8:00 - 17:00

Opening Hour: Mon - Fri

+1 800-937-7209

Call Us For Free Consultation

Auto Insurance in Philadelphia, PA (The Complete Guide)

Summary Overview of Philadelphia, PA 
Population1,580,863
Density11,702 people per square mile
Average Cost of Insurance in Philadelphia$9,302.74
Cheapest Car Insurance CompanyUSAA
Road ConditionsPoor: 43%
Mediocre: 28%
Fair: 11%
Good: 17%
Compare RatesStart Now →

Philadelphia is the nation’s fifth-largest city by population and probably the most historic. Often called the birthplace of the United States— this is where the founding fathers read the Declaration of Independence from Britain publicly in 1776. Philadelphia is also the birthplace of the constitution of the United States.

Pennsylvania’s largest city, Philadelphia, is home to 1.5 million people. The City of Brotherly Love is a bustling city with a great food scene, historical monuments, arts scene, and sporting events. The year around attractions brings congestion to the city’s narrow winding streets.

Whether you are driving to Market Street to tour Independence Hall or restaurant hopping in Old City District, be prepared to navigate the busy streets of Philly.

The high concentration of cars makes it imperative that you have the best car insurance policy for peace of mind. The process of buying insurance can be tedious and overwhelming. We created this comprehensive car insurance guide on Philadelphia to give all the required information and make your purchase easier.

We will cover various factors that affect auto insurance rates, including types of coverage, insurance companies in the city, cheapest rates, and the relevant rules. Armed with the information, you will be positioned to get the best car insurance.

You can start your purchase process by using our FREE tool to seek quotes from all the large insurers in Philadelphia. You can get started with just your zip code.

Table of Contents

The Cost of Car Insurance in Philadelphia

Look:

We understand that car insurance is costly in Philadelphia. However, with the correct information, you can still save on your car insurance premium.

You might find yourself asking how does my Philadelphia, PA stack up against other top metro auto insurance rates? We’ve got your answer below.

View as image

To understand how to save on insurance, you need to understand what factors impact your insurance premium.

Your car insurance is dependent on many factors, such as your credit score, your driving record, your location, etc.

In this section, we will go over these factors and many more.

Demographics: Male vs. Female vs. Age

Insurance companies consider your age when calculating your car insurance rate.

Age tends to impact your rate significantly when you are a young driver.

Insurance companies base your rate on a multitude of factors. In the absence of individual data such as your driving record, insurance companies use aggregate data to calculate your rate.

These states no longer using gender to calculate your auto insurance rates — Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. But age is still a significant factor because young drivers are often considered high-risk. Pennsylvania does not use gender, so check out the average monthly auto insurance rates by age and gender in Philadelphia, PA.

View as image

In the absence of a driving record, insurance companies tend to consider teen drivers as risky and consider them prone to unsafe driving. With unsafe driving comes a higher probability of a claim and therefore, a higher than average insurance rate.

Philadelphia auto insurance rates by company and age is an essential comparison because the top auto insurance company for one age group may not be the best company for another age group.

View as image

However, as you age and mature yourself as a driver, insurance companies tend to drop their rates significantly. To reduce insurance rates, teen drivers should focus on keeping their driving records clean.

For the majority of the population, insurance rates tend to the minimum average around the mean age of the population.

According to DataUSA, the mean age is 34.5 years in Philadelphia.

Let us review the average rates charged by insurance companies in Philadelphia for different age groups.

Age17253560
Philadelphia$17,201.53$4,779.13$4,092.17$3,856.53
Compare RatesStart Now →

As expected, rates tend to fall with age. A 17-year-old teen driver is expected to pay the most for car insurance while the rates drop to a minimum around the mean age.

The insurance rate for a young driver drops on average drops by $12,442 between the age of 17 and 25.

The good news is that Pennsylvania does not allow insurers to consider gender in rate calculations. Barring seven states (CA, HI, MA, MT, PA, NC, and parts of MI), insurance rates differ by gender across the country.

However, your marital status may still have an impact on your insurance rate. Watch the following video to understand how your marital status can potentially lower your auto insurance rates.

We partnered with Quadrant Data Solutions to understand the impact of marital status on insurance rates.

DemographicRate (Cheapest)
Married 60-year old$3,856.53
Married 35-year old$4,092.18
Single 25-year old$4,779.14
Average$7,482.34
Single 17-year old$17,201.54
Compare RatesStart Now →

Insurance companies tend to offer lower rates if you are married. There is a $13,000 difference between what a single 17-year-old pays vs. what a 35-year-old married person is expected to pay on average.

The reason for the difference is that insurance companies believe married people, on average, tend to be risk-averse. A less risky behavior means a lower probability of filing a claim.

