$1,196	$1,642
Travelers	$952	$2,600
Erie Insurance	$1,550	$3,694
Progressive	$2,193	$3,788
Allstate	$2,503	$4,177
GEICO	$2,308	$4,194
State Farm	$2,473	$10,456

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What company has the cheapest car insurance in Pennsylvania after an accident?

Travelers has the lowest average rates after an accident at $1,241 a year. Nationwide also offers affordable rates, averaging $1,961 per year.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.

Company	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for one at-fault accident	Annual premium for multiple accident
Travelers	$952	$1,241	$1,524
Nationwide	$1,196	$1,961	$2,735
Erie Insurance	$1,550	$1,988	$2,115
State Farm	$2,473	$2,792	$2,865
Progressive	$2,193	$3,379	$3,970
Allstate	$2,503	$3,513	$4,813
GEICO	$2,308	$3,708	$5,441
USAA	$1,806	$2,662	$3,910

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Key insight

Accident forgiveness programs can prevent rate increases, but eligibility varies by insurer, and often only minor accidents qualify.

Which city has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the lowest car insurance rates are found in York, averaging $2,687 annually. On the other hand, Philadelphia has the highest rates at $4,521 a year.

Where you live in Pennsylvania matters, too. If you're in an area with heavy traffic or a high rate of vehicle theft, your premiums will rise to reflect the increased likelihood of claims.

City	Average annual premium for clean record	Annual premium for high-risk driver
York	$1,647	$2,687
Farrell	$1,752	$2,816
Nanticoke	$1,745	$2,821
Lancaster	$1,763	$2,875
West Mifflin	$1,795	$2,904
Easton	$1,820	$2,955
Derry	$1,856	$2,975
Pittsburgh	$1,933	$3,129
Brookhaven	$2,238	$3,662
Philadelphia	$2,782	$4,521

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How can high-risk drivers lower their car insurance rates in Pennsylvania?

Finding affordable car insurance in Pennsylvania is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Where you live in Pennsylvania also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Pennsylvania?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Methodology

170+

insurance companies analyzed

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on: