Best Car Insurance For College Students In Pennsylvania 2024

Pennsylvania has some of the highest numbers of educational institutions, with nearly 300 colleges, universities, and technical institutions, including 14 public universities.

However, college students in Pennsylvania face increasingly higher car insurance rates compared to drivers in their mid to late twenties, in large part because Pennsylvania has some of the highest School crash zone rates around the country. While it is said that cars typically slow down when they are near college campuses in Pennsylvania, many roads around campuses are dark, particularly in Winter, and limited lighting and lack of sidewalks can make it dangerous.

Moreover, college students in Pennsylvania are more likely to speed, be distracted, not wear a seatbelt, and drive recklessly. For this reason, car insurance rates are much more expensive for younger college students, but there are things that can be done to bring them down.

Cheapest Overall Rates For College Students In Pennsylvania

College students can find the most affordable rates from Allstate, who offer annual premiums of $1,350.

Average Cost For College Students In Pennsylvania – By City

Average Rates For 18 Year Old College Students In Pennsylvania

Average Rates For 19 Year Old College Students In Pennsylvania

Average Rates For 20 Year Old College Students In Pennsylvania

Average Rates For 21 Year Old College Students In Pennsylvania

Average Rates For 22 Year Old College Students In Pennsylvania

Average Rates For 23 Year Old College Students In Pennsylvania

Average Rates For 24 Year Old College Students In Pennsylvania

Average Rates For 25 Year Old College Students In Pennsylvania

Average Cost Of Car Insurance On Family Policy vs. Individual Policy

How Can College Students Save Money On Car Insurance In Pennsylvania

If you are looking for ways to bring down your college insurance, and staying on a parent or guardian policy isn’t possible, you can utilize the strategies below.

Affiliation Discounts

Membership in one of 500 different groups can get you a discount with companies like Geico. Other providers offer discounts for being part of sororities, fraternities, or other societies on campus.

Even after graduation you can continue to take advantage of these types of affiliation discounts from your car insurance provider through things like alumni associations.

Security And Safety Improvements

There are several vehicle security and safety improvements that can be made to a new or used vehicle which offer substantial discounts for college students in Pennsylvania.

1. Installing things like anti-theft systems can average discounts of up to 25% from providers across the state.
2. Anti-lock brakes can get you a discount averaging between 5% and 10% in Pennsylvania.
3. If your vehicle has airbags, the personal injury portion of your car insurance could drop by an average of 20%.

Used vs. New

Before purchasing a brand new car consider the fact that new cars that are financed might require you to take out extra coverage, and will cost more because of the increased repair costs. While you might get better gas mileage, as a young driver, with higher risk of accidents, a used vehicle is a better investment for those looking to reduce their car insurance costs in Pennsylvania.

Military

Military personnel who are members of the Reserves or National Guard, or active duty can be eligible for up to 15% on average from several companies operating in Pennsylvania.

Student Discounts

In Pennsylvania, companies like Geico can give you up to 15% off your coverage if you are a full-time student with a good academic record.

You can also get a discount for completing a driver’s education course. Being accident-free for 5 years with the same company can save you up to 22%.

Do College Students Need Their Own Insurance, or Can They Stay On A Parent’s?

In Pennsylvania, college students, where possible, tend to stay on their parent’s car insurance policy, especially if they live at home or drive their parent’s car, but this is not a requirement one way or the other.

Students are allowed to remain on a parent’s policy as long as that home is listed as their primary residence. Even students who attend college out of state maintain their parents’ home as their permanent residence and, therefore, qualify.

There is no age limit in Pennsylvania for remaining on a parent’s car insurance policy so long as the primary residence aspect is met.

However, if a student owns their own vehicle and it is not owned by the parent or a student permanently moves out, then they will likely need to purchase their own insurance policy.