Cheapest Zip Codes in Philadelphia

Where you live in Philadelphia is a factor in calculating your insurance rate. That’s why car insurance companies check addresses.

Check out the monthly Philadelphia, PA auto insurance rates by ZIP Code below:

View as image

Reason?

Insurers take into account crime and theft data of your zip code. If you live in a zip code that has a high number of uninsured drivers, your rates are also bound to be high.

But, remember to put the correct zip code in your insurance application. Incorrect data provided during application can be labeled as insurance fraud.

You can use the following table to find the average rate in your zip code.

Zip codeAverage
Annual Rate
19113$7,230.41
19128$7,971.25
19118$8,015.18
19127$8,067.84
19154$8,305.29
19114$8,418.71
19129$8,567.87
19116$8,681.96
19119$8,717.53
19137$8,731.85
19152$8,761.68
19102$8,771.34
19136$8,797.21
19115$8,865.96
19111$8,957.91
19106$9,023.19
19149$9,043.03
19130$9,125.87
19103$9,148.09
19150$9,169.50
19151$9,178.22
19135$9,194.67
19107$9,241.41
19110$9,248.59
19123$9,298.94
19146$9,337.55
19144$9,362.74
19109$9,392.81
19147$9,428.07
19148$9,508.89
19131$9,539.80
19190$9,564.29
19104$9,581.50
19138$9,631.63
19134$9,650.55
19124$9,672.32
19126$9,681.59
19153$9,685.55
19125$9,719.20
19145$9,771.21
19120$9,780.21
19141$9,793.33
19112$10,086.22
19122$10,186.97
19143$10,219.59
19121$10,283.48
19139$10,358.57
19140$10,370.26
19142$10,372.77
19132$10,446.90
19133$10,480.35
Compare RatesStart Now →

What’s the Best Car Insurance Company in Philadelphia?

With so many factors influencing your insurance rates, choosing a car insurance company can be difficult. Different insurers may offer different rates and products.

You should determine the best car insurance company based on your requirements. Each insurer may price various factors differently. E.g., if you expect to drive a lot, look for an insurer that won’t penalize you for the higher annual commute.

If you have less than satisfactory credit score, you can save money by looking for an insurer that doesn’t increase your insurance rate substantially.

Which Philadelphia, PA auto insurance company has the cheapest rates? And how do those rates compare against the average Pennsylvania auto insurance company rates? We’ve got the answers below.

View as image

Read this section to figure out which companies are suitable for your specific requirements.

Cheapest Car Insurance Rates by Company

The first thing is to identify the insurance company that offers the most economical rates on average. All major insurers, including Geico, Progressive, Allstate, etc., are present in Philadelphia.

The market competition gives you an opportunity to shop around for the best price quote.

Insurance companies weigh factors differently and therefore, may offer varying quotes to you. The following table shows the different average rates offered by various insurers to different demographics.

GroupMarried 35-year old femaleMarried 35-year old maleMarried 60-year old femaleMarried 60-year old maleSingle 17-year old femaleSingle 17-year old maleSingle 25-year old femaleSingle 25-year old maleAverage
USAA$1,873.20$1,873.20$1,696.36$1,696.36$5,737.15$5,737.15$2,509.52$2,509.52$2,954.06
GEICO$3,659.99$3,154.47$3,597.48$3,100.88$8,992.37$7,789.85$3,584.35$3,089.58$4,621.12
State Farm$2,999.54$2,999.54$2,671.30$2,671.30$10,223.02$10,223.02$3,322.46$3,322.46$4,804.08
Nationwide$3,487.69$3,487.69$3,321.34$3,321.34$9,294.93$9,294.93$3,880.78$3,880.78$4,996.19
Allstate$4,534.62$4,534.62$4,251.22$4,251.22$15,830.38$15,830.38$4,920.02$4,920.02$7,384.06
Progressive$4,869.14$4,869.14$4,389.55$4,389.55$14,597.00$14,597.00$5,880.20$5,880.20$7,433.97
Liberty Mutual$8,295.78$8,295.78$7,619.34$7,619.34$23,772.74$23,772.74$10,467.69$10,467.69$12,538.89
Travelers$3,270.16$3,270.16$3,553.91$3,553.91$49,765.94$49,765.94$3,915.43$3,915.43$15,126.36
Compare RatesStart Now →

It is apparent from the data that all major insurers in the city charge higher than average rates for car insurance. However, different insurers offer widely different average rates to teens. The huge difference underlines the importance of shopping around for securing the best rate.

While Travelers Insurance charges, on average, $49,000 to insure a single 17-year-old driver, USAA may do it only $5,700. For non-veterans, you can potentially opt for Geico, which will charge around $8,000 to insurance a teen driver.

Across the board, all insurance companies drop their insurance rates substantially once you gain experience and keep a clean driving record.

