Making the most of auto insurance in Pennsylvania requires that you choose the right auto insurance company. You will need to ensure that your auto insurance is able to handle your claims efficiently, fairly and quickly. You may want to check a database of national claims for any complaints on a company. Another strategy is to check with your state's insurance department for the number of consumer complaints on a company compared to the number of policies it sold.

You should also feel comfortable with your method of purchasing automotive insurance in Pennsylvania. You can buy insurance from a local agent, directly from the company or online. Auto insurance consists of the following types of coverage:

1. Liability coverage for personal injury and property damage; auto insurance companies in Pennsylvania should provide the minimum coverage that the state requires;
2. Property coverage; this pays for damages and theft of your vehicle;
3. Medical coverage that pays for treating injuries and rehabilitation; this may also cover funeral expenses and lost wages.

Action Steps
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Find out more about the laws regarding Pennsylvania auto insurance coverage

Each state has its own laws regarding auto insurance. These laws cover such issues as the minimum liability coverage, acceptable proof of financial responsibility and the procedure for obtaining license plates in Pennsylvania.

I recommend: Advantage Auto Insurance Quotes provides specific information on auto insurance laws in Pennsylvania. Silverman & Fodera has a summary of the laws for Pennsylvania on auto insurance coverage.

Get quotes on Pennsylvania auto insurance rates

There are many websites that provide insurance quotes online based on specific information about your vehicle. These websites may also provide other information on car insurance.

I recommend: OnlineAutoInsurance.com allows you to compare auto insurance quotes in Pennsylvania by zip code. E-wisdom.com provides quotes on car insurance in Pennsylvania and also offers tips and advice on car insurance.

Find more information on Pennsylvania auto insurance from insurance companies

Car insurance companies in Pennsylvania frequently may be more familiar with local insurance regulations than national competitors. They may also offer articles on car insurance in Pennsylvania.

I recommend: Insurance-compare-save.com provides specific information on car insurance in Pennsylvania. Esurance.com provides detailed information on buying auto insurance in Pennsylvania.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get price quotes from at least three different Pennsylvania auto insurance companies. You may also be able to get a comparison of prices charged by major providers of car insurance. Pennsylvania premiums will also be partially based on your vehicle's sticker price, repair costs, safety record and likelihood of theft.
• •  Join a state assigned risk pool if you have difficulty finding auto insurance in Pennsylvania. Each insurer in a state assigned risk pool must accept the drivers that are assigned to it and keep the profit or pay the loss associated with that customer.

Car insurance in Pennsylvania, like gas or rent, is expensive yet necessary. It doesn't just protect your car from dents; it protects you and other drivers from both bodily harm and financial ruin. For that reason, Pennsylvania car insurance coverage isn't just something that drivers in the "Keystone State" should have; it's something they must have.

Pennsylvania auto insurance coverage doesn’t have to break the bank. You may be able to save by shopping around, declining unnecessary coverage and trading high deductibles for lower premiums. Indeed, you can cut costs, but you can't cut corners. If you drive in Pennsylvania, you need auto insurance in Pennsylvania. Here's what kind and how much, according to Pennsylvania state law:

1. When buying auto insurance in Pennsylvania, drivers must purchase bodily injury liability (BIL), property damage liability (PDL) and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage; collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist bodily injury (UM) and uninsured property damage coverage are recommended, but not required.
2. Auto insurance in Pennsylvania must include BIL coverage of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for costs associated with the injury or death of others in a wreck.
3. Auto insurance in Pennsylvania must include PDL coverage of at least $5,000 for damage to another person's property in an accident.
4. In Pennsylvania, car insurance must include PIP coverage of at least $5,000 to cover costs associated with your own injury or death in an accident.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Browse Pennsylvania auto insurance rates online

If you need Pennsylvania auto insurance, online quotes are a good starting point. Available from all major auto insurance companies in Pennsylvania, they offer a fast and convenient way to research and compare premiums.

I recommend: Get comprehensive online quotes from Pennsylvania car insurance providers at websites like InsWeb, Insurance.com, InsuranceUSA and InsuranceFinder, or from companies like Progressive and Esurance, which quote both their own and competitors' rates.

Solicit Pennsylvania car insurance quotes from national providers

Most major car insurance carriers offer auto insurance in Pennsylvania and all provide competitive Pennsylvania auto insurance rates.

