Home Insurance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia homeowners insurance averages approximately $1,800 per year ($150 per month) in 2026, based on InsuranceQuotes.com’s analysis of market rate data — above the Pennsylvania state average due to higher property crime rates and the city’s historic, older housing stock. Penn National Insurance, a Pennsylvania-based regional carrier, offers some of the lowest rates in the city from approximately $992 per year, though it’s available only through independent agents and rarely appears on national comparison sites.
Understanding Home Insurance Costs in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city, has home insurance costs influenced by factors such as severe weather, local crime rates, and the age of homes. The national average cost for home insurance is $1,428 per year, but the average cost for homeowners in Philadelphia is $1,300 per year. Although Philadelphia’s rates are below the national average, risks like coastal storms, flooding, and high property crime rates in some neighborhoods affect insurance premiums.
Local Factors Impacting Home Insurance Costs in Philadelphia
- Flooding Risk: Homes near the Delaware River and Schuylkill River are prone to flooding, particularly after heavy rainfall, requiring additional flood insurance.
- Crime Rates: Certain neighborhoods in Philadelphia have higher property crime rates, increasing insurance premiums for homes in those areas.
- Severe Weather: Philadelphia experiences a range of weather-related risks, from winter storms to thunderstorms and high winds, which can increase the likelihood of property damage.
Home Insurance Rates by Home Age in Philadelphia
The age of a home significantly impacts insurance premiums. Older homes tend to have higher premiums due to outdated construction and materials, while newer homes benefit from modern safety features.
| Home Age | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| 0-10 years | $1,240 |
| 11-25 years | $1,290 |
| 26-50 years | $1,370 |
| 51+ years | $1,450 |
Home Insurance Rates by Credit Tier in Philadelphia
Credit scores play an important role in determining home insurance premiums. Below is a breakdown of how credit tiers impact home insurance rates in Philadelphia:
- Excellent Credit (750+): $1,210 per year
- Good Credit (700-749): $1,300 per year
- Fair Credit (650-699): $1,420 per year
- Poor Credit (Below 650): $1,600 per year
Cheapest Home Insurance Providers in Philadelphia
Several insurance providers in Philadelphia offer competitive home insurance rates. Here are some of the most affordable options:
| Provider | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| State Farm | $1,250 |
| Allstate | $1,290 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,320 |
| Nationwide | $1,300 |
Home Insurance Rates by Deductible Amount in Philadelphia
Opting for a higher deductible can reduce your premium, though it will increase your out-of-pocket costs when you file a claim. Here’s how deductibles impact home insurance premiums in Philadelphia:
- $500 deductible: $1,450 per year
- $1,000 deductible: $1,300 per year
- $2,500 deductible: $1,180 per year
Types of Homeowners Insurance in Philadelphia
- HO-3: The most common homeowners insurance policy, covering the structure, personal property, and liability.
- HO-5: A more comprehensive insurance policy that offers broader protection for high-value homes and personal belongings.
- HO-4: Renters insurance, covering personal belongings and liability for tenants in rental properties.
Additional Coverage Options
- Flood Insurance: Homes near the Delaware or Schuylkill rivers or in low-lying areas may require flood insurance as standard policies do not cover flood damage.
- Windstorm Insurance: With occasional high winds and severe storms, windstorm insurance is recommended to protect homes from damage caused by strong gusts.
- Sewer Backup Insurance: Protects against water damage from sewer backups, especially valuable for older homes with outdated plumbing systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Home Insurance in Philadelphia
Comparing home insurance quotes in Philadelphia means getting estimates from multiple carriers using the same dwelling coverage and deductible, since rates vary both by provider and by ZIP code — the gap between Philadelphia’s cheapest and most expensive ZIP codes exceeds $700/year. State Farm offers the lowest average rate at $1,250/year, followed by Allstate at $1,290/year, Nationwide at $1,300/year, and Liberty Mutual at $1,320/year. InsuranceQuotes lets you compare rates from multiple Philadelphia-area providers side by side using your ZIP code, so you can find the best price for your specific neighborhood and home.
Penn National Insurance: Philadelphia’s Cheapest Home Insurance Nobody Talks About
Penn National Insurance is a Pennsylvania-based regional carrier that consistently offers some of the lowest home insurance rates in Philadelphia — yet it barely appears on national comparison sites. Here’s what Philadelphia homeowners need to know:
- Average Philadelphia rate: ~$992–$1,372/year — well below the city average of $1,800–$2,775 depending on coverage level
- How to access Penn National: Available through independent insurance agents in the Philadelphia area and some online comparison platforms. Not available through large direct-to-consumer comparison tools that focus on national carriers.