However, you should not base your decision only on who is offering the cheapest rates. You should also look at the customer reviews, financial health of the insurer, claim payout, much more. After all, insurance is designed to help you get back on your feet when you are down.

Best Car Insurance for Commute Rates

But, what if your annual mileage is higher than the average commute. The average rates may not apply to you.

You need to shop around to understand which insurance companies are the most lenient for clocking additional miles.

As per the Federal Highway Administration, Pennsylvanian drives on average 11,203 miles in a year whereas the national average is 14,132 miles.

Insurance companies use the average commute data to benchmark your commute and therefore change your premium rate.

We teamed up with Quadrant Data Solutions to understand the impact of the above-average commute on your insurance. Here is what we found on the average premium by commute offered by insurance companies in Philadelphia.

Group10 miles commute. 6000 annual mileage.25 miles commute. 12000 annual mileage.Average
USAA$2,867.82$3,040.30$2,954.06
GEICO$4,547.62$4,694.62$4,621.12
State Farm$4,648.40$4,959.76$4,804.08
Nationwide$4,996.18$4,996.18$4,996.18
Allstate$7,221.19$7,546.93$7,384.06
Progressive$7,433.97$7,433.97$7,433.97
Liberty Mutual$12,223.66$12,854.12$12,538.89
Travelers$15,126.36$15,126.36$15,126.36
Compare RatesStart Now →

As evident from the data, Nationwide, Progressive, and Travelers do not tend to increase premium with additional mileage. However, there are insurance companies such as Geico that do increase the cost marginally but are considerably economical.

Best Car Insurance for Coverage Level Rates

We almost always recommend higher than the minimum required coverage. The traffic, congestion, and general driver quality in Philadelphia indicates that you should get adequate coverage. Better safe than sorry.

Your coverage level will play a major role in your Philadelphia auto insurance rates. Find the cheapest Philadelphia, PA auto insurance rates by coverage level below:

View as image

Check the recommended auto insurance coverage levels.

However, with additional coverages comes additional costs. Each insurance company may charge different rates for various coverage types.

Higher coverage for you increases the risk exposure for the insurance companies and consequently increases your premium cost. However, you need to figure out the risk to reward ratio before opting for lower policy coverage.

Depending on the type of coverage you opt for, different companies can offer you varying rates. Here is how various insurers price different coverage levels in Philadelphia:

GroupLowMediumHighAverage
USAA$2,686.69$2,987.59$3,187.90$2,954.06
GEICO$3,945.98$4,670.50$5,246.88$4,621.12
State Farm$4,417.09$4,881.11$5,114.04$4,804.08
Nationwide$4,876.19$5,060.43$5,051.93$4,996.18
Allstate$6,663.27$7,468.23$8,020.68$7,384.06
Progressive$6,400.45$7,453.60$8,447.87$7,433.97
Liberty Mutual$11,792.43$12,648.26$13,175.96$12,538.88
Travelers$14,699.01$15,177.09$15,502.99$15,126.36
Compare RatesStart Now →

USAA is the cheapest across all coverage levels.

Geico might offer the second most economical rate for low or medium coverage levels. However, if you opt for a high coverage level, then State Farm and Nationwide may also offer competitive rates.

You might ask, what is high or low coverage?

Low coverage is the state-mandated minimum coverage required to drive legally in Pennsylvania.

The minimum auto insurance coverage required in Pennsylvania is:

  • Bodily Injury Liability – $15,000 for per person and $30,000 per accident
  • Property Damage Liability – $5,000 per accident
  • Medical Benefits – $5,000 medical coverage for you and others in the vehicle with you regardless of fault

However, you should consider adding important coverages for increased protection.

For high coverage, you can consider increasing your liability limits and opting for the following relevant coverages:

  • Collision
  • Comprehensive
  • Med Pay
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
  • Personal Injury Protection

However, not all options may be relevant to you. Pick auto insurance company options wisely and save on your insurance premium while remaining financially safe.

Best Car Insurance for Credit History Rates

Car insurance companies check credit while calculating your insurance rates. Watch the following video to understand how your credit score is used to calculate your insurance rate.

Your credit score will play a major role in your Philadelphia auto insurance rates unless you live in these states where discrimination based on credit is not allowed: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. Find the cheapest Philadelphia, PA auto insurance rates by credit score below.

View as image

Various events in life impact our credit history. Sometimes, we may be in the process of repairing our credit score.

