Best homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania for November 2024

Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in Pennsylvania

To see how the largest home insurance companies by market share in Pennsylvania stack up, we obtained current premium information from Quadrant Information Services. We also analyzed each provider’s J.D. Power score, AM Best financial strength rating, available coverage, discounts and policy features. Pennsylvania homeowners pay an average of $1,233 for $300,000 of dwelling coverage, which is well below the national average of $2,304.

Based on our findings, USAA, Erie, Allstate, Farmers and Pennsylvania National Mutual offer some of the best homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania.

The top 5 home insurance companies in Pennsylvania

Additional Pennsylvania home insurance companies to consider

Cumberland Mutual Fire Insurance Co.

Donegal

Encompass

How Bankrate chose the best home insurance companies in Pennsylvania

Bankrate's insurance editorial team started our search for the best home insurance companies in Pennsylvania by developing a metric to score companies. Bankrate’s insurance experts analyzed dozens of home insurance carriers based on average rate data, policy options, discounts, online accessibility and more. We also collected information on insurers’ customer service scores from J.D. Power and financial strength ratings from AM Best.

To summarize our findings, we developed our proprietary Bankrate Score. Carriers are rated on a 5-point scale based on their performance in the key categories listed above. Home insurance companies that performed well in these categories earned a higher overall Bankrate Score. You may be able to use these Scores to quickly analyze carriers and narrow down which ones you might want to request quotes from.

Cheapest home insurance companies in Pennsylvania

Some of our picks for the best home insurance in Pennsylvania are also some of the cheapest. Depending on the company you choose and the discounts you are eligible for, you may find major savings with some of the following Pennsylvania home insurance companies:

How to get cheap home insurance in Pennsylvania

Finding the best Pennsylvania homeowners insurance likely depends on your unique circumstances, budget and coverage needs. Here are a few tactics you might use to find the best Pennsylvania home insurance:

• Shop around: The first quote you get may not be a competitive rate for your coverage selections. You may be surprised at the range of prices you could have if you compare multiple quotes. Shopping around may help you not only find the lowest rate but also may help you identify companies with other factors you are looking for, like great customer service or a specific endorsement. 
• Maintain your roof: Older or poorly-maintained roofs can be easily damaged during storms and may be an indicator of the general level of upkeep around your home. Many insurers give you a better price if your roof is newer and in good repair.
• Address your credit score: Pennsylvania home insurance companies can consider your credit history when determining your rates and typically offer lower rates to homeowners with strong credit histories. Carriers typically see a high credit-based insurance score as a sign you pay bills on time. It may also indicate that you are less likely to file a claim for small damages. 
• Consider bundling: Once you determine the best car insurance policy for you, you might consider going with the same carrier for home insurance. Most Pennsylvania homeowners insurance carriers will give you a discount if you carry more than one policy with the company. 

Best home insurance discounts in Pennsylvania

In addition to bundling your home and auto insurance, there are other common discounts that may be available for further policy savings. Here are a few you may see in Pennsylvania:

How to save on home insurance policy renewals in Pennsylvania

Policy renewal — which typically takes place once a year — provides a great opportunity to shop around and potentially save on coverage. Before your next renewal, there are things you can do to improve your chances of getting a lower premium rate. Here are some things you can do that might reduce your rate:

• Improve your credit score: It doesn’t happen overnight, but taking measures to boost your credit score can earn you a more favorable home insurance rate. In all states except California, Maryland and Massachusetts, insurers are allowed to take your credit history into account when calculating your rate. Homeowners with good or excellent credit scores are seen as lower risk by insurers and generally get lower rates.
• Only file claims when necessary: Although Pennsylvania laws prohibit insurers from canceling your home insurance policy because you’ve filed too many claims, homeowners should still be intentional about when to file and when to pay out of pocket. Naturally, for major damage, it makes more sense to rely on your insurance policy, but for smaller losses, it may actually be cheaper in the long run to pay out of pocket. Home insurance providers typically raise rates following a claim, and policyholders may need to shoulder the added insurance cost for years to come. If the repair estimate is close to your deductible, it may make more sense to pay out of pocket and avoid a premium surcharge.
• Fortify your home: Many Pennsylvania home insurance providers reward homeowners who take measures to mitigate damage. Although discounts will vary across providers, installing storm shutters or adding hurricane clips may help you earn a discount.

How much is home insurance in Pennsylvania?

The average homeowners insurance policy in Pennsylvania costs $1,233 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This is significantly lower than the national average annual premium of $2,304. Pennsylvania homeowners also pay less than homeowners in neighboring states. In New York, the average premium for $300K in dwelling coverage is $1,745 per year. In Maryland, this coverage costs $1,561 per year. Low insurance premiums in Pennsylvania could be partially the result of the state’s lower average cost of living and comparatively low risk for natural disasters like hurricanes.

Pennsylvania homeowners insurance rates by city 

Your ZIP code can sway how much you pay for your home insurance coverage. Much of Pennsylvania’s population is concentrated in the southeast area of the state around the broader Philadelphia area.

What does home insurance cover in Pennsylvania?

Understanding which disasters are covered by your home insurance policy is the first step in identifying any potential coverage gaps. If you have an HO-3 home insurance policy, which is largely considered standard, here’s what you can expect to be covered for: 

• Tornadoes: Since 1950, tornadoes in Pennsylvania have caused nearly $2 billion dollars in estimated property damage. Your home insurance policy can cover your dwelling, other structures and personal property if they sustain tornado damage. Depending on your insurance company, you might need to pay a separate disaster deductible before your coverage kicks in.
• Fire: Unless a fire is set intentionally, your home insurance coverage should cover your dwelling and personal property up to your policy limits.
• Freezing temperatures: Average snowfalls vary widely across the state. Northwestern PA sees between 75 and 100 inches per year, which can weigh heavily on your home’s roof. Home insurance can help in that instance. However, damage caused by melting ground snow would need to be covered by a flood policy. 

Additional home insurance coverage types in Pennsylvania

Residents of the Keystone State may want to consider home insurance add-ons that protect their property and belongings against the state’s unique perils. Some add-on coverage types that Pennsylvania homeowners might consider include:

• Flood insurance: Flood insurance is not included in a standard home policy. Flood coverage is offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance (NFIP) program and through some private insurers. If you live in a high-risk flood zone, a flood policy may be required by your mortgage lender.
• Replacement cost coverage: Opting for replacement cost coverage may provide you with enough coverage to purchase a new version of damaged or destroyed personal property at today’s cost. Additionally, you might be eligible for replacement cost coverage for the structure of your home, which could help to fully cover rebuilding costs if your house is destroyed.
• Sinkhole insurance: Pennsylvania is amongst the six states most vulnerable to sinkhole damage. However, the damage is not covered through a standard home insurance policy. Pennsylvania offers state maps that indicate whether or not your home is at risk for sinkhole or mine subsidence damage. 
• Water backup coverage: Some water damage is automatically covered by home insurance policies. But if water backs up in a sewer or drain line and damages your home, you'll likely need this endorsement to have coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Additional profiles:

• Coverage A, Dwelling: $150,000, $350,000, $450,000, $750,000
• Coverage B, Other Structures: $15,000, $35,000, $45,000, &75,000
• Coverage C, Personal Property: $75,000, $175,000, $225,000, $375,000
• Coverage D, Loss of Use: $30,000, $70,000, $90,000, $150,000
• Coverage E, Liability: $500,000
• Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000

Bankrate Scores 

Our Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.

Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.