I recommend: Among the largest and most popular car insurance companies in Pennsylvania are AIG, Allstate, Chubb, Farmers, GEICO, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. National associations like AAA and AARP are also good sources for affordable auto insurance in Pennsylvania.

Get car insurance in Pennsylvania from local and regional companies

In Pennsylvania, auto insurance rates can vary dramatically; for some of the most affordable, consider locally based providers.

I recommend: For automotive insurance in Pennsylvania, try Pennsylvania-based companies like Mid-Continent Insurance Company, Penn National Insurance and Erie Insurance. Also consider local programs, like the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan, which exists for drivers who can't easily find auto insurance in Pennsylvania.

Use an independent agent to find Pennsylvania car insurance bargains

Buying car insurance in Pennsylvania via an independent insurance agent can expose you to new resources, practical advice and special rates.

I recommend: To find an independent agent who can sell you car insurance in Pennsylvania, use the “find an independent agent” feature at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America website.

Choose Pennsylvania auto insurance companies that you can trust

Before doing business with Pennsylvania car insurance providers, review their records with consumers to make sure they are reliable, reputable and responsible.

I recommend: If you subscribe to Consumer Reports, you can check up on car insurance companies in Pennsylvania. Another good resource is the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, which licenses auto insurance companies in Pennsylvania and compiles statistics on complaints against them.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider buying more coverage than is required by state law; minimum Pennsylvania car insurance might not be enough to cover car repairs or medical bills after an accident.
• •  Penalties for drivers who don't have Pennsylvania car insurance include driver's license and license plate suspension, as well as cash fines.
• •  If you're leasing or financing your car, dealerships might require you to have more and better Pennsylvania auto insurance than is required by state law.
• •  Higher deductibles typically mean lower premiums and more monthly savings on auto insurance in Pennsylvania.

Auto insurance in Pennsylvania education and training will teach you how to evaluate multiple auto insurance policies and recommend the best one to benefit your customer. You may also need to know about the insurance business in general.

The requirements needed to work for car insurance companies in Pennsylvania are determined by the state and also depend on the type of auto insurance coverage being issued. There are three general categories of car insurance coverage:

1. Collision car insurance in Pennsylvania covers damage to the car due to a collision with some object. The cause of collision damage is typically another car but may also be a falling rock or branch. If the insured driver is at fault, collision coverage will generally cover the repair cost up to the coverage limit after the deductible has been paid.
2. Complete insurance covers damage to the insured driver’s vehicle caused by something other than collision. Non-collision damage typically includes damage due to burglary, fire and corrosive liquids.
3. Liability covers damages to other persons or other property that is the fault of the insured driver. It typically includes damage to other vehicles, medical bills of other people and legal expenses.
   

Action Steps
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Complete the courses needed to work for auto insurance companies in Pennsylvania

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students the various aspects of Pennsylvania auto insurance rates. These courses should be updated frequently to reflect changes in federal and Pennsylvania insurance law.

I recommend: The Insurance Institute of Pennsylvania is a fully licensed insurance school that offers pre-licensing classes. Cape School provides both live classes and self-study insurance courses in Pennsylvania.

Learn the laws regarding Pennsylvania car insurance

Auto insurance brokers and agents in Pennsylvania will need to be familiar with the state laws about their profession. The required coverage limits on auto insurance vary widely by state.

I recommend: Advantage Auto Insurance Quotes provides educational information on auto insurance coverage requirements that are specific to Pennsylvania. USInsuranceOnline.com offers a summary of the insurance laws in Pennsylvania, including coverage requirements.

Obtain the license required by Pennsylvania car insurance providers

Pennsylvania has four different types of insurance licenses: a life insurance agent, life insurance broker, property and casualty insurance agent and property and casualty insurance broker. Get licensing information necessary for a career in PA auto insurance.

I recommend: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Insurance Department provides specific licensing requirements for insurance agents in Pennsylvania. Kaplan Financial lists the Pennsylvania educational requirements for holding an insurance license in Pennsylvania, and offers licensing courses and educational resources.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pennsylvania car insurance providers should set themselves apart by becoming a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). This designation is respected throughout the insurance industry and identifies the holder as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional. A variety of insurance professionals may become CPCUs such as agents, brokers, claim adjusters and risk managers. Many attorneys, consultants and educators may also hold the CPCU designation.