Common Auto Insurance Claims In Pennsylvania

Auto insurance claims in Pennsylvania generally fit into four common categories, such as:

• Collision Claims (5.8 claims per 100 years of vehicle operation)
• Comprehensive Claims (2.81 claims per 100 years of vehicle operation)
• Bodily Injury Claims (0.95 claims per 100 years of vehicle operation)
• Property Damage Claims (3.36 claims per 100 years of vehicle operation)

In Pennsylvania, the two most common claims are for property damage and bad faith insurance claims. Property damage claims happen when you cause damage to the property of another driver and have to submit a claim to cover those costs and bad faith claims happen when your insurance company denies some of your coverage and you try to fight it.

Try Usage-Based Car Insurance

Usage-based car insurance, akin to telematics, tracks driver behavior, but it also includes a feature that is particularly attractive to college students.

Usage-based car insurance offers discounts and lower premiums when you drive fewer miles annually. These “Pay-Per-Mile” plans are a smart option for affordable coverage if your car remains in the dorm lot or at home for most of the school year.

Temporary Car Insurance

While not every car insurance provider offers temporary policies, it’s an excellent option for college students who don’t plan on driving often.

Temporary auto insurance policies often provide six-month coverage and allow cancellation after the period ends. This is a practical choice for college students who won’t need coverage while at school or for those studying abroad for a semester.

Telematics Car Insurance For College Students

Finding creative ways to cut down on car insurance costs is key for college students. Telematics is one of the most effective tools for lowering your monthly premium.

Insurance companies use telematics to track and analyze your driving habits. The safer you drive, the lower your rates, and the higher the chances of getting discounts for safe driving.

How To Get Discounts

If you are looking to get discounts on your car insurance for college students in Pennsylvania, you can get it by:

1. Comparing new policy options with available discounts from your other carriers
2. Asking your current carrier about options to reduce your coverage costs

It is important to note that car insurance providers have different discounts many of which can be combined and some of which only apply to certain aspects of your coverage costs. Ask your current provider or investigate what other providers have for things like safe driver courses, being accident-free, keeping a low mileage vehicle, being active duty, or paying your policy annually instead of monthly.

How To Buy Car Insurance As A College Student In Pennsylvania

As a college student, the process for buying insurance in Pennsylvania is the same as anyone else.

1. First, you’ll want to compare quotes from different providers based on the type of coverage you need. Tip: If you are a new driver or you are coming from out of state and unfamiliar with the terrain or weather in Pennsylvania, you might want to get additional coverage beyond the state minimums if you can afford it. This can protect you in the event of a collision.
2. Second, you’ll want to decide which providers have the best discounts given your circumstances. You might, for example, be able to get a discount if you bundle things like renters insurance with your car insurance, and that discount could be more substantial than what a provider offers for things like safety features or good grades.
3. Third, once you choose the policy you like best, purchase that policy and if you have a previous policy from a different provider, notify your former provider about that change. Note: This is more likely for people who are attending college out of state and need new coverage or for people who found a better deal online.

Once that is done, you will need to wait for the insurance card in order to make sure you comply with Pennsylvania car insurance laws.

Pennsylvania Car Insurance Laws To Know

Like many other states, Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry auto insurance. However, Pennsylvania has a specific mandate for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which is not always required elsewhere.

A lapse in insurance coverage can result in suspension of your vehicle registration for 3 months. During such suspension, your registration plate, card, and driver’s license, where applicable, have to be surrendered to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, after which you’ll have to pay a restoration fee and provide proof of insurance before your privileges are restored. Additional penalties can include a suspension of your driver’s license and a minimum $300 fine.

All vehicles registered in Pennsylvania, including trucks, cars, vans, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles, must maintain $15,000 for injury or death of one person, $30,000 for injury or death of more than one person, and $5,000 for damage to another person’s property.

Car insurance companies in Pennsylvania will provide you with an insurance identification card that is only valid for the period during which your coverage has been paid. This card must be carried with you so that you can present it to an officer if you are involved in an accident or traffic violation.

The minimum insurance coverage in Pennsylvania includes $10,000 for both PIP and PDL (Personal Damage Liability). While this amount may seem adequate, you might need more in the event of a serious accident. Experts often suggest buying more than the state-required minimum.