The Best and Cheapest Renters Insurance in Pennsylvania for 2024

NerdWallet analyzed rates across the state to find the cheapest renters insurance in Pennsylvania.

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Updated · 5 min read
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Written by Sarah Schlichter
Lead Writer
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Assistant Assigning Editor
Fact Checked
Nerdy takeaways
  • The cheapest renters insurance company in Pennsylvania is Penn National, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

  • Erie and USAA are the two best renters insurance companies in Pennsylvania.

  • The average cost of renters insurance in Pennsylvania is $124 per year.

If you’re considering buying renters insurance in Pennsylvania, you’ve got plenty of affordable options. Pennsylvania renters insurance policies cost $124 per year, on average. For comparison, the national average is $148.

NerdWallet analyzed rates across the Keystone State to find out which companies offer the cheapest renters insurance in Pennsylvania.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

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The cheapest renters insurance in Pennsylvania

These are the companies we found with renters insurance rates below the state average of $124 per year.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

Penn National

Not rated

$68

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$76

Cumberland Mutual

Not rated

$100

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$107

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$114

Westfield

Not rated

$123

The best renters insurance in Pennsylvania

If you want to buy a policy from a highly rated company, consider one of these carriers from NerdWallet’s list of the Best Renters Insurance Companies. Click on the company name to read our review.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$76

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$114

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$147

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$231

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$238

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$170

*USAA renters policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.

More about the best renters insurance companies in Pennsylvania

See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.

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Erie

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Solid coverage and good service, but you’ll need to speak with an agent to get a policy.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Erie

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Solid coverage and good service, but you’ll need to speak with an agent to get a policy.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

You may be able to save money on Erie insurance by bundling renters and auto policies, getting an advance quote, or having safety devices in your home. The personal property coverage on your policy offers financial protection if your stuff is stolen or damaged anywhere in the world. You may want to tack on extra coverage for scenarios like home-sharing — if you rent your apartment out to others — or flooding.

Read our Erie renters insurance review to learn more.


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State Farm

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
The country’s biggest home insurer offers solid renters insurance with lots of ways to manage your policy online.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

State Farm

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
The country’s biggest home insurer offers solid renters insurance with lots of ways to manage your policy online.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

The largest insurer in the country, State Farm has a robust website where you can get quotes, pay bills, file claims and learn about insurance. Renters may become eligible for discounts by bundling multiple policies or installing safety devices in their home. Ask your agent about inflation coverage, which regularly raises your personal property limit to keep up with rising costs.


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Farmers

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Strong coverage plus a user-friendly app to manage your policy.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Farmers

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Strong coverage plus a user-friendly app to manage your policy.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Farmers offers a variety of ways to save on your renters insurance policy, including potential discounts for bundling multiple policies, having a security system or being a nonsmoker. Teachers, doctors, nurses and police may also be eligible for savings. If you have expensive belongings, such as an engagement ring or fine art, ask about extra coverage to make sure those items are properly insured.

Get more details in our Farmers renters insurance review.


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Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Renters insurance coverage with a few useful add-ons.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Nationwide

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Renters insurance coverage with a few useful add-ons.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

A standard Nationwide renters insurance policy covers your stuff on an “actual cash value” basis. That means if an item is stolen or destroyed, the insurer will pay you whatever it was worth at the time you made the claim — which might not be enough to replace it. Upgrade to Brand New Belongings coverage to get enough to buy new replacement items. You may also be able to add coverage for valuable jewelry or damage from backed-up drains.


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Travelers

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Renters insurance coverage from a large, tech-friendly company.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Travelers

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Renters insurance coverage from a large, tech-friendly company.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

Does your home have smart-home technology, a burglar alarm or an interior sprinkler system? If so, you might be able to save on Travelers renters insurance. You may also be eligible for a bundle or claims-free discount. Extra coverage may be available for expensive items such as jewelry or computers.

Get more details in our Travelers renters insurance review.


insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Strong coverage for active military, veterans and their families.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Strong coverage for active military, veterans and their families.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Renters policies from USAA cover flood and earthquake damage, unlike policies from most other companies. They also include replacement cost coverage for your belongings. But USAA’s coverage isn’t available to everyone. The company serves only active military, veterans and their families.


How much is renters insurance in Pennsylvania?

The average cost of renters insurance in Pennsylvania is $124 per year, or about $10 per month. That’s 16% cheaper than the national average of $148 per year.

In most U.S. states, including Pennsylvania, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In Pennsylvania, those with poor credit pay an average of $186 per year for renters insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 50% more than those with good credit.

Average cost of renters insurance in Pennsylvania by city

How much you pay for Pennsylvania renters insurance will vary based on where you live. The average cost of renters insurance in Philadelphia is $191 per year, while Pittsburgh renters pay about $142 per year, on average.

Below are average renters insurance rates for some of Pennsylvania’s largest cities.

