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The Best Homeowners Insurance in Pennsylvania [2023]

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Find a top-ranked Homeowners Insurance Agency in your area

From Hershey Park to Independence Hall, Pennsylvania is a state rich with history and culture. It’s also home to over 5 million proud homeowners — all of whom enjoy some of the most affordable homeowners insurance plans in the country. Compared to the national average, home insurance coverage costs in Pennsylvania are about 20–30% cheaper.

Still, in a state that experiences regular hail, flooding, thunderstorms, and other natural disasters, it’s important to ensure your home and family are safe and prepared.

We at Expertise.com have analyzed a handful of home insurance companies. We’ll discuss everything to know about homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania, and help you find the most comprehensive, cheapest coverage to suit your needs.

Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in Pennsylvania

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,720 per year according to Insurance.com, which is about 25% lower than the country’s $2,305 average.

Pennsylvania policyholders may enjoy lower premiums than neighboring states due to the state’s lower cost of living and home values. However, the cost of homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania can differ vastly based on a few key factors:

  • The age of your home: Is your Pennsylvania home older and more at risk of structural wear and tear?

  • The square footage of your home: How big is your home? In general, larger homes will carry higher premiums to insure.

  • The materials used to build your home: Was your Pennsylvania home built using durable materials? Or are they susceptible to things like rotting or structural damage?

  • Building costs in your area: Since insurance deals with repairs and replacement, coverage rates increase with higher building costs.

  • Your home’s location: What are crime rates like? How close are you to a fire department? Are you in a flood zone?

  • Any additional features: Does your house have a swimming pool or hot tub that could be hazardous for guests? Do you have pets, and if so, what are their breeds? Believe it or not, insurers will look at these things as potential risks when assessing prices.

  • Your deductible: A higher deductible will decrease your premium, but could cost you more if you file a claim. Talk to your insurance provider about lowering deductibles to get the best plan that suits your budget.

  • Your claims history: If you’ve filed claims in the past, insurers may charge you higher coverage costs. If not, you may be eligible for discounts or a claims-free deductible.

Pennsylvania Homeowners Insurance Rates by City

Pennsylvania is home to a range of small, mid-size, and large cities, so it’s no surprise that homeowners insurance costs vary depending on where you live.

Below is a breakdown of the average annual rate based on the largest Pennsylvania cities:

City

Average Annual Rate

Lancaster

Harrisburg

Reading

Allentown

Erie

Pittsburgh

Scranton

Philadelphia

The Best Homeowners Insurance in Pennsylvania

After extensive research, we at Expertise.com found the following insurance agencies to provide the best, comprehensive coverage in Pennsylvania:

USAA logo

USAA


Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,100

Notes: Best option for active military, veterans, and their families, but not available to civilians

State Farm logo

State Farm


Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,400

Notes: Largest home insurance carrier in the U.S. but fewer discount options and no flood insurance coverage in PA

Chubb logo

Chubb


Average Annual Rate: ~ $21,300

Notes: Good option for high-value properties, comprehensive coverage, and outstanding customer service

Nationwide logo

Nationwide


Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,300

Notes: Good for new homeowners and includes personal liability coverage, but below average customer service

Travelers logo

Travelers


Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,900

Notes: Flexible deduction options and great customer support, but fewer discounts

Erie Insurance logo

Erie


Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,200

Notes: Regional insurer with good bundling discounts with replacement cost coverage included

Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in Pennsylvania

The cheapest homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania can depend on a variety of factors (many listed above), so it’s important to shop around. Based on our research, the following providers have some of the cheapest coverage options in the state of Pennsylvania:

  • Cumberland Mutual — average annual rate of ~$450

  • Penn National — average annual rate of ~$600

  • Farmers— average annual rate of ~$690

  • Westfield — average annual rate of ~$710

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Find Cheap Homeowners Insurance in Your Area

FAQs

Below, we tackle some common questions to help you make a more informed decision about which homeowners insurance to choose in Pennsylvania specifically.

How to Reduce Homeowners Insurance Costs in Pennsylvania

As we’ve pointed out, the price you pay for homeowners insurance can vary substantially across insurers. 

Here are a few ways to reduce costs:

  • Increase your deductible. This will help reduce monthly costs to your insurer, but it could mean paying more out-of-pocket if you need to make a claim. Similarly, paying your 6-month or 1-year premium in full will lower your monthly costs.

  • Bundle policies. Bundling your home and auto insurance can help you save up to 15%-20% on your premiums in Pennsylvania. Talk to your insurance provider about home and car insurance bundling options and how that helps you save.

  • Take the necessary steps to make your home disaster-resistant. Some examples include:

  • Install a smoke detector and/or fire alarm.

  • Get a burglar alarm and/or dead-bolt locks.

  • Install a sprinkler system.

  • Install impact-resistant windows. 

  • Nix the high-risk accessories. Check your home for items that are considered “high risk.” For example, if the kids went off to college, maybe it’s time to throw out that trampoline sitting in the backyard.

  • Seek out other discounts. Some things to look into:

  • Do you work from home? Insurance providers may feel you’re less prone to theft or may spot a fire or flood sooner.

  • Are you retired? You may qualify for a discount. 

  • Does your employer offer a group deal?

  • Something as simple as choosing paperless billing can help you save.

  • Some insurers will offer you a loyalty discount if you keep a policy with them for multiple years.

  • Keep good credit. Some insurers will look at policyholders’ credit history and charge less if you show good financial strength and standing.

Be sure to consult your insurance agent to see which of the above discounts you qualify for.

Pennsylvania Insurance Options In Your City

At Expertise.com, our goal is to connect Pennsylvania residents with the best local experts and agencies, so you can find the home insurance policy that safely insures your home and most prized possessions. 

View our list of the 16 best homeowners insurance agencies here

Learn more about the best homeowners insurance options in your respective Keystone State cities below:

Our methodology evaluates each provider based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.