Penalties for driving without insurance in Pennsylvania
In order to be on the road legally, Pennsylvania drivers must have a minimum amount of car insurance. In addition to meeting state requirements, having car insurance may reduce costly out-of-pocket expenses if you cause an accident. There is more than one penalty for driving without insurance in Pennsylvania, including fines and potential license suspension.
Pennsylvania car insurance laws
Pennsylvania state law requires all drivers to have auto insurance. In order to meet the minimum requirement for insurance within the state, you must have 15/30/5 coverage. This means that if you get into an accident, you must be insured for coverage of up to:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
- $5,000 first-party benefits
First-party coverage typically pays for necessary medical expenses sustained by you or your passengers in the case of an accident. However, Pennsylvania has a unique approach to this coverage, treating it similarly to how other states treat personal injury protection (PIP). In Pennsylvania, first-party insurance must provide at least $5,000 of coverage for medical expenses regardless of who is at fault for the accident.
Pennsylvania is also one of a few states that operates on a choice no-fault insurance system. If you opt for the no-fault system, no matter who is at fault for an accident, your insurance must cover your medical costs and lost wages up to your policy limits. The insurance provider cannot deny you that coverage even if you are determined to be responsible for the accident. You also typically cannot sue the at-fault driver.
In Pennsylvania, if the driver chooses to maintain an at-fault policy, there are no limitations on filing third-party claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy or suing them in court.
However, the at-fault policy, sometimes called a full tort policy, typically costs more than no-fault coverage or limited tort policy. Limited tort policies lower insurance costs and reduce the number of lawsuits that follow an accident but also limit your options to pursue payments for damages if you are in an accident that is not your fault.
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Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Penalties for driving without insurance in Pennsylvania
Despite the state’s requirements, some people still attempt to drive without insurance in Pennsylvania. While this could provide short-term savings, it may not be the best financial decision as you will be on the hook to pay expenses if you cause an accident and are likely to face fines and suspensions.
| Penalty type | First offense penalties |
|---|---|
| Fines | Minimum of $300 |
| Registration suspension | Three months plus $112 restoration fee |
| License suspension | Three months plus $94 restoration fee |
The penalties for driving without insurance listed above are for your first offense. Subsequent offenses could result in higher fines or penalties. Keep in mind that you would be unable to drive during the three months of your license suspension, and your car could not be driven by anyone while its registration is suspended.
There is one possible alternative. You may be able to prevent your suspension by paying a $500 fee, as well as a restoration fee. This option may be exercised once every 12 months, and only along with the submission of proof of current insurance. Doing so will keep you on the road without a suspension, but at a cost.
Getting into an accident without insurance
Getting into an accident, no matter where you live, can be expensive. It is made all the more financially devastating if you do not have insurance to help you cover the costs of an accident. Pennsylvania is one of few states that does not have an SR-22 requirement, which serves as proof of insurance that you are required to present after an accident or traffic stop. Despite no requirement for having an SR-22, you can still face significant legal and financial repercussions for being uninsured and getting into an accident.
If you do not have liability insurance, it is possible that you will be required to pay out of pocket to cover the other party’s medical bills and any property damage. This may mean liquidating assets in order to cover those costs, which could put your home and your savings at risk. You could also be subject to a lawsuit from the other driver for being uninsured.
The cost of carrying minimum car insurance in Pennsylvania is likely to be significantly lower than the potential cost that you could face if you are involved in an accident while uninsured. You can likely find cheap car insurance companies in Pennsylvania that have an option for coverage that fits your budget.
Frequently asked questions
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The best car insurance will depend on your needs and preferences, including what your budget is and what you value in an insurance provider. For instance, if you value lots of customization in your policy, some companies might be better for you and someone for whom budget is the primary consideration. The best car insurance company in Pennsylvania is the company that offers the type of coverage that you need at a rate that fits your budget.
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Pennsylvania does have a series of penalties for drivers who drive without insurance within the state, including fines and suspension of their registration and license. While drivers will not be jailed for driving without insurance, you may face jail time if you are involved in an accident that results in serious harm or are found to be driving under the influence and do not have insurance.
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Car insurance in the Keystone State is available for an average price of $514 a year for state-mandated minimum coverage and $2,450 for full coverage, which includes optional collision and comprehensive insurance. These rates were sourced from Quadrant Information Services in August 2024. Pennsylvania averages are not far off the national averages, which are $633 for minimum and $2,329 for full coverage. Keep in mind, however, that your own rate is based on a range of factors, including your age, driving record and ZIP code as well as your car’s age, make and model—so you may pay more or less than these averages.
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Yes, auto owners are required in Pennsylvania to show proof of insurance when registering an auto vehicle. To register your vehicle, you must show proof of insurance verifying that you have the car insured with at least the state-required minimum liability coverage. This proof of insurance will need to include the insurance provider’s name, the policy ID number, and the effective and expiration dates for the policy.
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Driving without insurance in PA may have several negative outcomes. If you are stopped by law enforcement for another reason and found to be without insurance, you are likely to face fines as well as license and registration suspension. Regaining your license and registration will also involve fees. If you are in an accident while you have no insurance, you could face catastrophic costs if you are found to be at fault. For example, the average claim in the U.S. for injuries following an accident is $16,260 per loss. If you were in an accident that resulted in injuries at this level, you would be accountable for paying these costs out-of-pocket.
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