City

Average annual rate

Average monthly rate

Allentown

$133

$11

Altoona

$126

$11

Bethlehem

$131

$11

Carlisle

$121

$10

Chambersburg

$121

$10

Easton

$132

$11

Erie

$133

$11

Greensburg

$123

$10

Harrisburg

$125

$10

Johnstown

$125

$10

Lancaster

$124

$10

Lansdale

$136

$11

Lebanon

$123

$10

Levittown

$140

$12

Mechanicsburg

$123

$10

Norristown

$137

$11

Philadelphia

$191

$16

Pittsburgh

$142

$12

Pottstown

$138

$12

Reading

$129

$11

Scranton

$130

$11

State College

$126

$11

West Chester

$139

$12

Wilkes-Barre

$132

$11

York

$124

$10

What to know about Pennsylvania renters insurance

Pennsylvania is prone to certain natural disasters, and renters insurance won’t typically cover damage from all of them.

Flooding

Floods are the state’s most common natural disaster, according to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Know the Threats: Flooding. Accessed Dec 13, 2023.
. Unfortunately, most renters insurance policies don’t cover flood damage.

Buying separate flood insurance may not be necessary if you live in an upper-floor apartment. But if you’re in a ground-floor unit near a body of water or in an area prone to flash floods, consider reaching out to an agent to discuss your options.

Fires

Unlike floods, fire damage is generally covered by renters insurance policies. For example, that could include a kitchen fire in your own apartment or smoke damage from a blaze in a neighboring unit.

Tropical storms, thunderstorms and tornadoes

These types of storms can strike Pennsylvania during the warmer months, leaving destruction in their wake. Whether your renters policy will cover your stuff depends on the nature of the damage.

Say a tornado sweeps through your neighborhood and destroys most of your belongings. You’d likely get an insurance payout because wind is one of the “named perils” most renters policies cover. But if a heavy thunderstorm causes a flash flood that damages your furniture, you probably wouldn’t be covered unless you had flood insurance.

Winter storms

Pennsylvania sees its share of winter storms, especially in the northern reaches of the state. Renters insurance typically covers damage to your belongings due to the weight of snow or ice.

For example, if a blizzard damages the roof of your apartment complex and your stuff is ruined by the snow, your policy would likely cover that. Some policies might also pay to replace food lost during a winter storm power outage.

What determines Pennsylvania renters insurance rates?

You may pay more or less than the average rates listed above, based on factors like these:

Where you live

Does your neighborhood have a high crime rate? Is your area at risk for certain natural disasters? If so, you might pay more for renters insurance.

Your credit history

As noted above, many companies charge more for renters insurance if you have poor credit. Learn how to rebuild your credit.

Your coverage

As you might expect, you’ll pay a higher rate if you need more coverage. So if you own a lot of stuff, or you need higher liability limits, expect a more expensive premium.

Your deductible

One way to lower your premium is by choosing a higher deductible. That means you’ll pay more out of pocket before your insurance company steps in to cover a claim. The savings may not be worth it if you’d struggle to pay the full deductible in an emergency.

Previous claims

Insurance companies often raise rates for renters who’ve previously filed claims, assuming they may be more likely to file another one in the future. In Pennsylvania, someone with a recent claim would pay about 6% more for renters insurance than a person with a clean record, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

Your other policies

Bundling your renters policy with another type of insurance, such as an auto policy, can often get you a discount on one or both premiums.

Your home’s features

Having burglar alarms, deadbolt locks, sprinkler systems or other protective devices in your home is another way to get a renters insurance discount.

Your dog

Some insurance companies consider certain breeds a higher risk for dog bite liability claims. Owners of pit bulls, Doberman pinschers or other breeds may pay more for renters insurance — or be refused coverage altogether.

Pennsylvania Insurance Department

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department website offers an agent lookup tool, coverage information and a complaint form where you can raise concerns about your carrier. For personal assistance, you can also call 877-881-6388.

Looking for more insurance in Pennsylvania?

Frequently asked questions

Renters insurance isn’t required by law in Pennsylvania, though some landlords may ask for proof of insurance before you sign your lease. Either way, it might be worth buying a policy if you’d have trouble replacing all your stuff after a disaster. See six reasons not to skip renters insurance.

The best way to save money on renters insurance is by shopping around with at least three companies. (For a fair comparison, get quotes for the same deductible and coverage limits from each insurer.) You may also be able to lower your rate by bundling renters and auto insurance with the same company, signing up for autopay or choosing a higher deductible.

Renters insurance typically covers your belongings for scenarios such as fires, smoke, windstorms, vandalism and theft. Your policy will typically also include liability coverage, which pays if you injure someone else or damage their property. Learn more about renters insurance coverage.

Methodology

Renters insurance star rating methodology

NerdWallet’s renters insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverage options, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full renters insurance rating methodology.

Insurer complaints methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

Renters insurance rates methodology

To find the national cost of renters insurance, NerdWallet calculated the median rate for 30-year-old tenants from multiple insurance companies in every ZIP code across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. To find the average cost of renters insurance by state and city, we calculated the median rates from all insurance companies where coverage and rates were available. To find the average cost of renters insurance for each company, we calculated the mean for that company’s rates in all ZIP codes across the state.

Sample tenants were nonsmokers with good credit and no recent claims, living in a two-bedroom apartment. They had a $500 deductible and the following coverage limits:

  • $30,000 in personal property coverage.

  • $100,000 in liability coverage.

  • $10,000 in additional living expenses coverage.

  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

To see rates for renters with poor credit, we changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer.

These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

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