PA Commercial Auto Insurance: Cost & Quotes From $12/mo

Pennsylvania motor travelers have unique challenges to deal with that make PA commercial auto insurance necessary to keep up with your business costs and face liabilities regarding auto accidents. According to Pennsylvania crash statistics, there are approximately 355 vehicle crashes every day in the state. That amounts to about 15 crashes every hour. 

In a multi-year analysis by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, it was revealed that there was a decrease in traffic accidents in recent years, but Pennsylvania still remains one of the highest-ranked states for road collisions. It also ranks among the deadliest places for animal collisions. With so many challenges for PA businesses, it is important that they look into getting the best commercial auto insurance.

You don’t want to drive a toy hauler or any other RV in Pennsylvania without commercial auto insurance. The same is true if you’re a semi-truck owner-operator or logistics company in the state. It’s not even careless to say that you need auto coverage if you’re someone who owns a tractor or any other type of mobile farm equipment. This guide will cover essential Pennsylvania commercial auto insurance topics, including:

• How does car insurance work in Pennsylvania?

• What type of auto insurance is required in Pennsylvania?

• Who regulates commercial auto insurance companies in Pennsylvania?

• Which insurers are required to participate in the Pennsylvania automobile insurance plan?

• Are collision and comprehensive insurance required in PA?

• How much does commercial auto insurance cost in Pennsylvania?

These topics cover insurance needs across the state of Pennsylvania. For instance, if you need commercial auto insurance in Philadelphia, the insurance companies in this guide feature competitive prices and great offers.

How Does Car Insurance Work in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania car insurance laws require all motor vehicle owners to have auto liability coverage on all of their registered vehicles.  This ensures that you and your insurance company can ensure that they can pay for automobile incidents on the road that result in events like:

• Bodily injury

• Property damage

• Vehicle damage

• Medical bills

• Legal fees

Car insurance coverage falls into a few categories broken down below.

What Type of Auto Insurance is Required in Pennsylvania?

Auto liability insurance is the type of auto insurance required in Pennsylvania. The DMV of PA requires that all PA motor vehicle owners maintain a vehicle liability insurance policy on their vehicles in the event of bodily injury or property damage.  

Note that auto liability coverage is both found in personal auto and commercial auto insurance. Commercial auto insurance differs from personal auto insurance in a few different ways.

Pennsylvania commercial auto insurance gives your business’s vehicles more nuanced protection in auto incidents and offers greater overall coverage. Because of Pennsylvania’s high collision rate on the roads, it is especially advisable to consider getting a commercial auto insurance quote.

Pennsylvania Commercial Auto Insurance Requirements

Pennsylvania commercial auto insurance requirements demand that you have a comprehensive auto liability policy to cover the following: 

• Minimum liability of $15,000 per person

• $30,000 for each accident with bodily damage

• Property damage liability of $5,000 for each accident

• $5,000 liability for medical benefits

Your policy may exceed these limits based on the commercial vehicles you insure and what they are used for.

Who Regulates Commercial Auto Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania?

Commercial auto insurance in Pennsylvania is regulated by the Office of Market of Regulation. This government entity has three branches, which include:

• The Bureau of Consumer Services–Responsible for investigating customer complaints from policyholders. They can overturn decisions by insurance companies and force them to pay restitution to consumers

• The Bureau of Market Actions–This group audits commercial auto insurance companies to ensure they follow PA laws and statutes. They also check to make sure insurance companies are following non-discriminatory practices

• The Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement–Grants licenses to insurance agents and is granted the authority to impose fines and revoke licenses for agents found to be in violation of their requirements

Which Insurers Are Required to Participate in the Pennsylvania Automobile Insurance Plan?

All insurance companies that offer automobile insurance are required to participate in Pennsylvania’s Assigned Risk Plan. This plan was implemented to offer automobile insurance to people who typically have trouble getting an insurance plan. These groups include:

• High-risk drivers

• People unable to afford insurance

• Those who own older automobiles where policies are hard to obtain

These drivers are put into a pool and then randomly assigned to all automobile insurance companies with a quota system. Insurance companies are required to meet a quota of these drivers that they provide coverage to every year. 

Despite these protections, some drivers can fail to qualify if they fail to make payments, don’t have a driver’s license, or previously failed a safety inspection.

Are Collision and Comprehensive Insurance Required in PA?

Collision and Comprehensive Insurance coverage are not required by law in PA. However, many loan institutions, vendors, businesses, and clients require this coverage from the businesses they work with.

How Much Does Commercial Auto Insurance Cost in Pennsylvania?

