Pennsylvania Auto Insurance Guide for New Drivers
Pennsylvania requires 15/30/5 liability coverage and is a no-fault state.
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Pennsylvania at a Glance
15/30/5
Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)
No-fault
Each driver's own policy pays their injuries first, whoever caused the crash
Required
PIP coverage must be on every policy
16
Minimum learner's permit age, 65 supervised driving hours
Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026
State Requirements
Pennsylvania operates as a choice no-fault state, meaning you select either limited tort (lower premiums but restricted lawsuit rights) or full tort (higher premiums with full lawsuit rights) when you buy a policy. All drivers must carry proof of insurance at all times — either a physical card or electronic proof on your phone — and submit it during registration renewal. The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance enforces these requirements through a real-time electronic verification system that flags uninsured vehicles within 30 days.
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
First-Party Medical Benefits
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Tort Selection
Cost Overview
$281/mo
Typical monthly rate in Pennsylvania, new drivers
Rate data: Insurify, 2026
Start Your First Policy on the Right Foot
Get Your First Auto QuoteRules for new drivers
Night driving
11pm-5am
Passengers
no more than 1 passenger younger than 18 first 6 months, then max 3 (family exempt)
Source: IIHS and state DMV records, verified July 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need SR-22 insurance in Pennsylvania?
You need an SR-22 certificate in Pennsylvania after certain violations including DUI convictions, accumulating excessive points, driving without insurance, or multiple at-fault accidents within a short period. The SR-22 is not insurance itself but a form your insurer files with PennDOT proving you maintain continuous coverage. Pennsylvania requires the filing for three years, and any coverage lapse triggers immediate license suspension and restarts the three-year requirement.
Coverage Types
Liability Insurance
Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others in an at-fault accident. Pennsylvania's 15/30/5 minimums are dangerously low — a serious multi-vehicle accident can generate claims exceeding $100,000, leaving you personally liable for the difference if you carry only the minimum.
Full Coverage
Full coverage is not a specific policy type but a common term meaning you carry both liability and physical damage protection (collision and comprehensive) for your own vehicle, plus higher liability limits and uninsured motorist coverage. Lenders require this when you finance or lease a vehicle.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, hail, flooding, or hitting a deer. You choose a deductible (typically $250–$1,000) which is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance covers the rest.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your vehicle after an accident with another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage is essential if your vehicle has significant value and you cannot afford to replace it yourself after a total loss.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
This coverage pays for your injuries and vehicle damage when an at-fault driver lacks insurance or carries insufficient limits to cover your losses. It essentially substitutes for the liability coverage the other driver should have carried.
SR-22 Insurance
An SR-22 is not insurance but a certificate your insurer files with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation proving you carry continuous coverage after certain violations. Required after DUI convictions, multiple at-fault accidents, driving without insurance, or license suspension.