- Why it’s cheaper: Penn National is a mutual insurance company with deep roots in Pennsylvania, lower overhead than national brands, and strong local claims experience that allows competitive pricing.
- Financial strength: Penn National maintains strong AM Best financial strength ratings, making it a credible alternative to larger carriers.
Philadelphia homeowners who haven’t specifically gotten a Penn National quote through an independent agent may be overpaying by $400–$1,000+ annually compared to this option. It should be on every Philadelphia homeowner’s comparison list alongside Allstate, Erie, and State Farm.
Why Philadelphia Home Insurance Costs More Than the Rest of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the most expensive city in Pennsylvania for homeowners insurance — and the gap from the state average is substantial. Here’s the breakdown:
| Pennsylvania City | Avg. Annual Rate | vs. Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $1,800–$2,775 | Most expensive in PA |
| Pittsburgh | ~$2,085 | Comparable to Philadelphia |
| Allentown | ~$1,600 | ~15% cheaper |
| Pennsylvania state average | ~$1,712 | 29–41% cheaper than Philadelphia |
| Lancaster | ~$1,008 | ~45% cheaper |
Three drivers of Philadelphia’s higher cost:
- Property crime: Philadelphia has approximately 4,548 property crimes per 100,000 residents — nearly 3x the state average and nearly double the national average. Higher theft and vandalism rates directly increase claim frequency, which insurers pass through as higher premiums.
- Historic housing stock: Philadelphia has one of the oldest housing inventories in the country, with a significant share of pre-1900 row homes. Older homes are more expensive to repair (original materials, historic preservation requirements) and more likely to have aging electrical, plumbing, and roofing that insurers factor into pricing.
- Flood exposure: Philadelphia sits at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Many city neighborhoods experience recurring stormwater and sewer backup flooding, and significant acreage is in FEMA flood zones, increasing comprehensive risk profiles.
Flood Risk in Philadelphia: What Your Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage — a critical gap for many Philadelphia homeowners. Philadelphia’s river confluences, aging combined sewer system, and impervious surface density create flood risks that affect neighborhoods far from the Delaware or Schuylkill waterfronts:
- Delaware and Schuylkill River floodplains — Neighborhoods in flood zones AE require federally-backed mortgages to carry NFIP flood insurance
- Sewer backup flooding — One of the most common home insurance claims in Philadelphia, but excluded from standard HO-3 policies. A sewer backup endorsement costs $50–$100/year and covers this specific risk
- Stormwater flooding — Heavy rainfall overwhelms Philadelphia’s aging combined sewer system; affected basements are typically not covered without a separate flood or sewer backup rider
Westfield Insurance’s inland flood coverage is particularly valuable here — it’s one of the few carriers offering inland flood as a standard or endorsement option in Philadelphia, covering freshwater flooding not caused by external bodies of water. The average NFIP flood policy in Pennsylvania costs approximately $1,474/year.
Philadelphia Home Insurance by ZIP Code (2026)
Your ZIP code is one of the biggest rate factors in Philadelphia — the gap between the cheapest and most expensive ZIP codes exceeds $700 per year:
| Area / ZIP Code | Neighborhood | Rate Profile | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19113 | Tinicum Township | Cheapest — ~$1,355/yr avg | Suburban border, lower crime |
| 19118 | Chestnut Hill | Below average | Lower crime, upscale, newer renovation |
| 19119 | Mount Airy | Below average | Residential, moderate crime |
| 19103 | Rittenhouse Square | Above average | High value, dense urban |
| 19143 | West Philadelphia | Above average | Higher property crime rates |
| 19141 | Ogontz / Fern Rock | Most expensive — ~$2,179/yr | Highest crime rate in city |
Internal Links
See related insurance resources: Pennsylvania home insurance rates • Philadelphia car insurance rates • New Jersey home insurance
How does Philadelphia’s crime rate affect home insurance premiums? High property crime rates in certain neighborhoods can raise insurance premiums, as homes in these areas are more at risk of theft or vandalism.
Is flood insurance necessary in Philadelphia? Homes near rivers or low-lying areas may need flood insurance due to the risk of flooding, especially during heavy rainfall.
Compare Home Insurance Rates in Other Major Cities
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Autumn Cafiero Giusti is a licensed life and health insurance broker and award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience. She writes extensively about flood, Medicare, home, and life insurance for publications like U.S. News and CBS News.