However, if you purchase your policy wisely, you can still save on your insurance premium. Here are the average rates for different coverage levels offered by insurance companies in Philadelphia:

GroupGoodFairPoorAverage
USAA$2,393.33$2,724.60$3,744.26$2,954.06
GEICO$2,986.78$3,893.08$6,983.51$4,621.12
State Farm$3,356.18$4,239.43$6,816.64$4,804.08
Nationwide$4,279.62$4,814.49$5,894.45$4,996.19
Allstate$5,638.55$7,048.60$9,465.03$7,384.06
Progressive$5,513.16$6,909.76$9,879.00$7,433.97
Liberty Mutual$10,176.47$11,494.99$15,945.20$12,538.89
Travelers$13,999.55$14,869.14$16,510.40$15,126.36
Compare RatesStart Now →

Insurance companies value factors differently while calculating your insurance rate.

If you have a poor credit score, your best bet for an economical rate are USAA, Geico, and Nationwide. However, if you have a good credit score, you can find a relatively inexpensive quote from different players. However, USAA, Geico, State Farm, and Nationwide may be able to give the cheapest quote.

Just keep in mind if you have a poor credit score, some insurers charge a substantial premium for the coverage. E.g., Liberty Mutual, Progressive, and Geico may increase your premium by around $4,000. The best strategy to save on your premium is to shop for auto coverage from different insurers.

Best Car Insurance for Driving Record Rates

Your driving record has a direct relationship to your insurance rates. Through your driving record, insurance companies want to know the likelihood of you filing an insurance claim.

Your driving record will play a major role in your Philadelphia auto insurance rates. For example, other factors aside, a Philadelphia, PA DUI may increase your auto insurance rates 40 to 50 percent. Find the cheapest Philadelphia, PA auto insurance rates by driving record.

View as image

Save on your premium by keeping a clean driving record. Because, if you cause an accident or commit DUI, your insurance rates can become costly.

See the following table to understand the impact your driving record can have on your insurance rate:

GroupClean recordWith 1 speeding violationWith 1 accidentWith 1 DUIAverage
USAA$2,362.27$2,646.58$3,288.44$3,518.96$3,056.56
GEICO$3,356.70$4,667.79$5,913.58$4,546.42$4,605.57
State Farm$4,373.72$4,804.08$5,234.44$4,804.08$4,804.08
Nationwide$3,654.90$4,822.52$4,841.23$6,666.09$5,054.07
Allstate$7,045.78$7,045.78$8,398.88$7,045.78$7,496.81
Progressive$6,727.17$6,778.57$9,240.42$6,989.74$7,652.44
Liberty Mutual$11,444.01$12,800.78$13,109.97$12,800.78$12,451.59
Travelers$10,688.46$15,238.90$15,238.90$19,339.18$15,088.85
Compare RatesStart Now →

As discussed, DUI and accident can increase your premium rates. E.g., if you commit DUI, Travelers Insurance may increase your premium by around $9,000. If you cause an accident, your annual rates can increase on average by $2,000. If you have an at-fault accident on your record, USAA and State Farm might be able to offer you the most economical quote.

To access your driving record, insurance companies use the Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). MVR provides insurers information on the following points:

  • Traffic tickets
  • Convictions
  • Accidents
  • Parking tickets and other smaller infractions

Keep driving safe as it not only keeps you safe but helps save on premiums!

Car Insurance Factors in Philadelphia

Insurance rates are not solely dependent on driver-specific factors but also on city-specific factors such as your zip code, economic prosperity in your city, and average income levels.

In this section, we will discuss how external factors influence your insurance rates in Philadelphia.

Factors affecting auto insurance rates in Philadelphia, PA may include your commute, coverage level, tickets, DUIs, and credit. Controlling these factors will help you maintain cheap Philadelphia, PA auto insurance.

View as image

Growth & Prosperity

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Philadelphia metro area is the fifth-largest commercial center in the country. The Gross Metropolitan Product of the Philadelphia metro area in 2017 was $444 billion.

According to the Metro Monitor Report by the Brookings Institution, Philadelphia is 38th in growth and 44th in prosperity out of the largest 100 metro areas in the country. The metro area of Philly has registered steady job growth over the past few years.

Growth: (38th)

Jobs: +1.4 percent (51st of 100)

Gross metropolitan product (GMP): +2.4 percent (44th of 100)

Jobs at young firms: +7.1 percent (18th of 100)

Although the city has experienced steady growth in the number of jobs, however, the rate has lagged the national average. The average annual wage also has remained constant over the assessment period.

Prosperity: (44th)

Productivity: +1 percent (47th of 100)

Standard of living: +2.1 percent (24th of 100)

Average annual wage: +0.6 percent (70th of 100)

Median Household Income

According to DataUSA, the median household income of Philadelphia is only $39,759, whereas the national median household income is $60,336. If you consider the Philadelphia metro area, the median household income increases to $68,652.

The average annual premium in Philly is $9,302, which means that an average Philadelphian spends a whopping 23 percent of annual income towards maintaining car insurance! However, if you consider the metro area, the residents pay around 13 percent of yearly income.