Commercial auto insurance in Pennsylvania is $150 per month or $1,800 per year for a commercial auto policy offering a $1 million auto liability coverage. The figure can vary depending on your business’s coverage needs. Prices will also change because of your driving record, your deductible, and the coverage limit of the policy. Below is a breakdown of the rates and coverage of the top Pennsylvania insurance companies:

Best PA Commercial Auto Insurance Companies

Many PA insurance companies offer additional benefits because of the increased collision rates and state requirements compared to other states. Below is a breakdown of the best PA commercial auto insurance companies. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average cost for a commercial auto insurance. 

NEXT

Pros

• Handles its own claims

• Easy online application

• Certificate sharing

Cons

• The digital claim process can be complicated

NEXT is a standout insurance company for PA residents that offers the best overall price. They were founded in 2016 and are entirely online. It offers less specialized coverage for your area but has competitive policy options.

Best for: Best overall; Fastest commercial auto insurance 

Average cost: $12 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

The Hartford

Pros 

• File online

• Adding options is easy

• Plethora of extra options

Cons

• Purchase requires an agent

The Hartford makes it easy to get a specialized quote and offers a competitive price to go with it. Customers benefit from the personal touch of an agent that can help direct their customers to a simplified purchasing process.

Best for: Specialized options

Average cost: $55 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

CoverWallet

Pros

• Easy-to-use online dashboard

• Get multiple quotes quickly

• Great for small businesses

Cons 

• The quote process requires a phone call

CoverWallet boasts a high policy renewal rate boosted by its wide range of coverage options. Their dashboard makes shopping for policies easy and makes purchasing commercial auto insurance a seamless experience.

Best for: Comparing commercial auto insurance quotes online

Average cost: $29 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

Tivly

Pros 

• Company profile system

• Extensive knowledge of policy options

• Instant coverage

Cons

• Not a provider

PA insurance customers should try Tivly if they have trouble getting a policy that fits all their names. The company matches your profile with its partners to match you to the best coverage options. Call a representative now to compare quotes over the phone. 

Best for: Comparing commercial auto insurance quotes over the phone

Average cost: $19 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

Thimble

Pros 

• Get a quote and make a purchase in the same process

• Quick coverage

• Online service

Cons

• No phone customer support

Thimble has instant and flexible subscription coverage plans that can help you get your commercial auto insurance coverage quickly.

Best for: Getting covered quickly

Average cost: $60 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

Hiscox

Pros

• Century of experience

• Discounts for multiple Hiscox policies

• Small business-focused

Cons

• No Alaska coverage

Hiscox has nearly a century of experience in the insurance industry, and it applies this experience to help shape small business coverage that is tailored to each business’s individual needs.

Best for: Small businesses

Average cost: $30 per month 

Our rating: 10/10

Progressive

Pros

• Discounts for bundling business and personal auto insurance

• Wide range of commercial policy options

• Largest seller of commercial auto insurance

Cons

• Third-party policies make policy navigation more complicated

Progressive is the largest provider of commercial auto insurance and brings many policy options for PA business owners. A wide variety of vehicle types is covered, making it an attractive option.

Best for: Vehicle coverage range

Average cost: $165 per month 

Our rating: 8/10

GEICO

Pros

• Claim tracking

• Excellent customer service

• Adding extra options is easy

Cons

• No semi-truck coverage

GEICO has a stellar claim-tracking process that makes resolving claims stress-free. They also boast an excellent customer service track record for setting up policies.

Best for: Tracking claims

Average cost: $167 per month 

Our rating: 8/10 

State Farm

Pros

• Guided agent experience

• Retirement savings vehicle option

• Agents available in PA

Cons

• No online quotes

State Farm has a great track record for commercial auto insurance. Unfortunately, their online experience is more limited than the competition.

Best for: Human touch

Average cost: $52 per month 

Our rating: 8/10

Allstate

Pros

• Solid range of industry vehicles

• Easy-to-navigate mobile app

• Bundling commercial auto insurance with other products can get you a discount

Cons

• Claim filing is only available on the phone

Allstate is a solid choice for a PA business owner with a range of vehicles who values ease of service over speedy coverage. If you have the time to invest, you can get lots of coverage with a bundled deal.

Best for: Ease of service

Average cost: $154 per month 

Our rating: 8/10

USAA

Pros 

• Great fleet coverage

• Simple policies

• Online access for quotes and policy purchase

Cons 

• Have to be approved for membership

USAA offers selective service to military members and their families. It is an excellent option for fleet vehicle owners or truckers. It might not be the right option if you have complex insurance coverage.

Best for: Military members

Average cost: $66 per month 

Our rating: 8/10