Home to one of the largest universities in the United States, State College has an average car insurance cost of $114 per month. PennDOT data shows that Centre County had 1% of all vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania in 2022.1 With only 1.2% of the state population in this county, that could be one reason why rates are cheaper than the national average of $144.
Here’s what you need to know about the cheapest companies in State College auto insurance and how to compare rates.
3 of the cheapest car insurance companies in State College
Penn State University students may have different car insurance coverage needs than drivers who commute to the Pennsylvania Military Museum for work. That’s why the best auto insurance policy is the one that aligns with your individual needs. The most important thing is not only to find the best deal in your budget but also to choose the insurance policy that provides the coverage you want.
Best insurer for students: State Farm
Best insurer for coverage options: Erie
Best insurer for bundling: Auto-Owners
How to get the cheapest car insurance in State College
Even the cheapest car insurance companies consider information like ZIP code, marital status, crime rates, and vehicle year before issuing a policy. No matter if you’re a high-risk driver or just looking for the best prices, consider these ways to get the most affordable car insurance:
Ask about group insurance. Graduates of Penn State University should ask about auto insurance coverage opportunities through their alumni or professional groups.
Increase your deductible. People who have a clean driving record may consider increasing their deductible, which may lower their monthly premium estimates for auto insurance coverage. Just make sure you can afford the out-of-pocket cost if you file a claim.
Look for discounts. Many of the top companies in State College offer multiple discounts that can lower your car insurance costs.
Compare quotes. Auto insurers calculate rates differently, so make sure you get quotes from at least three companies to see which one offers you the best rate for the coverage you need.
Cheapest liability-only car insurance in State College: National General
You’ll never have to wonder if liability-only coverage is the right policy for you: All insurers and independent insurance agents must offer policies that meet the state’s minimum insurance requirements.
Liability-only insurance in many states includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability, which compensate other people for injuries and damages from accidents you cause. They don’t cover injuries or damages to you, your passengers, or your car, which is one reason you might want to include other coverages in your policy.
In State College, National General offers the cheapest liability-only policies, at $58 per month. The table below shows other affordable car insurance companies in State College.
Cheapest full-coverage car insurance in State College: State Farm
Full coverage is a type of car insurance that typically includes the state’s minimum requirements for liability coverage, plus collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Collision covers your vehicle damages when you hit an object or another car; comprehensive coverage pays for repairs when things like weather, animals, fire, floods, and vandalism damage your car.
You might choose full-coverage car insurance if you drive a valuable car or want coverage for incidents like backing into a pole or hitting a pothole. Your lender or lessor might require full-coverage insurance if you finance or lease your car.
State Farm has the cheapest full-coverage insurance for State College drivers, with monthly rates of $70.
The table below shows the Pennsylvania insurance companies with the lowest average monthly quotes for full-coverage car insurance in State College.
Car insurance requirements in Pennsylvania
State College drivers need to maintain the minimum insurance that state law requires. Basic liability coverage is the bare minimum you can purchase to drive legally in Pennsylvania. Liability coverage is often available at a low rate and is the cheapest car insurance option.
Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, which means it offers no-fault coverage as well as traditional tort coverage. Drivers can choose limited-tort or full-tort coverage. Limited tort restricts when you can file legal action against a negligent driver, and full tort allows for unrestricted lawsuits against the negligent driver.2
Here are the minimum requirements for all Pennsylvania drivers:2
If you want more than minimum liability coverage, it’s a good idea to consider additional coverage options for things like repairing your car or paying for medical services after an auto accident. Along with collision and comprehensive, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department recommends drivers consider these additional vehicle coverages:
Cheapest car insurance for drivers with an incident
Even the most responsible Pennsylvania drivers make mistakes, but unfortunately, a single incident can increase your car insurance rates. An at-fault accident causes your insurance company to pay for any damage you cause.
Exceeding the speed limit increases your chances of getting into an accident, which is why speeding tickets also raise your premiums. Driving under the influence (DUI) convictions are one of the most serious traffic violations you can commit, regardless of whether you were involved in an accident.
In State College, people with a clean driving record pay an average of $70 per month for liability-only insurance. After a speeding ticket, that increases to $94 per month, on average. However, a DUI increases it even more — to an average of $113 per month.
Here’s how your driving record affects rates with different car insurance companies in State College.
Average cost of car insurance by age
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department notes that many insurance companies consider drivers younger than 25 to be a higher risk than older adults.2 Studies show that teen drivers have crash rates four times the rates of drivers 20 years and older.3
Most drivers see rates decrease around age 35, but they can see increases again around age 70. Older drivers may have age-related impairments that affect their driving ability and increase fatal crash rates.4
The following table shows how rates vary across multiple age groups.
State College car insurance quotes by credit tier
Credit-based insurance scores are unique factors insurance companies use when setting premiums. These scores assess a potential policyholder’s credit scores and history; insurers typically consider people with poor credit as higher-risk than people with excellent or good credit.
Pennsylvania is one of the many states that allow insurers to use credit as a factor when determining rates.2 Here’s how your credit affects average car insurance quotes in State College.