To calculate how much of your income is going toward car insurance, you can use our free calculator.

CalculatorPro

Homeownership in Philadelphia

Homeownership rates may impact your insurance rates as it indicates the general health of the local economy. Insurers might also consider it to be a good indicator of your financial stability. However, being a homeowner won’t directly impact your auto insurance rates or your ability to qualify for a plan.

Nevertheless, insurers might offer additional discounts if you are a homeowner.

In Philadelphia, the average property value is $166,200, whereas the national average is $193,500. While property in the city is cheaper than the national average, property in the metro area ($240,700) is slightly more expensive, the national average.

However, the property prices being affordable compared to the rest of the country, homeownership rates in Philadelphia (52 percent) trails the national average (64 percent).

Education in Philadelphia

Your car insurance application asks you about your education level. Do you know why?

Well, according to insurers, your education level indicates your risk profile. A study done by New Jersey’s Department of Insurance suggests that higher education is associated with a lower claim risk.

Philadelphia has the highest concentration of universities and colleges in the country. The city is home to the University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League institution, along with other public and private institutions.

According to the number of degrees conferred, the top three universities in Philadelphia are:

  • The University of Pennsylvania (9,053 degrees awarded)
  • Temple University (9,017 degrees awarded)
  • Drexel University (7,549 degrees awarded)

In 2016, the various institution in Philadelphia awarded 42,474 degrees. Here is the break of degrees awarded by different institutions:

Wage by Race & Ethnicity in Common Jobs

According to DataUSA, Asians were the highest-paid ethnicity in Philadelphia.

The following chart shows the break up of wages by common job types.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

Across the country, there is a wage gap among genders. Females are getting less pay than their male counterparts.

In Philadelphia, insurers cannot offer varying insurance rates based on gender. However, due to the wage gap, females have to shell out a more significant percentage of their income towards car insurance.

According to DataUSA, the average male salary in Philadelphia is $68,603, while the average female wage is $51,375.

The following chart shows the wage gap across professions in Philadelphia:

Based on the wages mentioned above, we can calculate the percentage of income that you would have to shell to maintain car insurance in Philadelphia.

OCCUPATIONPREMIUM AS A % OF INCOME (MALE)PREMIUM AS A % OF INCOME (FEMALE)
Miscellaneous managers8.511.4
Registered nurses11.613.8
Elementary & middle school teachers14.116.1
Compare RatesStart Now →

For practically the same profession and insurance rate, females have to shell out a higher percentage of their income towards maintaining coverage.

Poverty by Age & Gender

Poverty affects people across races and gender in Philadelphia. A staggering 25.8 percent of the city’s population lives below the poverty line, whereas the national average is 13.4 percent.

Females are worst affected as the largest demographics living below the poverty line are females aged 18-34. Males between the age of 18-34 also face poverty daily in the City of Brotherly Love.

Take a look at the following chart to understand how poverty is affecting people across age groups and gender:

Poverty by Race & Ethnicity

Another staggering statistics of poverty in Philadelphia is that 41 percent of people living below the poverty line are blacks. That is about equal to the number of White and Hispanic people living below the poverty line.

Employment by Occupations

Philadelphia employs more than 670,000 people across different industries. The largest employers in Philly are healthcare, education, and retail.

The following chart shows the most common jobs in Philadelphia:

Driving in Philadelphia

We know that your driving record, credit score, education level, etc. are essential for your score. However, insurance companies also base their rates on the car your drive, traffic congestion in your area, road conditions, crime report, and much more.

In this section, we will review these factors in Philadelphia.

Roads in Philadelphia

Philadelphia can be a city of highways. If you are driving in Philly, you may find the roads confusing and highways flowing into one another. If you use a GPS, it will inevitably redirect you to Schuylkill, which is almost always congested.

In this section, we will review the roads in the city.

Major Highways

Philadelphia is mid-way between New York and Washington DC and therefore has excellent connectivity. The city is connected through I-95, I-76, Pennsylvania turnpike, and New Jersey Turnpike.

Here’s the map of interstates and highways connecting Philadelphia:

Here are the major highways and interstates cross-referenced with expressway names in the Philadelphia area:

  • Schuylkill Expressway: I-76
  • Delaware Expressway: I-95
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike: I-276
  • Mid-County Expressway / PA Turnpike Northeast Extension: I-476
  • Vine Street Expressway: I-676
  • Interstate 295
  • Roosevelt Expressway: US 1

Popular Road Trips/Sites

Philadelphia has many firsts to its name, including the first library (1731), hospital (1751), medical school (1765), stock exchange (1790), zoo (1874), and business school in the country. It became the first U.S. ‘World Heritage City’ in 2015.

