The Best and Cheapest Renters Insurance in Pennsylvania

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.

The cheapest renters insurance in Pennsylvania

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

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.

» MORE: The cheapest renters insurance

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.

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.

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.

Get more info in our State Farm renters insurance review.

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.

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.

Learn more in our Nationwide renters insurance review.

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.

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.

Learn more in our USAA renters insurance review.

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.

» MORE: How poor credit could raise your renters insurance rates

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.

» MORE: How much is renters insurance?

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^[0]

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.

» MORE: Flood insurance for renters: What you need to know

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.

» MORE: Why your dog needs liability coverage even if she’s perfect

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?

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• Cheapest car insurance in Philadelphia.

• Cheapest car insurance in Pittsburgh.

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• Pennsylvania homeowners insurance.