Best Homeowners Insurance in Pennsylvania (2024)
Westfield has the cheapest homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania. However, Erie stands out as the state’s best overall homeowners insurance company, based on its combination of rates, customer service scores and policy offerings.
Cheapest homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania: Westfield
Westfield has the cheapest homeowners insurance quotes in Pennsylvania. Its rates average $1,017 a year, or $85 a month, for a typical home.
The next-cheapest quotes come from Penn National, at $1,219 a year, and Erie, at $1,311 a year.
| Company | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Westfield | $1,017 |
| Penn National | $1,219 |
| Erie | $1,311 |
| USAA* | $1,358 |
| State Farm | $1,515 |
| Allstate | $1,522 |
| Nationwide | $1,665 |
| Travelers | $1,896 |
| Farmers | $3,185 |
| Chubb | $4,594 |
Since rates vary by customer, compare quotes from multiple companies when it’s time to buy or renew your home insurance to get your best rate.
Best homeowners insurance companies in Pennsylvania
Erie is the best overall homeowners insurance company in Pennsylvania, based on a combination of price, customer satisfaction and policy offerings.
Pennsylvania’s top home insurance companies
| Company | Annual rate | Satisfaction score | Complaint rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall: Erie | $1,311 | 855 (Excellent) | 0.72 (Good) |
| Best price: Westfield | $1,017 | Not rated | 0.08 (Excellent) |
| Best small company: Penn National | $1,219 | Not rated | 0.52 (Good) |
| Best large company: State Farm | $1,515 | 829 (Excellent) | 0.95 (Average) |
| Best for military families: USAA | $1,358 | 881 (Excellent) | 0.36 (Excellent) |
Satisfaction scores are from J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Home Insurance Study. Rankings are based on a 1,000-point scale, with a segment average of 819.
Complaint ratings reflect confirmed complaints recorded by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022. A 2.0 rating reflects twice as many complaints as expected for a company’s size. A 0.5 rating means half as many.
Best overall home insurance company in Pennsylvania: Erie
Erie is the not cheapest home insurance company in Pennsylvania, but it has a higher customer satisfaction rating than most of its competitors. Erie’s policy highlights include guaranteed replacement cost coverage for your home at no extra charge.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Rates are 32% lower than the state average Guaranteed replacement cost ensures enough money to rebuild your home Additional discounts for bundling your home and auto insurance | Instant quotes not available online |
Best home insurance price in Pennsylvania: Westfield
Westfield’s excellent complaint rating reflects its ability to meet customer expectations while keeping its rates low.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Cheapest home insurance rate in Pennsylvania Lower, or better, complaint rating than most other home insurers Policy upgrades provided for bundling your home and auto insurance | Does not offer instant online quotes or a smartphone app Endorsements to customize your coverage are limited |
Best small home insurance company in Pennsylvania: Penn National
Penn National doesn’t crack the top 10 for market share in Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, it holds its own against its larger competitors with low prices and an excellent complaint rating. The company’s A rating from AM Best speaks to its financial stability.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Rates are 37% lower than the state average Dwelling coverage can be extended by up to 50% Various other endorsements and upgrades are also available | Instant quotes not available online |
Best large home insurance company in Pennsylvania: State Farm
State Farm only has slightly lower rates than Allstate and Nationwide. However, State Farm has a much higher satisfaction score than those companies.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Rates are 21% lower than the state average Generous discounts for bundling home and auto insurance Personalized service from a wide network of agents | State Farm agents don’t quote other companies’ rates Complaint rating is just average |
Best for Pennsylvania military families: USAA
Along with low rates, USAA offers quality customer service and policy perks that can make you feel like a VIP.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Rates are 30% lower than the state average Highest satisfaction score among all Pennsylvania home insurers Replacement cost coverage provided for your belongings at no extra charge Coverage for uniforms and military equipment included for active-duty service members | Only current and former members of the military and their families can get insurance from USAA You get a different agent each time you call for help |
How much is homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,928 a year, or $161 a month, for a typical home.
The price you pay depends on factors such as:
- The amounts of coverage you need
- Your credit and insurance history
- Your area’s crime rates and exposure to severe weather
- Any discounts you may be eligible to receive
Each insurance company weighs these factors differently. Getting home insurance quotes from a few different companies helps you find the cheapest rate.
Home insurance rates by coverage
Increasing the dwelling coverage of your home insurance policy by $50,000 usually only adds about $17 a month to your rate.
For example, a policy with $450,000 of coverage costs $199 more per year than one that insures your home for $400,000.
| Dwelling coverage | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| $350,000 | $1,730 |
| $400,000 | $1,928 |
| $450,000 | $2,127 |
Dwelling coverage pays to repair or rebuild your home. For a new mortgage, lenders typically require you to insure your home at its replacement value, which is the cost of rebuilding it.
You can choose a lower limit if you have a low loan balance or no mortgage at all. However, doing so puts you at risk of not getting enough insurance money to rebuild after a disaster.
Most insurance companies use a software program to estimate your home’s replacement value, based on its characteristics. Make sure the details the insurance company has about your home are accurate.
Pennsylvania homeowners insurance rates by city
In Pennsylvania’s largest cities, home insurance rates range from $1,591 a year in Lancaster to $2,892 a year in Philadelphia.
In Pittsburgh, homeowners insurance costs an average of $1,862 a year, which is 3% less than the state average.
| City | Annual rate |
|---|---|
| Abington | $2,145 |
| Allentown | $1,708 |
| Bensalem | $2,487 |
| Bethlehem | $1,708 |
| Bristol | $2,498 |
| Erie | $1,861 |
| Lancaster | $1,591 |
| Lower Merion | $2,321 |
| Lower Paxton | $1,713 |
| Millcreek | $1,814 |
| Philadelphia | $2,892 |
| Pittsburgh | $1,862 |
| Reading | $1,675 |
| Scranton | $1,812 |
| Upper Darby | $2,353 |
Flood insurance in Pennsylvania
Homeowners insurance does not cover floods, but you can buy flood insurance to protect against this risk.
The average cost of flood insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,250 a year, or $104 a month, for policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Most flood insurance is bought through the NFIP, which is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Several private companies also offer it.
Lenders typically require flood insurance for a mortgage in a high-risk flood zone. However, flood insurance is often worth considering even if you own your home outright and/or if it’s in a low- or moderate-risk area.
You can find a home’s flood zone online in the Flood Map Service Center on FEMA’s website.
Other insurance protections for Pennsylvania homes
Earthquakes, mine subsidence and sinkholes are among the other Pennsylvania risks that standard homeowners insurance does not cover. Here’s how to protect against them:
- Several home insurance companies offer earthquake insurance as an add-on to an existing home insurance policy.
- You can get mine subsidence insurance from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The department’s website also has a map that shows if your home is above a known mine.
- Sinkholes are a potential risk in areas of Pennsylvania with karst landscapes. Some companies offer sinkhole insurance as an add-on, and it’s also available as stand-alone insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Homeowners insurance is not required by law in Pennsylvania, but lenders typically require it for a mortgage. If your home is in a high-risk flood zone, your lender will make you get flood insurance, too.
Bundling your home insurance with your auto policy and shopping around for the cheapest price are among the best ways to save money on homeowners insurance. Make sure your quotes include all discounts that may be available to you.
Homeowners insurance covers most common causes of damage or loss in Pennsylvania. These include fire, hailstorms, tornadoes, falling objects, burst pipes, vandalism and theft.
Homeowners insurance does not cover floods, earthquakes, mine subsidence, sinkholes or other earth movements. However, separate insurance is available for these excluded risks.