The city is the birthplace of not only the constitution but also of the United States Marine Corps.

The historic city has many things to offer both historical and otherwise. Here are the top three things to see and do in Philadelphia:

Independence National Historical Park: the historic district has more than two dozen sites that you can explore, including the Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

Philadelphia Museum of Art: One of the largest art museums in the country.

Eat the Philly Cheesesteak: the most famous and legendary sandwich of Philly.

Road Conditions

According to TRIP, a national transportation research group, around 70 percent of roads in Philadelphia are either in poor or mediocre condition.

ROAD CONDITIONPOORMEDIOCREFAIRGOOD
Philadelphia28%35%14%22%
Compare RatesStart Now →

The road conditions in the city result in added wear and tear. Potholes can cause accidents or a tire puncture, suspension damage, wheel rim damage, and much more. All this wear and tear means that an average motorist in Philadelphia spends  $732 every year to maintain the car.

Does Your City Use Speeding or Red Light Cameras?

Running a red light is dangerous — it puts, pedestrians, and other drivers in harm’s way.

Philadelphia currently uses both red light and speed cameras. However, speed cameras are now being tested and applicable only in the work zones.

The city has installed red-light cameras in 31 locations in Philadelphia. You can see the position of various red-light cameras in the following map:

In 2019, the city started a pilot program to implement speed cameras along the 12 miles of Roosevelt Boulevard. The cameras are only expected to issue citations when workers are in the work zone.

The pilot program is part of a broad plan of achieving zero traffic deaths in the city by 2030.

Vehicles in Philadelphia

Your insurance rate is also dependent on vehicular factors such as what car you drive and if it is in the theft list. In this section, we will cover these topics and more.

Most Popular Vehicles Owned

According to Your Mechanic, the most popular car in Philadelphia is Nissan Maxima. Maxima is the full-sized sedan offered by Nissan in the North American market.

The current generation Nissan Maxima is awarded a five-star safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The current generation Maxima has all the modern safety features including anti-lock brakes, stability control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, airbags (front, side, overhead, and knee), high-beam assist, and more.

According to Nissan, Maxima can offer a mileage of 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Cars Per Household

Philadelphia is well connected by public transportation, and therefore, a lot of commuters prefer to take the bus or subway for their daily commute. More than 40 percent of households in Philadelphia own only one car whereas the national average is two cars per household.

Households without a Car

In 2015, around 31 percent of households owned no car in Philadelphia. The low ownership of cars is due to the excellent transportation network, road congestion, and lower annual income.

Speed Traps in Philadelphia

You should always follow the posted speed limits as it not only safer for you and others but also to avoid fines and penalties. Law enforcement in Philidelphia has several speed traps around the city.

Additionally, the city is planning to install speed cameras around the city by the end of 2019.

Vehicle Theft in Philadelphia

To calculate your insurance rate, insurers tend to consider the crime data in your zip and city.

Unfortunately, car theft is quite common in Philadelphia, and therefore, the additional risk will increase your premium. Philly has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle theft in the country.

According to the FBI, local law enforcement in Philadelphia registered 5,483 cases of car theft in 2017.

Watch the following video to learn how the local police plan to reduce car theft.

Philadelphia has one of the highest crime rates in the country. The city is more dangerous than 90 percent of U.S. cities as the violent crime rate is one of the highest in the country. You have one in 106 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, whereas the statewide average is one in 319.

 MURDERRAPEROBBERYASSAULT
PHILADELPHIA VIOLENT CRIMES RATES per 1,0000.20.753.814.69
UNITED STATES VIOLENT CRIMES RATES per 1,0000.050.420.982.49
Compare RatesStart Now →

However, you also have safe neighborhoods in the city that reduces the risk of becoming a victim:

  • Roseglen
  • Rhawn St / Rowland Ave
  • Stevens Rd / Byberry Rd
  • Byberry Rd / Depue Ave
  • Ridge Ave / Flamingo St
  • Germantown Ave / W Willow Grove Ave
  • Chestnut Hill / Chestnut Hill College
  • Cherokee St / W Hartwell Ln
  • Old Line Rd / Ridge Ave
  • Mount Airy

Traffic

Crawling or sitting in traffic is always inconvenient for drivers. Unfortunately, that is what you will have to do when you drive in Philadelphia, especially during peak hours! One of the worst is the Schuylkill Expressway — one of the most congested highways in the country.

According to a 2018 traffic study done by INRIX (a team of traffic experts), Philadelphia is the ninth most congested city in the country. All this waiting in traffic increases the cost of congestion to $1,568 per driver.

Watch how the city is trying to reduce congestion:

Transportation

According to DataUSA, the average commute time in Philadelphia is 31.7 minutes, which is higher than the national average of 25.5 minutes. More than 26 percent of commuters spend more than 45 minutes in their daily commute.

