Erie Insurance, State Farm, Travelers, Penn National and Allstate are the strongest all-round choices for most Pennsylvania households, with USAA leading for military families and Progressive for drivers who want to shop online. Before you buy auto coverage, decide between limited tort and full tort, because that single choice changes what you can recover after a crash.
This guide is for Pennsylvania homeowners, renters and drivers, from row homes in Philadelphia to farmhouses in Lancaster County and older houses in the coal regions. We picked companies using four filters: AM Best financial strength, complaint information you can look up through the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and the NAIC, claims reputation, and real availability in Pennsylvania through agents or online. A carrier that is excellent in Texas but barely writes in Pennsylvania did not make the list.
Pennsylvania has quirks you will not find in many states. Auto policies come with a tort election, the medical benefits requirement is small, and homes above old coal and clay mines face a risk that standard homeowners policies usually do not cover. For a broader view of national carriers, see our guide to the best insurance companies in America.
Best Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania at a Glance
| Company | Best for | AM Best rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie Insurance | Local agents, home and auto bundles | A (Excellent) | Headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania; AM Best moved its rating from A+ to A in September 2025, outlook stable. |
| State Farm | Statewide agent network | A+ (Superior) | AM Best lowered the group from A++ to A+ in November 2025, outlook stable. |
| Travelers | Bundles through independent agents | A++ (Superior) | Strong choice for umbrella and higher-value homes. |
| Penn National Insurance | Regional, agent-based coverage | A (Excellent) | Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty group; offers auto, home, renters, condo and umbrella; AM Best upgraded it to A in October 2023. |
| Allstate | Wide range of add-ons | A+ (Superior) | Rating affirmed by AM Best in 2025. |
| Progressive | Online auto shopping, higher-risk drivers | A+ (Superior) | Useful benchmark quote for most drivers. |
| USAA | Military members and veterans | A++ (Superior) | Only available to the military community and eligible family members. |
Best Home Insurance in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania homes face a mix of risks rather than one dominant peril. Winter storms bring ice dams and burst pipes, summer thunderstorms bring wind and hail, and river towns along the Susquehanna, Delaware and Allegheny know what a flood can do. Much of the state’s housing is also old, and older wiring, plumbing and roofs affect both price and eligibility.
Erie is often the first call for Pennsylvania homeowners who want a local agent, and it is worth comparing against Travelers, Penn National and State Farm. If your home has had several claims, an older roof, or a lot of deferred maintenance, independent agents can shop multiple carriers at once, which matters in a state with so many regional companies. Our guide on how to choose homeowners insurance covers the coverage parts to compare line by line.
The risk most out-of-state buyers miss is mine subsidence. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection runs a Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund, operating since 1961, for homes above abandoned coal or clay mines. DEP states that damage from mine subsidence or mine water breakouts is usually not covered by a homeowners policy. According to DEP, residential coverage costs about 27 cents per $1,000 of coverage, coverage ranges from $5,000 to $1,000,000, and homeowners 65 or older get a 10% discount on their primary residence. If you live in western or northeastern Pennsylvania, ask your agent or check with DEP before you assume you are safe.
Other home tips for Pennsylvania:
- Buy flood coverage separately if you are near a river or creek. A standard policy excludes rising water, and flood policies usually have a waiting period before they take effect, so do not wait for a storm forecast.
- Add water backup coverage if you have a finished basement or sump pump.
- Insure to replacement cost, not market value. Rebuilding a stone or brick home can cost far more than its sale price suggests.
Best Car Insurance in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department lists these minimum auto coverages:
- Bodily injury liability of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident
- Property damage liability of $5,000
- Medical (first party) benefits of $5,000
The department notes that some insurers offer a $35,000 combined single limit that satisfies both liability minimums. These limits are among the lowest you can buy anywhere, and a $5,000 property damage limit will not cover even a modest new car. Most drivers should buy much more; see how much car insurance you need.
Limited tort vs full tort
Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state. Under state law, every policy must let you elect limited tort or full tort. Limited tort is cheaper, but it bars you from suing for pain and suffering unless your injury counts as a “serious injury” or another exception applies, such as a crash with a driver convicted of DUI or a driver with no insurance. Full tort keeps your right to sue for both economic and noneconomic losses. Insurers must give you a written notice explaining both options, and if you never respond, the law presumes full tort at renewal. For families with young drivers or long commutes, the extra cost of full tort is usually worth a hard look.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is also worth keeping. With liability minimums this low, the other driver’s policy may run out long before your bills do.
Which company to quote first? Erie and State Farm are the natural starting points for drivers who want an agent. Progressive and GEICO are strong benchmarks if you prefer to buy and manage a policy online. Travelers and Allstate are worth comparing when you bundle a home or condo policy with two or more vehicles.
A few habits help Pennsylvania drivers keep premiums under control: keep continuous coverage with no lapses, ask about multi-car and multi-policy discounts, and review your coverage when a teen starts driving or when you pay off a car loan and no longer need collision on an older vehicle. Our list of ways to lower your car insurance premium covers more options.
Best Life Insurance Options in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has its own life insurance heritage. Penn Mutual, based in Horsham, holds an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best, and Erie Family Life carries an A (Excellent) rating, which AM Best affirmed in 2025. MassMutual, rated A++ (Superior), is another strong mutual option for whole life. Term coverage is usually the most affordable way to protect a mortgage and young children.
To compare carriers and price your coverage, read our list of the best life insurance companies and our guide on how much life insurance you need.
How to Choose an Insurer in Pennsylvania
- Confirm financial strength. Look for an AM Best rating of A- or better, and check whether the rating changed recently; both Erie and State Farm were adjusted in 2025.
- Research the company and agent. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department offers a tool to find and research insurance companies and agents. Use it before you sign.
- Check complaint history using the NAIC complaint index for the exact company named on your quote.
- Make your tort choice on purpose, not by default, and keep a copy of the signed election form.
- Ask about mine subsidence if your home is in a mining area.
- Know where to get help. The department asks consumers to report insurance problems online through its Consumer Services Online Portal, and its consumer line is 1-877-881-6388.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum car insurance in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires bodily injury liability of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident, $5,000 of property damage liability and $5,000 of medical (first party) benefits.
Should I choose limited tort or full tort in Pennsylvania?
Limited tort costs less but generally bars lawsuits for pain and suffering unless the injury is serious or another exception applies. Full tort costs more and keeps your right to sue for both economic and noneconomic losses. If you never respond to the election notice, the law presumes full tort at renewal.
Does homeowners insurance cover mine subsidence in Pennsylvania?
Usually not. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection offers separate mine subsidence insurance for homes above abandoned coal or clay mines, with coverage from $5,000 to $1,000,000.
Is Erie Insurance still highly rated?
Yes. AM Best lowered the financial strength rating of Erie Insurance Group members from A+ to A (Excellent) in September 2025 with a stable outlook. An A rating is still considered excellent.
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This article is for general information only and is not insurance or legal advice. Ratings and availability change; confirm with the insurer and your state insurance department.