The commute time is higher than average, probably due to the high congestion and the fact that many commuters prefer to take public transportation.

Busiest Highways

The major highways/expressways in Philadelphia are:

  • Schuylkill Expressway: I-76
  • Delaware Expressway: I-95
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike: I-276

However, according to the Federal Highway Administration, Philadelphia has does not have a 10-12 lane highway to manage the traffic flow better.

How Safe are Philadelphia’s Streets and Roads?

Philadephia is not only Pennsylvania’s largest city but also its most populous county.

 20132014201520162017
Fatalities (All Crashes)89979410194
Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver2126312322
Single Vehicle Crash Fatalities5765665755
Fatalities in Crashes Involving a Large Truck by County for 201763224
Fatalities in Crashes Involving Speeding2134322229
Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Intersection2741355037
Passenger Car Occupant Fatalities2431282924
Pedestrian Fatalities3638264337
Pedalcyclist Fatalities03732
Compare RatesStart Now →

In 2017, Philadelphia saw 94 traffic-related fatalities of which single-vehicle crashes accounted for the most fatalities.

Pennsylvania Counties by 2017 Ranking20132014201520162017
1. Philadelphia County89979410194
2. Allegheny County6559547267
3. Bucks County4444565251
4. Berks County4133393548
5. Montgomery County4038343243
6. Lancaster County4562484442
7. York County4445403938
8. Dauphin County2517193036
9. Westmoreland County3035413336
10. Chester County3334352435
Top Ten Counties474489483470490
All Other Counties735706717718647
All Counties1,2091,1951,2001,1881,137
Compare RatesStart Now →

Philadelphia County registered the highest number of traffic-related fatalities in Pennsylvania.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are a total of 91 fatal crashes in Philadelphia in 2017. Other arterial roads are the most dangerous in the city as they accounted for 38 of the 91 fatal accidents in the county.

To learn about how NHTSA classifies different roads, you can look at the definitions on their website.

RURAL INTERSTATEURBAN INTERSTATEFREEWAY/EXPRESSWAYOTHERMINOR ARTERIALCOLLECTOR ARTERIALLOCALUNKNOWNTOTAL
3111388426091
Compare RatesStart Now →

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Philadelphia County also saw many railway accidents.

Calendar YearCountyCityHighwayHighway User TypeHighway User SpeedRail Equipment TypeNon Suicide FatalityNon Suicide Injury
2012PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIADELAWARE AVENUEAutomobile0Yard/Switch00
2013PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIADELAWARE AVE EASTAutomobile50Freight Train00
2013PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIAPRIVATEAutomobile3Freight Train00
2013PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIAMILNOR & BLEIGHAutomobile25Yard/Switch01
2015PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIAGREENWICH YARDTruck-trailer5Light Loco(s)00
2015PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIAMAIN STREETPedestrianFreight Train01
2016PHILADELPHIAPHILADELPHIA58TH STTruck-trailer5Freight Train00
Compare RatesStart Now →

Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report

According to an Allstate study on driver behavior, Philadelphia is amongst the city with the worst drivers. In the study, the city is ranked 190th in terms of safe driving out of 200 U.S. cities.

According to another study done by Wallethub, Philadelphia is the fourth worst city to drive in the country.

The dangerous driving results in regular insurance claims. An average driver in Philly spends only 6.3 years between claims, whereas the national average is 10.6 years. The problem is also reflected in the higher (43.9 events per 1,000 miles) than average (national average of 19 events per 1,000 miles) hard-braking events in the country.

Ridesharing

Here’s the list of ridesharing companies in Philadelphia:

  • Blacklane
  • Carmel
  • Curb
  • Jayride
  • Limos.com
  • Lyft
  • Taxi
  • Uber

E-star Repair Shops

Where to find the best repair shop near you?

Esurance created an E-star repair shop network that provides a list of reputable and top-quality repair shops near your location.

You can find the top 10 repair shops in Philly on their website.

Weather

Philadelphia has hot summers and moderately cold winters typically characterized by a humid subtropical climate.

Here’s the quick summary of the Philly weather:

The number of disasters in Philadelphia is a lot higher than the national average. The most common disasters in Philadelphia county are hurricanes, winter storms, floods, snowstorms, and tropical storms.

Public Transit

Philadelphia is well connected by public transportation, which is managed by The Southeastern Philadelphia Transportation Authority (SEPTA). SEPTA operates a network of buses, subways, and commuter rails that is one of the most comprehensive systems in the country.

The transit authority offers a reloadable card called Septa Key along with many types of passes.

Alternate Transportation

PennDOT does not allow e-bikes and e-scooters on roads and sidewalks. However, there are steps taken to amend the law to allow for Pennsylvanians to utilize the cool modern method of transportation.

Parking in Metro Areas

We know that parking is a hassle in the city. However, you can use mobile applications to book parking ahead of time. Three most commonly used apps are:

  • SpotHero
  • Parkwhiz
  • Parking Panda

There are thousands of metered parking spots that you can pay for using the meterUP App. You can find the locations on the website of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

Air Quality in Philadelphia

Air Quality Index (AQI) was worse than the national average. Vehicular pollution contributes to air pollution through particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxide, etc.

Metro# DAYS WITH AQIGOODMODERATEUNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPSUNHEALTHYVERY UNHEALTHY
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington365132214163-
Compare RatesStart Now →

Military/Veterans in Philadelphia

Certain insurance companies offer additional discounts to military personnel and veterans. In this section, we will discuss the rates and discounts that the men and women in uniform can expect from insurance companies operating in Philadelphia.

In Philadelphia, the majority of military personnel and veterans have served in Vietnam and the Second Gulf War.

The closest military base to Philadelphia is McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Base that jointly hosts the 87th Air Base Wing, 305th Air Mobility Wing, USAF Expeditionary Center, and more.

If you are military personnel or a veteran in Philadelphia, you can seek military discounts from the following insurers:

  • Allstate
  • Esurance
  • GEICO
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Metlife
  • StateFarm
  • The General
  • USAA

See the following table for average rates you can expect from insurance companies in the state of Pennsylvania:

AVERAGE ANNUAL PREMIUM ($4034.50) HIGHER/LOWER (%)
Allstate $3984.12 -1.25
GEICO $2605.22 -35.43
Liberty Mutual $6055.20 50.09
Nationwide $2800.37 -30.59
Progressive $4451.00 10.32
State Farm $2744.23 -31.98
Travelers $7842.47 94.39
USAA $1793.37 -55.55
Compare RatesStart Now →

USAA, Geico, State Farm, and Nationwide provide the most economical rate to veterans in Pennsylvania.

Unique City Laws

Do you know that it is illegal for dealerships to sell cars on Sunday in Pennsylvania?

Well, there are also some unique laws applicable to Philadelphia.

– Handheld Device Laws

Use of handheld devices while driving is banned in the city of Philadelphia. You cannot use your handheld device to dial, talk, or text while driving in the city.

– Food Trucks

The City of Brotherly Love has a lot of for food trucks. Philly’s streets have several awesome food trucks serving delicious food.

Setting up a food truck business in Philly requires a lot of permits and licenses that can cost anywhere between $500-$1000. As a food truck vendor, you need to know about the health codes and get certified in food safety. You would also need a commissary where you clean, prepare and store food.

However, one of the biggest challenges is to find parking for your food truck. You must be aware of the zoning laws to operate a food truck.

– Tiny Homes

Tiny homes could be the modern solution to homelessness and lack of affordability. The City of Philadelphia is welcoming the new concept in the hope that it will help residents find housing amid rising house prices.

– Parking Laws

You can find metered parking in the city, or if you live or do business in a specified neighborhood, you can request a parking permit from the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

In the following table, you can see the fines for common parking violations:

ViolationFine
Blocking Driveway$51
Blocking Mass Transit Vehicle$101
Bus Zone$51
Blocking HP ramp$76
Handicapped space$301
On crosswalk$51
Sidewalk$51
Snow route$51
Taxi stand$31
Compare RatesStart Now →

Philadelphia Car Insurance FAQs

Where are red-light cameras in Philadelphia? And how much is the red-light camera ticket?

You can find a list of currently operational red-light cameras on the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s website. The fine for red light tickets in $50.

How much is car insurance in Philadelphia?

The average cost of car insurance in Philadelphia is $9,302.

What is the minimum car insurance required in Philadelphia?

  • $5,000 for property damage liability coverage for a single accident
  • $15,000 for bodily injury per person involved in a crash caused by you
  • $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident

Who offers the cheapest car insurance in the city?

If you are veteran or military personnel, USAA is the most economical insurance provider in Philadelphia. However, if you do not belong to the armed services, you can look seek quotes from Geico, State Farm, or Nationwide.

Are you ready to start your auto insurance search? Use our FREE tool to get quotes and compare. Just enter your zip code to get started.

References:

[su_spoiler title="References:" icon="caret-square" style="fancy" open="yes"]

  1. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/philadelphia-pa/
  2. https://highways.dot.gov/
  3. https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/NISSAN/MAXIMA/4%252520DR/FWD
  4. https://www.speedtrap.org/pennsylvania/philadelphia/
  5. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/tables/01.pdf

Cities

Subscribe Our Newsletter

This website uses cookies and other data for providing, improving our services. Get more. Got it